2. Overview of Academic Senate Shared Governance Policy as seen in “10+1” document

Defining and Understanding the Role of the Academic Senate
“Ten plus One” State law: Education Code
Excerpts from Education Code, Title 5 (Section 53200) definitions and accreditation requirements:

Academic Senate means an organization whose primary function is to make recommendations with respect to academic and professional matters. Accreditation is critical for courses, degrees, and certificates have value. Major Faculty responsibilities include but are not limited to curriculum development, Academic Program Review, annual documented Professional Development, and implementation of Student Learning Outcomes.

Academic and Professional matters means following policy development and implementation matters. At a California Community College Senate responsibilities include creating and updating all curriculum (currently more than 1,500 courses), ensuring that courses will transfer and/or meet associate’s degree requirements and/or meet community need. Faculty must volunteer and participate on numerous college committees, which drive college operations. Participation in planning and budget development participation are a part of faculty responsibilities.

Consult Collegially means that the district Governing Board shall develop policies on academic and professional matters through either or both of the following:
Rely primarily is defined as “upon the advice and judgment of the Academic Senate”
Mutual agreement is defined as “the Governing Board, or its designees, and the Academic Senate shall reach by written resolution, regulation, or policy of the governing board effectuating such recommendations.
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 Academic Program Review
10. Processes for Institutional planning and budget development
11. Other academic and professional matters, as mutually agreed upon

Southwestern College Academic Senate and Governing Board Agreement for the “10 + 1”
Rely Primarily:
• Degree & Certificate requirements
• Grading Policies
• District & College governance structures related to faculty roles
• Faculty Professional Development (Staff Development/Flex credit)
Mutual Agreement:
• Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites & placing courses within disciplines
• Educational program development
• Standards & Policies regarding student preparation & success
• Faculty role and involvement in Accreditation processes, including self-study and annual reports
• Program review
• Institutional Strategic planning & budget development
• Other academic & professional matters that are mutually agreed upon

The intent of AB 1725 and its subsequent Ed. Code in Title 5 is that faculty will be responsible for academic and professional matters by participating in what has become known as “Shared Governance”. The intent of the law and Ed. Code is that faculty contribute their expertise and experience to college planning and budget development. This requires organized and timely collaboration using college committee structures. The result is informed decisions made by college administrators, which are then forwarded to the Governing Board for discussion, public input, revised consideration, and then action.