Program Discontinuance: A Faculty Perspective

Spring
1998
Topic
Curriculum
Committee
Educational Policies Committee

The paper, developed by the Academic Senate Educational Policies Committee, reviews the current regulation and statute, role of local academic senates, effects on students, the need to balance the college curriculum, educational and budget planning issues, collective bargaining concerns, and considerations when developing a local model.

Recommendations

Recommendations to Local Senates

Local academic senates need to identify key factors for effective faculty participation in the program discontinuance process. Below are a list of factors to consider.

  1. Create a strong role for the advisory committees in occupational programs
  2. Address regional issues including:
    • maintaining a skilled workforce in key occupations within a region
    • coordination with four-year transfer institutions to assure adequate articulation
    • availability of both lower and upper division courses in a major
    • availability of programs in the region and in the state
  3. Resolve contractual issues for faculty in the affected programs:
    • well defined reduction-in-force procedures in the bargaining agreement
    • adequate notification to affected faculty
    • availability of retraining, including adequate resources, timelines, and target retraining discipline(s)
    • construction of faculty service areas to balance stability of faculty employment with program needs for qualified faculty
  4. Create the opportunity for input from all affected groups
    • identify the process to be used in the development of a program discontinuance plan.
    • work with union colleagues to develop a fair and credible process
    • use sound judgment in establishing a process that is open and collegial in the development of program discontinuance processes.
    • handle items under the strict scrutiny of the Brown Act with the proper notification, first reading, and second reading/action agenda items.
    • hold a full public meeting, with provision for public comment as designated by the local academic senate.
    • recommend a process that represents the informed and collective wisdom of the faculty.

Recommendations for Regulation Changes

Title 5 §55130

An approval is effective until the program or implementation of the program is discontinued or modified in any substantial way. From time to time the Chancellor may evaluate an educational program, after its approval, on the basis of factors listed in this section. If on the basis of such an evaluation the Chancellor determines that an educational program should no longer be offered, the Chancellor may terminate the approval and determine the effective date of termination.

Title 5 §51022 Instructional Program

The governing board of each community college district shall, no later than July 1, 1984 2000, develop in consultation with local academic senates, file with the Chancellor, and carry out its policies for the establishment, modification, or discontinuance of courses or programs. Such policies shall incorporate statutory responsibilities regarding vocational or occupational training program review as specified in Section 78016 of the Education Code.

Ed. Code §78016 Review of program; termination

Every vocational or occupational training program offered by a community college district shall be reviewed every two years by the governing board of the district to assure that each program, as demonstrated by the California Occupational Labor Market Information Program established in Section 10533 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, or if this program is not available in the labor market area, other available sources of labor market information, does all of the following:

  1. Meets a documented labor market demand
  2. Does not represent unnecessary duplication of other manpower training programs in the area.
  3. Is of demonstrated effectiveness as measured by the employment and completion success of its students.

Any program that does not meet the requirements of subdivision (a) and the standards promulgated by the governing board shall be terminated within one year.

The review process required by this section shall include the review and comments by the County Private Industry Council established pursuant to Division 8 (commencing with Section 15000) of the Unemployment Insurance Code, which review and comments shall occur prior to any decision by the appropriate governing body. The provisions of this section shall apply to each program commenced subsequent to July 28, 1983.