Whereas, Title 5 §53200 defines academic and professional matters to include degree and certificate requirements and educational program development, and Title 5 §53203 requires “the governing board or its designees will consult collegially with the academic senate when adopting policies and procedures on academic and professional matters;”
Whereas, A “meta major” or an “area of focus”, a recommended element of any guided pathways framework, is a grouping of majors in a broad field of interest that is intended to serve as a guide to students, for development of their educational and career goals emphasizing broad and directed exploration first, leading to better informed choices while integrating student support throughout; and
Whereas, Colleges nationwide are determining locally “meta majors” or “areas of focus” to support local programs, community needs, and student interest;[1]
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge local senates to assert that determining the content, categories, and titles of the “meta majors” or “areas of focus” is a local curricular and educational program decision that falls within academic senate purview as defined by Title 5 §53200; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge local senates to engage in robust collaboration between local student associations and local senates to ensure that these titles and areas apply directly to the students affected by the creation of “meta majors” or “areas of focus.”
MSC