Local Senate Oversight of All College Offerings

Spring
2011
Resolution Number
09.05
 
Assigned to
Curriculum Committee
Category
Curriculum
Status
Completed
Status Report

Update 6/25/2015: Noncredit Curriculum Regionals; CCCCO Fee-Based Course Offerin Guidelines in 2012.

Whereas, Curriculum offered by a community college is the purview of faculty according to Title 5 §53200, and the regulation does not distinguish between curriculum developed for credit, noncredit courses, or community service offerings when establishing faculty purview;

Whereas, Many colleges are increasing the community service offerings for students because of demand or compliance and as an alternative to cutting courses and sections from college offerings;

Whereas, Students may be confused by credit and noncredit courses and community service offerings with similar titles and purposes but different results in terms of units earned or requirements satisfied; and

Whereas, While a shift from credit to noncredit courses or community service offerings can be done appropriately in some curriculum and discipline areas, oversight of all curriculum offered by the college continues to need review and acknowledgement by the curriculum committee or academic senate;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge caution when colleges shift curriculum from credit to noncredit, since not all coursework can be adapted from one form to another and continue to be appropriate or compliant; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recommend that local senates propose board policies that include a review of community service offerings by the local senate or curriculum committee to ensure that the offerings are appropriate and do not conflict with credit and noncredit courses, that enrollment is managed, and that messages to students about the differences between community service offerings and the regular credit and noncredit courses are clearly spelled out.

MSC Disposition: Local Senates