The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation most recently rejected Erie medical school's appeal to open campus in Elmira, New York.

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine has hit a roadblock in its effort to open a fourth campus.

The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, which must approve any new osteopathic medical school, has repeatedly rejected LECOM's application for an additional campus in Elmira, New York. LECOM has campuses in Erie, Greensburg, and Bradenton, Fla.

In July, COCA's appeal panel upheld the commission's rejection of LECOM's most recent submission for a campus at Elmira College. A statement from the commission didn't state why it rejected the submission but an Elmira-area government leader who supports LECOM's efforts said it was due to the school's plan to teach a number of the classes using video technology.

"It seems the commission has a problem with the concept of LECOM using long-distance learning, even though it has approved it for other medical schools," Chemung County Executive Thomas Santulli said. "But the commission doesn't say how many in-person instructors LECOM needs to have."

LECOM spokesman Pierre Bellicini said school officials are not able to comment on the matter at this time.

The Erie school originally wanted to open its campus at Elmira College in the fall of 2017, Santulli said. But problems getting the commission to accept LECOM's application for an additional location has postponed that timeline, though the county executive said he expects the school to submit another request soon.

"I expect LECOM will submit its application again later this year and we will know the answer in mid- to late 2018," Santulli said. "There's nothing wrong with the application that can't be fixed. It's all about how many staff need to be on site and what subjects need to be taught in person rather than long-distance learning."

Santulli said he is worried some commission members are withholding approval because they oppose long-distance learning, even though it has been approved for other medical schools.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) has pushed for the commission to approve LECOM's request, saying earlier this year that "local and LECOM officials are concerned that their proposal is not being judged on its merits."

LECOM plans to teach as many as 350 medical students at the Elmira campus.

David Bruce can be reached at 870-1736 or by email. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNbruce.