1. What is accreditation?

    Accreditation is a status granted to an educational institution that has been found to meet or exceed stated criteria of educational quality. Institutions voluntarily seek accreditation, and that status is conferred by nongovernmental accrediting bodies authorized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  2. Why does an institution want to be accredited?

    Accreditation has two fundamental purposes: to assure the quality of the institution and to encourage institutional improvement.

  3. What is the Accrediting Commission?

    The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) is the only organization authorized by the U.S. Department of Education, located in Washington, D.C., to evaluate community colleges in California and other western states. ACCJC operates under the corporate entity the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

    For more information on ACCJC, visit: http://www.accjc.org/

  4. How often does a College go through the Accreditation process?

    The Community Colleges in California, and Crafton Hills College specifically, go through on-going accreditation reviews, and must report regularly (maximum every six years) to the ACCJC through a publication called a Self-Study Report, which the ACCJC reviews. The ACCJC often sends teams of educational professionals to visit the campus and meet with students, faculty, staff and administrators as well.

  5. What is a Self-Study Report?

    The report is a lengthy written document that describes the results of the campus’ self examination and analysis. It contains documentation, research and evidence to back up the statements made by the campus of the results of its examination and analysis of the status of the college. The self-study for accreditation contains details and appraisals of the college’s programs, services, operations, planning and other characteristics of interest to the ACCJC.

  6. Who does the research, writes the reports and presents the results of the self-study to the ACCJC?

    Under the leadership of the CHC President and the Vice President of Instruction, with the support of the Vice President of Student Services, the Vice President of Administrative Services, and the Director of Research, the campus’ Accreditation Team, which includes students, faculty, staff, and administrators, has established subcommittees to oversee the organization, development and production of the reports as they come due to the ACCJC. These subcommittees research, review and provide relevant evidence demonstrating the campus’ compliance with accreditation standards.

  7. How does the campus know what is going on with the Accreditation process for CHC?

    Updates and messages from the President and the CHC Accreditation Team have been and will continue to be posted regularly on the Crafton Hills website. If you have questions about the CHC Accreditation status, please call the Public Information Office at 909.389.3333, or email asmoore@sbccd.edu.