Interim chancellor addresses probation

Below is a letter from interim Chancellor Zelema Harris about PCC being placed on probation.

 Colleagues:

Pima Community College received word today that our accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), has placed the College on probation.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Jerry Migler will inform our students soon about what probation means to them. The information that Dr. Migler is providing our students is relevant to employees as well, and I would like to share some of the key points. (You can read the HLC’s letter of notification on the Accreditation page of the PCC website.)

While on probation, PCC remains fully accredited by the HLC. Our operations are unaffected. We will continue to provide the best services to our students and the community.

As an accredited college, PCC’s ability to offer financial aid to our students will not be affected.

Also, as an accredited college, course transfer will not be affected.

The quality of our instruction and programs is undiminished. The HLC has not identified any concerns with PCC academics or student services.

The road ahead:

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The HLC has directed the College to file a monitoring report no later than August 1, 2013, outlining our plan to conform with HLC practices relating to complaints and grievance procedures, and to faculty oversight of curriculum.

The College also must file a comprehensive self-study by July 2014, or eight weeks before the HLC’s comprehensive evaluation visit. The self-study must provide evidence that PCC has resolved the concerns of the HLC and meets the HLC’s Criteria for Evaluation.

The College will host a comprehensive evaluation visit in Fall 2014. In February 2015, the HLC Board will meet to determine whether the College can be removed from probation.

We can use this opportunity to improve services to our students and the community. Toward that end, I will begin working with key constituencies to create a strategic plan that will allow PCC to address areas in need of improvement.

I will update you with more information as the College creates its response plan. I will present an update at the May Governing Board meeting.

The HLC reaccredited PCC for 10 years in 2010, and I believe that we can successfully restore the HLC’s and the public’s trust in the College.

Zelema Harris,

Interim Chancellor, Pima Community College