Participatory Governance Defined
Education Code, section 70901(b), states “procedures established by governing boards in community college districts to ensure faculty, staff, and students the right to participate effectively in district and college governance, and the opportunity to express their opinions at the campus level and to ensure that their opinions are given every reasonable consideration.”
At San Diego Mesa College, participatory governance, sometimes referred to as shared governance, permits all stakeholders (faculty, students, staff, and administration) the opportunity to take part in decision-making processes. This process includes collegial consultation and dialogue resulting in suggestions and recommendations that are strongly considered.
Governace Terms Defined
Committee - A group of persons elected or appointed to perform some service or function, as to investigate, report on, or act upon a particular matter. A committee only has power as assigned by its appointer.
College Governance Committee - A group of persons elected or appointed to perform some service or function, whose recommendations ultimately will be made to the presidents cabinet and president.
Operational Committee - A group of persons elected or appointed to carry into effect the work of the college based on recommendations or ideas that have been approved through the governance process.
Subcommittee - A subdivision of a committee usually organized for a specific purpose.
Task Force - A temporary work group comprised of individuals with specified knowledge for the purpose of accomplishing a definite objective, with the expectation that the group will disband when the objective has been completed.
Task Force objectives are often time sensitive, and as such will need to move expeditiously to complete identified objectives on behalf of the college. The College relies on the Executive Leadership of each constituent group to appoint members to a Task Force to meet their objectives in a timely manner.
Advisory Committee – A committee established for a specific discipline that is comprised of discipline faculty and members in their field of expertise outside the institution.
Steering Committee -The steering committee is a body responsible for guidance, policy and direction within an organization. Committee Membership
Committee Membership is outlined for each PG Group as to the number of representatives from each constituent group. Members are appointed by their respective constituent group as follows:
- Faculty (includes Associate Faculty, where specified): Academic Senate
- Students: Student Government Association
- Management: President/Vice Presidents
- Classified (includes Supervisory and Confidential): Classified Senate
Committees may also contain resource and/or non-voting members based on need and can be invited to participate by consensus of the committee.
SDCCD Participatory Governance Board Policy
The Board of Trustees of the San Diego Community College District is committed to collegial governance. In accordance with Title 5, Sections 51023.7, 51023.5, and 53200-53204, and the mission of the San Diego Community College District: To provide accessible, high quality learning experiences to meet the diverse educational needs of the community; the District shall adopt policies for the appropriate delegation of authority and responsibility to the Academic Senates, and provide students and staff with an opportunity to participate in the formulation and development of policies and procedures that have or will have a significant effect on students and staff.
Board Policy 2510 was adopted with the intent of ensuring that faculty, students and staff have the right to participate effectively in the governance of the District. The policy also ensures the right of the Academic Senates to assume primary responsibility for making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards. This policy also does not limit other rights and responsibilities of management and the Board as specifically provided in existing State and other regulations
Benefits of Participatory Governance
- Expertise and Analytical Skills of Many
- Understanding of Objectives/Decisions
- Commitment to Implementation
- Leadership Opportunities
- Promotion of Trust and Cooperation
- Opportunity for Conflict Prevention and Resolution
- Less Dissent
- Transparency
