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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 | VOL XCI ISSUE 4 tccclarion.com f/ccclarion T@ccclarion
A tale of two
BY MEGAN BENDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CITRUSES
MBENDER@CCCLARION.COM
T
he Accreditation Committee for Community and Junior Colleges sent an accreditation team to Citrus College for a site-visit from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1. According to Douglas B. Houston, Ed.D., chancellor of the Yuba Community College District and accreditation team chair, the visiting team decided that Citrus College’s self-evaluation report showed a lack of reflection and depth. The 14 administrators and faculty members from other California community colleges represented by ACCJC, described Citrus College’s self-evaluation report as incomplete, lacking reflection and not in compliance with the ACCJC self-evaluation manual and guidelines.
On the other hand, the team commended Citrus on several areas including empirical decision making and data literacy, program review, student life, library resources, maintenance and operations, a safe college environment, and the level at which Citrus funds future liabilities. The objective of a visiting ACCJC team is peer review of the evidence supporting the college’s self-reporting on quality of education. The 339-page report was submitted prior to the visit. The team then submits its findings to the ACCJC board. More than 300 members of the Citrus College community contributed to the self-study during a three-year process, evaluating performance outcomes according to four standards set by ACCJC. With the self-evaluation report that was submitted on July 27, campus committees developed an actionable improvement summary of areas Citrus plans to improve. SEE ACCREDITATION • PAGE 5
THE TOOLS TO FACE SOCIAL INJUSTICE Associated Students of Citrus College presents social justice and diversity week BY MEGAN BENDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MBENDER@CCCLARION.COM
As students approach the middle of fall semester and a standard break from studying is necessary, the Associated Students of Citrus College executive board are offering Social Justice and Diversity
Week from Oct. 12 to Oct. 16. This is the first social justice and diversity week that has been held at Citrus College. During the spring 2015 semester previous ASCC executive board commissioner of activities, Sara Acevedo, set the plans for a social justice and diversity week in motion to incorporate a wide range of issues. “I had always wanted to focus on social justice issues,” Acevedo said. “The longer I was activities commissioner I realized this was something students would enjoy.” Acevedo said it originally started out as a specific focus on Hispanic
heritage and Latino learning. “We thought ‘why not incorporate other issues?’ and turned it into a week that incorporates everyone,” Acevedo said. ASCC executive board public reations commissioner Stephanie Ayala, said that the clubs on campus were given a list of suggested topics to choose from and focus on for this week. “Each club will have a booth out on the campus mall.” Ayala said. “They will provide updated research, history and information on organizations that are fighting and supporting their social justice topic.”
Along side Citrus clubs, guest speakers and organizations will be speaking to students on topics varying from racial profiling, human trafficking in America and HIV and AIDS. The objective is to open up a platform for students to learn and discuss social injustices that are happening today. “Many of these topics have become difficult to talk about because of their sensitivity and we hope to bridge that by addressing them in an educational, motivational and informative environment,” Ayala said. “While I believe it is important to
shoot for the stars
Planetary Society launches first community college chapter at Citrus College PG. 6
have fun opportunities for students to socialize and relax while on campus, I agree with the feedback that students may benefit more from educationally planned events,” said student trustee Pat Cordova-Goff who has been working with Ayala on social justice and diversity week. The first day of social justice and diversity week will include a student led panel organized by the Native American Student Association called “Let’s Set the Record Straight” at 11:30 a.m., in recognition of Indigenous People’s Day in the campus center east wing. S E E D IV ER S IT Y • PAGE 5
Creativity over talent
Artist Simon Silva addresses students on the way to expand creativity in education PG. 11