Largest California Junior College to Lose Accreditation

Largest California Junior College to Lose Accreditation
By Pete Young - Jul 3, 2013 7:52 PM PT

Largest California Junior College to Lose Accreditation - Bloomberg

 

Here's the letter from WASC:

http://www.accjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Press_Release_on_CCSF_Accreditation_July_3_2013.pdf

And a letter from the American Council on Education:

http://www.insidehighered.com/sites/default/server_files/files/ccsf%20statement%207%203%2013.pdf

 

This sounds like the mule trainer's manual that starts out, "Bash it on the head with a 2 by 4. Now that you have its attention . . . " With 13 months to address the issues, and appeals and extensions possible, the odds are very high (but by no means certain) that CCSF will survive. (If not, it'll be fascinating to see what happens to this huge campus, complete with one of the largest Diego Rivera murals in the U.S.)

 

You'd have to guess that someone is about to lose their job and the new person will be fully empowered to kick everyone's ass.

 

For that reason alone, I hope the school can be saved. :smile:

Looks like this large college, which taught an absolutely amazing range of courses, has been in some financial Heißwasser (Thanks, Dr. Bear) for a long time. There are forum-posts going back a while.

I read in another forum that the State community college Chancellor in Sacramento is going to place CCSF under the control of a "special trustee" next week. That means goodbye to the current trustees. As Kizmet said, "somebody is going to lose their job and the new person will be empowered to kick everyone's ass."

I read also (and this is almost a direct quote) that the California Federation of Teachers (the faculty union) has already filed suit against WASC, alleging that it has exceeded its authority. Throw in the activists with good political connections that this knowledgeable poster mentioned, and WASC may have quite a battle on its hands.

I think I know the outcome. It basically comes down to money. My guess is that a much-reduced, still-accredited "barebones" version of the College will emerge at the end. Hope they can keep the mural!

Johann

 

A different junior college in California, Compton College, lost its WASC accreditation in 2005. So it closed -- but it reopened in 2006 as a branch campus of neighboring El Camino College. It has continued to operate under El Camino's accreditation ever since, although the long-term plan is to for the Compton branch campus to gain separate accreditation again.

My guess is that something similar would happen if CCSF was forced to "close." It would probably then reopen and continue to operate, but under some alternative name and administration. Nobody (including WASC) wants the residents of SF to be permanently denied access to community college educational services.

Admittedly, any such reopening would be complicated by the large size and internal politics of CCSF. Possibly there could be some temporary loss of services before it gets straightened out.

 

I hope Dr. Bear is right and the school suvives etc.

On the positive note, I'm glad that there is a QA system that enforces standards.

 

I'll bet there is some type of negotiated settlement down the road - the school has a year to appeal, etc. Toss in the lawsuits, etc.

OK - I;ll jump the gun here...but I don't think things look good for Ashford U. AU had many, many issues...tough to fix in a year...

 

Yes, you are quite right Johann. The California Federation of Teachers union has some powerful ties, and they do extremely well in quashing things like this. They are well connected in the political arena, and WASC will be tied up in court for a LONG ass time. CFT has a HUGE war chest and can round up many activists at the drop of a hat. Plus, CFT can rally up the assistance of sister unions like mine simply by asking. Strength is in numbers. For example, my union is the largest national/international union around. So much so, that they have access to the white house, and have a seat at the table so to speak.

Abner

 

That's a different argument than Johann's. Nobody is saying the college won't have to comply with WASC. What Johann is saying is that the timely pulling of WASC accreditation will be made more difficult. Lawsuits and other tactics buy additional time so the school can comply and not lose accreditation. No school should expect to operate if they do not want or can't comply with NA or RA policies. I now your comments are directed at me, but I was responding to Johann's point of view. Nothing less, nothing more.

Abner

 

Precisely.

Abner

 

I think it just possibly could, Steve - if that strength will (perhaps indirectly) help the college to survive. Isn't having a school of more benefit to students than potentially not having one? That's assuming the school will comply with WASC-mandated academic quality standards, of course.

As per CalDog's recollection of another college that lost accreditation, a possibility is that CCSF could survive as a branch campus of another school.

Johann

 

As stated previously, nobody -- not even WASC -- wants to deprive the people of San Francisco of the opportunity to attend junior college.

So here is the worst-case scenario: CCSF "closes", then reopens for business under new management.

There was a report on accreditation issues at California junior colleges last year in Inside Higher Ed. It addressed CCSF, College of the Redwoods, and Cuesta College, all of which were on "show cause" status with WASC in 2012. IHE described the options like this:

In early 2013, College of the Redwoods and Cuesta College were removed from "show cause" status, and have kept their WASC accreditation. The wheels are still turning at CCSF.

 

Interesting. Our former deputy director at HCC is now the chancellor at CCSF.

Arthur Tyler, a 20-year Air Force veteran and and the man who for a brief time led the now-defunct Compton Community College District, has been chosen as the new chancellor for City College of San Francisco, according sources familiar with hiring efforts.

"I will be at the press conference tomorrow," Tyler said of Wednesday’s official announcement, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean Avenue campus.

CCSF special trustee Robert Agrella and California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris are expected to attend as well.


http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/arthur-tyler-former-compton-college-head-tapped-to-lead-ccsf-through-accreditation-battle/Content?oid=2604626

 

The key phrase in that whole statement......."ineligible for government funds.!!!!" That says it all!!

I say lose it, save the money and waste of man hours, and keep operating as a private state-approved junior college. I think only religious degree (Exempt) granting colleges can do this though!

 

I took a few classes there and that place is a mess.