A plan to address the current probationary status of the Ventura Community College District, VCCCD, is being formulated for an upcoming visit by the Accreditation Commission in October.
Moorpark and its two sister schools were placed on probabtion in January by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, ACCJC. The ACCJC placed all three colleges within the Ventura County Community College District on probationary status after claiming the district had deviated from the Commission’s Eligibility Requirements. In addition, they identified problems within the board that oversees the entire district
While the three colleges within the district remain accredited, they are now one step closer to losing that status. That would mean students would not be eligible for financial aid nor will their credits be transferable.
Accreditation at a College or University is vital; without accreditation students may not receive federal financial aid and transfer credits may not be valid accepted by other schools.
Students currently attending the three colleges do not need to worry about their financial aid or credits during the probation period. The commission has urged the faculty to inform students that during this time, they will not be affected during probation.
Last year, the Commission’s evaluation team visited Moorpark College, as well as the offices of VCCCD. The evaluation team examined the seven District recommendations as well as one Commission Concern.
The team found that Moorpark College and the District both prepared for the visit with a well-organized evidence room at the District level and appropriate interview schedules at both locations. This allowed the team to conduct its assessment in a timely, organized manner.
Over the course of the two-day evaluation the team met with several different people and groups such as the Board of Trustees, the President of Moorpark College, the College’s Academic Senate and the Associated Student Body President.
Following their observations, the ACCJC placed the three colleges on probation. “The District is not accredited by the Accrediting Commission,” said Moorpark College President Pam Eddinger. “Colleges are accredited. Moorpark has not received a sanction in the past.”
However, the communication by and actions of the Board of Trustees has caused the probation status.
Accreditation at a College or University is vital; without accreditation students may not receive federal financial aid and transfer credits may not be valid accepted by other schools.
“The District is not accredited by the Accrediting Commission,” said Moorpark College President Pam Eddinger. “Colleges are accredited. Moorpark has not received a sanction in the past.”
The ACCJC mandated the VCCCD to complete a “Special Report” addressing the Commission’s concern of seven items on behalf of the three colleges on by March 15, 2012.
A district-wide follow-up report concerning the recommendations that the ACCJC identified will take place October 15, 2012. This follow-up report will be followed by a visit of commission representatives.
“In order to solve this, we need to be concerned with the solutions, rather than who to blame,” said Steven Blum, chairman of the Board of Trustees at a February board meeting. At the same meeting he also acknowledged who is to blame.
“I’m not making excuses, the board is responsible for the problem.” said Blum.
