BOARD POLICY 2100.1
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE ACADEMIC SENATE
In response to Sections 53200-53205, of Title 5, Calif. Code of Regulations,
the governing board delegates to the college academic senates responsibility
for and authority over academic and professional matters [53203(a)]. Regarding
such matters, the governing board:
1. Recognizes the college academic senates as the representative of the faculties; and
2. Will rely primarily upon the advice and judgment of the academic senates in accordance with processes of collegial consultation as defined below; and
3. Designates the Chancellor of the district as its agent for purposes of implementation.
Scope
Academic and professional matters upon which the governing board will rely primarily upon the advice and counsel of the academic senates include [53200]:
1. Curriculum, including established prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines;
2. Degree and certificate requirements;
3. Grading policies;
4. Educational program development;
5. Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success;
6. District and college governance structures, as related to faculty roles;
7. Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self-study and annual reports;
8. Policies for faculty professional development activities;
9. Processes for program review;
10. Processes for institutional planning and budget development; and
11. Other matters as mutually agreed upon between the Board of Trustees and the academic senate, or as otherwise provided by statute or regulation.
Process of Collegial Consultation
Primary reliance upon the advice and counsel of the academic senates means that the governing board and/or its designees will accept the recommendations of the academic senates regarding academic and professional matters as itemized above, and will act otherwise only in exceptional circumstances and for compelling reasons. If a recommendation of the senate is not accepted, the governing board or its designee will promptly communicate its reasons in writing [53203(d.1)]. Such explanation will convey the "exceptional circumstances and compelling reasons" that necessitated the action in question.
In exercising their delegated authorities and responsibilities, the college academic senates will consult collegially with administrative staff and other governance groups and will do so through appropriate governance processes developed and implemented at each college. Each college president has the responsibility and the authority to determine whether the college senate has duly observed these obligations and may refuse to accept recommendations that have been formulated outside defined processes of college governance. Any such rejection is to be made in writing and is to specify the procedural concerns to be addressed before the recommendation is reconveyed.
Implementation
All existing policy regulations, procedures, and guidelines addressing academic and professional matters will remain in place and be subject to modification only through the processes of collegial consultation as defined herein. The academic senates will honor requests from the governing board and/or its agents to review relevant policies, regulations, procedures, and/or guidelines should the governing board and/or its agents believe that modifications are necessary or appropriate.
Status
This policy is a mutual agreement between the governing board and the academic
senates and may be modified upon mutual consent of the parties. Nothing contained
herein will limit other rights and responsibilities of the academic senate as
previously recognized in practice or as otherwise provided in statute or regulation,
nor will constrain the governing board in ways other than are herein agreed
[53203(a)]. Nothing contained herein is to impinge upon the due process rights
of faculty, nor to limit the collective bargaining rights of the faculty's exclusive
representative. The governing board will respect agreements between the academic
senates and collective bargaining agents as to how they will consult, collaborate,
share, or delegate among themselves the responsibilities that are delegated
to the senates pursuant to this policy [53204].
Questions or comments about this page may be sent to:
Acadsenate@saddleback.edu, Office for Instruction - Academic Senate, Faculty Development, In-Service, Flex-Credit, Committees
last revision: 10/2003