WASC is not the federal government

The recent media story “NMC misses federal deadline” implies that the Northern Marianas College missed a deadline set by the “federal government” for updates regarding the finalization of the La Fiesta’s transfer to the CNMI government. It should be underscored that the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and one of the three commissions that comprise it, i.e., the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) are “not” the federal government. Rather, the three commissions that comprise WASC [the Accrediting Commission of Schools, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and the Senior Colleges Commission (SCC)] are all “non-governmental bodies” that are governed by boards of directors that are not an integral part of the U.S. Government.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is a non-governmental organization comprised of several commissions that are authorized by the U.S. Department of Education (a bona fide federal agency) as a reliable agency of accreditation and must go through a periodic review process. Sometime ago, the ACCJC was recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA) through a review process. Currently, the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a non-profit organization of colleges and universities, assumed the recognition process from CORPA in 1997. CHEA recognizes, coordinates, and periodically reviews the work of its recognized accrediting bodies and the appropriateness of existing or proposed accrediting bodies and their activities.

According to the WASC Constitution, the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities shall consist of up to 25 members, but no less than 18 members, with the exact number set by the commission from time to time. Commission members shall serve overlapping three-year terms, with a maximum of two terms (plus any partial term served as the result of the member being selected to fill a vacancy), as established by the commission. The commission shall elect one of its members to serve a chair for a three-year term and one of its members to serve as vice chair for a one-year term. In the event the chair has served for the maximum two terms on the commission prior to the expiration of his or her terms as chair, the chair shall continue to serve on the commission until his or her term as chair shall have expired. Commission members shall be elected by the presidents of the institutions accredited by the commission according to bylaws approved by the commission.

With respect to the ACCJC, the commission shall consist of nineteen members, all of whom are appointed by the commissioner selection committee. One commission member shall be selected from among the nominees who represent community college interests provided by the chief administrative officer of each of the following: the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the University of Hawaii Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. In addition, one commission member shall be selected from among the nominees provided by each of the other commissions to represent the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities and the Accrediting Commission for Schools. These nominees shall be sitting or former members of the Senior College or Schools commissions, or individuals with demonstrated familiarity with the policies, procedures, and operations of the ACCJC. At least five of the commission members shall be faculty, at least five shall be administrators, at least one member shall represent independent institutions, and at least one member shall represent institutions in the Western Pacific. cCommission representatives shall serve staggered three year terms.

The commissions that comprise WASC evaluate educational institutions and ascertain if they in fact meet or exceed stated criteria of educational quality. Educational institutions that are evaluated by the various commissions “voluntarily” seek accreditation and are not compelled to be “accredited” by the non-governmental bodies that make up WASC.

Accreditation assures the quality of the institution and to assist in the improvement of the institution. Moreover, accreditation certifies to the general public that the institution has appropriate purposes, resources needed to accomplish its purposes and can demonstrate that it is accomplishing its purposes and gives reason to believe it will continue to accomplish its purposes.

When an educational institution possesses accreditation from the commissions that comprise WASC, they are eligible to participate in the Title IX student financial aid programs. In addition, it provides in the process of periodic self and peer review, which play a significant role in the area of institutional effectiveness.

Another reason why accreditation is considered vitally important stems from the fact many institutions recognize transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions simply because each institution is responsible for determining its own policies and practices in regard to transfer and award of credit. The commission requires that institutions have an established policy on transfer of credit by which the institution certifies that credits accepted achieve educational objectives comparable to its own courses.

Should NMC lose its accreditation with the ACCJC and/or SCC of WASC, then there will be problems regarding the securing of federal financial aid for students, as well as allowing the successful transfer of credits to other educational institutions for students who wish to pursue a baccalaureate and/or graduate degrees. Clearly, if NMC is not in good stead with the ACCJC and/or SCC, then they would not be in good stead with the federal government to qualify for financial aid to students and other accredited institutions of higher education who are willing to give students an opportunity to pursue a four-year or graduate degree.

The lost of accreditation for NMC will hurt the stability of the future for the CNMI simply because it will take away the precious opportunity for the students in the island community to better themselves and be in a position to give something back subsequent to acquiring formal and very valuable education.

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, California