VICTOR VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
Chapter 4: Instruction

4010 Academic Calendar

The superintendent/president shall, in consultation with the appropriate groups, submit to the board for approval an academic calendar.

Reference: Education Code Section 70902(b)(12)

4020 Program and Curriculum Development

The programs and curricula of the district shall be of high quality, relevant to community and student needs, and evaluated regularly to ensure quality and currency. To that end, the superintendent/president shall establish procedures for the development and review of all curricular offerings, including their establishment, modification or discontinuance.
Furthermore, these procedures shall include:

• appropriate involvement of the faculty and Academic Senate in all processes;
• regular review and justification of programs and course descriptions;
• opportunities for training for persons involved in aspects of curriculum development;
• consideration of job market and other related information for vocational and occupational programs.

All new programs and program deletions shall be approved by the board.

New courses that are not part of an existing, approved program and all new programs shall be submitted to the Office of the Chancellor for the California Community Colleges for approval as required.

Reference: Education Code Section 70902(b); Title 5, Section 51022(a)

See Administrative Procedures [ ].

Board adopted 9/11/01
Approved by College Assembly for second read 3-7-06 (with recommended changes from CCLC). Board revised 4/11/06

4025 Philosophy and Criteria for Associate Degree and General Education

Courses that are designated to fulfill the general education and depth requirements shall meet the following philosophy.

The awarding of an associate degree is intended to represent more than an accumulation of units. It is to symbolize a successful attempt on the part of the college to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insights. Among these are the ability to think and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; to use mathematics, to understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines; to be aware of other cultures and times; to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems, and to develop the capacity for self-understanding.

In addition to these accomplishments, the student shall possess sufficient depth in some field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest.

Central to an associate degree, general education is designed to introduce students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world. It reflects the conviction of colleges that those who receive their degrees must possess in common certain basic principles, concepts and methodologies both unique to and shared by the various disciplines. College educated persons must be able to use this knowledge when evaluating and appreciating the physical environment, the culture, and the society in which they live. Most important, general education should lead to better understanding.

In the establishing or modifying a general education program, ways shall be sought to create coherence and integration among the separate requirements. It is also desirable that general education programs involve students actively in examining values inherent in proposed solutions to major society problems.

The superintendent/president shall establish procedures to assure that courses used to meet general education and associate degree requirements meet the standards in this policy. The procedures shall provide for appropriate Academic Senate involvement.

Reference: Title 5, Section 55805

See Administrative Procedure [ ].

4030 Academic Freedom

Victor Valley College believes academic freedom in relation to teaching duties is fundamental and essential to the teaching profession:

1. Teachers must be free to teach and students free to learn. Both must have access to and be free to explore and discuss issues and divergent points of view. Both must be free to form, hold, and express judgments and opinions, responsibly identifying them as such. The profession must defend itself and its members from any abridgment of academic freedom.
2. Teachers must have the responsibility for developing curriculum and selecting instructional materials and methods to meet the goals of that curriculum. Teachers and governing boards must develop procedures to be followed when there are criticisms/objections to methods or materials. The content of instruction must be judged and controlled by skilled professionals without undue interference by any individual or group. Individuals or groups, which seek to inhibit academic freedom, must not have influence over the hiring, firing, promotion or due process rights of teachers.
3. The same policies and protections applied to full-time teachers apply also to part-time and temporary teachers.
4. Teachers must be free to evaluate, criticize, and/or advocate personal points of view concerning educational matters in the classroom. Teachers must not be restricted when assisting their colleagues in the event their academic and/or professional freedoms are violated.
5. Teachers must be employed, promoted, or retained in relation to their teaching abilities and performance without discrimination or harassment regarding their personal opinions or their scholarly, literary, or artistic endeavors. The presence during class of any individual or organization whose intent is to decide or determine what is accurate or inaccurate inhibits academic freedom.

Reference: Title 5, Section 51023; Accreditation Standard 2.2

Policy adopted 9/11/01
Policy revised 2/11/03

4035 Academic Collegial Consultation

The Victor Valley College Board of Trustees will operate according to the provisions of Title 5, Section 53200-53204 in “Consulting Collegially” with the Academic Senate for Victor Valley College.

