Institutional Self Evaluation Report

Standard IVA.2

The institution establishes and implements a written policy providing for faculty, staff, administrator, and student participation in decision-making processes. The policy specifies the manner in which individuals bring forward ideas from their constituencies and work together on appropriate policy, planning, and special-purpose bodies.

Descriptive Summary

The decision-making structure at West Valley College relies on the participatory governance process and the strong participation of faculty, staff, administrators and students. All governance groups are supported and encouraged to contribute in the process of problem solving, developing policies and creating solutions to improve student learning, success and to enhance campus life at WVC by making concrete recommendations to the administration and the Board of Trustees.

Self-Evaluation

The college meets this standard. Title 5 and Board Policy 2510 provides for student, faculty, and staff participation in participatory governance. (4A.2.1) In addition, each participatory governance body has bylaws specifying how individuals bring forward ideas and recommendations as outlined in the WVC Shared Decision Making Plan. (4A.2.2)

Actionable Improvement

None.

Evidence

4A.2.1	Board Policy 2510 – Local Decision Making	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/bp_ap_2510.pdf
4A.2.2	WVC Shared Decision Making Plan	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/wvc_shared_governance_plan_2011.pdf

Standard IVA.2.a

Faculty and administration have a substantive and clearly defined role in institutional governance and exercise a substantial voice in institutional policies, planning, and budget that relate to their areas of responsibility and expertise. Students and staff also have established mechanisms or organizations for providing input into institutional decisions.

Descriptive Summary

The college is dedicated to meaningful institutional governance roles for faculty, staff and students. The processes are described on the West Valley College participatory governance webpage detailing these roles.

Participatory governance roles are outlined in District Board Policy 2510. (4A.2.a.1)

• 
  ^{Classified (Classified Senate)}
  
• 
  ^{Faculty (Academic Senate)}
  
• 
  ^{Students (Associated Student Organization)}
  

Administrative Roles and Responsibilities are addressed in the WVMCCD Administrative Handbook. (4A.2.a.2)

West Valley College’s Shared Decision Making Plan illustrates the constituency groups that participate in participatory governance. (4A.2.a.3)

The College Council is comprised of representatives from each of the college constituent groups. (4A.2.a.4) College Council advises the presidents, senates, WVC Associate Student Organization (WVCASO) and other college groups with responsibility for policy development matters pertaining to planning, budgeting, and accountability. The College Council also makes recommendations to the president on the proposals from the Budget and Resource Advisory Council (BRAC). (4A.2.a.5)

The Academic Senate is the primary conduit for faculty participation in the formation of college and district policies on academic and professional matters. (4A.2.a.6) It is the responsibility of the Academic Senate to make recommendations to the appropriate college and district administrators and management teams, the board of trustees, and state educational agencies on local and statewide community college educational issues such as

1. 
   ^{Curriculum, degree and certificate requirements}
   
2. 
   ^{Grading policies}
   
3. 
   ^{Educational program development}
   
4. 
   ^{Standards regarding student participation and success}
   
5. 
   ^{Governance structures of the college}
   
6. 
   ^{Accreditation}
   
7. 
   ^{Faculty professional development activities}
   
8. 
   ^{Policies for Program Review}
   
9. 
   ^{Processes for institutional planning and budget development}
   
10. 
    ^{Other academic and professional matters mutually agreed upon between the Board and the Academic Senate}
    

West Valley College’s Classified Senate is organized to represent the viewpoints of the classified professionals and to participate in the college and district governance structure. The Classified Senate Constitution (4A.2.a.7) further defines the role of the senate as one that promotes the interests of classified professionals in the development and formulation of policy and practice related but not limited to the following:

• 
  ^{Selection, evaluation and retention of administrators}
  
• 
  ^{In-service education and training}
  
• 
  ^{Facilities and services}
  
• 
  ^{Student/classified and faculty/classified relations}
  
• 
  ^{Finance and budget}
  

Classified employees also have representation through the WVMCEA Collective Bargaining Contract. (4A.2.a.8) In accordance with Article 7.11, WVMCEA may appoint a member to the following standing committees:

• 
  ^{District Committees}
  
  • 
    ^{Faculty and Staff Diversity Advisory Committee}
    
  • 
    ^{District Council}
    
  • 
    ^{District Budget Advisory Committee}
    
• 
  ^{West Valley College Committees}
  
  • 
    ^{College Council}
    
• 
  ^{Mission College Committees}
  
  • 
    ^{Mission College Budget Advisory Committee}
    

In addition, there are a number of advisory committees to further expand participation, which include:

• 
  ^{Division Chair Council}
  
• 
  ^{Curriculum Committee}
  
• 
  ^{Facilities and Safety Advisory Council}
  
• 
  ^{Technology Advisory Committee}
  
• 
  ^{Accreditation Steering Committee}
  
• 
  ^{Professional Development}
  
• 
  ^{Student Services Council}
  
• 
  ^{Executive Staff Council/President’s Cabinet}
  

West Valley College’s Associated Student Organization (WVCASO) represents students’ interests on college and district policy development committees.  The WVCASO Senate is comprised of five Executive Officers, four Directors and up to ten senators, all of whom are elected or appointed annually according to the WVCASO Election Code. (4A.2.a.9)

The Associated Student Organization (ASO) is the governing body responsible for representing the students of the college. Its members, both elected and appointed, have many opportunities as student leaders to shape the campus community. (4A.2.a.10)

The organization does this by representing its interests on participatory governance committees, allocating its budget to advance the interests of the WVCASO, undertaking projects and actions in advocacy of those stances, and holding events deemed to serve the best interest of the WVCASO.  The WVCASO is represented on the following participatory governance committees: Board of Trustees, District Council, College Council, Academic Senate, Classified Senate, Student Services Council, Division Chair Council, Facility and Safety Committee, Matriculation Committee, Student Equity and Success Committee, Student Learning Outcomes & Assessment Committee, and Global Citizenship Committee.  

Self-Evaluation

The college meets this standard. The employee survey conducted in spring 2012 indicates that 75% of the WVC community agree that the college’s participatory governance structure is working well, and ensures participation and shared decision making on college governance matters. (4A.2.a.11)

Actionable Improvement Plans

None.

Evidence

4A.2.a.1	Board Policy 2510	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/bp_ap_2510.pdf
4A.2.a.2	WVMCCD Administrative Handbook	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/wvc_shared_governance_plan_2011.pdf
4A.2.a.3	WVC Shared Decision Making Plan	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/3a/admin_section_3.pdf
4A.2.a.4	College Council Membership	http://westvalley.edu/committees/College_Council/members.html
4A.2.a.5	Budget and Resource Advisory Council	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/recommendations/brac_12_17_13.pdf
4A.2.a.6	Academic Senate Constitution, Article II	http://www.westvalley.edu/wvcas/documents/Senate_Documents/wvc_academic_senate_constitution_and_bylaws_amended_2009_approved.pdf
4A.2.a.7	WVC Classified Senate Constitution	http://www.westvalley.edu/wvccs/documents/Senate_Documents/wvccs_constitution_ratified_june_2010.pdf
4A.2.a.8	WVMCEA Bargaining Contract - Article 7.11	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/wvmcea_contract_2012_15_final_web_article7.11.pdf
4A.2.a.9	WVCASO Election Packet	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/aso_election_packet_2012.pdf
4A.2.a.10	ASO Webpage	http://westvalley.edu/studentactivities/aso.html
4A.2.a.11	WVC Employee Survey 2012	http://westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/documents/surveys/accreditation_survey_employee_07_12.pdf