CHAPARRAL

The mission of the Academic Senate is clearly outlined in AB 1725, the Community College Reform Act, and in subsequent law. The powers of the senate, known as the 10+1 (the “one” being “other”), are ten clearly defined powers describing the foundation of the senate’s mission and the center of its activities. The powers are: 

(1) curriculum, including establishing prerequisites,

(2) degree and certificate requirements,

(3) grading policies,

(4) educational program development,

(5) standards or policies regarding student preparation and success,

(6) college governance structures, as related to faculty roles,

(7) faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes,

(8) policies for faculty professional development activities,

(9) processes for program review, and

(10)  processes for institutional planning and budget development.  The “plus one” category refers to “other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon.”  Thus, the Academic Senate becomes the organization whose primary responsibility is to make recommendations with respect to all academic and professional matters.

The power over educational program development includes assessing the viability of the college’s current programs. The Program Sunset / Enhancement Task Force is developing a policy for this purpose. This year, absent a clear faculty-driven policy that considers program viability, the administration developed an “emergency” program elimination policy.  While the administration’s policy was designed to quickly address a budget crisis, the senate’s policy focuses on developing a plan and providing the resources for program improvement prior to considering reduction or elimination. The Program Enhancement / Sunset Policy is currently before the Academic Senate and hopefully will be finalized by year’s end.

In the area of planning and budgeting, over the past two years the Academic Senate and administration have developed a collaborative structure for linking programmatic and institutional planning to the budget.  The senate has passed this policy with a minor revision. The policy will be sent back to the administration for final agreement. Another senate task force is developing a planning schedule and process for creating an educational master plan that will drive facilities, information systems, and human resources plans.

Other task forces are addressing a wide variety of issues, including the institutional use of student learning outcomes, revisiting our Mutual Gains document, addressing non-contractual grievances, and College Services hiring allocations.

Senate Launches New Scholarship

One of the highlights of Faculty Institute Day is the awarding of two student scholarships to outstanding transfer students. In the fall, the senate will be offering a third scholarship designed to honor an outstanding vocational education student.  For the year 2004-05 the senate is funding this scholarship through special gifts dedicated to this scholarship. The senate welcomes your contributions. In subsequent years, the scholarship is fully funded through a generous gift dedicated to this special purpose.

Thanks to Departing Senate Leadership for Outstanding Service

First, thanks is due to all of the dedicated senators who provide invaluable service to our students and faculty by serving on the Academic Senate. At the close of this academic year, several of our senators will be ending their senate tenure. We thank Guido Girardi, David Jones, Lola Taylor and Pat Zayas.

We also thank Michael Ritterbrown, Senate Secretary, and Joe Denhart, Senate Second Vice President for their years of dedicated service. Joe will continue as a senator, and Michael moves on to chair the English division. &

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