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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Edison State College may have to worry about accreditation problems longer than first thought.

Fired Edison vice president Bob Beeson fired off a seven page letter to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or SACS, the agency that decides if Edison will keep its accreditation.

They are now looking into Beeson's allegations that the college broke another law.

Beeson's letter accuses the college of "horrific retaliation," racial discrimination, and students admitted into courses without proper requirements.

"It was evident that many of the programs were admitting students who were deficient in Florida general education requirements," Beeson wrote, "or were lacking an associate degree."

SACS says these latest accusations won't come into play when it votes on whether Edison should keep its accreditation in June, but could affect the college's accreditation after that.

The college will have time to respond to the accusations if found to have merit.

"Depending on the outcomes and the information that's provided," said SACS Vice President Dr. Barry Goldstein, "it could affect an institution’s accreditation.”

The college responded to Beeson's letter saying in part: "We are not surprised by this most recent step taken...in sending unsolicited opinions to SACS."

Matt Grant
mgrant@fox4now.com