Academic Senate
The Academic Senate of Los Angeles Valley College focuses primarily on the "academic and professional matters" of the college. "Academic and professional matters" means the following policy development and implementation matters:
- 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 by the governing board and the Academic Senate
The Academic Senate operates under the provisions of the LAVC Senate Constitution and By-Laws [Word doc: 47KB].
Senate Meetings
The Senate meets the third Thursday of the month at 1:10 pm in the Academic Senate Room, ACA1601.
Senate Membership
| Officers: | Senators | Senators | Senators | Adjunct Senator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Term 2023-2025 |
Term 2022-2025 |
Term 2023-2026 |
Term 2024-2027 |
Term 2024-2025 |
| Edgar Perez President |
Holly Batty | Meghan Cason | Vic Fusilero | Fatema Baldiwala |
| Kevin Sanford Executive Vice-President |
George Caleodis | Patrick Hunter | Jason Williams | Byanka Melgar |
| Scarlet Sarkissian Curriculum Vice-President |
Ruby Christian-Brougham | Monica Hang | Chad Sustin | Alex Muñoz |
| Elizabeth Thornton Secretary |
Nikita Bajwa | Edward Gika | Sandra Perry | |
| Wesley Oliphant Treasurer |
Elliot Coney | Wilson Chu | Kathryn Queen | |
| Darby Southgate | Eugenia Sumnik-Levins | Desiree Lee-Perry | ||
| Caroline Sabol | Frances Garcia | Nikoo Berenji | ||
Faculty Dues
Please support the Academic Senate by paying your faculty dues.
Among other things, your faculty dues help to pay for scholarships and events like the holiday party, the ice cream social, the pre-commencement breakfast, and the after commencement luncheon among other things.
Dues are $50 for full time instructors and $35 for adjunct instructors.
There are several ways to pay your dues:
- We have opened an account in the Foundation Office where you can submit your check directly. It should be made out to: LAVC Foundation. Please write in the memo line "LAVC Faculty Senate", and your check will be properly credited to our account.
- You may also pay your dues online:
- Go to the LAVC Foundation website and click "Give Online Now"
- Scroll down to "Other Designation" and enter your donation amount
- Under "Additional Instruction", type "Academic Senate Fund"
- Click "Calculate Total", followed by the "Donate" button
- Follow additional instructions and requests for personal and credit card information
- Print out your online receipt
- You may also place your check in the faculty ballot box in the mailroom, and we will take it to the Foundation Office for you.
*The Senate mailbox is in the section of the mailroom that is open late. Walk in and look to your left and you will see the box. The box is locked, so your check will be secure. - You may also pay your dues through payroll deduction. Please stop by the Foundation office for more information.
Paying to the Foundation is 100% tax-deductible write-off!
Academic Senate Subcommittees
Click on the drop down arrows for more information on each of the committees
Valley College Curriculum Committee
The Valley College Curriculum Committee (VCCC) acts as an advisory body to the Academic Senate. The VCCC recommends policies concerning curriculum and related matters to the Academic Senate known as the 10 +1. The VCCC also works with discipline faculty to prepare curricular proposals related to courses and programs and recommends these proposals for approval to the Academic Senate.
Educational Planning Committee
The committee oversees the writing and implementation of the Educational Master Plan. EPC oversees enrollment issues (e.g., trends and scheduling) in accordance with the Educational Master Plan and college mission. The Grants, Enrollment Management, and Distance Education Committees report to EPC.
Outcomes Assessment Committee
The Outcomes Assessment Committee oversees and coordinates SLO efforts at the campus level. Responsibilities include proposing policies and processes, developing and assessing college-wide program outcomes, and supporting and reviewing the assessment of course and service outcomes. The Committee promotes campus-wide understanding and integration of SLOs, facilitating campus dialogue to enhance institutional effectiveness and the continuous improvement of student learning. Instructional policy items are brought to the Academic Senate and all items are brought to the Program Effectiveness and Planning Committee.
Program Effectiveness & Planning Committee
The purpose of the Program Effectiveness and Planning Committee is to facilitate the Program Review and Planning process, including the review of annual plans, comprehensive program reviews, the student learning outcome assessment cycle, and assessment of program viability. PEPC's long term goals are to aid and support departments in both the individual and collective activities undertaken for the improvement of the instructional program in accordance with the Educational Master Plan and college mission.
Teaching and Learning Workgroup
The Teaching and Learning Workgroup is a blending of the Academic Senate's Professional Development Advisory Committee with the Guided Pathways Pillar 4 workgroup. Both committees have intersecting goals and objectives to improve professional development for faculty.