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To the Members of our Community,
I want to reassure the community that Bergen Community College is addressing the concerns raised recently by our accrediting agency, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Please be aware:
- All of our programs and processes remain the same.
- We will continue to admit, teach and graduate students.
- Student financial aid and grants are not affected.
- Four-year colleges and universities continue to accept Bergen students’ credits.
The Commission noted that “the institution remains accredited” during the process of presenting sufficient documentation that the College is in compliance with Commission standards.
We take the Commission’s report very seriously. The College leadership, faculty and support staff already are working together to address the Commission’s concerns.
If you have questions or concerns, please call Dr. Ralph Choonoo, Bergen Community College Ombudsman, at (201) 447-7991.
Please see the Q&A below for answers to questions you may have regarding the Middle States evaluation.
The College is, and will continue to be, one of the region’s highest-quality institutions of higher education.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dr. Jose Adames
Interim President, Bergen Community College
What does Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation mean?
Accreditation means the College has successfully undergone a review and that the Commission has expressed "confidence in an institution's mission and goals, its performance, and its resources," according to the Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education.
What does the Commission warning mean?
The warning means the College needs to provide more supporting documentation that it is meeting the Commission’s standards. We are gathering the documentation and will quickly address the Commission’s concerns.
Is a warning unusual?
No, there are several other institutions of higher education in New Jersey that have received warnings. It is unfortunate, and it is something the College takes very seriously.
What usually happens to colleges that have received a warning?
According to a Middle States Commission spokesperson, Colleges typically correct whatever caused the warning within a year and their accreditation is not affected.
Is the College still accepting students?
Yes, the warning does not change anything involved in the day-to-day operations of the College.
- All of our programs and processes remain the same.
- Bergen Community College will continue to register, teach, and graduate students.
Will my son or daughter lose his or her financial aid?
No, the Commission warning does not impact financial aid. The College will continue to meet its financial aid commitments and will accept applications and award financial aid.
Should I register my son or daughter for the next semester at Bergen?
Bergen will continue to provide the same high-quality education that has earned the College national recognition as a premier community college. We fully expect to have met the Commission’s requests by the Fall 2012 semester.
Will the College continue to hire faculty?
The College is continuing to hire faculty needed to respond to increased enrollment and prepare Bergen Community College students to graduate, transfer to quality four-year institutions, or find jobs.
Will this affect my son or daughter’s degree from Bergen?
No. Bergen has transfer agreements with 30 to 40 four-year institutions throughout the region to accept our students’ credits. The Commission’s report does not affect these agreements.
Does the warning mean Bergen is not an accredited college?
Absolutely not: It is important to keep in mind that Bergen Community College remains accredited by the Middle States Commission. All of our programs and processes remain the same, the institution is stable, and it will continue to admit, teach and graduate students.
What led to the Commission warning?
In June 2011, under the previous College administration, Bergen Community College submitted its Periodic Review Report, reflecting the previous five years of schooling. The Commission stated that there was not enough supporting documentation submitted with the Periodic Review Report. The Commission notified the College in a letter dated November 17, 2011 and delivered to the College on November 21, 2011. The College is already gathering the documentation that Middle States wants to see.
What happens next?
Our Commission Liaison, Dr. Ellen Fogarty, will visit Bergen Community College to discuss the Commission’s expectations. In addition, the College is required to submit a Monitoring Report by September 2012, and we will receive a small team visit following submission of the report. The small team report will be considered by the MSCHE Committee on Follow-Up Activities, and then by the Commission at its November 2012, meeting.
What is the College doing to address the Commission’s concerns?
The President's Cabinet, the assessment team, the Senate leadership, the Board of Trustees, and others are working to implement a process to address the concerns of Middle States. However, we need the entire College community's cooperation and help in this initiative.
How is the College informing the campus community and the public?
Upon receiving the Commission’s warning, Interim President Dr. Jose Adames sent a letter by email to the entire campus community informing its members of the Commission’s findings. In the next two business days, Dr. Adames met with the faculty, members of the administration, and student government leaders, and informed the chairman of the Board of Trustees and county government representative.
The College also sent a letter to all students with Bergen Community College email addresses and posted information on Bergen’s popular Facebook page.
The College ran an announcement in the Record newspaper informing the public of a direct line and contact within the Admissions Office that has been established to address questions and concerns from students, parents, and members of the community.
The College will continue to report on developments concerning its progress.
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