City College Of San Francisco's Accreditation Slog Continues

A year after its accreditors told City College of San Francisco to shape up or face “adverse action,” officials submitted documents required to restore its standing. The well-loved institution is possibly months away from making a recovery.

In an email to the college community on Sunday, interim Chancellor Mitchell Bailey wrote that the college had submitted its follow-up report to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges on Feb. 5, about a month ahead of the deadline.

“While we have not resolved all of our issues, we have made great progress, and that is conveyed succinctly in the report, supported with a comprehensive body of evidence,” Bailey stated in the follow-up report to the ACCJC.

Whether the college’s accreditation will be given a clean bill of health remains to be seen. However, at a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Bailey predicted the accreditors “would be hard-pressed to do anything beyond the sanction or warning that we already have.”

Warning Status

In January last year, the ACCJC sent a letter to then-Chancellor David Martin stating that the college had been issued a warning for not complying with three of the 119 total accreditation standards.

The commission required college officials to provide evidence through the follow-up report demonstrating the school had resolved the issues stated in the commission’s letter. Those included having the college’s governing board, in this case, the college’s Board of Trustees, consider the college’s long-term fiscal implications when making financial decisions to assure the stability of the college’s budget.

The commission made additional findings concerning the Board of Trustees. It stated that the board must adhere to its own rules and bylaws and should allow the college’s chancellor to implement policies without interference from the board.

The follow-up report submitted by the college said that the board formed two ad hoc committees last year to address the concerns outlined in the ACCJC letter.

In the concluding remarks of the follow-up report from City College, the college said they plan to develop a fiscal sustainability plan that will be incorporated into the budget proposal for 2026. The report also noted that the board will hold monthly discussions regarding the college's finances, both at the budget committee meetings and during full board meetings.

Governance Issues

To address the governance issues identified by the ACCJC, the college mentioned that it is currently searching for a new chancellor. This individual will play a crucial role in advising the board on how to comply with and adhere to board rules and policies, especially avoiding operational matters of the college, which fall under the chancellor’s role.

“While noticeable progress has been made in these areas, it is natural to be skeptical in the lasting power of the efforts currently underway,” the college’s follow-up report stated. “However, the board and interim chancellor have both prioritized the fiscal and governance stabilization of the college and are committed to mutual and lasting success of these efforts.”

An ACCJC team will visit the college on March 28 to evaluate the college to ensure they are meeting the commission's standards. The college’s follow-up report and an evaluation from the team will be considered in June by the ACCJC. Shortly after the June meeting, the college should learn the commission's findings.

“The path that we are on is challenging but encouraging,” Bailey wrote. “We have opportunities at City College to transform how we approach our work and to engage in endeavors that can better serve and support our students and our community.”