Academic Affairs Council

Mission/Purpose: The Academic Affairs Council (AAC) will serve as the academic policy making body of the College and is responsible for policy development, institutional effectiveness and ensuring academic policy, operating standards, and guidelines support the initiatives of the Academic Affairs Operational Teams.

Scope of Responsibility: The AAC shall:

1. Oversee academic policy, operating standards, and guideline development.
2. Ensure academic policies, operating standards, plans, and other matters are directed to the appropriate governance, administrative, or representative groups.
3. Review and recommend policies and operating standards for Academic Affairs areas.
4. Review all academic policies, operating standards, and guidelines to ensure they align with externally recognized best practices.
5. Coordinate, as needed, with Academic Affairs Operational Teams for policy and operating standard development.
6. Review efficacy of persistence & completion efforts as they evolve collegewide.
7. Receive and review periodic updates, reports from teams and Strategic Plan Monitoring Reports.
8. Serve as a communication conduit to the College.
9. Assist in maintaining accreditation requirements for HLC.
10. Collaborate with the Student Affairs Council on policies related to academic student support initiatives.
11. Collaborate with the Administrative Services Council on policies related to business, finance, information technology, and infrastructure initiatives that impact Academic Affairs.
12. Collaborate with the Executive Director of Public Relations & Marketing to promote Academic Affairs programming in a manner that focuses on student success, academic quality, and value.
13. Develop or suspend committees as needed through use of ad-hoc groups to research, analyze, and make recommendations.

Policy Responsibility: Academic Affairs (A2000, A2100, A2200, A2300, and A2400)

HLC Criterion: 1.C.1., 2.D., 2.E.4., 3.A., 3.B., 3.C.2., 3.C.3., 3.C.4., 3.C.5., 3.C.6., 4.A., 4.B.

Priorities for FY25:  Implement Education Pathways throughout the College (1.2); Enhance Early College Programming (2.3.D.); Implement new Early College/Dual Credit process and Master Agreement District-wide (2.3.D.); Complete HLC Approval of CBE Delivery Model (1.2.P.); Complete transition of OTA Program (1.2.T.); Initiate NATEF Accreditation process for Automotive Program and Complete new/revised program development activities for Small Engine Repair (power sports) (1.2.C.), Implement Health Science Career Pathways Dual Credit Certification (1.2.R.), CBE Business Program (1.2.I.), Initiate Respiratory Therapy program development (1.2.U.), Explore a Construction Technician certificate (1.2.Q.), Implement CBE welding (1.2.P.), Initiate CAAHEP accreditation for Medical Assistant (1.2.F.), Enhance workforce training and continuing education programming (1.4.E.), Explore classroom experiences with delivery strategies such as VR (2.2.A.), Develop multiple measures placement for dual credit (2.4.B.), Increase enrollment of adult education students in concurrent and subsequent academic programs (2.5.C.), Complete the Academic Affairs portion of the Administrative Policy Manual (3.4.B.)

Reporting:  The AAC reports to the VPAA.  The VPAA will consider all recommendations made by AAC and endorse those that are informed by best practice and compliant with applicable law.  All endorsed policy recommendations will be forwarded to the Executive Council for approval.

Composition:  Student Academic Assessment Chair (Assessment Coordinator), Academic Standards Chair, C&I Chair (Dean of Transfer & Adult Ed.), SBDC Staff, Executive Associate, Faculty (3), and Staff (2).

Meeting Dates: Third Thursday of the month from 10:00a – 12:00p.