Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Life

Op-Ed: Final injunction assures City College stays open despite threat (Includes interview)

For over two years since 2013, City Attorney Dennis Herrera and his office have been working to defend the 75-year-old public college from being shut down by The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC).

The private accreditation board located in Marin County, just outside of San Francisco is one of is one of seven regional accrediting commissions. The ACCJC is authorized to operate by the U.S. Department of Education through the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

Herrera and his office filed the case against the ACCJC in the summer of 2013, on behalf of the State of California, because Herrera cited ‘significant unlawful practices.’ The ACCJC threatened with the college closure because it claimed, City College did not meet required standards.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera at press conference speaking about City College.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera at press conference speaking about City College.
Courtesy of City Attorney’s Office, San Francisco


“We do not believe any injunction is necessary because CCSF had opportunity to respond to all Commission findings of non-compliance through the review and appeal process. Nonetheless, we have provided suggested wording for the narrow injunction discussed in the Court’s tentative decision,” said Attorney for ACCJC, Ken Keller. At this point, the filings from both parties are information for Judge Karnow to consider prior to the finalization of his decision. The ACCJC web site in response, has only the formal memo that ACCJC Barbara Beno posted, addressed to “CEO’s, ALO’s and Other interested parties. From Beno’s perspective the ACCJC is simply doing its job. She insists that Herrera’s accusations and claims are false. Yet Beno did write that the ACCJC has the “entrusted” power to decide accreditation in its own discretion. “City College opted for that regime when it joined the ACCJC,” she noted.

Karnow, who denied several moves by the ACCJC to water down the final orders following the court’s tentative ruling of Jan. 16, 2015, issued a final injunction late that Feb 17 afternoon. Herrera praised the judge for protecting City College’s rights in the accreditation process.

“I’m grateful to Judge Karnow for a tough and thorough injunction that assures City College of its right to a fair and open reconsideration process, said Herrera. He went on further in his statement to the press that Tuesday. “And, (this injunction) shields the college from further unlawful acts by accreditors. The court made clear that City College is to suffer no adverse consequences by the ACCJC if it chooses to pursue the court mandated reconsideration, and that it can’t be denied from continuing with the restoration process as well. I’m very pleased with the final injunction, said Herrera. “And, I am optimistic that these court-ordered protections will enable City College to secure its accreditation, and finally put threats of closure to rest.”

To read more about the case visit the City Attorney’s web site and his page on Facebook.

Written By

You may also like:

Life

Their stories are divided into before and after.

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Tech & Science

Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives last week, TikTok could be banned in the United States.

Life

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest often suggest travel destinations based on your likes and viewing habits.