Modesto Junior College has been placed on probation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges' Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges, due to organizational concerns.

During the probation, MJC will still be accredited; classes are still transferrable and recognized.

But if certain WASC-ACCJC recommendations are not addressed, accreditation could be revoked, leading to a loss of state and federal funding.

Probation is fairly common following accreditation review – 18 of 25 campuses reviewed by the WASC-ACCJC were warned, probated, or slated for follow-up reviews. MJC was also placed on probation following its last WASC-ACCJC review in February 2008.

Most of WASC-ACCJC's concerns were organizational in nature: better defining community demographics; planning programs to serve existing populations; incorporating student learning outcomes in planning, budgeting, and program reviews; better tracking faculty evaluations; and, evaluating staffing to ensure equal student access at both MJC campuses.

MJC has until March 15 to file a report better explaining its two-campus system, and until Oct. 15 to file a full follow-up report with WASC-ACCJC.