Cuesta College still on probation after latest action by accrediting commission

Posted: Feb 4, 2011 5:25 PM by Danielle Lerner
Updated: Feb 4, 2011 8:49 PM

Some disappointing news for the Cuesta College campus, an accreditation commission has decided to keep Cuesta on probation saying it has more improvements to make.

It is just the latest setback in Cuesta College's accreditation battle. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges placed Cuesta College on probation last February. The evaluation team visited the campus again this past November to check on improvements. On Thursday the commission sent Cuesta President Gilbert Stork a letter, informing him the college will remain on probation. Cuesta must complete a follow-up report by October.

Stork says he is very disappointed with the commission's actions but he says the school is already doing what needs to be done to address the issues. The commission acknowledged the college has made some progress but it says Cuesta still needs to increase its administrative capacity and technology resources, while improving strategic and financial planning.

Dr. Stork says the college is taking steps to comply with the recommendations by working to complete the college's educational master plan, and looking into a future bond measure to help relieve some of the school's debt. He also wants to reassure students and the public that Cuesta remains an outstanding institution.

"The recommendations being made have nothing to do with the quality of instruction and the quality of teaching and learning, or the services provided or the quality of the programs that we offer," said Stork.

After Cuesta issues a follow-up report in October a team of commission representatives will then visit the school in November. The commission will take action about a year from now and if for some reason the college does not meet the commission's standards once again, it could stay on probation or be placed on what is called, "Show Cause." "Show Cause" is one step away from losing accreditation.

Cuesta College has kept its accreditation during the probation process and that will still be the case with this latest decision. For students, that means their classes, past and present, are still transferable to other four-year colleges and universities.