After saying it would launch a review of First Nations University of Canada if reforms weren't made, Canada's university association has followed through on its promise.

The Assocation of Universities and Colleges of Canada said Thursday it will strike a committee to review the "situation" at the Regina-based school, which has been embroiled in controversy over the past 16 months.

First Nations University opened its new main building in Regina in 2003.
First Nations University opened its new main building in Regina in 2003.

FNUC has regularly been in the news since February 2005 when a number of senior administrators and academics were dismissed or departed. Special audits were ordered and records and computers were seized from employees.

Some staff said there's too much political interference at the university and academic freedom is at stake.

A task force created by First Nations chiefs recommended a series of reforms in the way the university is run, including drastically reducing the size of its board of governors.

FNUC later agreed to cut the board, but hasn't followed some of the other recommendations.

The AUCC said earlier this year it would hold the review if changes weren't made.

The review is important because it could determine whether First Nations University will remain a full-fledged member of the organization. Canada doesn't have a formal acreditation system for its universities, but AUCC membership effectively means the same thing.

Membership in the AUCC means access to federal grant money and recognition of degrees.

FNUC's interim president, Charles Pratt, said it's a first-rate university and he welcomes the review.

"Our doors are wide open to AUCC's review committee," he said.

The AUCC committee will visit First Nations University in the fall and will meet with board members, administrators, faculty, students and alumni.

The committee will make recommendations to the AUCC board based on those meetings.