Shared Governance
Shared governance at HCC is the process through which individuals develop recommendations for policies and decisions that affect the institution. This process encourages and values the voices of all members of the HCC community. Opportunities for open dialogue throughout the process is paramount, which provides College leadership access to the knowledge and expertise that resides at all levels of the institution. This dialogue is collaborative, data-informed, and grounded in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The purpose of this process includes supporting student success and fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace. It assumes goodwill, is transparent, and demonstrates a commitment to our mission and to our institutional values.
our commitments: Communication, Documentation & Transparency
Communication, documentation, and transparency are essential to the active participation of all constituency groups in college governance. To be most effective, shared governance commits to the following:
- Enable all members of the College community to access information about and participate in governance activities through the use of accessible, American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant agendas and minutes created from college-provided templates;
- Provide information through the HCC website, intranet portal and/or other electronic media so constituents can view information at any time;
- Focus on documentation of agreements, actions items, and relevant context for the:
- Participatory governance body,
- Between participatory governance bodies, e.g., College Advisory Council and standing committees, or between standing committees,
- Between decision makers and recommending governance bodies, and
- Various constituency groups;
- Ensure standing committees move final recommendations forward in writing to the College Advisory Council and that the College Advisory Council forwards written recommendations to the College president for final consideration and decision-making;
- Ensure that final decisions that differ substantially from forwarded recommendations are accompanied by a written rationale for the final decision; and
- Annually review and evaluate the process via the College Advisory Council, documenting feedback from the various constituencies.
our commitments: Constituencies
- The central governing body has representation that is inclusive of all constituencies so that all voices are heard.
- Constituencies that will be represented on shared governance committees are administrators, full-time staff, part-time staff, full-time faculty, part-time faculty, and students.
- In order to promote active participation in shared governance, as part of onboarding, new employees will be provided training on the HCC shared governance committees and processes as well as how to participate in shared governance. This training on HCC shared governance will be provided by leadership and/or representatives from each of the broad constituencies (faculty, staff, & administration).
- On all committees with student representatives, chairs will work with Student Senate to identify students to serve, but the student representatives do not need to be members of Student Senate.
- There must be formal opportunities for all constituency groups to get together within their constituency groups for shared governance issues, and to determine shared governance representation on committees.
- In a representative form of governance, constituency representatives in all shared governance committees have the responsibility to get feedback from and give information to their constituencies
Purpose
The College Advisory Council (CAC) will consider proposals related to the educational mission of the College 1) from administrators, groups, and/or individuals, and 2) from the standing committees, and will make final recommendations directly to the College president. Recommendations are forwarded from the College Advisory Council to the College president. The College president is responsible for a final decision and, if the decision differs substantially from the forwarded recommendation, is expected to provide to the College Advisory Council a written rationale for the decision before the next CAC meeting.The CAC shall act as a liaison between the faculty, professional staff, classified staff, and the administrators of the College.
Purpose
- Receive in writing from the president of the College or the vice president for Academic & Student Affairs requests for CAC advice on administrative policy and refer them to appropriate committees for study. It shall also receive written inquiries from other administrators as appropriate. The secretary of the CAC Steering Committee will note any inquiries and decisions in the next published agenda.
- Receive from the secretary of the CAC all items of new business proposed by members and determine the appropriate disposition.
- Receive from the secretary of the CAC requests to deliberate upon Student Senate proposals and determine the appropriate disposition.
- Report regularly to the CAC regarding the disposition of all items of business submitted to the CAC Steering Committee.
- Prepare the CAC agenda.
- Review the Constitution of the HCC Shared Governance Structure & Process for needed revisions. The result of this study shall be reported to the CAC no later than the first meeting of each spring semester.
- Continuously review the minutes of the CAC, follow the progress and actions of both the CAC Standing Committees and CAC ad-hoc committees, and report to the CAC.
- Conduct regular elections of members prior to the end of the second semester, except for the first year of implementing the revised structure, and by special elections during the first thirty days of each regular semester when vacancies arise. During the election process, consult with Human Resources to ensure the representation of each constituency and division of the College.
