AP 2-01 Shared Governance Structure

Arapahoe Community College
Series 2 - Organization
AP 2-01 Shared Governance Structure

Originated: September 2023

Revised: September 2023

Effective: September 2023

References: BP 2-25 College Advisory Council, BP 3-10 Administration of Personnel

Approved:

Stephanie J. Fujii, Ph.D.
President, Arapahoe Community College

PURPOSE

This procedure is a reference document outlining the shared governance structure for Arapahoe Community College (ACC). It is the responsibility of the System Chancellor, College Presidents, Administrators, and Faculty to define and implement the institutions’ governing framework. ACC procedures are created as directed by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Policies and System President’s Procedures. 

This Procedure contains pertinent information affecting employees, current through the date of its issuance. To the extent that any provision of this Procedure is inconsistent with State or Federal law, State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Policies (BPs) or Colorado Community College System Procedures (SPs), the law, BPs and SPs shall supersede and control. BPs and SPs are subject to change throughout the year and are effective immediately upon adoption by the Board or Chancellor, respectively. Employees are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the BPs, SPs as well as College directives, including but not limited to this Procedure. Board Policies (BP) and System Procedures (SP) may be located on the Colorado Community College System website. 

Nothing in this Procedure is intended to create (nor shall be construed as creating) an express or implied contract or to guarantee employment for any term. 

SCOPE

This procedure applies to all ACC employees.

PROCEDURE

Arapahoe Community College is committed to transparency in organizational decision-making through a shared governance model. Shared governance relies on creating a culture of respect and shared responsibility for decision-making which leads to achieving the goals of the institution and equitable outcomes for our students. 

Decisions should be: 

• Transparent  
• Equitable  
• Publicly Defendable 
• Consistent

Shared governance at ACC engages its internal constituencies including administration, faculty, staff, and students, through planning and development of ACC procedures, practices, and guidelines. ACC uses data to reach informed decisions in the best interests of the institution and its constituents. ACC ensures that faculty, staff, and students are involved in setting academic requirements and processes through effective collaborative structures. 

This procedure describes the internal shared governance leadership structures for the college. 

College Advisory Council

Each college shall have an advisory council. The advisory council purpose, procedures, and membership are described in BP 2-25 – College Advisory Council.

Cabinet

Comprised of ACC VPs, AVPs, and the President’s direct reports (Executive Director of HR, Director of Marketing, Executive Director of Equity & Strategy, Executive Director of the ACC Foundation). Cabinet is the senior decision and procedure making team advising the college President. Cabinet evaluates inputs from ALT (ACC Leadership Team) against reality of resources, operations, and landscape, engages with ALT and other stakeholders to remain informed, and provides strategic direction to the college’s activities. Cabinet makes strategic decisions and continues engagement and communication with ALT to design and carry out messaging to the campus. Cabinet meets bi-weekly.

ACC Leadership Team (ALT)

ACC’s Leadership Team is comprised of functional leaders representing all areas of the college including the leaders of each of the constituent groups. ALT is the primary organization to surface issues arising around campus, providing input, and making recommendations to decision makers based on proposed solutions. ALT owns the messaging of and from ALT to all stakeholders, as well as helps lead the tactical implementation of projects and initiatives. ALT meets monthly.

Constituent Groups

Officers of the employee groups shall serve in an advisory capacity to ACC’s Leadership Team and to the college President and shall act in a liaison capacity between the college leadership team and the employee groups they represent. BP 3-10 Administration of Personnel provides descriptions of the four employee groups, Classified; Administrative, Professional and Technical (APT); Faculty; and Instructors. 

Classified Assembly

The Classified Assembly is a representative body within ACC which includes various employee types in multiple departments, including custodial, facilities, police services, grounds/maintenance, and a wide array of administrative assistants across many departments. The group meets monthly to discuss issues, share ideas, and build camaraderie. Classified Assembly will host professional development as well as training activities relevant to the positions.

Administrative Assembly

The Administrative Assembly is a leadership organization that provides professional development, information sharing, collaboration, and support to college initiatives. Through representation on ACC’s Leadership Team, as well as individual and group participation, the Administrative Assembly strengthens institutional decision-making and problem solving through innovation, creativity, inclusion, communication, and campus-wide collaboration. The Assembly strives to serve the College community by creating environments for learning that focus on inclusion, quality, authenticity, and equity. The Administrative Assembly exists to support ACC’s vision, mission, values, student learning outcomes and strategic priorities.

Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate considers concerns of the faculty and makes recommendations to appropriate bodies. The Faculty Senate is the voice of the faculty on matters of college governance brought to faculty by the College administration, College policy, the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education and the system office, or the Commission on Higher Education, or any successor organizations. Faculty Senate meets monthly throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.

Instructor Council

The Instructor Council considers the concerns of part-time Instructional personnel. The Instructor Council includes all employees who teach part-time, including those that are employed in another full-time capacity at the college. The Instructor Council meets monthly.

Student Government

The purpose of ACC’s Student Government Association (SGA) is to represent ACC students in matters concerning student interests and welfare as well as student-generated activity fees. SGA promotes cooperation and understanding between the administration, faculty, staff, community, and ACC students. SGA encourages ACC students to participate in collegiate activities and exert influence in the decision-making process. SGA promotes students’ rights and provides a means of organized expression in college affairs, activities, and policies. SGA provides a forum for educational experiences outside the classroom atmosphere.

Division Leadership

Learning Leadership Team

The Learning Leadership Team (LLT) is comprised of Instruction’s AVPs, Deans, Associate Deans, Department Chairs/Directors, and faculty senate president. Also invited to participate are leadership from other areas of the college that can provide feedback and collaboration with leadership in Instruction. LLT provides insight into decision making processes within Instruction and recommendations for updates to college wide processes where appropriate.  

Student Affairs Leadership Team 

The Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT) is comprised of VPSA, AVPSA, Deans, Executive Director, and Directors of the departments that make up the division of Student Affairs. Also invited to participate are leadership from other areas of the college community whose partnerships are essential to informing, assisting, and providing student support services for all students on all ACC campuses. SALT provides recommendations to inform decision making on application and distribution of student support services and increased retention.  

College-wide Standing Committees

College-wide standing committees are established to address strategic management of the college’s core functions. These committees make recommendations for strategic priorities and updates to procedures and practices to ACC’s Leadership Team and Cabinet. 

Emergency Management Operations Group (EMOG)

Under the direction of the President or designee, the EMOG provides direction in making strategic policy decisions for any incident that affects the College’s ability to perform its critical operational functions. This group has the authority to proclaim College emergencies and to issue directives regarding the status and resumption of College educational programs. The EMOG is also responsible for notifying and informing key College constituents and stakeholders. The EMOG is comprised of the President, Provost / VP of Instruction, VP of Student Affairs, VP of Finance and Administrative Services, Chief of Police, Director of Human Resources, Director of Information Technology. Additional EMOG members are drawn from departments or divisions involved in managing emergencies or supporting emergency management. The EMOG meets as needed.

Calendar Committee

The ACC Calendar Committee includes representatives from across the college who assist in providing input and guidance in processes, changes/updates, and communications regarding the college’s academic calendar and advanced closure decisions. The ACC Calendar Committee does not decide time-sensitive weather-related or emergency closures. The ACC Calendar Committee reviews suggested calendar changes then sends forward their recommendations for updates to Cabinet for consideration prior to publication on ACC’s website. The ACC Calendar Committee meets once per term at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters or as needed to accommodate for suggested or required updates from the campus community and/or CCCS to the academic calendar.

Curriculum Committee

The curriculum committee reviews and makes recommendations for new/updated courses, programs, and faculty qualifications. The committee consists of faculty, staff, and administrators as appropriate to ensure the overall quality of the institution’s academic offerings. The curriculum committee meets monthly.

Strategic Enrollment Management

The purpose of the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Committee is to assess, review and discuss enrollment strategies, including related data and to make recommendations to ACC Cabinet and Leadership groups that contribute to learner and student access, recruitment, persistence, completion, and lifelong learning through diverse program offerings. The SEM committee works to develop a holistic and integrated approach to enrollment management that supports college-wide collaboration, engagement, creative thinking, and consensus building. The Strategic Enrollment Management Committee consists of members from across the college and meets monthly. 

Data Governance Committee

Data Governance ensures institutional data are securely accessible, understood, and trusted. To be a data-informed culture, data must be used in a consistent, responsible, and meaningful manner to increase interoperability, ensure reliability, and inform data aware decision making at ACC. The data governance committee includes representation from Institutional Research, Instructional Technology, Finance, Student Affairs, and Instruction. The committee meets at least once quarterly. 

Other College Committees

Committees, functional workgroups, and task forces will be established as needed to explore and make recommendations on strategic initiatives. These groups will report back to the organizational entity where they were established to provide input into college decision making processes.

REVISING THIS PROCEDURE

ACC reserves the right to change any provision or requirement of this procedure at any time and the change shall become effective immediately.