Academic Senate

10+1

Pursuant to Title 5 of the Administrative Code of California, Section 53200, the Academic Senate is a faculty organization whose primary function is to make recommendations with respect to academic and professional matters as it relates, in particular to the following areas:

1. Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and places 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
11. Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the governing board and the Academic Senate.

According to Education Code, the Academic Senate is also responsible for jointly developing with the District policies and procedures related to faculty hiring (section 87360B) and administrative retreat rights (section 87458A).

The Saddleback College Academic Senate is a representative body; each Representational Area shall be entitled to one Senator, and one Alternate for each 8 (or portion thereof) full-time faculty members.

View the Academic Senate Constitution
View the Academic Senate By-Laws
View the Faculty Code of Ethics
Visit the Academic Senate (AS) SharePoint Page
Visit the AS SharePoint Flex Page
Visit the AS Faculty Development Funding SharePoint Page

Executive Team 2025-2026

• Dan Walsh
  Academic Senate President (2024-26)
• Frank Gonzalez
  Academic Senate President Elect (2024-26)
• Claire Cesareo
  Academic Senate Past President (2025-26)
• Michelle Gustafson
  Academic Senate Vice President at Large
• Michelle Duffy
  Academic Senate Recorder