The Pierce College Academic Senate board discussed accreditation for Standard II and evaluated its strengths and goals for improvement during the Senate’s meeting Monday, focusing on quality classroom teaching.
The meeting, at Pierce College’s Services Conference Room, is the third of seven scheduled meetings throughout the semester.
Dean of Curriculum Donna-Mae Villanueva labeled Standard II as “high quality instruction” in which four ideas compose the basic outline: appropriate mode of instruction, programs which lead students to completion, systematic assessments, and the extent to which outcomes and assessments are used.
“Accreditation is important for everyone to know,” said Villanueva after the meeting.
The board discussed several positives of Standard II with student outcomes being a focal point.
Outcomes, Pierce Assessment Day, student enrollment in needed classes and Achieving the Dream were viewed as strengths by Senate members.
Furthermore, identity service area outcomes, effective counseling & admission records, accurate and current information, website compliance, and confidentiality of student records were also declared advantages of Standard II.
On the contrary, areas that need improvement according to Senate members include documenting CTE reemployments, 1440 compliance, reviewing and updating GLOs, validating advisory committees, and establishing a library budget.
In addition to discussion over Standard II, members of the Senate reviewed an articulation offer by Vice President of Curriculum Elizabeth Atondo that calls for a joint transfer program in which earning an Associate Degree allows students to transfer to a California State University.
“We’re looking for the best interest of students,” Atondo said during her report. “50 percent of students [at Pierce] are undecided.”
Pierce’s Meet Your Major Fair takes place Wednesday, October 10 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Great Hall.
Additionally, Senate members unanimously approved the Accreditation Self-Evaluation Report and the Equity Plan, which was presented during the previous Academic Senate Meeting.
Also on the meeting’s agenda was a report on building construction in the North Mall, which is expected to be classroom ready by fall 2013.
The North Mall is to have 70 smart classrooms which address problems in technology, according ETC Chair and At-Large senator David Schamus.
The Academic Senate will meet again Monday, October 22 at Pierce College’s Services Conference Room at 2:15 pm.
“It’s up to us to control our destiny and we can,” said Senate President Tom Rosdahl.