West Valley College Academic Senate

Charge: 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.

Terms: Two years

Meetings: Second & Fourth Tuesday of the Month, 2:05-4:05 pm, Board Room

WVCAS Agenda Item Request Form ^ (accessible PDF) Accreditation: Self Study, Reports and Documents

President's Message

Welcome to the website for the Academic Senate of West Valley College. The Academic Senate serves as the voice of college faculty on academic and professional matters. The West Valley Mission Community College District Board of Trustees primarily relies upon the advice and opinion of the Academic Senates at both Colleges in formulating policies on academic and professional matters.

Pursuant to state law, the Academic Senate has primary responsibility for the following areas at the College:

1. Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites.

2. Degree and certificate requirements.

3. Grading policies.

4. Educational program development.

5. Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success.

6. College governance structures, as related to faculty roles.

7. Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes.

8. Policies for faculty professional development activities.

9. Processes for program review.

10. Processes for institutional planning and budget development.

11. Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon.

As your Academic Senate President, I am here to serve your interests and to represent your voice in the shared governance process at West Valley College. If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please not hesitate to contact me at 408-741-2436, or Lance.Shoemaker@westvalley.edu.

Thanks,

Lance Shoemaker
West Valley College Academic Senate President