SRJC is committed to a participatory governance structure that values transparency, collaboration, and inclusive decision-making. This page outlines how key governance groups collaborate to inform institutional planning, policy, and priorities. Through shared governance, SRJC ensures that all constituent voices contribute to the college’s mission and continuous improvement.

• Role of the Board of Trustees in Participatory Governance

  The SCJCD Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in the growth and development of SRJC. According to the Community College League of California (CCLC), the primary responsibilities of the Board as a collective body include:

  • Setting policy direction
  • Employing a chief executive officer to serve as the institutional leader
  • Acting as a community bridge and buffer
  • Establishing the climate for accomplishing educational goals
  • Defining legal, ethical, and prudent standards for college operations
  • Ensuring fiscal health and stability
  • Maintaining standards for good personnel relations
  • Monitoring institutional performance
  • Leading as a thoughtful, educated team

  The Board of Trustees acts on recommendations from the President and/or the Academic Senate Council, as outlined in Title 5, the California Education Code, and Board Policy 2510. The Board may adopt board policies as authorized by law, prescribed by the California Community College Board of Governors, or as determined necessary by the Board for the operation of the District (see Board Policy 2410). Additionally, the Board of Trustees approves other documents as needed when recommendations are received from the President or the Academic Senate.

• Role of Superintendent/President in Participatory Governance

  The Superintendent/President (President) is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SCJCD and is the sole employee of the Board of Trustees. The President is directly accountable to the Board and holds executive responsibility for the administration of policies adopted by the Board. The President's role includes the execution of District policies and the implementation of identified goals through the operational management of the District.

  
  The President receives recommendations from committees and has the authority to forward these recommendations to the Board of Trustees for consideration. Additionally, the President is fully responsible for implementing and administering Board policies and administrative procedures. The Board of Trustees delegates executive responsibility to the President for administering adopted policies and for executing all decisions requiring administrative action.

• Role of Students in Participatory Governance

  Students play a vital role in participatory governance, ensuring that student perspectives are actively integrated into decision-making processes that support District operations and student success.

  As outlined in Board Policy 2510, the SCJCD Board of Trustees is committed to providing students with meaningful opportunities to formulate recommendations through participation in councils and committees. The Board further agrees to give reasonable consideration to student-developed recommendations and positions.
  Student representation is led by the Student Government Assembly (SGA), composed of elected officers who actively engage in participatory governance. The SGA effectively contributes to decision-making in the following 9+1 areas:

  • Grading policies
  • Codes of student conduct
  • Academic disciplinary policies
  • Curriculum development
  • Courses or programs that should be initiated or discontinued
  • Processes for institutional planning and budget development
  • Standards and policies regarding student preparation and success
  • Student services planning and development
  • Student fees that are within the authority of the District to adopt
  • Plus, any other district and college policy, procedure, or related matters that the Board of Trustees determines will have a significant effect on students.
     
• Role of Classified Professionals in Participatory Governance

  Classified professional employees provide essential services that support students, faculty, and administrators, contributing to the success of District operations and student achievement.

  Classified professionals are represented in collective bargaining by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and operate under negotiated agreements approved by its members.

  The Classified Senate represents all full-time and part-time classified professionals in the governance process on matters outside the scope of collective bargaining. The Classified Senate actively engages in participatory governance, particularly in the following specific academic and professional matters (9+1):

  • Standards or policies regarding student support and success
  • Districtwide governance structures, as related to classified roles
  • Classified roles and involvement in the accreditation process, including self-study and annual reports
  • Policies for classified professional development activities
  • Processes for program review, including area and unit reviews
  • Processes for institutional planning and budget development
  • Curriculum systems integrations and implementation
  • Processes related to awarding degrees and certificates
  • Institutional program development and implementation, as related to classified roles
  • Plus any other district policy, procedure, or related matters that the Board of Trustees determines will have a significant effect on Classified Professionals
     
• Role of Faculty in Participatory Governance

  Contract and associate faculty members actively engage in the formulation and development of recommendations in committees and through processes that impact faculty. Faculty are represented in district governance by the Academic Senate, which provides recommendations to administration and the Board of Trustees on academic and professional matters.

