News Release
News Contact:
Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Director
Communications & Community Relations
415-485-9528

Accrediting Agency Places COM on Probation Pending Compliance with Program Review
College Remains Fully Accredited While Continuing to Address Requirements

February 06, 2008—Kentfield, CA—The College of Marin has been placed on probation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC) pending the college’s compliance with Recommendation #3 requiring implementation of program review. College of Marin has complied with four out of five of ACCJC/WASC’s 2005 recommendations. This is the final recommendation that must be addressed in order for the college to be removed from probation and warning.

The letter from ACCJC/WASC President Barbara A. Beno, Ph.D. apprising College of Marin of its decision was received today by College of Marin Superintendent/President Frances L. White, Ph.D.

“College of Marin was informed of its need to conduct data driven program review that uses student achievement data to assess programmatic quality several years ago,” said Beno.

ACCJC/WASC’s decision was not entirely unexpected.

“The college has not complied with this ACCJC/WASC requirement since 1987, which was a long time ago. Because of the efforts of the more recently elected Academic Senate leadership at the college, we are now completing the program review process,” said White.

Under the California Code of Regulations Title 5, Article 2, Section 53200, program review is a faculty driven process and College of Marin faculty have recently taken on the task of instituting a program review process.

Beno notes in her letter that “College of Marin has empowered a new group of faculty to assume the professional responsibilities neglected in the past.”

“The good news is that at this juncture the college has 28 programs undergoing review, six of which were partially completed last fall,” says White.

The commission has extended the time to complete the program reviews to April 1, 2008, for good cause.

“The Board of Trustees has been monitoring and supporting progress in program review. This is our top priority,” says Board President Carole Hayashino.

White expects all of the reviews to be completed in time for the April 1 due date.

ACCJC/WASC issues probation when the commission finds that an institution deviates from eligibility requirements and standards. Under U.S. Department of Education regulations, institutions out of compliance with accrediting standards are expected to correct deficiencies within a two-year period.

There has been increased pressure recently on regional accrediting agencies to enforce standards following the Spellings Commission Report and subsequent review of all accrediting agencies, including ACCJC/WASC.

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Improvement (NACIQI) of the U.S. Department of Education recently criticized ACCJC/WASC for failure to meet the “two-year rule.” The rule requires accrediting agencies to provide no more than two years for an institution to meet standards.

On January 18 ACCJC/WASC sent a letter to all California community college CEOs announcing procedural changes including the promise of adherence to not extending accreditation to deficient institutions beyond a maximum of two years.

College of Marin faculty and staff working together play a crucial role in ensuring that the institution meets ACCJC/WASC standards.

Newly elected last year, Academic Senate President Yolanda Bellisimo is optimistic that the deadline will be met. “Our program reviews are well under way and I am certain we will meet the April 1 deadline. The faculty is committed to getting this work done and getting the college off probation,” says Bellisimo.

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