As a Senator, you are decision maker. You are one of fifteen members whose vote will shape the "advice and judgement" of the Academic Senate that is relied upon by The Board within our collegial governance processes (BP 2510). We as a Senate are representing MiraCosta's faculty (full time and associates) in 10+1 areas of academic and professional matters. To make decisions well, we as the Academic Senate ought to be as effective and efficient in our discussions as we are fair and respectful with one another in our meeting procedures.
To contribute to an effective and fair decision making process, your Academic Senate President will ask you to:
Prepare
read the Senate Meeting agenda and all included materials before each Senate Meeting
for First Read Action Items, read the materials included in the agenda and prepare questions, concerns, and comments to share during discussions about the Action Item
for Consent Calendar and Second Read Action Items, prepare your voting position: reread the materials included in the agenda and formulate clarifying questions, amendments, and/or comments to share during discussion that you feel are pertinent to the Senate's vote on the Action Item
Engage
connect with your MiraCosta constituency members by sending and receiving communications with them about Action Items
connect with other faculty leaders, colleagues, and groups at MiraCosta (as well as across Higher Ed) to seek alternate views, practices, and policies
research the issues, contexts, and outcomes that are pertinent to Action Items and your voting position
Participate
make motions (to approve, to amend, to call the vote, etc) and seek clarity about meeting procedures (call for a point of order)
report to the Senate on particular academic matters you specialize in
vote your position on action items so the senate can act as a representative decision-making and recommending body
What the Academic Senate Does Discuss
Academic and Professional Matters: the 10+1 issues over which the Senate has primacy
What the Academic Senate Does Not Discuss
Working Conditions Issues: these topics are handled by union representatives
That's a lot! Our hope is that you will feel confident in your role. The following content and links provide more than information and tutorials; they provide insights and encouragement from colleagues who have served as senators.
Both California Ed Code (Title V) and MiraCosta's BP/AP 2510 establish the role of the Academic Senate in local decision making. MiraCosta's Academic Senate is one of the oldest Community College Academic Senates in California and developed a collegial governance process that became a model in the state. Understanding the collegial governance structures at MiraCosta--including our Rules and Bylaws and the organization of the Senate's 9 Subcommittees--will help to contextualize your role as a Senator.
What does it mean to be a "recommending" body?
What does it mean to be a "decision making" body?
What are the 9 Senate Subcommittees, and what is their relationship to the Academic Senate?
Accessing Training: Get to know the Academic Senate at MiraCosta College
The 10+1 areas defined in Title V and BP 2510 give the Academic Senate its charge. Topics or issues that fall outside the 10+1 areas are beyond the scope Academic Senate business and are taken up by other committees that contribute to shared governance at the college. Understanding the 10+1 areas helps to clarify the authority of your role as a senator.
What are the 10 areas of primacy for which all Academic Senates throughout California Community Colleges are responsible?
What is included in the +1 area of primacy at MiraCosta?
What is BP 2510?
Accessing Training: 10+1 at MiraCosta College
The purpose of the Brown Act is to ensure that any member of the pblic has access to governance groups whose charge is to conduct business on behalf of the public. This applies to the Academic Senate. Brown Act rules require the time and location of meetings be published 72 hours in advance of the meeting and voting members must to attend in person. AB 2449 offers provisions for voting members to participate via Zoom under "just cause" circumstances or requested accommodations. The Zoom link for each meeting can be found on the agenda.
What can I do if I need miss a Senate meeting?
What Senate Business can I discuss outside of a Senate meeting and with whom?
Accessing Training: how the Brown Act applies to the Academic Senate
The Academic Senate agenda for each meeting throughout the semester will follow a consistent pattern but will range in topics and issues. It's important to remind ourselves that we all will come to each new agenda with a diversity of experience and levels of awareness. Being intentional in your reading and preparation habits can help you feel more confident.
What's on the agenda, typically?
What is a typical meeting like?
How do I add an agenda item or help my constituents add an item?
Accessing Training: Tips for Preparing for Senate Meetings with Confidence
Senate Meetings are conducted according to parliamentarian rules known as Robert’s Rules. These procedures are meant to facilitate smooth, efficient meetings while serving the rights and honoring the views of all participating members regardless of rank or standing.
When can I speak up? How do I interject?
How can I extend the time for discussion I think are important?
What are "motions"?
Accessing Training: Tips for Participating in Senate Meetings with Confidence
Senate Rules and Bylaws are determined by us, Senators and Senate Leadership at MiraCosta College. Resolutions express our collective position on issues to the college as a whole. Bylaws, Rules, and Resolutions embed our values and help us to conduct our business accordingly. We can think of Rules and Bylaws as our constitution and Resolutions as our commitments. Understanding the Academic Senate Rules, Bylaws, and Resolutions helps to provide certainty and confidence about performing duties as a senator.
What do the Rules say about your role as a Senator?
What do the Rules and Bylaws say about how to run for a leadership role?
How do the Resolutions of the Academic Senate express values and actionable goals?
Accessing Training: Academic Senate Rules, Bylaws, & Resolutions
Academic Senate Rules requite action items to be presented to the Senate in two separate meetings before a vote: the first meeting is for "sunshining" an action item and for initial discussion (1st read); the second meeting is for clarifications based on any remaining questions and/or constituent comments (2nd read).
Where do I look for resources to inform my understanding before voting?
How do I prepare for a 1st read?
How do I prepare for a 2nd read?
Accessing Training: Tips for Effective Discussion and 1st and 2nd Reads
An essential duty assigned to each Academic Senate members is to network and communicate with a constituency of faculty on behalf of the Academic Senate. This role involves sharing key topics, debates, and decisions from Senate meetings and asking for feedback that you report to the Senate.
Who is in your constituency group?
How do I inform my constituents and collect questions/comments that will allow me to feel confident my voting position is representative?
Accessing Training: Tips for Connecting with and Representing Constituents
Our goal is to form an inclusive body representing each and all of our faculty colleagues while keeping stride with our statewide Academic Senate leaders in the California Community College system. There are many resources that may benefit us as we pursue our goals.
What is the Academic Senate at the state level?
How do our Senate governance decisions fit into the larger, statewide decision making process?
What are further training in fairness and ethics for participating in shared governance?
Accessing Training: Local Senates Handbook and additional resources