Is ACCJC Hinting "No" to CCSF's Appeal?

A troubling editorial for CCSF's accreditation status

CCSF Information Table, April 13, 2014, SF Sunday Streets (Photo by Jim Wong)

Does the recent article by two ACCJC officials advocating CCSF consider "candidacy" signal the accrediting body will not approve an expected appeal to take CCSF's accreditation away July 2014?


Sherill Amador and Steven Kinsella, ACCJC commissioners, in Sunday's April 13, 2014 SF Gate story suggested City College of San Francisco consider seeking re-accreditation by undergoing "candidacy" status for a few years. (New colleges are "candidates".)  During which the college would be eligible to receive federal and state funds, and credits and degrees be transferable after full accreditation is granted.


Preliminary Reactions

CCSF Chancellor Arthur Tyler released a statement Monday declaring "candidacy" was not an option and the college was continuing to focus on submitting an appeal to ACCJC with the hopes of triggering a new review.  The AFT 2121, the CCSF teachers union, sent an email to members criticizing the op ed's misinformation and their candidacy proposal.


Reading Between the Lines?

The fact the piece is written by two members of the accrediting body, the same body that will be receiving CCSF's appeal, is troubling.   I find it hard to believe the ACCJC would allow this "trial balloon" without a wink and nod.  Otherwise, there is serious dysfunction within the ACCJC as a San Francisco Judge affirmed in granting an injunction against the accrediting body for violating their own regulations in taking away CCSF's accreditation.


Eggs in One Basket

It's still not clear what happens to CCSF if the college's accreditation fate is dependent solely on the outcome of the scheduled October 2014 trial between San Francisco and the ACCJC.  There is no case law or precedent for a court challenging a college accrediting body, let alone overturning their decision.

If the SF judge rules in favor of CCSF', will the U.S. and California government continue to fund CCSF?  Will other colleges recognize CCSF's credits and degrees?  What happens to ACCJC's authority and legitimacy to review any college?


ACCJC playing "Chicken"?

The accrediting body is playing a dangerous game by allowing this matter to go to trial in October where they could well lose and plunge their own legitimacy into question.  It would have been wiser to settle the accreditation by granting CCSF their upcoming appeal and changing the school's status to "Probation" ending the need for the trial.  However, it appears ACCJC is fighting to hold onto their authority and willing to take a leap into the abyss of a trial and all the unknown unknowns that might result.

Then, again, candidacy could be the ACCJC's "back channel" offer for CCSF to give in and to leave ACCJC's authority unchallenged.