SHELDON JACKSON COLLEGE

'Sheldon Jackson College' ('SJC') is a small private college located on Baranof Island in Sitka, Alaska, United States. Founded in 1878, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in Alaska and maintains a historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church. Named in honor of Rev. Sheldon Jackson, an early missionary and educational leader in Alaska, the school is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Contents

History

Campus institutions

Notable alumni

Notes

External links

History

Similar to the Carlisle Indian School, SJC was initially formed as a "training" school for Alaska Natives. The school was founded in 1878 by Fannie Kellogg and future Governor of Alaska John G. Brady for the Tlingit people. Initially known as the 'Sitka Industrial and Training School', it nearly closed in 1882 after its original facility, located over a military barracks, burned down. The Presbyterian missionary Sheldon Jackson came to the rescue of the school, raising funds through a national campaign, leading to the construction of a new building on the site of the present campus. In 1910, after Rev. Jackson died, the school was renamed in his honor.
SJC added a boarding high school in 1917, and a college program in 1944. The college program gained accreditation in 1966 and the high school was closed the following year. In 1972, the school was added to the National Register of Historic Places.^[1] Alaska Natives still make up over 25% of the student population.
The school's accreditation is currently under review by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and State of Alaska, a process that happens nationally with colleges and universities. About this process, President David Dobler said, "SJC’s current authorization to operate as an Alaska postsecondary institution has been extended until July 2006, and SJC, at that time, will be required to provide the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) with documentation of financial and administrative capacity in order for authorization to be renewed."^[2] Similarly, the college is under a "show cause" order from the Northwest Commission and must "show cause" why its regional accreditation should not be revoked.
Sheldon Jackson College has a history of financial and retention issues. Due to extremely high turnover rates and poor financial management, the college has been forced to sell historic land and take out extensive loans just to cover expenses. Additionally, the college came under fire in the Fall of 2004 when a financial aid advisor they had hired misrepresented and over-awarded financial aid to nearly all students resulting in tens of thousands of dollars of debt owed to the college, by students.
On June 29, 2007 all academic operations were suspended and all faculty and staff were dismissed due to cash flow shortages. The Board of Trustees gathered together all staff and informed them that June 29th would be their last day of employment. They were also informed all health insurance benefits ceased to exist as of that moment.
On July 17, 2007 the Alaska Commission on Post-secondary Education (ACPE) announced the cancellation of Sheldon Jackson College's authorization to operate a college in Alaska. The College is appealing the Commission decision.
As of July 10th, there still has been no written notification to students regarding the closure of the college.

Campus institutions

The school's library is Stratton Library and the noted Sheldon Jackson Museum also sits on college grounds.

Notable alumni

★ Elizabeth Peratrovich, civil rights activist

Notes

1. http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/AK/Sitka/state.html
2. http://www.sheldonjackson.edu/content/view/77/104/

External links

★ Official website