EUGENE, ORE. — The accrediting body found that the college failed to uphold requirements to demonstrate an effective governance structure. It also determined that the institution failed to exemplify high ethical standards in its management and operations, including in its dealings with the public, the commission, and external organizations. The commission found that the college failed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of students, faculty, administrators, staff, and other stakeholders.

The special review was conducted in response to complaints that some Lane Community College trustees exhibited racist and sexist behavior toward President Stephanie Bulger during multiple 2025 board meetings. A third-party report released in 2025 supported claims that some Lane Community College trustees exhibited racist and sexist behavior toward President Stephanie Bulger. Bulger is a Black woman.

Lane Community College President Stephanie Bulger and Board of Education Chair Jesse Maldonado addressed the findings in a joint statement. "We take the findings seriously and accept the responsibility that comes with them," they said. "We know that how the Board governs affects the campus beyond Board meetings." They added that governance "shapes how decisions are made, how clearly roles are understood across the college, and how effectively the institution can respond to challenges."

Timeline

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities placed Lane Community College on accreditation warning. The commission sent the warning letter to Lane Community College President Stephanie Bulger. The commission found that Lane Community College failed to uphold requirements to demonstrate an effective governance structure.

The commission told Lane Community College it needs to improve dealing with its stakeholders. The commission gave Lane Community College until August 5, 2030, to take appropriate action and show evidence of effective, respectful governance that maintains clearly defined authority, roles, and responsibilities. The commission asked Lane Community College to provide an update on its progress in fall 2027.

What's New

In 2016, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) issued a Warning to Lane Community College (LCC) related to governance issues, which was later removed in 2018 after the college addressed the concerns. Lane Community College is a public community college in Eugene, Oregon, with additional facilities in downtown Eugene, Florence, Cottage Grove, and the Lane Aviation Academy at Eugene Airport. As of 2023–2024, Lane Community College serves more than 15,000 credit and non-credit students annually in a 5,000 square-mile service district, including most of Lane County as well as individual school districts in Benton, Linn, and Douglas counties.

Why It Matters

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities gave Lane Community College until August 5, 2030, to take appropriate action and show evidence of effective, respectful governance that maintains clearly defined authority, roles, and responsibilities. The commission asked Lane Community College to provide an update on its progress in fall 2027.