College Council
Purpose
The College Council is the apex governance body which provides guidance and recommendations
to the College President regarding institutional policies, planning, and processes
in support of the college mission. It engages all college constituency groups (students,
faculty, classified professionals and supervisors/administrators) and the governance
system as a whole through the maintenance of clear governance practices and policies,
coordination of committee work across functions, and a commitment to continuous improvement
and consensus building. The constituent-based representatives of this council serve
the college by maintaining a broad, college-wide, and student-centered view of the
needs of the institution - both in the weighing of the input from its committees and
in bringing forward items for consideration and discussion. In all matters within
its purview, it will maintain a focus on the goal of equitable outcomes for all students
as a key value informing decision making.
Responsibilities
- Ensure transparent integration of annual unit planning processes and decision-making.
- Serve the needs of the governance committees by guiding, coordinating and supporting
their ongoing efficacy and continuous improvement.
- Communicate ongoing conversations to the college constituencies and seek input and
feedback on college-wide initiatives, plans, and procedures for effective decision-making.
- Review recommendations of the college governance committees (Budget, Facilities, Professional
Development, Staffing, Student Success and Equity, and Technology) and make recommendations
to the College President.
- Facilitate collaboration between governance committees when necessary to ensure effective
progress in pursuit of the college’s mission and strategic goals.
- Convene the chairs of all governance committees once each term (for calendaring and
planning in the fall and for continuous improvement feedback in the spring).
- Review and recommend institution-wide, categorical and other state-mandated plans
for submission to the state.
- Ensure that college-wide plans, including the Educational Master Plan, Facilities
Master Plan and Technology Master Plans, are evaluated and updated on a regular cycle
to reflect current needs, goals and priorities.
- Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the college’s overall planning processes,
including the degree to which these processes promote inclusivity, equity and integrity,
and institute improvements as necessary.
- Develop written responses to accreditation standards IV.A and IV.B and assist in the
collection of evidence for other relevant standards.
- Regularly monitor student equity data to inform decision-making regarding policies,
procedures and planning.
- Annually evaluate the participatory governance structure and process, including standing
committees and the College Council
Member Responsibilities
Standard committee member roles and responsibilities as outlined in the Grossmont
College Governance Handbook (see page 9)
In addition, College Council members will:
- participate in college-wide planning events and training as necessary during the year;
- read all unit Program Review Summary Reports to maintain a broad and current understanding
of programs’ practices and needs; and
- read materials from a variety of local, state and national entities (as forwarded
by the Council Chairs) to stay current on emerging needs, priorities, policies and
practices.