- Study the committee structure of the CAC Standing Committees, CAC ad-hoc committees, and college-wide ad-hoc committees to ensure revisions are reflected. The results of the study must be presented to the CAC in the spring semester.
- Conduct the periodic assessment of the shared governance committees, process, and structure; determine the recommendations for revisions as a result of the assessment; and prepare a report of recommendations to present to the CAC.
- Review the results and analysis of the shared governance assessment with the CAC and distribute committee-specific information to each respective standing committee.
- Receive assessment recommendations from the CAC and all shared governance standing committees and prepare a report of recommendations to the president of the CAC.
Purpose
- Review policy and make recommendations to the CAC for its approval concerning every aspect of the curricular program of the College.
- Examine proposals and changes of courses and programs from the academic divisions of the College to ensure adherence to College policy, and make recommendations to the CAC.
Purpose
- Advise the VPASA Council and College leadership in the areas of long-range technology planning and operational barriers.
- Recommend policies for the development of the Library and all academic support programs to serve student and faculty needs of the College.
- Serve as a resource to faculty and staff, including those involved in grant proposals, regarding new and emerging classroom technology and review policy and make recommendations to the CAC for its approval.
- Facilitate the interdisciplinary exchange of information and expertise to promote collaborative efforts to advance the use and implementation of new and emerging technology at the College.
- Review data to report to academic deans and the Center for Excellence staff for problem solving and establishing support systems for faculty and staff.
- Communicate to constituencies to keep the HCC community informed of technology changes, issues, and implementation timelines.
- Provide input on the College's Information Technology Master Plan.
- Provide input on the annual institution-wide priority for information technology.
Purpose
- Review tuition and fee structure, recommended fee increases, and recommended structural changes.
- Provide input to the periodic budget forums that report on the overall financial condition and plans.
- Review physical plant reports and provide advice on prioritizing capital projects.
- Provide input on a broad spectrum of topics that impact on the College's financial condition and planning to achieve future sustainability.
- Report out results of the budget process to help inform the College community and support transparent communication across and within constituencies.
Purpose
- Review policy and make recommendations to the CAC for its approval concerning every aspect of thecurricular program of the College.
- Examine proposals and changes to courses and programs from the academic divisions of the Collegeto ensure adherence to College policy, and make recommendations to the CAC.
Purpose
- Assist in the review and development of recommendations concerning initiatives, projects, and policies related to maintaining the physical campus.
- Include prioritization of minor and major renovation plans, assignment of space, identifying areas requiring repair, and suggesting changes to custodial schedules.
- Provide input on the College's Five-Year Major Capital Plan, construction projects, and Facilities Master Plan.
- Provide input on the College's Information Technology Master Plan.
- Provide input on annual institution-wide priority for information technology.
- Assist in the review and development of recommendations concerning campus technology policies, guidelines, and services.
- Promote campus guidelines on security practices and requirements.
Purpose
- Seek input from the community in the preparation and revision of institutional planning efforts.
- Promote the dissemination of strategies and proposed action plans to representative constituent groups.
- Serve as a resource in the development of institutional planning initiatives.
- Evaluate the College's progress on achieving strategic initiatives.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of institutional planning processes and propose changes to processes as appropriate.
- Empower faculty, staff, and students to pursue new opportunities that positively impact the College's mission and strategic priorities.
- Review and make recommendations regarding new proposals, strategic directions, and initiatives.Collaborate with various College departments and groups to best facilitate broad engagement in planning and the successful development of innovative practices.
Purpose
- Review policies and procedures and make recommendations to the CAC concerning every aspect of the College's professional standards; professional development; employee experience; and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
- Review and advise on the employee experience, including Human Resources policies and procedures, College culture, and living our mission, vision and values.
- Work with administrators and get feedback from faculty and staff about policy decisions.
- Plan and implement Professional Development Days and contribute to the development of other professional development-related activities.
- Work in collaboration with the Center for Excellence.
- Serve as liaison to bring forward items from the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council to shared governance.
- Serve as liaison to bring forward items from the Professional Development Operations Task Force to shared governance.
