Disciplines List

Add a Third Whereas

Add a Third Whereas

Whereas, Finkin and Post (2009) remind educators that “academic freedom consists of the freedom to pursue the scholarly profession according to the standards of that profession” [1] and professional ethics and responsibilities prohibit educators from weaponizing their right to academic freedom to create educational or work environments hostile to protected classes or diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism work.

Withdraw 13.04.02 Define Academic Freedom in Title 5

Motion To Withdraw Resolution 13.04.01

Add a Third Whereas:

Whereas, Since 1940, the American Association of University Professors, (AAUP) in their Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure [1] defined academic freedom, which continues to serve as the current standard definition that most educators refer to for guidance and direction, yet, the context and demographics of higher education have changed significantly over the last 80 years since the AAUP definition was crafted, showing a need for an updated definition of academic freedom;

Whereas, In July 2021, the California State Senate passed Senate Resolution 45 (Min, 2021) [1] “recogniz[ing] the lack of consistent academic freedom policies across the state, [and] declar[ing] that academic freedom is essential for teaching and learning in California’s community colleges” [2]; and

Whereas, The document Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges [1], commonly referred to as the Disciplines List, establishes the specific degrees that qualify faculty to teach in the California Community Colleges system;

Whereas, Oral and written testimony given through the consultation process used for the review of Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges, also known as the Disciplines List, supported the following revision of the Ethnic Studies discipline:

Master’s in African American Studies, Black Studies, Africana Studies, Latino Studies, La Raza Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Asian American Studies, Native American Studies, or American Indian Studies

OR

Whereas, Oral and written testimony given through the consultation process used for the review of Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges, also known as the Disciplines List, supported the following addition of the nanotechnology discipline:

Master of science degree in a STEM-related field, such as chemistry, physics, biochemistry, or engineering, and a minimum of two years teaching nanotechnology courses in a college/university or two years of industry work experience as a leading scientist/engineer on a nanotechnology project; and

Whereas, Oral and written testimony given through the consultation process used for the review of Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges, also known as the Disciplines List, supported the following addition of the Native American/American Indian studies discipline:

Master’s degree in Native American/American Indian studies OR a master’s in ethnic studies and bachelor’s degree in Native American/American Indian studies OR the equivalent; and