Institutional Self Evaluation Report

Standard IVB.1.a

The governing board is an independent policy-making body that reflects the public interest in board activities and decisions. Once the board reaches a decision, it acts as a whole. It advocates for and defends the institution and protects it from undue influence or pressure.

Descriptive Summary

The Board of Trustees serves as an independent policy-making body that reflects the public interests. Voters in communities of the West Valley-Mission Community College District elect the trustees, and have a long history of electing professional, policy-oriented community members to the board. The working relationships among trustees, the administration, and staff are cooperative and effective.

The Board of Trustees is directly elected by the voters residing in the West Valley-Mission Community College District. Each of the seven regular members is elected by residents who live in the corresponding geographically bound district. (4B.1.a.1) The geographic areas include the areas served by three major high school districts: Campbell Union, Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union, and Santa Clara Unified. Each Board member serves a four-year term and the terms are staggered to ensure continuity. (4B.1.a.2) These arrangements establish the board as an independent body and enable broad representation of the district. Board duties and responsibilities require the board to represent the public interest and advocate and defend the District (4B.1.a.3), and this is further addressed in the Code of Ethics. (4B.1.a.4) Additionally, Conflict of Interest Policy and Procedures (4B.1.a.5) assure the institution is protected from undue influence or pressure.

Each college has a student trustee representing the interests of the students on the Board; each student trustee is elected by students from their respective campuses. The term of office for the student trustees is one year commencing on June 1. Student trustees may make and second motions and cast advisory votes. However, their votes are not formally counted, and they are precluded from attending closed sessions of the board. (4B.1.a.6)

Self-Evaluation

The board meets this standard. It continues to serve as an independent policy- making body that works in the public interest and on behalf of the college. Trustees have served in statewide advocacy roles.
Actionable Improvement Plans

None.

Evidence

4B.1.a.1	Board Policy 2010	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/4B12_BP_2010.pdf
4B.1.a.2	Board Policy 2100	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/bp_2100.pdf
4B.1.a.3	Board Policy 2200	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/BP_2200.pdf
4B.1.a.4	Board Policy 2715	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/bp_2715.pdf
4B.1.a.5	Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 2710	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/AP_BP_2710.pdf
4B.1.a.6	Board Policy 2015; Board Policy and Administrative Procedure 2105	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/BP_2015_AP_2105.pdf

Standard IVB.1.b

The governing board establishes policies consistent with the mission statement to ensure the quality, integrity, and improvement of student learning programs and services and the resources necessary to support them.

Descriptive Summary

The Board of Trustees adopts, revises and reaffirms policies that are consistent with the district mission statement, which supports student learning programs and services.

Board Policy 2410 discusses the development and revision of board policy and administrative procedures. (4B.1.b.1) It clearly defines:

The Board is ultimately responsible for the approval, review, amendment, and deletion of general policies which govern the operations of the District. Making and carrying out policy is a shared responsibility of the Board, the faculty, the classified staff, and the administration. However, monitoring the execution of policy is exclusively the prerogative of the Board and critical to the role of trustee.

The current mission statement for the district was adopted by the Board in 2011. (4B.1.b.2) In meeting its mission to “achieving student success through innovative and effective lifelong education and career opportunities” and “the achievement of successful student learning outcomes,” the District and Board work to assure the quality, integrity, and improvement of student learning programs and services. Furthermore, the duties of the Board as outlined in Board Policy 2200, require the board to monitor institutional effectiveness, educational quality, and assure the fiscal health and stability of the district; each of these responsibilities adds to the effectiveness of the district in providing services to the community it serves. (4B.1.b.3)

Through administration of Chapter 4 – Academic Affairs and Chapter 5 – Student Services of the WVMCCD Board Policies, the Board of Trustees further ensures the quality of learning programs and services offered through the college. (4B.1.b.4) The annual establishment of District Goals occurs through the participatory governance process. The colleges and District Administrative Services Council review and develop annual goals. The District Council then receives reports on these goals, reviews them, and makes recommendations regarding proposed District Goals. Once these goals are set by the District Council, they are sent to the Board for review, discussion and adoption in alignment with Board Policy 2200 – Board Roles and Responsibilities—and Board Policy 3200 – Accreditation—which relate to establishment, development, and approval of goals.

Various mechanisms inform the Board of Trustees of standards set by the respective institutions and analysis of results for improvement of student achievement and learning. At each Board meeting, constituency groups, college presidents, and district’s vice chancellors report highlights and information relating to college-set standards and student achievement and learning. Annual Scorecard data discussion (formally known as ARCC: Accountability Report for Community Colleges) prepared by the California State Chancellor’s office with the Board of Trustees in each spring also inform them about how our students are doing in their learning process based on the standards set by the college. (4B.1.b.5)

Self-Evaluation

The Board meets this standard. The approval of the 2013 -14 District Goals, provides for the improvement of student learning programs and services with the resources to support them. (4B.1.b.6) Through the participatory governance process these goals are aligned with the Integrated Planning and Resource Allocation and goals at the college level. Use of the SMART metric (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) by the District Council assures that the goals may be evaluated for effectiveness and quality improvement.

Actionable Improvement Plans

None.

Evidence

4B.1.b.1	Board Policy 2410	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/BP_2410.pdf
4B.1.b.2	Board Policy 1200 - Mission statement	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/bp_1200.pdf
4B.1.b.3	Board Policy 2200 – Board Roles and Responsibilities	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/BP_2200.pdf
4B.1.b.4	Chapters 4 and 5 of WVMCCD Board Policy Manual	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/BP_CH_4_5.pdf
4B.1.b.5	Student Success Scorecard	http://scorecard.cccco.edu/scorecardrates.aspx?CollegeID=493
4B.1.b.6	Board Approval of 2013-14 District Goals	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/2013_14_district_goals.pdf