Southwestern College's Accreditation

By Yolanda Salcido

Southwestern College is fully accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges

The College has been working hard to meet recommendations from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In July + thanks to the hard work of our Accreditation Oversight Committee (AOC) + our Substantive Change Report for Distance Education was approved. At October's Governing Board meeting, we took another major step forward. The Board approved the College's first follow-up report to our accreditation agency, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). Led by our AOC, we had broad participation in preparing this report. The report highlights the College's progress in addressing the challenges noted by WASC, including:

• New policies and procedures related to Shared Planning and Decision Making;
• Clarification of the role of the Governing Board as a policy-making body;
• Development of a new Technology Plan (currently in draft form) which will be integrated with other College plans.

The preparation of this first follow-up report was the initial step along the path of reaffirmation of accreditation. However, it's critical that our community + especially our students + understand Southwestern College is open and fully accredited. We have been fully accredited since 1964. Our students can still transfer their credits, earn degrees and certificates and get financial aid and other student services.

The good news, however, does not end here.

State Paying Community Colleges

Prior to the State budget being passed, California experienced the longest State budget delay in its history. The State of California owed its community colleges $840 million. Southwestern College alone was owed roughly $11 million.

Since August, our College continued to support its own operations, all while the lack of funding crippled colleges across the state, requiring them to borrow to offer classes and pay employee salaries. We had originally thought the budget impasse would force us to borrow, too, but no longer: the money the State owes us is coming.

The State Controller's Office has informed our College of its plans to disburse a second round of funding from the federal Economic Recovery Law, as well as our overdue payments from July, August and September. Our first disbursement of CalGrants should also take place in November as in the past.

This year, we are celebrating the College's 50th anniversary, having served more than 500,000 students. With our community's support, we can continue to overcome our challenges and serve our students for the next 50 years.

Sincerely, Dr. Raj K. Chopra Superintendent/President October 14, 2010

Dr. Mink Stavenga, Accreditation Liaison Officer Dean, Instructional Support Services Accreditation Oversight Committee Co-Chair

Ron Vess, Library Faculty Department Chair Accreditation Oversight Committee Co-Chair Accreditation Follow-Up Report Complete" ______________________________________________

Source: Excerpt taken from Southwestern College Newsletter to College Community, dated October 14, 2010 (http://www.swccd.edu "Accreditation Follow Up Report Complete")