After two years of probation, the Ventura County Community College District reaffirmed its accreditation earlier this month.
Moorpark College President Dr. Bernard Luskin stated that this recent accreditation included commendations to the school’s performance from the Western Association of Community Colleges.
“The faculty and staff of Moorpark College work tirelessly on improving student success, facilitate retention and completion, build and maintain programs and keep its place as one of America’s best colleges,” Luskin said.
In 2011, both Ventura and Oxnard College received status warnings for not meeting standards in academics and personnel, ultimately placing all three colleges in the district on probation for threat of losing accreditation in Feb. 2012.
A letter addressed to the district from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) stated that improvements to the governing board members were mandated in order to reaffirm accreditation.
One board trustee was cited for “disruptive and inappropriate behavior.” This prompted a major change in communication between all board members, which included training sessions on proper conduct.
Losing accreditation not only places the three colleges in jeopardy, but would present challenges for the students as well. In order for students to receive state funding, financial aid, and transferable credits to four-year universities, accreditation is necessary.
Follow-up reports and visits by the ACCJC reviewed the improvements in operations by the district board. The ACCJC notified the three college presidents of their new accreditation status by phone.
“The presidents and I are pleased that the colleges remain fully accredited and that we have responded to Commission recommendations successfully,” said Dr. Jamillah Moore, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District, on the district website. “It is the result of a team effort that involved many individuals and groups districtwide.”
The basis to reaffirm accreditation to the Ventura County College District was formed on midterm reports submitted to ACCJC on Oct. 2013. Although the new standards and suggestions for improvement were met, the board was surprised to receive full accreditation so quickly.
The next evaluation for accreditation will take place in Oct. 2016.
“All of us at Moorpark College are delighted to receive notice of continuing accreditation from the Western Association of Community Colleges,” Luskin said. “Moorpark College is proud to have had continuing full accreditation since 1967.”
