S&P and Occ. Ed committee held several breakouts at Plenary sessions and other interested-constituents’ venues. A Pro/Con report was developed and included as supporting documentation for resubmission of the original resolution into the Spring Plenary Session package. The resolution failed at the 2010 Spring Plenary session.
Whereas, Section 53410 of Title 5 requires that disciplines in which a master's degree is not generally expected or available have, as minimum qualifications, a bachelor's degree and two years of experience, or an associate degree and six years of experience;
Whereas, Section 87359 of California Education Code states that no one may be hired unless the governing board, "determines that he or she possesses qualifications that are at least equivalent to the minimum qualifications" and that the governing board relies primarily upon the advice and judgment of the academic senate in determining equivalency to the minimum qualifications;
Whereas, Faculty members, in order to assist and counsel students on program and course requirements, maintain accurate course and student records, fulfill duties required in a faculty handbook, and perform work outside the classroom, including development and assessment of Student Learning Outcomes, program review, and preparation of the Course Outline of Record and class syllabi, all of which require knowledge, skills, and abilities equal to or greater than the associate degree level; and
Whereas, A primary role of faculty members is to foster a professional college environment and a respect for academic achievement;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recommend to the Board of Governors that there is no equivalent to the associate degree for disciplines in which a master's degree is not generally expected or available and that an associate degree is the minimum educational qualification required for all faculty members in these disciplines.
MSR Disposition: The Executive Committee to conduct more research on the pros and cons of such a position and to bring back information in Fall 2009.