Role of the Academic Senate
The Napa Valley College Academic Senate is the exclusive representative of faculty for academic and professional matters as defined in the California Education Code and in Title 5 of the Administrative Code of California.
The primary function of the NVC Academic Senate is to make recommendations to and agreements with the governing board of the district with respect to academic and professional matters, and to make recommendations to the administration and governing board on matters pertaining to the conduct and welfare of the college. Major Senate functions include helping ensure quality instruction and student services and enhancing the professional status of and collegiality among faculty. It supports cooperation among all constituencies of the campus community to promote the general welfare of Napa Valley College and its students.
The 11 Responsibilities
The Napa Valley College Academic Senate is the exclusive representative of faculty for academic and professional matters defined in the Education Code and in Title 5. The Napa Valley College Academic Senate has primary responsibility for “academic and professional matters.” Section 53200(c) of Title 5 defines these as:
- Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines
- Degree and certificate requirements
- Grading policies
- Educational program development
- Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success
- District and college governance structures, as related to faculty roles
- Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self-study and annual reports
- Policies for faculty professional development activities
- Processes for program review
- Processes for institutional planning and budget development
- Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the governing board and the academic senate