John Carroll University has been placed on notice by the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits institutions.

(John Carroll University )

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio - John Carroll University has been placed on notice by the agency that accredits institutions because of concerns about quality of programs and other issues.

The private liberal arts school remains accredited, which allows it to provide federal aid and receive federal funds, but the notice from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association signifies that an institution is at risk of being out of compliance with one or more of the criteria for accreditation.

"The Commission's Board took this action because of concerns related to program quality, program review, assessment of student learning, financial management, shared governance, strategic planning, and systematic improvement," it said in a letter received by the university on Tuesday.

More details were contained in the formal notification of action letter sent to JCU's president, the Rev. Robert Niehoff.

John Carroll must file a report by July 2016 showing it has resolved all concerns. The commission will visit by September 2016 and decide by February 2017 if the university is in compliance.

Officials notified faculty, staff and students Wednesday, said spokeswoman Tonya Strong-Charles.

In a note to alumni Niehoff said the university "embraced" the commission review and efforts are underway to comply.

"We are making these sustained efforts because of our commitment to our students and alumni," he wrote. "Our Jesuit Catholic mission calls for us to reflect on our work and constantly seek ways to enhance our programs and service to others throughout the world."

The university also issued this statement:

"Over the past two years, John Carroll University has been involved in our regular process with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), our regional accrediting body, to reaffirm the University's accreditation. This process has resulted in the HLC reaffirming our accreditation, which we have held since 1922.

John Carroll University remains accredited and is in compliance with the HLC standards. As part of its review, the HLC placed the University on notice, indicating we must provide more data primarily in the areas of student assessment, institutional effectiveness and planning, and internal communication and morale. In the past year, we have already made significant progress in these areas.

The success our University is achieving - from enrollment levels, to retention and graduation rates, and most especially the quality of our graduates - demonstrates that John Carroll University lives up to its mission of educating for leadership and service. We remain committed to our mission and to providing a quality liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition, as we have done for 129 years."