Committees

Committee Charge
Academic Senate To make recommendations to the administration of West Valley College and to the Board of Trustees, with respect to academic and professional matters. As outlined in Title 5, the Senate's responsibilities include curriculum, degree and certificate requirements, grading policies, instructional program development, standards regarding student success, professional development, accreditation process, program review, institutional planning and budget development.
Accreditation Institutional Self Study For Reaffirmation Of Accreditation.
Budget and Resources Advisory Council (BRAC) To guide the overall budget and resource allocation process including establishing the budget and planning timeline, implementation of related procedures, and the policies and criteria used as the basis for evaluation of proposals. Reports to College Council.
Classified Senate To participate in the district and WVC shared decision making process by collecting, evaluating and disseminating information for the classified staff, and representing the aggregate interests of the classified staff before or on any district or college committee or task force; to promote and encourage activities which provide an opportunity for enhancing the involvement and staff development of the classified staff.
College Council To facilitate communication and appropriate involvement of all members of the college community through assigning issues to Executive Councils as appropriate; report on the status of issues before the councils; create committees or task forces as needed; serve as a steering committee for college-wide projects; plan resource allocation; track the work effort of the councils; report on the status of issues before the councils; and coordinate maintenance of the governance information system. The Chair votes to break a tie vote only.
Conference Leave Conference Leave is fund for all full-time and associate faculty members to attend conferences, professional meetings, and other activities designed to improve the professional competencies of the members.
Curriculum To review and recommend approval to the Board new / revised curriculum, degree and certificate programs that meet Title 5 requirements and Accreditation standards.
Distance Education Committee (DEC) To serve as a resource for and advisers to the Academic Senate, faculty, staff and administrators in matters of policy, practice and pedagogy regarding distance education and technology-enhanced instruction; assist faculty in learning about and integrating technology and distance education into the curriculum; plan and implement innovative and creative opportunities that help to grow distance learning.
Division Council The Division Council facilitates communication from the Academic Affairs office to the college departments regarding the college’s enrollment and efficiency goals. As part of the committee, Division Council ensures planning is within the bounds of the college’s instructional budget and makes recommendations to Academic Affairs regarding enrollment management.
Facilities and Safety Advisory Council (FSAC) To determine on-campus facility uses and needs based on educational, rental, and safety issues. Resources are identified and upgrades and/or repairs are prioritized, funded, and implemented.
Guided Pathways Task Forces
Guided Pathways SharePoint for Faculty/Staff
Guided Pathways provides a framework for colleges to help students who face barriers to completing a college education. By creating structured educational experiences, pathways support each student from the point of entry to the attainment of high-quality postsecondary credentials and employment in a chosen field. At West Valley, there are three task forces for faculty and staff to work on improving specific student experiences.
Mental Health and Wellness Committee This committee plans, organizes, and hosts health-related events on campus throughout the academic year.
Professional Development To provide opportunities for faculty participation in growth and development activities related to instructional improvement in support of West Valley College’s mission of academic excellence and student success.
Strategic Planning Steering Committee
Educational Master Plan 2021-2026
The purpose of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee is to serve as a working group and to guide the development of the West Valley College 2021-2026 Educational Master Plan (EMP).
Student Outcomes and Program Planning Committee (SOAPP) The Student Outcomes and Program Planning Committee (SOAPP), formerly SLAPEC, was created in Fall 2014 with the merger of the Program Review Committee and the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) and Assessment Committee. Archived documents from the earlier committees are available at Program Review Committee and the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) and Assessment Committee.
Student Services Council A policy recommending group to the College Council.
Sustainability The WVC Sustainability Committee is a group of faculty, staff, administrators, and students that strive to engage, educate, equip, and empower the college and surrounding communities in social, environmental, and economic sustainability issues We welcome all interested individuals or groups, including alumni and community members, to participate with us.

West Valley committee structure

What is Participatory Governance?

Assembly Bill 1725 enacted a structure for community college governance that strengthens the role of faculty, staff and students. This shared governance structure ensures that faculty, staff, students, and managers of West Valley Community College have the right to participate effectively in district and college governance.

The law recognizes that a basic principle of higher education governance is that authority derives not only from the powers vested in governing boards but also from the knowledge and experience possessed by the faculty, staff, students, and members of the college. Participatory governance is vital to the development and implementation of sound educational policy.

Participatory governance is an inherent relationship between involvement in decision-making and responsibility/accountability for the decisions made.

West Valley College embraces participatory governance and its governance structure reflects the participation of faculty, staff, students and managers.

Last Updated 2/1/24