Little Big Horn College ordered to prove it deserves accreditation

Little Big Horn College now faces a deadline of June 30, 2027, to complete three to four years of financial audits after the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities issued a show cause sanction. This measure is the most serious penalty the accrediting body can impose, requiring the Montana tribal college to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn.

Janine Pease, the college’s founding president who currently teaches at the school, described the threat to the institution’s accreditation as extremely serious. She noted that the financial requirement represents a complex function that extends beyond a single year.

The commission identified four major areas requiring immediate attention: board governance, leadership, safety, and financial audits. To address these issues, the college has engaged outside assistance, including an internal criminal investigator approved by contract and a forensic auditor.

Shawn Real Bird, a board member, confirmed the existence of these external resources. He stated that the institution has a criminal investigator approved by contract and a motion, alongside the forensic auditor, to resolve the financial irregularities.

The accreditor has also mandated that Little Big Horn College prepare teach-out plans and agreements. These documents must identify other institutions capable of helping students continue their education if the college is unable to retain them.

The college remains open and accredited, but it is now required to maintain a contingency plan for its student body. Real Bird emphasized that the stakes extend beyond academic degrees, noting that students receive the vision set forth by Chief Plenty Coups for the Crow people.

The show cause sanction places the college under heightened scrutiny until it can prove that its governance, leadership, safety, and financial processes meet the commission's standards by the summer of 2027.