The Philosophy of Participatory Governance Decision Making at Cabrillo College

BP2430, BP2510 Education Code §§70902(d), 72400
Accreditation Standard IV: Leadership and Governance 

ACCJC Accreditation Standard IV, Leadership and Governance indicates the institution recognizes and uses the contributions of leadership throughout the organization for promoting student success, sustaining academic quality, integrity, fiscal stability, and continuous improvement of the institution. Governance roles are defined in policy and are designed to facilitate decisions that support student learning programs and services and improve institutional effectiveness, while acknowledging the designated responsibilities of the governing board and the chief executive officer. Through established governance structures, processes, and practices, the governing board, administrators, faculty, staff, and students work together for the good of the institution.

Cabrillo College encourages collegial rapport among all stakeholders while students, our primary stakeholders, and their success is our key focus. Within participatory governance committees, the process is to work with others in making decisions that are in the best interest of the college rather than just one constituency or one individual. The institution is lifted by perspective-sharing within the bigger picture.

We are guided by:

• • A perspective of larger institutional planning
  • All participants taking responsibility for relaying and sharing information as well as providing constituent feedback to the committee on which participants serve
  • Providing expertise from constituencies but deciding from a college perspective
  • Gathering information as part of the decision-making process
  • Trusting the intent of the committee participant
  • Acknowledging competing interests but working for the good of the college as a whole

Tools for participatory governance decision-making:

All Master Planning documents of the college including but not limited to:

• • • Educational Master Plan
    • Cabrillo Connects Strategic Plan
    • Facilities Master Plan
    • Technology Plan
    • Distance Education Plan
    • Student Success and Support Plan
    • Student Equity Plan

Data from the college or outside entities including but not limited to:

• • • Program data
    • Population/demographic data
    • Institutional data
    • Economic vitality data
    • Budget data
    • K-12 / California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (CalPASS) data
    • Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC) regional data
    • Other county, other regional, statewide, and national data, as appropriate

Three foundational premises inform and clarify the use of data within the collegial decision making process:

• • • Belief that the data/information are trustworthy, reliable, accessible and transparent to the college.
    • Agreement that additional data may be required and requested as part of the process.
    • Understanding that data may need explanation and review as part of the decision-making process.

Decision-Making for Participatory Governance Committees:

• We agree that adequate time and review be spent on decisions as needed and appropriate.
• Whenever possible consensus will be the desired approach. Participants will use the thumbs up/thumbs down approach with a sideways thumb for those who can ‘live with the decision’. When a participant ‘lives with the decision’ it implies an appropriate timeline for evaluation and review of the process (to be decided by the committee). Committees may request a formal vote be taken for specific items.
• We agree that when conflict arises, a vote may be taken as part of the process but not until reasonable avenues for consensus has been attempted.
• We agree that all decisions and recommendations go to the president as advisory; should the president disagree with the decision / recommendation, a written response will be provided to the committee.

Behaviors Beneficial to the Participatory Governance Process:

• Listening for understanding: strive to explain the opposing position or idea
• Clarifying and summation of ideas or positions – checking for understanding
• Encouraging all to participate
• Encouraging the greater good
• Upholding/maintaining an institution wide perspective
• Maintaining respectful dialogue/respectful rapport
• Having fun

Evaluating Governance Processes

Governance processes will be reviewed on a regular basis as outlined in the table below.