Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the campus (ACCJC) worked together this past year for EC’s accreditation, according to a letter from the ACCJC.

The college accreditation was officially reaffirmed on Jan. 29, 2010, after being issued a warning last February from the ACCJC.

“A warning is issued when the commission finds that an institution has pursued a course of action which deviates from the commission’s eligibility requirements, accreditation standards, or policy,” according to a letter written by Dr. Barbara Beno, president of the ACCJC.

In order to avoid any further accreditation issues and the possibility of being denied accreditation, EC was required to complete two follow-up reports, one being on April 1 and the other being on Oct. 15, said Beno.

The college was instructed to work on certain aspects of its educational programs and services such as consistency with online courses, a fiscal management plan, a revision in its code of ethics, and a staffing plan which assures the effectiveness of human resources, according to a letter from the ACCJC said.

One recommendation that was insisted upon by ACCJC was focusing more on student learning outcomes for the college.

“The college should immediately implement processes to communicate to students expected student learning outcomes in course outlines, course syllabi, college catalog and/or other effective channels,” the letter read.

After a tough past couple of years with budget cuts and financial hiatus, the ACCJC also recommended in its their letter that the college “develop a fiscal management plan for all sites, matched to its revenues, to assure the fiscal soundness of the institution.”

Jeremy Hall, a fire science major, was eager to learn that EC was on track to try to fix its financial problems.

“I really enjoy attending EC but at the moment, I’m a little embarrassed for our school,” Hall said. “The whole time I’ve been here it’s been nothing but budget cuts and professors on strike.”

Although the campus is remaining an accredited institution and will continue its educational quality and student success, one student felt that the entire school should have been notified about the recent warning status.

“To be honest I had no idea that EC was at risk for losing accreditation,” Trentino Dicrisci, a music major said, But I think it’s important that every student and faculty member know what’s going on behind the school senate.”

For more information about the college accreditation students are encouraged to visit the campus Web site.