Tensions between Southwestern College Superintendant Dr. Raj K. Chopra and the student run newspaper, “The Soutwestern Sun”, run high as the college’s next accreditation evaluation date draws near. Dr. Chopra cut funding to the Sun and restricted its reporters after the newspaper sharply criticized the administration in response to Southwestern College being placed on academic probation earlier this year.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, evaluated Southwestern College earlier this year and determined the school would be placed on academic probation citing administration problems. The WASC will be sending another commission to the college in November to audit the school’s probationary status again accompanied by a follow up in March. With growing hostilities between Southwestern’s administration officials and its faculty, the position of Dr. Chopra, the future of the Sun, and the college’s accreditation are in jeopardy.

Dr. Chopra’s online biography displays his history of administrative work. He has served as superintendant at various schools from Pennsylvania to Iowa and is a 30-year veteran of the education arena. He says he places the interests of students in the forefront when decisions are made.

Last February, reporter Maureen Magee of Sign On San Diego quoted Dr. Chopra as saying he and his staff are “committed to correcting the college’s deficiencies”. The Sun however, tells a much different story.

The award winning student newspaper writes of abuses of power and censorship. Dr. Chopra is proclaimed to be directly responsible for infringements on 1st amendment rights to free speech and freedom of the press. Campus Editor for the Sun, Lindsay Winkley says, “The Sun paper has been running off volunteer donations since the start of the fall semester. ”

Governmental Relations Officer at Southwestern Chris Bender, who has been on staff for just over six months, has said the college made funds available, but cited that the press needs to go through an established process that the paper isn’t doing. Bender stated, “The Administration placed forward an (Request for Proposal). When a district needs a service that costs more than a certain amount of money, they must file an RFP.”

“Everyone needs to get a purchase order and get it signed,” said Bender. “The paper wasn’t doing that.”

The Southwestern Sun was recently named America’s Top Community College Newspaper by the National Newspaper Association and took home an astounding 37 awards at the Journalism Association of Community College’s 2010 Conference. They have questioned why Dr. Chopra and other key faculty members have decided to bring this policy into play only recently.

Winkley claims the press hasn’t been granted an interview with Dr. Chopra in over 2 years ever since the press reported a direct quote from him referring to a raise as, “a measly $15,000”.

Bender says the interview process is justified. “We arranged last semester to conduct an interview and the Sun’s editorial staff agreed with the necessity but we couldn’t come to terms on how it would be conducted.”

“We’ve tried to work with them, but they have a difference of opinion,” said Bender. “They have every right to an opinion, but to turn around and say they haven’t been given a chance for an interview isn’t accurate.”

When asked to comment about this alleged restriction, Bender said, “The only thing we have asked is that press calls come to the press office.”

“Our job is to work with the media,” Bender said. “To make sure the college’s message is communicated internally and externally.”

Bender also stated this is the first time in his 10 year career that he has seen an issue with the media using him as an intermediary.

Winkley stated, “Bender is not allowed to set restrictions, but he’s not granting interviews unless his demands are met.”

She continued, citing her fear over the restrictions by saying, “Once you have an administration who can push over the paper, it’s going to happen everywhere.”

When asked to cite the exact process of achieving an interview, Bender declined to comment, stating that it was a matter between the Sun and Southwestern administration.

According to Alyssa Simenthal (a columnist for the Sun), reporters are on strict orders from faculty not to interview staff without explicit permission from Bender.

Simenthal continued, “Southwestern College is currently facing a series of devastating blows to its reputation, all of which are being taken with the seriousness of a slap on the wrist,” referring to the administration’s attitude towards the campuses probationary status.

Unless Dr. Chopra and other key administrators act quickly to mend Southwestern’s problems, the college could lose its accreditation, a loss that would impact every student of the college.

Bender has stated the college is making progress with WASC accreditation.

“The college is operating, people can take the classes they want.”