The Board embraces the concept of collegial consultation and to establish procedures to ensure faculty, management, classified staff, and students the right to participate effectively in collegial consultation in particular areas where they have their responsibility and expertise as specified in Title 5 regulations, while retaining its own right and responsibilities in all areas defined by state laws and regulations.

The Board is the ultimate decision-maker in those areas assigned to it by state and federal laws and regulations.  In executing that responsibility the Board is committed to its obligation to ensure that appropriate members of the District participate in developing recommended policies for Board action and administrative procedures for Chancellor action under which the District is governed and administered. 

Each of the following shall participate as required by law in the decision-making processes of the District.:

Academic Senate(s) (Title 5 Sections 53200-53206)

The Board or its designees will consult collegially with the Academic Senate, as duly constituted with respect to academic and professional matters, as defined by law. Procedures to implement this section are developed collegially with the Academic Senate.

The Board of Trustees recognizes the definition of "academic and professional matters" as stated in the Title 5 regulations:

  1. Curriculum including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines;
  2. Degree and certificate requirements;
  3. Grading policies;
  4. Education program development;
  5. Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success;
  6. District and college consultation structures, as related to faculty roles;
  7. Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self-study and annual reports;
  8. Policies for faculty professional development activities;
  9. Processes for program review;
  10. Processes for institutional planning and budget development; and
  11. Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the Governing Board and the Academic Senate

The Board further recognizes its obligation, under Title 5 Regulations, to "consult collegially" with the Academic Senate on these "academic and professional matters." Additional academic and professional matters may be added as specified in #11 only through formal resolution of the Board.

The Board further recognizes that, under Title 5, it may choose to "consult collegially" through the option of  "mutual agreement" on policy issues, or the option of "relying primarily on the advice and judgment of the senate" when adopting policies and procedures on "academic and professional matters."

The Board of Trustees shall have the final responsibility for developing all policies governing the community college district, including academic and professional matters. For purposes of academic and professional matters, the Board shall rely primarily on the advice of the Academic Senate. If the Board has a compelling reason for not accepting the advice of the Academic Senate, it shall provide that reason in writing upon request of the Academic Senate. The decision of the Board on all policy shall be final.

Classified Staff (Title 5 Section 51023.5)

Staff shall be provided with opportunities to participate in the formulation and development of District policies and procedures that have a significant effect on staff. The opinions and recommendation of the classified staff will be given every reasonable consideration.

Associated Students (Title 5 Section 51023.7)

The Associated Students shall be given an opportunity to participate effectively in the formulation and development of Board policies and administrative procedures that have a significant effect on students, as defined by law. The recommendations and positions of the Associated Students will be given every reasonable consideration. The selection of student representatives to serve on District committees or task force shall be made after consultation with the Associated Students.

Except for unforeseeable emergency situations, the Board shall not take any action on matters subject to this policy until the appropriate constituent group or groups have been provided the opportunity to participate.

Nothing in this policy will be construed to interfere with the formation or administration of employee organizations or with the exercise of rights guaranteed under the Educational Employment Relations Act, Government Code Sections 3540 et seq.

References: Education Code Section 70902(b)(7); Title 5 Sections 53200 et seq. (Academic Senate), 51023.5 (Staff), and 51073.7 (Students); ACCJC Accreditation Standards IV.A and IV.D.7
ADOPTED: 04/10/03
Revised: 04/8/04, 10/9/14, 12/11/14

AP 2510 Collegial Consultation (Replaces current SBCCD AP 2225)

Collegial Consultation Committee List (PDF Added Spring 2024)