by David Lau
ACCJC Back On Campus at CCSF
Stuck in an interminable accreditation crisis, City College of San Francisco faces yet another battle with ACCJC that could result in revocation and College closure. Monday October 10, the rogue commission was back on campus. The ACCJC visiting team will not make accreditation status recommendations, per a new policy. CCSF’s AFT Local 2121 called the timing of the policy change “both curious and frightening.” Appeal itself disappears under this new status. If the ACCJC disaccredits CCSF, the only option open will be an injunction in federal court; CCSF’s Board of Trustees made a prudent decision to approve $250,000 to hire a law firm to prepare the college for a potential court battle. Meanwhile CFT in August filed a substantive new complaint against the ACCJC to the Department of Education. Nancy Pelosi and several Congresswomen have signed a letter to the Department of Education asking for ACCJC accreditation powers to be revoked. Two workgroups formed by the state’s community college board of governors have reviewed the process for accreditation and the CEOs of the system may finally go in a new direction. The Department of Education will hold important hearings on ACCJC in February. CCSF’s fate continues to hang in the balance.
Elections Around the Corner
The races for President, Senate, Congress and the State Legislature are just around the corner, and there are many initiatives on the ballot in California. Proposition 55 would fund the schools at present levels and maintain current taxes on high-income earners. Proposition 58 will provide some relief from 90s-era, anti-bilingual Proposition 227; 58 improves funding for and loosens restrictions on bilingual education. Proposition 62 will repeal the death penalty. Proposition 64 will legalize and decriminalize cannabis. There are also several noteworthy local initiatives, including Measure D, and several interesting candidates. In the Santa Cruz City Council race, the Monterey Bay Labor Council, The Sierra Club, and the People’s Democratic Club have endorsed the progressive slate of Sandy Brown, Drew Glover, Steve Schnaar, and Chris Krohn. CCFT will be registering voters and advocating vigorously for Proposition 55. See you at the polls on November 8.