Certification of Continued Compliance With Eligibility Requirements

CERTIFICATION OF CONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

Ventura College meets all eligibility requirements established by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

1. AUTHORITY
   Ventura College is authorized to operate an educational institution and to award degrees by the California Community College Chancellor's Office, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the U.S. Department of Education. The College is recognized as a degree-granting institution by WASC and Ventura College has been accredited by WASC since 1952.
   
   Ventura College also receives professional accreditation for its programs in Associate Degree in Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic.

2. MISSION
   Ventura College 's mission clearly defines its role as a degree granting institution dedicated to providing higher education opportunities for local residents in a student-centered framework. The mission statement is periodically reviewed by the college community and approved by the Board of Trustees, most recently in the 2003-2004 academic year.

3. GOVERNING BOARD
   As an independent policy-making institution, the Ventura County Community College District Board is accountable to the residents of Ventura County . The Board is composed of six elected board members, five elected to represent specific geographic areas of the community and one student representative elected by students at the three colleges in the district. The Board is responsible to ensure that fiscal resources are sufficient to maintain the quality and integrity of instructional programs, policies, and procedures. Board members annually complete a conflict of interest statement certifying that they do not hold any employment, family, or personal financial interest in the institution. Board members' terms of office are staggered to provide continuity of this body. Officers are elected among the board members at the annual organizational meeting.

4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
   District policy requires that: District Organization Philosophies and Policies, B.00 Philosophy , " The colleges of the District shall be organized in the most efficient and effective manner to provide comprehensive educational services for the citizens of the district. Authority flows from the Governing Board through the chancellor to the presidents of the three colleges, Moorpark, Oxnard , and Ventura . Each president, as the chief executive officer, is responsible to the chancellor for carrying out the district policies."
   
   Ventura College 's President is appointed by the Governing Board in accordance with its Academic Personnel recruitment and selection policies and serves as Chief Executive Officer of the college with powers and duties delegated by the Chancellor of the District requisite for the responsibilities required to fulfill those duties. The college President may not serve on the Governing Board of the District.

5. ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY
   The College's Organizational Chart, depicting the names of administrators and their areas of responsibility, is included in the introductory section of this self-study. The persons filling administrative positions are full-time employees and have appropriate preparation and experience for their duties and responsibilities. The college maintains an administrative structure tailored to its student-learning mission and conducive to an effective learning environment.
   
   Ventura College 's current administrative structure is: one President, one Executive Vice President of Student Learning, one Vice President of Business Services, five Deans, two Assistant Deans, two Classified Managers and support staff for these positions.

6. 6. OPERATIONAL STATUS
   Ventura College is operational with between 12,000 to 13,000 students enrolled each fall and spring semester. A significant number are pursuing vocational certificates, associates degree and/or transfer to four-year institutions. Others use the college to attain or improve basic skills, workforce skills and advancement opportunities. Enrollment history is documented in the Office of Admissions and Records. The Office of Institutional Research (at the District Office) collects on-going enrollment data for all the colleges in the district. The Office of Admissions and Records is responsible for documentation of enrollments in certificate and degree programs and degrees awarded.

7. DEGREES
   Of the approximately 1400 credit courses offered by Ventura College , about six per cent are not applicable for degree credit. The vast majority of credit courses apply toward programs, whether Certificates of Achievement or AA/AS degrees (124 of these programs at VC) or Certificates of Completion (36 of these). One-third of these credit courses apply to general education requirements for an associate degree. Approximately 70 per cent of our credit courses transfer to Cal State ; 38 per cent of these can be used to satisfy CSU-GE requirements. The rest count in preparation for majors or as electives for both admission and graduation. Based upon course offerings, as evident in the schedules of classes, a significant proportion of our students are enrolled in these course offerings.

8. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
   Ventura College 's degree programs are consistent with its mission and are based on recognized higher education fields of study. The Curriculum Committee, a standing committee of the college, ensures the programs are of appropriate content and length, and are conducted at levels of quality and rigor appropriate to the degrees offered. The degree programs meet California Code of Regulations, Title 5 curriculum requirements, and when combined with the general education component, represent two years of full-time academic work. Articulation agreements ensure the transferability of courses offered. Ventura College provides course information in the college catalog and course outlines are developed which identify learning objectives and outcomes.

9. ACADEMIC CREDIT
   Ventura College uses the Carnegie unit formula in awarding credit for its credit course offerings (excepting Work Experience/Internship). Information relative to awarding academic credit is published in the following Ventura College documents: annual catalog, schedule of class, Web site, curriculum handbook, and student orientation handbook.

10. STUDENT LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT
    The Ventura College Catalog states the objectives of VC's educational programs. Expected learning outcomes for specific occupational programs are published with program descriptions in the catalog. Each degree program has its educational objectives published in the catalog, as well. Course objectives (student learning outcomes) are described in the course outlines, which are on file in the Office of Student Learning. VC's matriculation process, which is a partnership that results in an agreement between the college and the student for the purpose of defining and realizing the student's educational goal, a student's progress is monitored/ assessed. This includes responsibilities for both the college and the student, and is often formulated into a Student Educational Plan. Through such support services as: orientation, counseling/advisement, assessment, and alternative delivery methods (if necessary), a student progress is further monitored and he/she is provided the necessary assistance in meeting educational goals.

11. GENERAL EDUCATION
    Based upon the unit values of its courses and upon locally adopted requirements (the Board approved pattern exceeds Title 5 minimums), Ventura College requires between one-third and one-half of the coursework for the degree in general education. This substantial component of the degree programs assures considerable breadth in the comprehensive learning outcomes as stated in each of the course outlines of record. The degree programs and their constituent parts (individual courses) reflect both the rigor, scope, intensity and quality expected in higher education and conform to regulatory and statutory requirements to ensue the presence of these features. The associate degree also requires competency as defined by our local Governing Board.

