Academic Senate

Role and Responsibilities of the Academic Senate

The Academic Senate provides for the effective participation of faculty in participatory governance and assumes primary responsibility for making recommendations to the college administration and district in the areas of curriculum and academic and professional standards.  These areas, referred to as 10+1, include:

a. curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines; 

b. degree and certificate requirements; 

c. grading policies; 

d. educational program development; 

e. standards or policies regarding student preparation and success; 

f. district and college governance structures, as related to faculty roles; 

g. faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self-study and annual reports; 

h. policies for faculty professional development activities; 

i. processes for program review; 

j. processes for institutional planning and budget development; and 

k. other academic and professional matters as are mutually agreed upon between the governing board and the academic senate.

California state legislation AB 1725 amended Education Code Title 5, Section 53200 to identify the 10+1 "academic and professional matters".  The SMCCCD Board of Trustees agreed to rely primarily on the advice of the Senate in these matters - policy 2.05.

Organization of the Cañada College Academic Senate

Cañada College Academic Senate Constitution

Cañada College Academic Senate Bylaws

Orientation to the Academic Senate - Presentation (30 MB PPT)