May

Julie's Inbox

Dear Julie,

We just received great news-the local senate has finally been assigned a staff person to assist us with our work. Now what? What resources are available to help staff members do their job? What advice would you give us about tasks the staff should do to help establish the senate office? Are there any professional development activities that would provide our new staff with information unique to this job?


Hooray for Senate Staff!

Dear HSS

Academic Programs without Homes

Many colleges have certificate and degree programs that may be parentless in that they belong to no one department or division because they span a diverse organized range of courses across many disciplines. Some of these are: general education certificate patterns designed to fulfill transfer-institution general education (GE) requirements, interdisciplinary studies, areas of emphasis, and customizable certificates or degrees designed around a group of multiple discipline course offerings that meet community or industry needs.

On the Occasion of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Academic Senate

(This was presented during the Election Speeches at Spring Plenary Session)

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Academic Senate, it is appropriate to look back at our accomplishments and the founding principles of academic senates in California's community colleges, both locally and statewide. Taking stock of our achievements and our core values is a useful and informative exercise, and it helps us set the course for our future.

Casting Call for Occupational Education: Producing Blockbuster Leaders

The 2009 Vocational Education Leadership Institute was held March 12 through 14 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City. The Vocational Education Leadership Institute is designed to develop and promote leadership among occupational faculty at local, regional and state levels. It is funded by a federal Vocational and Technical Education Act (VTEA) leadership grant that is administered by the Chancellor's Office for California Community Colleges and provided to the Academic Senate for implementation. The Institute provides training and a range of tools to the faculty in attendance.

What Do Students Think About Prerequisites? Give a Listen to Their Views!

At the 2009 Spring Plenary Session, faculty passed two important resolutions concerning prerequisites. One of them asks the Academic Senate to recommend changes to Title 5 requirements for the validation of computational and communication prerequisites from the current statistical requirements to content review only. It also requires that local senates should have a valid challenge process and conduct research to analyze the effects of this change.

SLO Regional Meetings Address Collaborating for High Standards in Program Review

The Academic Senate and Research and Planning Group (RP) collaborative group on Student Learning Outcome (SLO) Assessment sponsored four regional meetings in March where researchers and faculty shared dialog on their working relationships and how they can address common issues of improving student success, supporting evidence-based decision making, and moving toward a culture of inquiry. Meetings were held at Mt. San Antonio College, Merritt College, Sierra College, and Mesa College.

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