November

Looking Forward: the Chancellor’s Office Task Force On Accreditation Report

The Chancellor’s Office 2015 Task Force on Accreditation released its final report to the public in late August.  As the report itself notes, this task force built on the work of two previous Chancellor’s Office task forces from 2009 and 2013 as well as on previous studies and resolutions from the Research and Planning Group, the Community College League of California, the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, the California State Auditor, and others.  However, the 2015 Task Force Report takes a new direction from those of previous statements and looks toward the future of accr

Academic Senate Resolutions on Accreditation 1986 to the Present

When an accreditation issue or controversy arises across the state, representatives of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) are sometimes asked, “What’s the Senate’s position on this matter?” This might seem like an easy straightforward question to some, but as a democratic organization committed to reflecting the will of the whole rather than an individual or small group, the Academic Senate relies instead on a formal resolutions process in which positions are drafted, debated, and ultimately voted upon by the entire organization.

The Student Success Task Force Recommendations—What’s Next?

It’s hard to believe that the Student Success Task Force (SSTF) Recommendations were adopted by the Board of Governors less than two years ago, especially given the many changes that colleges have made, or will soon be making, with respect to various aspects of the functioning of their matriculation and counseling programs (see https://www.asccc.org/sites/default/files/SSTF_Final_Report_1-17-12.pdf for more information).

Collegial Consultation: The Art of Influencing and Being Influenced

I recently attended a large multi-college district’s “Shared Governance” symposium and found it very interesting to observe how impassioned we are about being heard, about having voice and influence upon our collective destinies. What I didn’t hear, until the panel’s student appointee spoke, was an equivalent passion towards hearing another’s voice, of being influenced by other perspectives and ideals. Leave it to the students to teach us what we should already know.

Integrating Adjunct Faculty into the College Community

One of the most frequent complaints expressed by colleagues around the state is how difficult it is to get volunteers for committee work and other activities around campus. Lately my answer to them has always been the same: Are you asking your adjunct faculty to participate, and if not, why not? Most people express surprise at this idea, but it is a thought worth considering.

The Insidious “D”

The “D” grade is a bad investment. It is bad for California and it is bad for students. To be honest, it is a false promise, a deceptive key to the gate of success.

California public education has long held to the grading standards of the “A, B, C, D, F, P, NP” system, with the occasional plus/minus thrown into the mix. “A, B, C and P” represent success. They are the letters you wear on your scout sash to show the achievements you have realized and the hurdles you have overcome. “F and NP” are for failing. These aspects of the system are plain and simple.

Let Bylaws Be Bylaws: A Cautionary Tale About Senate Succession

In recent years, succession planning has become an important topic within our community college system. For example, to fully meet accreditation Standard IV, colleges need to demonstrate that they have processes in place to create leadership capacity by encouraging broad participation. In fact, Los Angeles City College received the following accreditation recommendation in 2009:

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