The AAUP originally placed MCC on the censure list in 1984 after the college laid off multiple full-time professors. The censure list is reserved for institutions of higher learning that stand accused of issues that have negatively impacted the academic freedom and tenure of faculty. In the case of the MCC layoffs, the AAUP expressed dissatisfaction with both the causes of termination and a general lack of policy regarding the reduction of MCC faculty. MCC cited tight financial conditions as the principal reason for the layoffs.
The AAUP removed MCC from the censure list in 2016. Removal from this list can only come after the censured institution has made successful efforts to redress grievances and institute policies that satisfactorily protect faculty moving forward.