ARE WE GOING TO BE TESTED ON THIS? Accreditation and the Role of the Board

Today’s Presentation Provide an update on the Self Evaluation process Preview Standard IV.B.1, which addresses Board involvement in college governance Set the stage for the next steps towards our accreditation reaffirmation in 2015

Outcomes Board trustees will: Be prepared to review Standard IV.B.1 and provide feedback as needed Understand their role in this stage of the accreditation process

Structure of the Self Evaluation Report 4 Standards: I. Institutional Mission and Effectiveness II. Student Learning Programs and Services III. Resources IV. Leadership and Governance

IV.B.1. Board and Administrative Organization Descriptive Summary How do we meet the Standard? How do we know we meet it? (Evidence) Self Evaluation How well do we meet the Standard? Actionable Improvement Plan Have we identified an area for improvement, set goals, and determined the action required to meet those goals?

Use Guideline Questions See page _____ in your Board meeting materials. These are questions that ACCJC suggests that visiting team members use as they evaluate an institution in relation to each Standard. The answers to the questions should be integrated within the response to the Standard and should have evidence to back them.

Standard IV.B.1.f The governing board has a program for board development and new member orientation. It has a mechanism for providing for continuity of board membership and staggered terms of office. Reframe into questions: Does the governing board have a program for board development and new member orientation? Does the board have a mechanism for providing for continuity of board membership and staggered terms of office?

Descriptive Summary (Paragraph 1) The Sonoma County Junior College District Board of Trustees is a publicly elected body consisting of seven members, plus a Student Trustee who is elected annually by the student body. To provide appropriate representation of the public interest, Board Policy 0.4 divides the composition of the seven publicly elected members into areas representing the various geographic areas of the district. Trustee terms are staggered by an election process that opens only a portion of the seven seats every two years; each term is for four years, except for the Student Trustee, which is one year.

Descriptive Summary (Paragraph 2) Policy 0.30 states that the Superintendent/President shall develop and conduct an orientation for each new Trustee, including the Student Trustee, within two months of election to the Board. All Trustees are required to participate in an annual retreat at the start of each calendar year, an occasion that begins the mentoring process for new Board members. New trustees attend the earliest possible session of the annual statewide Community College League of California (CCLC) orientation. Every Board member is expected to attend the CCLC new board orientation with the participation of the Superintendent/ President. In addition, the Board shares membership in several statewide organizations, including CCLC, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the League for Innovation in the Community College, and the California Community Colleges Trustees (CCCT) organization.

Descriptive Summary (Paragraph 3) In regards to accreditation standards and requirements, the board receives periodic updates from the Vice President/Assistant Superintendent of Instruction on a regular basis during the six-year accreditation cycle. This keeps the board well informed as to upcoming changes and requirements related to accreditation. An example of this was the Vice President/Assistant Superintendent’s presentation to board at its meeting of October 8, 2013, and February 11, [Wanda’s edit: Separate list of Board meetings with significant accreditation references: Midterm report, SLO report, launch of 2015 Self Evaluation, etc.]

Self Evaluation The College meets the Standard. The calendar and outline for the orientation and continuity of Board development is supported by the Superintendent/ President and his administrative staff. With this support, the Board of Trustees has a consistent program for training and familiarizing new members with the protocols and practices of the current membership. Opportunities for statewide involvement and training are openly discussed and encouraged. Since the last accreditation report, the Board has participated in CCLC trainings and events.

Actionable Improvement Plans None.

IV.B.1.j The governing board has the responsibility for selecting and evaluating… the college chief administrator (most often known as the president). The governing board delegates full responsibility and authority to him/her to implement and administer board policies without board interference and holds him/her accountable for the operation of the district/system or college, respectively.

Descriptive Summary (Paragraph 1-2) The Board of Trustees selects the chief executive officer (Superintendent/President) and confirms the appointment of other major academic and administrative officers as formalized by the Board in Policy 0.20 of the Board Policy Manual. Since the hiring of a college president has occurred so infrequently at SRJC (about every 20 years), the Board, when faced with hiring a replacement, determines what process will be used to search for a new president depending on the circumstances as they exist at that time. For example, in its 96 year history, SRJC has had only five Superintendents/Presidents. The most recent one took office in January 2012 after a lengthy search process, replacing his predecessor who had served for 22 years.

Descriptive Summary (Paragraph 2, cont.) The Board’s initial attempt to find a new president was conducted by the Board and in-house college staff without the benefit of a professional search firm. This process yielded three finalists that were invited to speak at public forums on the college campus. The Board solicited comment and advice from the community and District employees. After receipt of much input the Board recognized and agreed that none of the finalists would be a good “fit” for SRJC. In action that was responsive to the messages being received, the Board determined it should go out in a second search for a replacement president. This time the Board engaged a professional search firm that led to community support for the ultimate appointment of the current president.

Descriptive Summary (Paragraph 3) The basic authority for the administration of the Sonoma County Junior College District is delegated by the Board of Trustees to the Superintendent/President as defined in Policy and Procedure and 2.2.1P of the Board Policy Manual. In addition to the responsibilities outlined in the Superintendent/ President’s job description, he/she reports to the Board of Trustees and performs other duties assigned or delegated by the Board of Trustees. As stated in Policy 0.1 of the District Policy Manual, “The Board shall concern itself primarily with broad questions of policy, rather than with administrative details.”

Descriptive Summary (Paragraph 4) The Board of Trustees annually evaluates the performance of the Superintendent/President per Policy 0.20 and invites input from the major constituent groups of the college. The evaluation includes meetings with representatives of the constituent groups prior to the annual retreat, a review of the Superintendent/President’s goals, and the setting of new goals and evaluation at the retreat. The outcomes of the evaluation become part of the President’s permanent personnel file and the general outcome is shared with the college community at a Board meeting immediately following the evaluation.

Self Evaluation The College meets the Standard. [Wanda’s comments—this section needs more explanation, such as:] Although the College has had remarkable longevity of its presidents, the policies for selecting and evaluating the superintendent/president are firmly established and served the College well during its hiring process. Subsequent communications and actions involving the board and the president as well as regular evaluations demonstrate that the policies involving the president’s authority and accountability are being fully implemented.

Actionable Improvement Plans None. __________________________________ Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

What’s Next? Completion of Final Draft over the summer. Board comments and questions regarding Standard IV.B.1 due to Mary Kay Rudolph before the July board meeting. Graphics Department will have printed draft ready for October Board meeting. Board approves Self Evaluation at December 9 Board meeting. Visiting team receives copies of Self Evaluation and related documents January 2015.

Accreditation Website: Contacts: Mary Kay Rudolph Wanda Burzycki Thank you!