Overcoming the Rubber Stamp Phenomenon: The Shifting Sands of Curriculum and the Senate's Roles

1. Comunicación y Gerencia Overcoming the Rubber Stamp Phenomenon: The Shifting Sands of Curriculum and the Senate's Roles Pat James Hanz Michelle Pilati 2006 ASCCC Leadership Institute

2. Curriculum and you, the Senate Leader

3. Description • The curriculum process is arguably the most important function a senate oversees. It can be the foundation on which the strength of your local senate can be assured. This session will address how curriculum committees and local senate bodies should function together as a well-oiled machine to keep the college focus on teaching and learning.

4. A Little Background • Why do we have so many regulations to contend with? • Initially, we were part of the k-14 system. • While we are now recognized as an institution of higher ed, many of the regulations in place are remnants of our k-12 days.

5. Matters Academic and Professional The Education Code and Title 5 provide the basis for local senate authority. As a result of being part of the “Master Plan”: Minimum qualifications were raised and Probationary periods were extended. Peer review was attached to faculty evaluation Funding was established for professional development.

6. Matters Academic and Professional Local senate authority includes Academic and Professional matters. “ten-plus-one” The basis for college governance policies that are established between local senates and their governing boards.

7. Education Code §70902 (b)(7) • The Governing Board shall … ensure … the right of academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendation in the areas of curriculum and academic standards.”

8. TITLE 5 § 53203 - Powers (A) Governing Board shall adopt policies delegating authority and responsibility to its Academic Senate. (B) Policies in (A) shall be adopted through collegial consultation with the Academic Senate.

9. # 1 ofThe 10+1 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.  10.  Processes for institutional planning and budget development.  11.  Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon.

10. Education Code • The academic senate has primary responsibility for making recommendations in the area of curriculum and academic standards [Ed. Code '70902(b)(7)]. This right is protected as a minimum standard set by the Board of Governors [Ed. Code '70901(b)(1)(E)]. • The local governing board has the responsibility to establish policies for and approve courses of instruction and educational programs [Ed. Code '70902(b)(2)]. • Title 5 §55002(a)(1) requires that the curriculum committee contain faculty.

11. What is the relationship between your CC and your Senate?

12. What is the relationship between your CC and your Senate? • And what should it be? • Fall 1996 – The Curriculum Committee: Role, Structure, Duties, and Standards of Good Practice • ‘There is no single or monolithic list of "good practices" in the process of curriculum renewal and development. Instead, many effective practices exist that are appropriate within unique settings of shared governance of each local college.’

13. The Curriculum Committee and your Senate • ”The curriculum committee is the vehicle upon which the local academic senate relies in carrying out its responsibility to develop curriculum recommendations for presentation to the local governing board.”

14. Title 5, §55002. Standards and Criteria for Courses and Classes • (1) Curriculum Committee. The college and/or district curriculum committee recommending the course shall be established by the mutual agreement of the college and/or district administration and the academic senate. The committee shall be either a committee of the academic senate or a committee that includes faculty and is otherwise comprised in a way that is mutually agreeable to the college and/or district administration and the academic senate.

15. Structure and Membership of the CC • Must the CC be a subcommittee of the Senate? • No, but “.. the policies and procedures by which the committee will operate are determined by the academic senate, either solely or in partnership with the board. Because of this required senate oversight, there must be a direct link between the curriculum committee and the senate.” • What is this link on your campus?

16. Linking the Senate and the CC • Chair may be a member of the senate. • Chair may be an ex-officio member of the senate. • CC may be regular senate agenda item. *** • Does the senate have the ability to override the CC? • What role do district CCs have?

17. Many Roads Lead to CC Solutions • Clear policies covering curriculum can solve problems that may seem not related to CC functions: • Class size: Ed. Code allows for the CC to recommend class size. • What policy is used on your campus? • Why should the CC play a role?

18. Many Roads Lead to CC Solutions • Clear policies covering curriculum can solve problems that may seem not related to CC functions: • Load Issues: The Title V. section 55211 covers “regular effective contact” in Distance Education and the System Office Guidelines suggest that at policy regarding REC be developed by the CC. • Other Examples?

19. Carrying the Load: Doing the Work • Diversity of members. • Knowing the law and regulations • Taking the power/doing the work • Recognizing when to be creative • Not taking the easy way out…