News Release

All Campuses

Cerro Coso Requests Community Input on Accreditation Self Study Report

Ridgecrest, CA – March 2, 2006

Cerro Coso Community College has been busy preparing for its Accreditation visit to be conducted by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. This visit and the preparation that it involves, usually occurs on a six year cycle. A team of Community College professionals is scheduled to visit Cerro Coso in October 2006. A critical part of this preparation involves compiling a College Self Study Report that addresses the mandated themes established by the Accrediting Commission. "Cerro Coso staffers have completed the first draft of this report and are looking for feedback from our college employees and members of the communities in the Cerro Coso service area. To do this in the most expeditious way we have posted the draft report online and have provided comment boxes after each subtopic," stated Professor Leo Girardot, Chair Accreditation Steering Committee." This web site will remain active until March 31, 2006. "Community feedback regarding these subtopics, including suggestions and/or criticisms, is an important component of our ability to validate what we do as a College. Copies of this first draft of Cerro Coso's Self Study Report will also be available in the College Library on the Indian Wells Valley Campus in Ridgecrest and in a variety of locations in the various communities served by the College," Girardot continued. A copy of the Self Study Report will also be available at all Cerro Coso sites: Eastern Sierra College Center located in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes; Kern River Valley Campus located in Lake Isabella; and the South Kern Campus located on Edwards Air Force Base. Responses may also be put into written form and mailed to Cerro Coso Community College, Attention: Leo Girardot, 3000 College Heights Blvd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555.

Interested individuals can view the link via the web at: http://www.cerrocoso.edu/accreditation/. This action will take you to the first draft of the Cerro Coso Community College Self Study Report where you may begin your participation in this important task. Note that you have the option to provide your personal contact information. By doing so you will receive a follow-up email with a link to the final draft once it is completed.

"I would like to thank each individual ahead of time for your participation in this important process. We truly appreciate your time and energy spent on giving us your valued input," stated Cerro Coso President, Dr. Sharon K. Dyer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Facilities Development and Public Information (760) 384-6230