Institutional Self Evaluation Report

Standard IVA.3

Through established governance structures, processes, and practices, the governing board, administrators, faculty, staff, and students work together for the good of the institution. These processes facilitate discussion of ideas and effective communication among the institution's constituencies.

Descriptive Summary

West Valley College has a collaborative decision-making model in which all constituencies work together, share ideas and encourage input for the betterment of the institution. The college continues to affirm its commitment to participatory governance by assuring opportunities for all constituent groups to become involved in governance through committee participation. (4A.3.1)

In accordance with Title 5 (53200, Article 2 Academic Senates, 51023.5, Staff, and 51023.7, Students), the West Valley Mission Community College District developed and implemented Board Policy 2510, which includes the role of students in governance, the role of the Academic Senate in academic and professional matters, and the role of Classified Senate in governance. (4A.3.2)

Constituencies appoint representatives to college and district governance committees. The Academic Senate selects faculty to serve on committees, as does the Association of College Educators (ACE); the WVC Associate Student Organization (WVCASO) appoints students to committees, the Classified Senate and the Classified Employees Association (CEA) appoints classified professionals to serve on committees, and administrators are appointed to committees by their respective supervisors. Each constituency has processes included in their bylaws and/or constitution by which they appoint their representatives to committees.

West Valley College’s established governance structures include:

1. 
   ^{Associated Student Senate}
   
2. 
   ^{Academic Senate}
   
3. 
   ^{Classified Senate}
   
4. 
   ^{Executive Staff Council/President’s Cabinet}
   
5. 
   ^{Division Chair Council}
   
6. 
   ^{Student Services Council}
   

The membership, structure and role of each of these bodies are described in individual council bylaws and/or manuals and in the West Valley College Shared Decision-Making Plan, and are assisted through a number of standing and ad hoc committees:

1. 
   ^{Curriculum Committee}
   
2. 
   ^{Facilities and Safety Advisory Council}
   
3. 
   ^{Student Equity, Access, and Success Committee}
   
4. 
   ^{Sustainability Committee}
   
5. 
   ^{Technology Advisory Committee}
   

Each group works to meet the yearly goals and objectives of the college, and ultimately the mission of the college. Discussion concerning assessment of goal achievement allows for improvement in processes and practices. Recommendations are sent to College Council (4A.3.3) for final approval and forwarded to the President, Chancellor, and Board of Trustees as appropriate.

At the District level, the college participates in district-wide decision making and develops policy recommendations primarily through the District Council (4A.3.4), which is supported by a number of standing and ad hoc committees, such as the Revenue Allocation Model task force, Chancellor’s Roundtable, and weekly Chief Business Officers (CBO) and Executive Management Team meetings.

The West Valley College president also informs the college community about college and district matters through reports to participatory governance entities, campus-wide e-mail messages, town hall meetings, reports to the Board of Trustees, and reports to College and District Councils. Moreover, the president provides college updates and priorities based on annual Goals and Objectives at All College Day (ACD = Flex day) each semester. (4A.3.5)

Self-Evaluation

The college meets this standard. There is an established governance process that is inclusive of all constituents, governance committees that are transparent in their decision-making, and a campus culture that supports continuous quality improvement. The college currently enjoys and appreciates the open and transparent communication the current President provides, as well as his high level of engagement and commitment to the participatory governance structure and process.

The 2007 action plan to consider whether the current governance councils are sufficient in number, assignment, and purview to effectively ensure that all operational and programmatic need of the college are adequately represented in the participatory governance process was reexamined in the 2011 Midterm Report. (4A.3.6) It was determined that the governance councils of the college are well established and continue to function effectively.

However, the college continues to improve its governance structure to effectively ensure that all operational and programmatic needs of the college are adequately represented in the participatory governance process.

1. 
   ^{The District Academic Senate has reconvened in 2012-2013, revising its constitution and bylaws to define its structure, and is currently meeting on a regular basis. (4A.3.7)}
   
2. 
   ^{Revision of the Educational and Facilities Master Plan for West Valley College was completed in July 2009 (4A.3.8), planned for further revision in 2014-2015 year.}
   
3. 
   ^{Budget Reduction Plan for 2012-13 (4A.3.9)}
   
4. 
   ^{Budget Reduction Plan for 2014-2015 (4A.3.10)}
   

Actionable Improvement Plans

None.

Evidence

4A.3.1	WVC Committees	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/
4A.3.2	Board Policy 2510	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/bp_ap_2510.pdf
4A.3.3	College Council Operational Structure	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/college_council_operations.pdf
4A.3.4	District Council Operating Procedures	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4a/district_council_operating_principles.pdf
4A.3.5	All College Day Agendas	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/2a/ACCJC_Status_Report_SLO_Implementation/14_All_College_Day_Schedules/
4A.3.6	2011 Midterm Report	http://westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/documents/wvc_midterm_report_03_2011.pdf
4A.3.7	District Academic Senate Constitution and Bylaws	http://missioncollege.org/senate/documents/DAS_Constitution_Revised_and_Approved_Fall_2010.pdf
4A.3.8	2009 Educational And Facilities Master Plan	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/3d/2009_wvc_educational_and_facilities_master_plan.pdf
4A.3.9	2011/2012 Budget Reduction Plan	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/College_Council/Documents/Committee_Documents/Survey_Results_Budget_Reduction_2010-2011.pdf
4A.3.10	2013 FAIT Outcomes for 2014-15 Budget Reduction	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/1b/FAIT/FAIT_Reductions_Revised_10-03-13.pdf