President's Update | May 2017

Guided Pathways

Included in the budget is $150 million in one time funding to establish the Guided Pathways Program through the Chancellor’s Office Division of Institutional Effectiveness. Of course, the details are still being worked out, but draft trailer bill language provides a clear framework for the program.  The ASCCC is working in partnership with the Chancellor’s Office to ensure strong faculty participation and leadership in the development of the Guided Pathways Program.

Curriculum

As part of the effort to streamline the curriculum approval process at the state and local levels, the Board of Governors completed its first reading of the changes to Title 5 §55002 Standards and Criteria for Courses, §55002.5 Credit Hour, §55100 Credit Course Approval, §55130 Approval of Credit Program, and §58050 Condition for claiming attendance. The changes proposed delegate authority to local community college districts to review and approve credit courses and programs with the exception of the Associate Degrees for Transfer. The proposed regulations and more information may be found in the Board of Governors May agenda.

Uncharted Waters: Navigating the Changing World of Curriculum 

With all the activity around streamlining curriculum processes at the state, regional, and local levels, this year is not a time to miss the Curriculum Institute.  The ASCCC is urging colleges to bring a team including the curriculum chair, curriculum specialist, chief instructional officer, and senate president. The deadline to register is June 12, 2017.

  Legislation    

Members of the Executive Committee and the Legislative and Advocacy Committee met with Assembly members, Senators, and staff on May 9 to promote the ASCCC advocacy agenda that included requests for funding for full-time faculty hiring and promoting faculty diversity, funding for the ASCCC C-ID System, and support for mental health services and veterans resource centers. The day was very successful.

A number of bills passed out of Assembly and Senate appropriations committees in these past few weeks, and the Legislative and Advocacy Committee is continuing to monitor their progress. Bills of interest that are moving forward include the following: 

• AB 387 (Thurmond) Minimum wage: Health Professionals: Interns
• AB 504 (Medina) Student Success and Support Program Funding
• AB 637 (Medina) Student Equity Plans
• AB 705 (Irwin) Seymour-Campbell Student Success Act of 2012: Matriculation: Assessment
• AB 847 (Bocanegra) Academic Senates: Membership Rosters
• AB 1018 (Reyes) Student Equity Plans: Homeless Students
• SB 577 (Dodd) Teacher Credentialing Programs
• SB 769 (Hill) Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program

Monthly ASCCC legislative updates and additional information may be found on the Legislative Update webpage.

UC Transfer Pathways and Associate Degree Pilot

Recently, the ASCCC and UC Academic Senate hosted a one-day event for Chemistry and Physics faculty and segment administrators to explore the development of an Associate of Science degree based on the UC Transfer Pathways. The Associate of Science Transfer Pathway degree (ASTP) would send a strong signal that UC supports transfer pathways and would provide students seeking to transfer to UC the important milestone of completing an associate’s degree. Although the details of the pilot program are still being worked out, an agreement between the segments could facilitate guaranteed admission to a UC campus for students who complete the degree with a minimum GPA in the Transfer Pathway courses.

Spring Plenary Session and Elections

Many thanks to all who participated in our Spring Plenary Session, held on April 20 – 22 in San Mateo. The program included general sessions and breakouts on a variety of important topics. If you missed any information during the plenary, all presentational materials and handouts may be found on the Spring Plenary webpage. The resolutions adopted on Saturday may be found on the website as well. We also offer a special note of appreciation to all our presenters who shared their knowledge and expertise with our attendees.  

Our Spring Plenary Session is when we hold our yearly elections. On Saturday, April 22, the following individuals were elected to the Executive Committee:

• Julie Bruno, President
• John Stanskas, Vice President
• Dolores Davison, Secretary
• John Freitas, Treasurer
• Ginni May, Area A Representative
• Conan McKay, Area B Representative (One year)
• Rebecca Eikey, Area C Representative (One year)
• Craig Rutan, Area D Representative
• Lorraine Slatterly-Farrell, South Representative
• Carrie Roberson, North Representative
• Sam Foster, At Large Representative
• LaTonya Parker, At Large Representative (One year)

Cheryl Aschenbach (North Representative) and Randy Beach (South Representative) will also continue on the Executive Committee for the second year of their terms.

Congratulations to all. Many thanks to all the candidates. Contested elections are a sign of a healthy and vital organization, and participation in our elections is always appreciated and valued.

Finally, with great reluctance and appreciation we say goodbye to our good colleagues Adrienne Foster, Grant Goold, and Cleavon Smith, who will be stepping down from the Executive Committee. We are deeply grateful for their collegiality and contributions to the Academic Senate.

Volunteer for Statewide Service

The ASCCC will form its 2017-2018 committees in the next couple of months. We strive for diversity when appointing faculty to our committees, including individuals that are new to state level service as well as those with more experience. We will also be appointing volunteers to serve on the many statewide committees, work groups, and task forces that need ASCCC representation. If you are interested, we would love to have you. Please consider filling out the Application for Statewide Service form.

Upcoming ASCCC Events

• Faculty Leadership Institute, June 15-17, 2017, Sacramento Sheraton Grand
• Curriculum Institute, July 12- 15, 2017, Riverside Convention Center
• Part time Faculty Leadership Institute, August 3-5, 2017, DoubleTree Hilton Anaheim

The ASCCC is always happy to provide assistance or guidance on any senate-related topic.  We also make visits to local colleges to connect directly with academic senates or other faculty bodies when appropriate.  Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in these services. More information may be found at www.asccc.org.