Consolidation of Area Community Colleges Delayed
The consolidation timeline of Central Alabama Community College, Chattahoochee Valley Community College, and Southern Union State Community College has been adjusted due to unforeseen legislative and departmental delays.
“It is my decision to push back the implementation of this consolidation plan,” Dr. Mark Heinrich, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System stated. “We will immediately begin working with regulatory bodies and accreditors to establish an agreed upon schedule to accomplish the consolidations in 2017.”
The consolidation process involves multiple educational oversight bodies, The United States Department of Education (DOE), The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE).
“We are working diligently with the three organizations responsible for overseeing educational consolidation to be certain that we satisfy all of the checks and balances necessary to implement our plan in the least disruptive way possible,” Heinrich said.
“This new timeline will allow us to work with ACHE to satisfy their requirements, and continue our work with the legislature to pass Board legislation essential to the success of our full consolidation plan. Most importantly, this new timeline will allow us to make this process as smooth as possible for those whom we serve: Our Students.”
All three colleges will continue to serve their respective communities to ensure that all educational and workforce needs are addressed.
“Interim Presidents Ellard, Colagross and I wish to extend our gratitude for the significant quality work completed thus far in making the consolidation a success,” Dr. Susan Burrow, president of CACC, said.
“This is an opportunity to add greater depth to our transition plan and ensure that our move to a new regional college is seamless. We look forward to continuing our work toward completion of the consolidation, and additional details about the timeline will be forthcoming as they become available.”
For additional information please contact Brett Pritchard at 256-215-4254 or bpritchard@cacc.edu.
