College Of Marin Faces Sanctions

College years are supposed to be fun, but they're getting a lot harder for students — and, it turns out, for college administrators.

College of Marin, already squeezed by a diminishing budget, is facing a threat to its standing as an educational institution. In a letter received by the College of Marin President/Superintendent's Office on Feb. 6, Dr. Barbara Beno, president of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges, issued a warning sanction to the college.

If the college were to lose its accreditation, it would likely lose out on state and federal funding. Students looking to transfer would be placed in a bind, as their class credits might not be accepted by many four-year universities.

The college, with campuses in Kentfield and Novato, will maintain its accreditation during the warning period as officials try to complete their fix-it list of problems pointed out in the commission's report. Among the priorities are upgrades to student services and more effective oversight.

"While the college has made significant progress, we acknowledge that there is more work to be done as outlined in ACCJC/WASC's recommendations.  I believe the college is well on its way towards timely resolution," said COM Superintendent/President Dr. David Wain Coon. "This will be the highest priority for the college over the next months and I have great faith in ability of our faculty, staff, students and board to meet this goal."

The warning is just the latest admonishment of the college by the accrediting agency. College of Marin was placed on probation in early 2008, but that was lifted and the college's accreditation was fully reaffirmed in Jan. 2011. That came with the requirement that college administrators make several specific improvements by the fall.

A review by a team of California community college administrators in October 2011 found College of Marin has made progress toward fixing its problems, but that much more work is still needed.

The recommendations included addressing the lack of library and students services, improving their distance learning, developing a facilities master plan for the campus as well as establish a technology plan. See the full report on the right.

Several other California community colleges are also facing sanctions, according to the Community College Association. With limited resources, some colleges are being forced to cut courses and programs.