DATE: February 11, 2009
TO: Colleagues
FROM: Eloy O. Oakley, Superintendent-President
SUBJECT: ACCJC Action / Final Accreditation Evaluation Report
On February 5th, LBCC received a letter from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) notifying us of the results of the Commission Meeting held January 7-9, 2009. Also included was the Final Evaluation Report from the Accreditation Evaluation Team that visited the College October 13-16, 2008 in response to our Accreditation Self-Study Report. The Commission commended the College in the following areas:
- The team commends the college for the respect and support it has earned in the community, as evidenced by the passage of two general obligation bonds for the improvement of facilities.
- The team commends the college on the welcoming environment and sense of purpose demonstrated by students and employees.
- The team commends the college on the commitment to increasing opportunities for students at the Pacific Coast Campus (PCC) through improved facilities, services, and course offerings.
- The team commends the college on its leadership with the Long Beach College Promise, a partnership with Long Beach Unified School District and California State University, Long Beach, to improve college access for high school graduates. The team further commends the Long Beach City College Foundation for raising $6 million to pay for one semester of college for all graduates from the Long Beach Unified School District.
- The team commends the college on its Student Success Plan which integrates instructional and support services and demonstrates the college’s continued commitment to student access, equity, and success of all students regardless of ability.
Despite these commendations, the Commission acted to put LBCC on Warning. Click here to view the entire text of the cover letter and final evaluation report from the Commission.
ACCJC issues a warning when the Commission finds that an institution has pursued a course of action which deviates from the Commission’s eligibility requirements, accreditation standards, or policy to an extent that gives concern to the Commission. The accreditation status of the College continues during the warning period. However, the College’s accreditation will not be reaffirmed until the conditions which warranted the warning are removed. The primary concerns of the Commission are related to Student Learning Outcomes and our Program Review process. The commission issued nine recommendations in total.
Although the College is justifiably proud of its efforts with the Accreditation Self-Study, there is no doubt that this action will temporarily stain the reputation of our college. Removing the College from warning status must now become our most pressing concern. The College had already identified for itself the need to make these adjustments, but the Commission’s action has increased the urgency and pace with which we must correct the deficiencies.
What does this mean for LBCC?
First, let me reiterate that the accreditation status of LBCC continues. The College must prepare a satisfactory response to the Commission by October 15, 2009. The report will be followed by a visit of Commission representatives. If the College is successful in demonstrating that it is engaged in a course of action that will expeditiously bring the College into compliance with the standards and policies of concern, then the Commission will act to remove the warning and reaffirm the accreditation at its January 2010 meeting.
Given the paramount importance of our accreditation status and the serious nature of the Commission’s action, it is incumbent upon all of us to exercise the leadership necessary to bring the College together to satisfactorily respond to the Commission and remove LBCC from warning status. Despite whatever disagreements we may have with the accreditation process or the standards, this is not a time for debate. This is a time for us to act on behalf of the students and community that we serve, as well as for the good of the dedicated faculty and staff of the college.
If there are any specific questions regarding the Commission’s actions, please direct them to Dr. Eva Bagg, our Accreditation Liaison Officer.
Your continued cooperation and support is appreciated.
