The dean of the proposed Meridian-based Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine met with the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation for the second time Friday to obtain pre-accreditation status and begin construction on the facility, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
If the accreditation agency does not sign off on the proposed college this month, officials said the school would have to push back its opening until 2019. Officials had previously planned to begin construction on the facility in April or May of this year, with its inaugural class of students beginning classes in fall 2018, according to the report. The school cannot legally begin construction unless officials grant the facility pre-accreditation status.
The accreditation committee deferred a decision on whether to grant the college pre-accreditation status in December. Officials said the committee was expected to issue a decision Friday, but no decision has been made public, according to the report.
A spokesperson for the American Osteopathic Association told The Salt Lake Tribune any decision made by the committee will not be finalized for 30 days to allow both parties the opportunity to appeal or provide additional information if necessary.