Students at Moorpark College do not have to worry about the college being accredited now that the district has been re-affirmed and is working to stay accredited.
VCCCD Chancellor Dr. Jamilla Moore said that she is glad the students don’t have to worry about the accreditation status of the schools.
“It is so nice to wake up and not have to worry about accreditation and budget cuts,” said Moore.
AJ Valenzuela, student trustee for VCCCD, said that he was excited about the news of our re-affirmed accreditation status.
“Just like everyone else in the district, I was ecstatic with a huge grin on my face,” said Valenzuela in an email interview. “Coincidentally, I went to all three schools that day as well, spreading the message.”
The district was originally put on probation in fall 2012 and was given seven recommendations to correct the Board’s policies. These recommendations include planning, communications with the colleges, decision-making, and professional development. If these recommendations had not been addressed, the district could have lost accreditation.
Moorpark College President Dr. Pam Eddinger said that the issue of probation made the district aware of some things that they needed to work on.
These include making sure they have the right governance structure and good paths for communication, that the trustees conduct professional development, that they formalize their district-wide planning,and so on.
“That we have addressed these to the Accrediting Commission’s satisfaction indicates that our district is an organization that is capable of self-reflection, and that we can learn to grow,” said Eddinger in an email interview. “That is a terrific fact to celebrate.”
All three colleges, Moorpark, Ventura,and Oxnard, the district office, and all the trustees worked towards the same goals to help get the district off of probation.
Eddinger said that the re-affirmation was never at risk.
“The removal of the probation status meant that our college and district is now 100 percent compliant with accrediting standards,” said Eddinger.
Valenzuela said that being re-affirmed is the first step in continuing perpetual improvement in the district.
All the trustees will continue working together and holding each other accountable as required by the code of ethics.
“That’s our job, to make sure we advocate for students and protect them,” said Moore.
The District Council on Accreditation and Planning committee is now starting the Master Plan, which will help the district continue to improve for the next five years.
