Tuesday it was announced by officials at Mountain State University that the Higher Learning Commission withdrew accreditation from the school after numerous visits to the Beckley campus throughout the past year.
"It was a shock to say the least," said Kay Blose who is the Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Mountain State University.
Blose said faculty members knew there was an announcement to be made, but hearing about the school lose of total accreditation has been "heartbreaking."
"Many of us were completely taken back by this decision," explained Blose.
Faculty including Blose were on campus on Wednesday to help answer any question student may have.
"Our poor students are confused disoriented and we are doing our best to make sure that we're answering all their questions and taking care of them the best way we can," said Blose.
One of those students on campus to find out what was going on was James McClure who is hoping to graduate next semester. "In the back of my head there is worry, but you've got to keep positive or you won't be able to make progress." McClure admits to being devastated and heartbroken from the announcement.
Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh said he was surprised of the announcement, "I kind of thought they would be on probation and have time to submit a plan and have the time to put that plan into place."
In the Higher Learning Commission's report the reasons for the removal of accreditation was because of a lack of administrative structures and effective leadership, not planning realistically to address challenges, insufficient resources to support its teaching and learning process.
The entire appeal process could take between 10 to 16 weeks.
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