Save CCSF Rejects Legitimacy of ACCJC Ruling

Today, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) revealed that they aim to terminate City College of San Francisco’s accreditation, though they added that the “action to terminate is not yet final” and is open to both review and appeal. The Save CCSF Coalition — which represents faculty, students, staff, and community members – rejects the legitimacy of this announcement. “This announcement clearly shows that the ACCJC is a out-of-control rogue institution that must be stopped by the Department of Education,” said CCSF Professor Wendy Kaufmyn.

The ACCJC is currently under investigation by the Department of Education, following the complaint filed by the California Federation of Teachers and the AFT 2121 union, which cited the accreditation body’s violation of Federal and State laws, violation of their own policies, conflicts of interest, violation of due process and lack of transparency. “Our city, state, and federal representatives must step in immediately to reverse this outrageous announcement,” stated CCSF Student Trustee Shanell Williams. More information about the complaint can be found here:
http://www.aftguild.org/hot-topics/CFT-Fight-Back-Plan-against-ACCJC.html

It was one year ago that the ACCJC put CCSF on the most severe sanction, ”show cause”, despite the fact that CCSF has excellent educational programs and is considered one of the top community colleges in the nation. This decision is unacceptable, as has been the whole process over the past year. The Save CCSF Coalition calls on our college administration, San Francisco officials, and the Department of Education to step in immediate to overturn this overreach, which will further harm the students and community of CCSF.

The threat of closure has been used to force massive cuts in student programs, impose non-negotiated salary cuts to faculty and lay-off dozens of classified staff. This strategy to downsize and privatize public education has done great harm to CCSF students who are largely people of color, immigrants and working-class for whom CCSF is a lifeline.

We call on all labor unions, student groups, and community organizations to unite to take action against this attack — which is an attack on all public schools in California.

Next Tuesday (July 9, 2013) there will be a March to Save City College in response to the accreditation ruling at 4pm starting from the Downtown Campus of CCSF (more info below). On Wednesday (July 10) there will be a community meeting at 6pm at the Mission Campus. (more info below)

Save CCSF – http://www.saveccsf.org – info [at] saveccsf.org

Stop Privatizing Public Education
March to Defend City College
in response to accreditation ruling
We demand the U.S. Department of Education:
· Revoke ACCJC’s certification as an accrediting agency
· Hold ACCJC accountable for its unwarranted sanctions against CCSF
· Tell the CCSF Board of Trustees to rescind all measures that narrow the school’s mission and to stop operating with a business model
· Keep all Community Colleges accessible and affordable to the poor and working class
· Denounce the corporate plan to privatize education
· Take measures to cancel all student debt
· Work to fully fund public K-12 and colleges

Tuesday, July 9, 2013
4pm: Gather at Downtown Campus • 4:30pm: March to Dept. of Education
88 4th Street @ Mission (2 blocks from Powell St. BART) •50 Beale Street (btw Mission & Market)

Wednesday, July 10, 6-8pm
Save CCSF Coalition meeting featuring Marty Hittelman, author of “ACCJC Gone Wild”.
Mission Campus, 1125 Valencia St. (btw 22nd & 23rd Sts.), San Francisco