The Role of Classified Staff and Classified Senates in College Governance

1
The Role of Classified Staff and Classified
Senates in College Governance

• Linda Kelso and Julie Whiting
• California Community Colleges Classified Senate
• Rio Hondo College August 25, 2006

2
Governance Shared Responsibility

• What does the phrased participatory governance
  or shared governance mean to you?
• What types of decisions/activities should be
  handled through a shared/participatory governance
  process?
• In what way have you personally been involved in
  shared/participatory governance?

3
Shared Governance

• AB 1725
• Title V of California Education Code
• SB 235
• Community College Policies and Procedures
• Your local context/culture
• Classified shared governance group or
  organization

4
The Law

• Board of Governors shall establish minimum
  standards and local governing boards shall
  establish procedures not inconsistent with
  those standards to ensure
• Faculty, staff and students the right to
  participate effectively in district and college
  governance and
• (see Education Code Section 70901)

5
Staff Regulations

• Governing board adopts policies and procedures
  that provide staff opportunity to participate
  effectively in district and college governance.
• Formulation and development of policies and
  procedures, and processes for jointly developing
  recommendations that have or will have a
  significant effect on staff.
• Board shall not take action on matters
  significantly affecting staff until the
  recommendations and opinions of staff are given
  every reasonable consideration
• (see Title 5 Section 51023.5)

6
Definition

• Participating effectively in district and college
  governance is shared involvement in the
  decision-making process.
• It does not imply total agreement
• The same level of involvement by all is not
  required
• Final decisions rest with the board or designee.

7
Who Represents Classified Staff?

• Choice made by the classified staff at each
  college
• Union or Senate or Both
• Role of exclusive representative (SB 235)
• Role of Classified Senate (other organization)
• Separation of duties
• Memorandum of understanding

8
Classified Representation

• Section 70901.2 (Result of SB 235)
• Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when
  a classified staff representative is to serve on
  a college or district task force, committee, or
  other governance group, the exclusive
  representative of classified employees of that
  college or district shall appoint the
  representative for the respective bargaining unit
  members.
• The exclusive representative of the classified
  employees and the local governing board may
  mutually agree to an alternative appointment
  process through a memorandum of understanding

9
Classified Representation Continued.

• A local governing board may consult with other
  organization of classified employees on shared
  governance issues that are outside the scope of
  bargaining
• These organizations shall not receive a release
  time, rights, or representation on shared
  governance task forces, committees, or other
  governance groups exceeding that offered to the
  exclusive representative of classified employees.

10
Sharing and Contributing Information

• Getting Involved
• Improving Leadership
• Collaboration and Partnerships

11
Getting Involved

• Attend meetings
• Read email and written communications
• Volunteer to serve on one committee
• Vote in elections
• Provide your opinion whether solicited or not

12
Improving Leadership

• Hold leaders to high standards
• Support their efforts
• Attend leadership trainings and classes

13
Partnerships Collaboration

• Senate/Union Partnerships
• Help support both groups
• Encourage cooperation and teamwork
• Create memorandums of understanding
• Develop delineation of duties
• Create liaison positions
• Collaborate with faculty students
• Identify joint ventures
• Co-sponsor events
• Have representatives attend their meetings

14
Thank you for Participating!
www.ccccs.orgPlease contact usif we can be of
further service.
4CS is a participating member of the Community
College League of California