Institutional Self Evaluation Report

Standard IVB.2

The President has primary responsibility for the quality of the institution he/she leads. He/she provides effective leadership in planning, organizing, budgeting, selecting and developing personnel, and assessing institutional effectiveness.

Descriptive Summary

The current college president led West Valley College in an interim capacity during 2012-2013 and became a permanent president as of summer 2013. Since his arrival in 2012, the President has brought strong, stable, and collaborative leadership to West Valley College. The President is delegated authority per District Administrative Policy 2430. (4B.2.1) The President has the primary responsibility for institutional and academic leadership and for facilitating a working relationship among administrators, faculty, classified staff, students, and the district, as well as the community at large. The goal of the President is to work towards fulfillment of the college’s mission, goals, and objectives.

The President is responsible for overseeing the college’s budget, always ensuring fiscal stability while also seeking ways to enhance outside funding and ensures that FTES, efficiency, and enrollment goals are met. (4B.2.2) Furthermore, the President is responsible for ensuring that district policies and procedures are implemented and followed. The role also requires working with college constituencies and the district to develop long-range planning and goals, all the while working in a climate of participatory governance. The position also entails academic leadership to ensure that the college meets the learning needs of its students and community.

The President appropriately delegates authority to the college’s administrators, consistent with their responsibilities. (4B.2.3) The college has three vice president positions, reporting to the President, in the areas of Instruction, Student Services, and Administrative Services. At the next level of administration, a total of three deans, directors, and managers report to these vice presidents. These positions, and the operations of the administration, are described more fully in Standard IV.2.B below.

The President utilizes the participatory governance process on a consistent and meaningful basis. West Valley College participatory governance process involves the participation of representatives from appropriate constituent groups who engage in open discussion and timely decision making. (4B.2.4) Through this process, the committees of the college plan, analyze, and dialogue in their respective fields of focus, making recommendations through the College Council to the college President. The College Council serves as the top participatory governance body and provides recommendations to the President on all major decisions. (4B.2.5) Members of College Council include representatives from Administration, Student Services Council, Division Chair Council/Performance Goals Council, Academic Senate, Classified Senate and the Associated Student Organization, as well as advisory ex-officio members.

The President regularly and meaningfully involves the College Council and relevant committees in the earlier stages of planning and decision-making, soliciting the advice of its constituency representatives on matters of importance to the college.

Self-Evaluation

The college meets this standard. The college has been led by three presidents since the last accreditation with the most recent hire approved by the Board on May 22, 2013. (4B.2.6)

Actionable Improvement Plans

None.

Evidence

4B.2.1	Administrative Policy 2430	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/4B21_AP_2430.pdf
4B.2.2	Enrollment Goals	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/1b/FAIT/13-14_WVC_FTES_goals_3-8-13.pdf
4B.2.3	Organizational Chart	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/wvmccd_org_chart_2012_13.pdf
4B.2.4	WVC Shared Decision Making Plan	http://westvalley.edu/about/governance.html
4B.2.5	College Council Agendas and minutes	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/College_Council/
4B.2.6	Board Approval of New President	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/wvc_president_hire.pdf

Standard IVB.2.a

The President plans, oversees, and evaluates an administrative structure organized and staffed to reflect the institution's purposes, size, and complexity. He/she delegates authority to administrators and others consistent with their responsibilities, as appropriate.

Descriptive Summary

The President is responsible for the oversight of the college and all operations. To assist in the performance of these duties, the President delegates duties as appropriate. (4B.2.a.1) Three Vice Presidents, the Director of Research and Institutional Effectiveness, and the Director of Athletics report directly to the college president. The Vice President of Instruction is responsible for all instructional programs, curriculum, and Learning Resources including Distance Learning, Student Success Initiative, the Library and Learning Resource Center/Tutorial Center, and Community and Contract Education and Workforce Development. The Vice President of Student Services oversees Admissions and Records and its related functions, Financial Aid/Scholarships, Counseling, Student Development, EOP&S, DESP, SUCCESS, Puente, Veterans, and Trio programs. The vice president of Administrative Services is the chief finance and budget officer, responsible for budget and personnel, educational resources, emergency preparedness, and facilities including Measure C projects—technology resources and sustainability.

West Valley College went two recent budget reduction processes in 2012-13 and in 2014-2015 academic year. Starting in spring 2013, the President began leading a college-wide inclusive and transparent discussion and planning relative to the reorganization of the college structure. (4B.2.a.2) This is a reflective process led by the president to review and analyze institution’s purposes, size, and complexity as an organization as the priorities are redefined at the State level for the California Community Colleges, as well as addressing recent enrollment decline Preliminary recommendation of the restructuring plan will be submitted to the District’s executive team in early spring 2014.

The President and the college’s Executive Staff Council (President’s Cabinet) meet weekly to address college-wide concerns, and provide updates on all areas of college operations. The well-qualified executive management team strategizes plans and consults on all aspects of college operations. The Executive Staff Council consists of the following personnel:

• 
  ^{President (chair)}
  
• 
  ^{Vice President of Instruction}
  
• 
  ^{Vice President of Student Services}
  
• 
  ^{Vice President of Administrative Services}
  
• 
  ^{Dean of Instruction}
  
• 
  ^{Dean of Career Programs and Workforce Development}
  
• 
  ^{Dean of Student Services (4B.2.a.3)}
  

Led by the President, the Cabinet engages in bi-annual off-site retreats to assess current year’s goals and objectives and define goals and objectives for the subsequent academic year. In response to the recent decrease in funding provided to the statewide community college system, the number of executive staff members has been reduced and job responsibilities were restructured to effectively manage the college with fewer administrators.
The President consistently communicates institutional values, goals, and priorities. He chairs and serves on key college committee such as the College Council. The President communicates regularly with the Governing Board in addition to attending regular board meetings.

Self-Evaluation

The college meets this standard. Most of the President’s Cabinet have been in their positions for over two years, providing the college stable leadership. The Cabinet works well together as a cohesive, proactive management team.

Actionable Improvement Plans

• 
  ^{Continue to review and assess organizational structure to increase efficiency and effectiveness during the restructuring effort.}
  

Evidence

4B.2.a.1	WVC Organizational Chart	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/WVC_Organizational_Chart_Spring_2014.pdf
4B.2.a.2	FAIT Process	http://westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/FAIT_Process/
4B.2.a.3	Shared Decision Making Plan – Executive Council	http://westvalley.edu/about/governance.html