http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/03/southwestern-students-react-to-probation/
Southwestern students react to probation
By Maureen Magee, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 6:55 p.m.
CHULA VISTA
— Some students worry their transcripts will be tainted. Others are
concerned Southwestern College’s already suffering reputation has taken
yet another embarrassing hit.
A day after Southwestern announced it was put on probation and could
lose its accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges, students on Wednesday attempted to figure out how the
probation might affect them.
“This is going to look bad,” said Chantal Barragan of Chula Vista,
who hopes to transfer to Cal State San Marcos soon. “What are they
going to think at San Marcos?”
Many students learned of the probation status in an e-mail from the
administration. Some instructors opened up their classrooms to
discussions on the matter.
President Raj Chopra tried to reassure students, vowing to resolve
the problems as soon as possible. A committee is set to meet Thursday
to plan its effort to save its accreditation.
“Students should continue to be proud of the education they are
receiving here,” said Chopra, adding that he inherited many of the
campus’s problems when he arrived more than two years ago. “And there
is no impact on their transcripts or their ability to transfer. We are
still fully accredited.”
Southwestern has until October 2011 to resolve the problems, but it
must show improvement by fall. The majority of deficiencies at the
college have to do with administration and governance, not academics.
The college was cited for, among other things, problems with the
governing board, problems with its ethics and conflict-of-interest
policies, fostering a stagnant work and learning environment, and for
failing to update online programs.
Among the recommendations made to Southwestern: that its governing
board adhere to its role of setting policy “and not interfere with the
authority and responsibility of the superintendent/president”; that it
foster an environment of “trust and respect for all employees and
students that allows the college community to promote administrative
stability and work together for the good of the college”; and that it
develop a planning process that “assures improvement in student
learning.”
“When you tell someone you go to Southwestern, they kind of joke
about it,” said Jesus Michel of Chula Vista, who started at the college
last semester. “I don’t like this. But I’m more concerned about the
budget cuts and them taking away more classes. It’s hard to get the
classes you need. I feel like I’m never getting out of here.”
To offset state reductions in education spending and to save about
$1.6 million, Southwestern eliminated 429 course selections this
semester — about one-quarter of its offerings.
Students and faculty protested those cuts in the fall. Four faculty members were put on paid leave after the rally.
“The reputation keeps getting worse,” said Alberto Aguilar of Chula
Vista, who is in his second semester at Southwestern. “I just want to
take my classes and transfer. I just hope this won’t hurt my chances of
transferring out.”
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