The Accreditation Adventure

Sink, Float, or Swim?Columbia College December 2009

Adventure Questions

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

How?

Who is the Accrediting Agency?

Accrediting Commission forCommunity and Junior Colleges

The ACCJC accredits associate degree granting institutions and is one of three commissions under the corporate entity known as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Who is Involved at Columbia?

• Accreditation Liaison Officer• Accreditation Co-Chairs• Steering Committee• Standards Committees

– Mission and Institutional Effectiveness

– Instructional Programs– Support Services– Resources– Technology – Governance

Accreditation Steering Committee

(College Council)

Accreditation Steering Committee

(College Council)

Accreditation Co-Chair

Dennis Gervin

Vice President of Student Learning

Accreditation Co-Chair

Dennis Gervin

Vice President of Student Learning

Accreditation Co-Chair

Raelene Juarez

Academic Senate President

Accreditation Co-Chair

Raelene Juarez

Academic Senate President

Instructional Programs (IP)

Mission & Institutional

Effectiveness (MIE)

Resources

Governance

Support Services

Technology

Accreditation Liaison Officer

Dennis Gervin

Accreditation Liaison Officer

Dennis Gervin

Standards CommitteesStandards Committees

What is Accreditation?

• A peer review process designed to encourage institutions to plan for self improvement, with the intent of improving student learning.

What is Assessed?

• Self-Study Report– Four Standards

1. Mission and Institutional Effectiveness2. Student Learning Programs and Services3. Resources 4. Leadership and Governance

– Theme Integration– Evidence

The standards and themes are intended to facilitate “self-reflective dialogue” regarding the institutions effectiveness and path to improving student learning.

What is the Committee Structure?

Four Standards

1. Mission and Institutional Effectiveness

2. Student Learning Programs and Services• Instructional Programs• Support Services/Library

3. Resources • Human, Physical &

Financial • Technology

4. Leadership and Governance

Standards Committees

1. Mission and Institutional Effectiveness

2. Instructional Programs3. Support Services

4. Resources 5. Technology

6. Leadership and Governance

When does the Adventure Begin?

Starts Fall 2009

Ends Fall 2011

NOW

Fall 2009

The purpose of this semester is to structure.– Accreditation Co-Chairs– Steering Committee– Standards Committees with Co-Chairs– Timeline– Columbia College Accreditation Web Page

Spring & Fall 2010

The purpose of Spring is to organize and collect info so we can write in the Summer and Fall!– Flex Day Trainings– Steering Committee Meetings–Monthly Meetings: All Co-Chairs– Bi-Monthly Meetings: Standards

Committees–Weekly Meetings: Accreditation Co-

Chairs

Spring 2011

The purpose of Spring is to review content and make changes/additions as needed.– Continue all meetings– First Draft Due Flex Day to ALL accreditation

committees and members on– Second Draft Due in February to Senates,

campus community, and District– Third Draft Due in April to Steering Committee

(possibly for adoption?)– Final Edits in Summer

Fall 2011

• The purpose of Fall is to showcase the report.– Final copy sent to ACCJC by August 15,

2011– Fall in-service day, August 25, 2011– Possible addendum to address changes?– Preparing for Site Visit– Site Visit week of October 17, 2011

Where is the Adventure?

COLUMBIA COLLEGE!

• It certifies to the general public that Columbia:– Has appropriate purposes,– Has the resources needed to accomplish its

purposes, – Can demonstrate that it is accomplishing its

purposes, and– Gives reason to believe that it will continue

to accomplish its purposes.

NOTE: Taken from the ACCJC Website http://www.accjc.org

Why do Accreditation?

How is the Process Guided?

Leave No Trace Principles

• Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Travel on Durable Surfaces

• Dispose of Waste• Minimize Campfire

Impacts• Leave What You Find• Respect Wildlife and Be

Considerate of Others

Our Guiding Principles• Plan Ahead and Prepare• Use Reliable Resources

and Information• Disregard Bogus Info• Minimize Fires - light the

way (do not burn it)• Make a Copy; Reference• Value Everyone

and Everything!

How will the Report be Structured?

• The next step in the Accreditation Adventure

Coming Flex Day - Spring 2010

– Format and Flow– Theme Integration– Content and Evidence– Planning Agendas– Plus More!

Happy

Trails!