12. ACADEMIC FREEDOM
    Ventura College and the VCCCD Board of Trustees support faculty members' rights to examine and test all knowledge appropriate to their disciplines. Intellectual freedom and independence are documented in the Board Policy Manual and presented as a condition of the college and district in the catalog, the class schedule and online.

13. FACULTY
    Ventura College, as of Spring 2004, employs 124 full-time faculty and 436 part-time faculty members. In order to meet the Chancellor's Office required number of full-time faculty, an additional 22 full-time faculty will begin in the Fall 2004 and the number of part-time faculty will be proportionately reduced. With this addition, of new hires, approximately 60% of the college's credit hours will be taught by full-time faculty. Faculty members generally exceed minimum qualifications and are qualified by education and experience to guide the college's educational programs. Minimum requirements for their disciplines are based on regulations for the Minimum Qualifications for California community college faculty established in California Code Regulations, Title 5. Role and responsibilities of faculty members are clearly delineated in the Faculty Handbook and the collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Teachers and the VCCCD.

14. STUDENT SERVICES
    Ventura College provides a comprehensive array of student services for all its students, as well as programs for students requiring preparation for college level work. Co-curricular activities are offered to provide student development opportunities appropriate for and consistent with its student needs and characteristics.
    
    The college provides for all of its students appropriate student services that support student learning and development within the context of the institutional mission.
    
    The college offers a comprehensive program of student support services for all students including: assessment, counseling, orientation, registration, transfer, career, tutoring, student activities, the Internet Café, and the student health care services. In addition, there are additional services provided by programs that target special populations such as the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), the Women's and Re-entry Center, the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement Program (MESA), Educational Assistance Center (EAC), Learning Skills Program, Financial Aid, and the Assistive Technology Training Center. Support services are also provided to students at the East Campus Center. Since the last accreditation, the college has added a variety of on-line services for students such as: registration, application for enrollment, application for financial aid, review of transcripts, adding and dropping classes, payment of fees, review of catalog, and the review of class schedules with special search features.

15. ADMISSIONS
    The institution has adopted and adheres to admission policies consistent with its mission, as a public California community college and in compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 5, that specify the qualifications of students appropriate for its programs.
    
    Admissions policies are published in the college catalog and on the college website. The college accepts all California residents possessing a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) and/or adults 18 years of age; non-residents and special admit students, i.e. concurrently enrolled high school students. Assessment, orientation and advisement are provided for all new students. Specific course and program pre and co requisites are clearly identified in both the college catalog and schedules of classes along with challenge processes.

16. INFORMATION AND LEARNING RESOURCES
    Ventura College provides specific long-term access to sufficient print and electronic information and learning resources through its libraries, learning labs and programs and services to meet the educational needs of students.
    
    The Library and Learning Resource Center is the principal source of information and learning resources along with 21 computer-based labs throughout the campus that provide both direct instructional capability and supplemental access for students. The library possesses approximately 52,000 volumes, subscribes to 15 on-line full-text databases and 340 periodical titles. The Library is open 64 hours/week, serving day and evening students and its resources are electronically accessible through the Ventura College Web site 24 hours a day from any Internet location. The college also makes electronic access available on campus for study and resource use from the Math/Science building, the Learning Center, the Internet Café, the East Campus Center, and from the various computer labs on campus.

17. FINANCIAL RESOURCES
    Although on the Chancellor's Office watch list in Fall 2003, the Ventura County Community College District has dedicated resources to the reserves and that amount now exceeds minimum requirements. The Board of Trustees exercises sound financial oversight of the district's resources despite the severe impact of recent budget reductions in state funding. The district and Ventura College follow generally accepted accounting principles and control procedures that ensure financial stability.

18. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
    The Ventura County Community College District is audited annually by an independent audit firm and complies with routine financial reporting requirements of the California Community College's Chancellor's Office and the U.S. Department of Education. The College will provide a copy of the two most recent audited financial statements for onsite review by the validation team.

19. INSTITUTIONAL PLANNING AND EVALUATION
    Ventura College has an established institutional planning and evaluation process for the development of the college, including integrating plans for instruction, student development, economic development, facilities, technology, staff, and financial development, as well as procedures for program review and institutional improvement. The college systematically evaluates how well and in what ways the institution is accomplishing its purpose, including assessment of student learning and documentation of institutional effectiveness.
    
    In Fall 2002, Ventura College began to update its "College Plan 2000-2003," a document that resulted from a planning process that began in 1996. The project resulted in the college Educational Master Plan and progressed through ten interrelated phases, which included a thorough review of the prior plan. Additionally, a Facilities Master Plan was completed in March, 2004. These two documents represent VC's efforts at establishing a comprehensive master planning process. They contain the college's evaluation of and professional judgments regarding the current needs of the community it serves, the college strategies for responding to these needs and the mechanisms and timetables by which the college will evaluate its performance. These documents will serve as the foundation for additional and ongoing planning by the college.

20. PUBLIC INFORMATION
    Ventura College publishes in its catalog, college web site, schedule of classes, press releases, and other appropriate places accurate and current information that describes its purposes and objectives, admission requirements and procedures, rules and regulations directly affecting students, programs and courses, degrees offered and the degree requirements, costs and refund policies, grievance procedures, academic credentials of faculty and administrators, and other items relative to attending the college and withdrawing from it.

21. RELATIONS WITH THE ACCREDITING COMMISSION
    The Ventura Community College District Board of Trustees and Ventura College provide assurance that the college adheres to the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards and policies of the Commission, describes the college in identical terms to all its accrediting agencies, communicates any changes in its accredited status, and agrees to disclose information required by the Commission to carry out its accrediting responsibilities.