The ASCCC is proud to host the 2023 Accreditation Institute September 29, 2023. The Institute will provide guidance and support to colleges that are gathering evidence, writing their Institutional Self Evaluation Report (ISER), or preparing for a comprehensive site visit. This year's theme, "Rising up to Meet the New Standards: Continuing the Pursuit of Excellence and Equity," will allow participants to become familiar with the new ACCJC standards while continuing their important work of equity. The Institute will feature a variety of speakers and panelists, including representatives from the ACCJC, as well as experts in accreditation and equity. There will also be opportunities for networking and collaboration.
The ASCCC has made the decision to shift the Accreditation Institute to a fully virtual program taking place on Friday, September 29, 2023. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Registration
Registration Information
Virtual Registration Deadline: September 27, 2023 at 5:00PM
Conference Registration Virtual Fee: $295
Presenter Registration Fee: Promo Code provided to approved presenters by the events team for discounted rate.
FAQs
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Your registration is transferable, however you must first cancel the first registration by emailing the Senate Office in writing at events [at] asccc.org . You will then need to register the second individual. Should a payment transfer be necessary, we can do it at that time.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
• Please remember that the last day to cancel your registration is September 20th, 2023 without penalty and is always posted on each event's webpage, and is listed in each confirmation email. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to events [at] asccc.org on or before the posted date. Registration will not be canceled due to non-payment. All cancellations made after the posted cancellation date will be assessed a $175.00 cancellation fee.
• Cancellations made less than 7 working days (September 20th) prior to the event will be billed the full amount of the conference.
• No shows, unclaimed "TBA" attendees, and cancellations made after the deadline will be billed the Full Registration Fee to you and/or your college. As attendees are permitted to register without funds, we have no way of determining cancellation unless specifically told, in writing.
• Submission of your registration signifies agreement with this policy.
• Unpaid balances owed to the Academic Senate must be paid off before an attendee can register for a future event.
The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?
No, all attendee registrations must match the ticket and we do not process ticket transfers. Attendees who are unable to attend must cancel/refund their ticket by sending a request on Eventbrite or send an email to events [at] asccc.org.
Questions and Concerns
Please contact the Academic Senate Event Team at events [at] asccc.org with any questions or concerns.
For questions about accessibility or to request live captioning accommodations please contact Kayla Vue or Tonya Davis at events [at] asccc.org. Three weeks advance notice of need for accommodations is requested.
Please see Events Agreements page for all terms and conditions.
Resources
ZOOM EVENTS
The Accreditation Institute will be hosted on Zoom Events. Please use the provided resources for tips on accessing Zoom Events.
Navigating Zoom Events: Attendee Experience
How to participate in Virtual Only:
The event will take place in the virtual event platform Zoom Events. All attendees will receive an email prior to the event with a unique user login. The platform works with email as your user id, so please make sure all attendees emails are their actual emails. If you are an admin and are registering a group of people, please make sure you are prepared with each persons unique email. Please check your device if it is compatible with Zoom Events and update your Zoom app.
Event links to the Virtual Event Platform will be emailed to all registered attendees approximately 1 week prior to the start of the event. All sessions will have auto closed captioning available.
TEST SESSION
There will be a self-guided test session for new users to explore the Zoom Events platform and ensure your device is updated for the event. The test session will run for 2 days on September 25th and September 26th from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. To participate in the test session, registered attendees and presenters can download and follow the Zoom Events Guideline document above. Users can join the session anytime during the session. This session is intended to allow users to familiarize themselves with the platform at their convenience and there will not be any presentation or moderator during the test session.
Please make sure to submit individual emails for all attendees as that will be their access to the virtual event platform.
Program
Friday, September 29
9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Welcome
Cheryl Acshenbach, ASCCC President
Manuel Vélez, ASCCC Vice President
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. First General Session
Effective Strategies in Presenting Disaggregated Data to Tell the Story of Your Institution
Carlos Guerrero, ASCCC South Representative
Eric Wada, ASCCC North Representative
As each college engages in the self-evaluation process, we reflect on our ability to meet our institution’s mission of serving our communities and supporting our students. Where do we have the student and community voice in the accreditation process? Join this session where we will collectively explore various creative and engaging strategies to get our students and our communities authentically involved in our local accreditation work.
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Second General Session
ACCJC Updates: The Newly Adopted 2024 Standards and the Comprehensive Review Process
Kevin Bontenbal, ACCJC Vice President
Gohar Momjian, ACCJC Vice President
ACCJC prides itself on Accreditation Standards that focus on an institution’s continuous quality improvement efforts around the critical elements of student learning, student achievement, and the closure of institutional equity gaps. These standards provide a framework for best practices that will lead to achievement of the institution’s mission, promote student success, academic quality, institutional integrity, and excellence. ACCJC member institutions undergo a comprehensive review for reaffirmation of accreditation to determine whether they continue to meet ACCJC’s expectations and are engaged in sustainable efforts to improve educational quality and institutional effectiveness. This session will inform attendees on the newly adopted Accreditation Standards and Process.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Third General Session
ACCJC’s Social Justice Policy and Enhancing Racial Equity in Accreditation
Karen Chow, ASCCC Area B Representative
Michelle Vogel Trautt, Mt. San Jacinto College
In June 2021, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) adopted its Policy on Social Justice. Historically, institutions of higher learning have operated with firmly established policies and procedures that promote a climate of exclusion, racial inequity and racism towards Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). The ACCJC understands that issues around inclusion, diversity, equity, and racism are deeply rooted within systemic racists structures and policies that support the very foundation of society. Further, the Commission has determined that people of color have long been disadvantaged by the prejudice, discrimination, and implicit biases inherent within higher education that white people have been able to benefit from. Come join this discussion of the new ACCJC Social Justice Policy and its potential impact on the California Community Colleges accreditation process.
2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fourth General Session
Distance Education: Faculty, Students, and Accreditation
Erik Reese, ASCCC Area C Representative
Robert L. Stewart Jr., ASCCC Treasurer
Most California community colleges have increased the number of courses and programs offered online. The ACCJC is required by federal regulations to review the quality of distance education as well as correspondence education. Join us for a discussion about what constitutes quality distance education, and how to ensure that your courses and programs meet the standards. Together we will explore successful strategies being used to ensure the expected rigor and compliance to the standards as it relates to this instructional modality.
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Fifth General Session
What Do I Do with All These Reports? Integrative Planning, Data-Informed Decision Making and Continuous Quality Improvement
Sarah Harris, College of the Sequoias
Cynthia Napoli-Abella Reiss, West Valley College
Jennifer Vega La Serna, College of the Sequoias
The 2024 ACCJC Standards take data out of the introductory silo and ask colleges to report on it in context and in practice. Throughout these standards, institutions are challenged to leverage their institutional processes and practices toward meaningful outcomes and provide evidence of integrated planning and the use of data in the pursuit of continuous quality improvement. In this session, presenters will focus on how an intentionally designed integrative planning process can help colleges use data to direct their resource planning toward meeting the college mission. Presenters will share some best practices for making data accessible and meaningful for planning and discuss how colleges can evaluate and reflect on planning processes as they work toward continuous quality improvement, whether they are reviewing institutional effectiveness during lean times or during periods of growth.
Closing Remarks
Juan Arzola, ASCCC At-Large Representative
Manuel Vélez, ASCCC Vice President