Opposition to Western Governors University California

Spring
2011
Resolution Number
13.04
 
Contact
Assigned to
President
Category
General Concerns
Status
Completed
Status Report

Senate representatives continue to communicate concerns in future conversations at the state level and with constituent groups.

Whereas, The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) report on distance education (October 25, 2010) recommends the creation of a task force comprised of legislative representatives and members of the administration to identify steps that need to be taken to establish a Western Governors University (WGU) California, which would use resources that could be devoted to the higher education system already in place in California;

Whereas, The LAO report recommendation has been included in AB 851 (Nestande, March 14, 2011), which directs the LAO to convene a task force to identify steps needed to establish a WGU California, but there is no provision in the bill for faculty inclusion or participation in the task force;

Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has previously opposed the accrediting of WGU (2.03 S98) due to its lack of a core of full time instructional faculty; and

Whereas, The WGU continues to operate in a manner which is in opposition to the basic principles of the 10+1, including the idea that the development of courses “is a product management responsibility” (www.wgu.edu/about_WGU/wgu_faculty);

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges oppose efforts to establish a Western Governors University in California.

MSC Disposition: Local Senates