Saddleback Reports on Staffing, Morale

Saddleback College is on its way to fixing staffing and morale problems that have threatened the school’s accreditation status, according to a report released by college officials this week.

The report, prepared by President Dixie Bullock, was mandated by the accrediting commission of the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges. The commission’s visit to Saddleback last fall revealed an institution fraught with “hostility, mistrust, cynicism and despair,” according to a written warning issued in January.

The college risked losing its accreditation status if college officials did not respond to the commission’s concerns. But Donald Busche, vice president of instruction, said he believes it is clear that will not happen.

“We are fully accredited, and we don’t ever intend to lose that accreditation,” he said. “There are always items a college can improve upon.”

The commission’s evaluation team expressed concerns about two main areas: the college’s administrative structure and the morale among faculty and students.

The team called for an assessment of the college’s administrative structure, a plan to permanently fill all open positions and a coming together of all campus groups in an attempt to end negativity on campus.

Thursday is the commission’s deadline for progress reports from both Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges.

The report from Irvine Valley College, where tension between faculty and officials at the South Orange County Community College District has run exceedingly high, has not yet been released.

Bullock’s report details Saddleback’s efforts thus far, which have included individual and campus-wide meetings with college groups and the hiring of a team-building consultant who conducted workshops earlier this month.

The college also is interviewing for 23 new faculty members and six new administrators, who should all be on board for the fall semester.

“We feel we’ve made a lot of progress and we’ve addressed the issues we needed to,” Busche said. “We have all segments of our college community working toward this goal.”

Suzanne Desaulniers, Associated Student Government president, said there is a marked difference in the morale of the college since the warning was issued in January.

“It’s not going to be fixed overnight, but I do see the administration making progress,” she said. “What’s left is for the Board of Trustees to adhere to the concerns the accreditation team brought forth.”

David B. Wolf, executive director of the accrediting commission, said a follow-up team will visit Saddleback on April 22. He said the commission could decide on accreditation at its meetings June 7 and 8.