Institutional Self Evaluation Report

Standard IVB.1.f

The governing board has a program development and new member orientation. It has a mechanism for providing continuity of board membership and staggered terms of office.

Descriptive Summary

The West Valley-Mission Community College District has a seven member Board of Trustees selected to represent seven geographic locations within the district. (4B.1.f.1) Included on the Board, as outlined in BP 2015, are two student trustees who are elected annually by the student body. Staggered terms of four years provide for continuity of Board membership; if there is an unscheduled vacancy or resignation, the Board may either call an election or make a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy, as outlined in Board policy.

Governing Board Policy BP 2740 provides for new trustee orientation for new Governing Board members. (4B1.f.2) New board members are provided documents that include the following: annual budgets, organizational charts, college catalogs, class schedules, Educational and Facilities Master Plans, facilities and modernization documents, and Board Policies. The Chancellor, Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services and the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources provide an orientation session to newly elected members, sharing an overview of district and college functions as well as a review of the above-mentioned documents. (4B.1.f.3) New members are also encouraged to attend the Community College League of California’s Effective Trustee Workshop, in addition to other conferences designed to educate new and veteran Trustees about critical issues that involve community colleges.

The district encourages Board members to participate in professional development activities, providing support to attend meetings, conferences and workshops. New board members are particularly encouraged to attend workshops provided by the Community College League of California.

Each Board meeting contains either a ‘Focus Topic’ presentation or an ‘Educational and Student Services’ presentation. Focus Topic presentations are designed to provide the Board with information on strategic topics such as textbook affordability, the Student Success Initiative, accreditation, and emergency preparedness. Educational and Student Services presentations allow the Colleges’ programs and service areas to highlight their programs to the Board.

As for Accreditation specific training for the Board of Trustees, on June 19, 2012, the Board held a special meeting for an Accreditation Workshop. This workshop was facilitated by John Nixon of ACCJC; the topic of his presentation was Accreditation and Trustee Roles and Responsibilities. (4B.1.f.4) In addition to the valuable information in the presentation, the Board was also provided with several documents to assist them in their responsibilities in terms of accreditation. (4B.1.f.5) Most recently, WVMCCD Trustees participated in the CCLC conference focusing on Accreditation Standards and Processes. (4B.1.f.6)

Self-Evaluation

The Board meets this standard. It is effective in its orientation of new members and continuing education regarding board responsibilities, goals and operations, and provides for staggered terms of election. Vacancies are addressed in an expeditious and public manner.

Actionable Improvement Plans

None.

Evidence

4B.1.f.1	Board Policy 2100	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/bp_2100.pdf
4B.1.f.2	Board Policy 2740	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/4B1f2_BP_2740.pdf
4B.1.f.3	New Trustee Orientation	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/4B1f.1_New_Trustee_Orientation_Model_Agenda.doc
4B.1.f.4	ACCJC presentation - Accreditation and Trustee Roles and Responsibilities	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/accjc_accreditation_trustee_roles_resps_06_14_12.pdf
4B.1.f.5	Board ACCJC Workshop Documents	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/bot_accjc_workshop_documents.pdf
4B.1.f.6	CCLC Conference	http://www.ccleague.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3277

Standard IVB.1.g

The governing board's self-evaluation processes for assessing board performance are clearly defined, implemented, and published in its policies and bylaws.

Descriptive Summary

District policy BP 2745 clearly defines a self-evaluation process for assessing board performance. (4B.1.g.1) The policy mandates that the Board, which includes the student trustees, shall participate in an annual board self-evaluation process. The purpose of the Board Self-Evaluation is to identify those areas that are working well and those that need improvement, as well as to increase communication and understanding among board members.

As part of its annual self-evaluation process, the Board develops and approves annual performance goals, works toward those goals throughout the year, solicits constituent groups’ input regarding its performance as a Board, conducts an annual self-evaluation meeting, and develops goals for the next year. At its discretion, the Board may vary the timeline but is committed to completing an annual self-evaluation in a timely manner. The process of evaluation is recommended to and approved by the Board.

In the spring of each year, the Board solicits constituent input regarding its performance during the academic year. (4B.1.g.2) Students, faculty, staff, and administrators, individually and through constituent groups, are encouraged to participate in an online survey that requests input regarding areas in which the Board:

• 
  ^{Is serving the District well in meeting its governance responsibilities to the community, students, and WVMCCD employees.}
  
• 
  ^{Can improve its governance performance to better serve the community, students, and WVMCCD employees.}
  
• 
  ^{Should focus future efforts to improve its effectiveness as the District’s governing body.}
  

In late summer or early fall, the Board conducts an annual self-evaluation at a public meeting at which it reviews the input provided by students, faculty, and staff via the spring survey; discusses and assesses its goals completion and overall performance as a Board over the past year; and begins development of goals for the upcoming year; goal development may take more than one meeting.

In late summer or early fall of each year, the Board develops and adopts its self-evaluation goals for the upcoming year. (4B.1.g.3) The proposed goals are shared with District Council, the District’s highest-level participatory group, prior to adoption. Following approval, the Board’s annual performance goals are posted on the District website for information and coordination of goal-alignment and planning activities at the District and the Colleges. (4B.1.g.4)

Self- Evaluation

The Board meets this standard. The Board assesses itself annually at a regularly scheduled open board meeting. A board self-evaluation was discussed at the July 16, 2013 meeting.

BP 2745 lays out the chronological benchmarks for the self-evaluation. Additionally, the Board is subject to penalties for standards violations set forth in California Education Code and California Government Code. (4B.1.g.5)

Actionable Improvement Plans

None.

Evidence

4B.1.g.1	BP 2745	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/bp_2745.pdf
4B.1.g.2	Board Evaluation Email	http://westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/Board_Evaluations/
4B.1.g.3	Board Minutes re: goal development and approval	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/board_goal_approval.pdf
4B.1.g.4	Board Annual Goals	http://wvm.edu/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=6990
4B.1.g.5	Board of Trustees Self-evaluation 2013	http://www.westvalley.edu/committees/Accreditation/2013/evidence/4b/BOT_Meeting_Agenda_Packet_2013-07-16_page9.pdf