Accreditation in a Multi-College District Accreditation Institute Academic Senate for California Community Colleges February 11, 2012, 1:00-2:00pm John Nixon, Associate Vice President, ACCJC Judy Beachler, Dean of Instruction, Cosumnes River College Chris Hill, Professor of Earth Sciences, Grossmont College

Accreditation Standard IV.3. In multi-college districts or systems, the district/system provides primary leadership in setting and communicating expectations of educational excellence and integrity throughout the district/system and assures support for the effective operation of the colleges. It establishes clearly defined roles of authority and responsibility between the colleges and the district/system and acts as the liaison between the colleges and the governing board.

Accreditation Standard IV.3. a. a.The district/system clearly delineates and communicates the operational responsibilities and functions of the district/system from those of the colleges and consistently adheres to this delineation in practice. b. b.The district/system provides effective services that support the colleges in their missions and functions.

Accreditation Standard IV.3. c. c.The district/system provides fair distribution of resources that are adequate to support the effective operations of the colleges. d. d.The district/system effectively controls its expenditures. e. e.The chancellor gives full responsibility and authority to the presidents of the colleges to implement and administer delegated district/system policies without his/her interference and holds them accountable for the operation of the colleges.

Accreditation Standard IV.3. f. f.The district/system acts as the liaison between the colleges and the governing board. The district/system and the colleges use effective methods of communication, and they exchange information in a timely manner. g. g.The district/system regularly evaluates district/system role delineation and governance and decision-making structures and processes to assure their integrity and effectiveness in assisting the colleges in meeting educational goals. The district/system widely communicates the results of these evaluations and uses them as the basis for improvement.

Los Rios CCD DACC: District Accreditation Coordinating Committee  2003  2009

Los Rios CCD Purpose of DACC  Ensure district dialogue  Develop district map  Coordinate review of District Office for all four college accreditation processes  District level accreditation research  Create district level evidence

Los Rios CCD District Map – Identify district, college, and shared responsibilities and their impact in meeting standards  One of 1 st developed for ’03 process  Modified for ‘09 processing, modeled after San Mateo CCD

Los Rios CCD District Communication about Accreditation  DACC meetings  District Question Day  Website  ListServ  Chancellor’s Briefs

Los Rios CCD District Roles/Services Provision Relevant to the Standards Summary Documents Written I.- Strategic Planning Processes, Communications II.- Bus. & Econ. Dev., IT, IR III. - HR, Fiscal, IT, Police Services, Facilities Management

Los Rios CCD District Roles/Services Provision Relevant to the Standards (cont’d) IV- Evaluation Processes: Board Self, Chancellor, Presidents IV – LRCCD Governance & Decision-making structures & processes (review by District Academic Senate) IV – District ‘Standard-to-Policy’ Matrix IV – Standards Write-up for use by Colleges

Los Rios CCD District Program Review  Ten Offices/Services  Standardized, annual process  Standardized resource request process

Los Rios CCD District Accreditation Research  Environmental Scan of Greater Sacramento MSA  Employee Survey  Student Satisfaction Survey

Los Rios CCD District Level Evidence  Available on the Accreditation Website  Replicated as an Evidence Room During Site Visits

Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD District Responsibilities in Support of Colleges :  Outlined in Board Policies and Functional Map  Provide centralized operational services in human resources, some technology areas, financial resources, research, and public safety  Provide framework for planning and evaluation of institutional effectiveness

Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD District Responsibilities in Support of Colleges (cont’d) :  Chancellor and governance structure provide channels for communication of information  District Services and the Governing Board develop goals and regularly evaluate their effectiveness in support of the colleges’ missions

Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD 2007 Accreditation  No formalized district-wide coordination 2013 Accreditation  Developed a District Accreditation Coordinating Committee (DACC)

Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD DACC membership  Faculty Accreditation Co-Chairs from each college  Accreditation Liaison Officers from each college  Sr. Dean of Institutional Research and Planning  District Services Representative  Classified Senate President  Chancellor (as available and needed)

Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD DACC Support Role in Accreditation Process :  Develop the District Functional Map  Provide consistent information on district’s role to both colleges  Provide central coordination of timelines and preparation for the site visits

Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD District Services Support of Accreditation Process:  Institutional Research provides data and survey collection  Various services provide input into the content of the functional map as it relates to their role

Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD Governing Board and Chancellor Role in Accreditation Process  Board members participated in informational workshop to understand their role  Board members and chancellor met with Standard IV team members to answer questions  Chancellor updates the Board on progress of the accreditation progress  Board reviews and approves final accreditation Self Evaluation Reports

How would you answer these questions?   How are districts’ mission and vision statements aligned to support colleges and what evidence illustrates such an alignment?   How does the district affect student learning programs and services?   Does the district provide adequate resources (human, technology, facilities, financial) to the colleges and what policies and practices are established and evaluated by colleges and districts?   How do governing boards evaluate the effectiveness of district administrations and their own effectiveness?

For more information Contact: Dr. John Nixon, Associate Vice President, ACCJC Judy Beachler, Dean of Instruction & Student Learning, Cosumnes River College Chris Hill, Professor of Earth Sciences & Accreditation Co-Chair, Grossmont College