Text in SB 6 that dealt with the roles and responsibilities of local academicsenates was removed from the final version of the bill. The Committee will monitor anylegislation introduced in the 2005-06 legislative session that deals withthis issue.
Whereas, Education Code 70901(b)(1)(E) directs the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to include in its minimum standards..standards governing procedures established by governing boards of community college districts to ensure.the right of academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards and Education Code 70902 (b)(7) directs community college governing boards to establish procedures that ensure "the right of local academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards," thereby establishing the authority for academic senates in the areas of curriculum and academic standards;
Whereas, Faculty of the community colleges do not have along tradition of recognized faculty authority in curriculum and other governance matters, as do their colleagues in the state's four-year public institutions, and therefore rely on the statutory authority that70901(b)(1)(E) and 70902 (b)(7) of the Education Code provide; and
Whereas, Legislation currently being considered by the California Assembly and Senate seeks to eliminate these sections from the Education Code;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges oppose legislation that seeks to remove from the California Education Code 70902 (b)(7), which establishes "the right of local academic senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards," and70901 (b)(1)(E), which requires local governing boards to develop procedures for academic senates to exercise this right; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate continue to work with the California Legislature to craft a bill that would preserve Education Code70901(b)(1)(E) and 70902 (b)(7).