Academic Senate

The purpose of the Academic Senate shall be to represent the faculty in the formation of policy and recommendations on 10+1 academic and professional matters pursuant to California Administrative Code of Regulations - Title 5, Section 53200.

The Academic Senate shall promote communication and mutual understanding within the framework of the college.

A. Matters in which the Board of Trustees will rely primarily on the advice and judgment of the Academic Senate are:

1. Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and policy courses

2. Degree and certificate requirements

3. Grading policies

4. Educational program development

5. Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success

8. Policies for faculty professional development activities

B. Matters in which the Board of Trustees and the Academic Senate will work together to reach mutual agreement resulting in written resolution, regulations or policy are:

6. District and college governance structures as related to faculty roles

7. Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation

9. Processes, including self-study and annual reports

10. Processes for institutional planning and budget development

11. Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the governing board and the Academic Senate

In addition to the eleven specific areas defined by Title 5 described above, the Education Code assigns additional responsibilities to academic senates:

Minimum qualifications and equivalencies processes
Section 87359 (b) Requires the local Board of Trustees to rely primarily upon the advise of the senate regarding faculty meet minimum qualifications.
Faculty hiring
Section 87360 Requires the local Board of Trustees to develop hiring criteria, policies, and procedures for new faculty members.
Faculty evaluation and tenure review
Section 87610.1 (a) Requires that collective bargaining agents, or faculty unions, consult with the academic senate prior to negotiating tenure evaluation procedures.
Section 87663 (f) Requires that collective bargaining agents, or faculty unions, consult with the academic senate prior to negotiating faculty evaluation procedures.
Administrative retreat rights
Section 87458 (a) Requires the local Board of Trustees to rely primarily upon the advice and judgment of the academic senate regarding procedures regarding administrative retreating into faculty positions.
Faculty Service Areas
Section 87743.2 Requires that collective bargaining agents, or faculty unions, consult with the academic senate prior to negotiating Faculty Service Areas (FAS).