At its Fall 2016 Plenary Session, the ASCCC approved Resolution 10.01 F16 which changed the process to revise the Disciplines List from a biennial to an annual process. This important process begins again and faculty can propose new disciplines or make revisions to those that exist. Proposed revisions to the Disciplines List can now be submitted to the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) office for possible consideration by the delegates at the Spring 2019 Plenary Session.
Information about the Disciplines List revision process, including timelines, required forms, and FAQs , can be found on the ASCCC website at http://www.asccc.org/disciplines-list. All submissions require a completed form that includes the approval of a local academic senate or professional discipline organization, evidence of statewide need for the proposed change, documentation that the degrees to satisfy the proposed minimum qualifications are available, and an explanation of the impact of the proposed revision delineated as a list of pros and cons. While the support of a local senate is sufficient for submission, having the support of one or more professional organizations may strengthen a proposal. It is also important that local senates ensure that proposals to change the Disciplines List originate from the affected discipline faculty.
Here are some important reminders about the process:
- Each proposal must be seconded by an academic senate from a different district than the initiating academic senate;
- The initiator or an informed designee is required to be present for both hearings where the proposed revision is presented; and
- If the body has previously rejected the proposal, it may be resubmitted for consideration if it has changed significantly, such as the inclusion of a new rationale and new evidence.
In order to be considered during the 2018-2019 cycle, completed proposals with all required paperwork must be submitted to the ASCCC office and received by September 30, 2018. Proposals submitted after the deadline may be held until the 2019-2020 cycle. For assistance in completing a proposal, please contact the ASCCC office at disciplineslist [at] asccc.org (disciplineslist[at]asccc[dot]org) or the Standards and Practices Committee Chair at freitaje [at] lacitycollege.edu (freitaje[at]lacitycollege[dot]edu).