Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges

NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES COMMISSION ON COLLEGES

August 15, 2000

Dr. Holly Moore

Interim President

Shoreline Community College

16101 Greenwood Ave. N

Seattle, WA 98133

Dear President Moore:

This letter is to inform you of the action of the Commission on Colleges regarding the major substantive change prospectus submitted by Shoreline Community College. The proposal requested approval for Shoreline Community College to enter into a contractual relationship with Cascadia Community College, a non-regionally accredited institution. After thorough and careful review of the proposal, the Commission approved the contractual relationship and determined that it be included under the accreditation status of Shoreline Community College.

In approving the proposal, the Commission requested that Shoreline Community College prepare an updated supplemental response to Commission Policy A-2 - Substantive Change, item h, an analysis of the faculty (and staff} needed, the educational and professional experience qualifications relative to their individual teaching assignments ... to be submitted to the Executive Director on or before November 1, 2000. In addition, the Commission requested that the institution prepare a focused interim report and host an evaluation visit by a Commission representative in fall 2001 to evaluate the contractual relationship. The report and visit are to include regular and ongoing contact with Cascadia Community College relative to continuity and oversight of the curriculum, library and learning resources, and student support services, as well as to assess the overall impact of the relationship on the financial stability and overall operation of Shoreline Community College. We will write in spring 2001 regarding the report and to schedule a date for the visit.

In closing, Shoreline Community College is to be commended for submittal of a thorough and well-written prospectus regarding the complex topic of institutional sponsorship for Candidate for Accreditation status. It can be a difficult assignment for two institutions to develop and publish a prospectus that meets the Commission's requirements especially when the task involves adequately addressing two complex policies: substantive change and contractual relationships. The prospectus not only accomplished this objective but did so with both style and substance. The format carefully and effectively integrated the required responses of the two policies into a scholarly document.

11130 N.E. 33rd Place, Suite 120, Bellevue, Washington 98004 Telephone (425) 827-2005 Fax (425) 827-3395

Dr. Holly Moore Page Two August 15, 2000

If there are questions or comments, please contact Deputy Executive Director, Larry Stevens.

Best wishes for a good fall term.

Sincerely,

cc:Dr. E. Thomas Curtis, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Sandra E. Elman

Executive Director