Every six years California colleges and universities undergo a head-to-toe check. An evaluation called accreditation is performed by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) to make sure the institution lives up to state and federal standards.
Accreditation allows them to operate, obtain funds from government and other sources, grant degrees and vocational training certification, and enjoy good standing among institutions of higher learning.
If serious problems are found, a written warning is given to the college. Colleges are usually given one year to correct problems. Unresolved problems may result in probation. SWC is now on probation and has until March 2011 to correct 10 problems identified by WASC. SWC could lose accreditation at that time and be turned over to state education authorities for action. At that point, various options will exist, one being the immediate closure of the college.
Students attending a college targeted for closure will receive transferable credit for all work completed while the college was accredited, even if it was operating under a "warning" or "probation." Ideally, if accreditation is withdrawn, that will occur just after a semester has been completed. That means credits earned by students up that point will be transferable.
SWC ON PROBATION
In 2003 SWC was reaffirmed for accreditation, but several deficiencies were found and the college was placed on warning. SWC administrators made a follow-up report stating the deficiencies had been corrected, which WASC accepted without a follow-up visit.
In 2009, WASC discovered several major deficiencies. Some were the same as those found in 2003 and others-the most serious-were developments form the last two years.
Based on the findings contained in the WASC "Evaluation Report of October 5-8, 2009," ACCJC officially notified SWC by letter in January that it was being placed on "probation." That letter stated, "… accredited status of the institution continues during the Probation period. However … accreditation will not be reaffirmed until … conditions which warranted the [probation] are resolved."
To avoid loss of accreditation two follow-up reports are to be provided by the college, the first by Oct. 15 to "demonstrate resolution" of deficiencies. A second report is due by March 15, 2011 to "demonstrate resolution" of all remaining deficiencies. Lastly the letter stated that SWC "…must correct the deficiencies … by October 2011…"
COMPTON LOSES ACCREDITATION
In 2006 Compton Community College lost its accreditation. The college had been warned and placed on probation. Because the problems were so pervasive-including allegations of large-scale fraud and theft-Compton was closed and has yet to regain its accreditation. El Camino Community College in Torrance now operates limited satellite programs at the Compton campus.
Compton's shutdown was a serious blow to its community. It caused severe harm to the students, faculty and employees.. For Compton, with its large demographic of disadvantaged African-Americans and Latinos of college age, the harm is incalculable.
SOUTHWESTERN'S FUTURE
The SWC situation involves no allegations of criminal acts. Problems relate primarily to lack of collegiality and cooperation among the college administration, the faculty and the governing board. Other major areas found by WASC involved inadequate administrative and organizational programs. No academic or quality-of-instruction issues were cited.
More detailed information about ACCJC, WASC and the methodology for accreditation may be found at www.acswasc.org/directory_search.cfm.
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