  Academic Senate Consultation Committees are operational committees that address professional and academic matters designated for faculty and Board collegial consultation by Title 5, Section 53200. Faculty and administrative co-chairs of these committees serve as liaisons between the Academic Senate and the President, ensuring that committee advice and judgments are communicated to the Board.

  The Board of Trustees has agreed to primarily rely on the Academic Senate’s advice or judgment in Consultation Committees on the following areas:

  • Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines;
  • Degree and certificate requirements;
  • Grading policies;
  • Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success;
  • Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self-study and annual reports; and
  • Policies for faculty professional development activities.

  For these matters, the Board is expected to ordinarily accept the recommendations of the Academic Senate. If the Board finds it necessary to reject the Senate's recommendations, it must provide written reasons to the Senate.

  In areas of mutual agreement, the Academic Senate and the administration work in good faith to reach consensus. These areas include:

  • Educational program development;
  • District and college governance structures, as related to faculty roles;
  • Processes for program review;
  • Processes for institutional planning and budget development; and
  • Any other academic and professional matters designated through mutual agreement.

  In these areas, if agreement is not reached, existing policies will remain in effect. Written agreements will be formalized whenever possible, leading to the creation and maintenance of formal policies and procedures.

  If consensus cannot be achieved through Academic Senate Consultation Committee discussions or other forms of consultation, the faculty can present their positions directly to the Board of Trustees through the President or at regular Board meetings.

  For matters related to collective bargaining, faculty members are represented by the All Faculty Association (AFA) for Unit A and the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) for Unit B. These organizations operate under negotiated agreements that have been approved by their members.

  The roles of the Academic Senate and Faculty Unions are complementary: The Academic Senate focuses on academic and professional matters, while the Faculty Unions address issues related to salary, benefits, and working conditions.

• Role of Management Team in Participatory Governance

  In alignment with our commitment to collegial consultation, administrators and managers play an integral role in the decision-making process. The Management Team, led by the President, includes confidential classified, supervisors, managers, directors, deans, and vice presidents. These individuals oversee daily operations, manage personnel, and ensure the effective functioning of the District.

  The role of the Management Team in governance and decision-making is defined by their scope of responsibility and authority, as outlined in their job descriptions. Their leadership helps maintain institutional effectiveness and supports the District’s mission, goals, and strategic priorities.

  In general, the Management Team is responsible for the following functions:

  • Provide leadership in advancing the District’s mission, goals, and strategic direction in collaboration with the President.
  • Plan, organize, and evaluate district activities and operations to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and objectives.
  • Coordinate the development and maintenance of institutional plans and initiatives.
  • Plan, manage, and direct assigned programs and initiatives to ensure quality and effectiveness.
  • Ensure program compliance with applicable district, state, and federal laws, codes, policies, and regulations.
  • Develop and manage budgets for assigned programs, monitoring financial data to support institutional goals and ensure fiscal responsibility.
  • Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of programs and operations, with a focus on outcomes, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
  • Apply emerging services, technologies, and methodologies to enhance operations and student success.
  • Serve as a resource for departments and committees by providing consultation and technical expertise on policies, procedures, and best practices.
  • Support the development, coordination, and evaluation of District programs and services.
     
• Bargaining Units and Meet & Confer Groups

  AFA – The Governing Board and the SCJCD recognize the All Faculty Association (AFA) as the sole and exclusive representative for Unit A Faculty for the collective bargaining process in matters of employment.

  SEIU – The Governing Board and the SCJCD recognize the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as the exclusive bargaining representative of all Classified Professionals and Short Term, Non-Continuing (STNC) staff for representation in the collective bargaining process in matters of employment.

  SRJC-CFT – The Governing Board and the SCJCD recognize the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) as the sole and exclusive representative for Unit B Faculty in representation of the collective bargaining process in matters of employment.

  Classified Confidential / Management Team Employees – Classified Confidential Employees are defined by California Government Code §3540,1 (c) as any employee who, in the regular course of their duties, has access to, or possesses information relating to, their employer’s employer-employee relations. The SCJCD and the Governing Board recognize the Classified Confidential / Management Team Employees as a Meet and Confer Group.