“Consult collegially” means that the district governing board shall develop policies on academic and professional matters through either or both of the following methods according to its own discretion:

1. Relying primarily upon the advice and judgment of the Academic Senate; or
2. That the district governing board, or such representatives as it may designate, and the representative of the Academic Senate shall have an obligation to reach mutual agreement by written resolution, regulation, or policy of the governing board effectuating such recommendations.

For the following items, the Board of Trustees will rely primarily upon the advice of the Academic Senate:

1. Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines;
2. Degree and certificate requirements;
3. Grading policies;
4. Educational program development;
5. Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success;
6. District and college governance structures, as related to faculty roles;
7. Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self study and annual reports;
8. Policies for faculty professional development activities;
9. Processes for program review
10. Processes for institutional planning and budget development;. and
11. Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the governing board and the Academic Senate.

Policy Adopted 12-11-01

4040 Library Services

The district shall have library services that are an integral part of the educational program.

Reference: Education Code Section 78100

4050 Articulation

The superintendent/president shall establish procedures that assure appropriate articulation of the district's educational programs with proximate high schools and baccalaureate institutions.

The procedures also may support articulation with institutions, including other community colleges and those that are not geographically proximate but that are appropriate and advantageous for partnership with the district.

Reference: Title 5, Section 51022(b).

See Administrative Procedures [ ].

4060 Delineation of Functions Agreements

Whenever a mutual agreement with a school district or other educational entity relating to responsibility for noncredit continuing education programs is required by state law, the
superintendent/president shall present an appropriate memorandum of understanding to the board for approval.

Reference: Education Code Sections 8535; 8536

4070 Auditing and Auditing Fees

Students may audit courses.

The fee for auditing courses shall be no more than $15.00 per unit. Students enrolled in classes to receive credit for ten (10) or more semester credit units shall not be charged a fee to audit three or fewer semester units per semester.

No student auditing a course shall be permitted to change his or her enrollment to receive credit for the course.

Priority in class enrollment shall be given to students enrolled in the course for credit towards a degree or certificate.

Reference: Education Code Section 76370

4100 Graduation Requirements for Degrees and Certificates

The district grants the degrees of associate in arts and associate in science to those students who have completed the subject requirements for graduation and who have maintained a 2.0 average in subjects attempted. Students must also complete the general education residency and competency requirements set forth in Title 5 regulations

Students may be awarded a certificate of achievement upon successful completion of courses of study or curriculum for which the district offers a certificate. The district has certificate programs that upgrade and develop occupational and vocational proficiency.

The superintendent/president shall establish procedures to determine degree and certificate requirements and to assure that graduation requirements are published in the district's catalog(s) and included in other resources that are convenient for students.

Reference: Education Code Section 70902(b)(3); Title 5, Sections 55800, et sq.

See Administrative Procedures [ ].

4110 Honorary Degrees

Honorary degrees may be awarded at commencement or some other equally appropriate time. The names of persons receiving honorary degrees must be approved by the board.

The superintendent/president shall establish procedures and criteria for the award of honorary degrees.

Reference: Education Code Section 72122

See Administrative Procedures [ ].

4220 Standards of Scholarship

The superintendent/president shall establish procedures that establish standards of scholarship consistent with the provisions of Title 5, Sections 55750, et seq. and board policy.

These procedures shall address: grading practices, academic record symbols, grade point average, credit by examination, academic and progress probation, academic and progress dismissal, academic renewal, course repetition, limits on remedial coursework, and grade changes.

Reference: Education Code Section 70902(b)(3); Title 5, Sections 55750, et seq.

See Administrative Procedures [ ]

4225 Course Repetition

Students may repeat once courses in which substandard grades (less than "C") were earned. Under special circumstances, students may repeat a course a second time. The special circumstances are defined in administrative procedures.

When course repetition occurs, the permanent academic record shall be annotated in such a manner that all work remains legible, ensuring a true and complete academic history.

Under special circumstances, students may repeat courses in which a "C" or better grade was earned. The special circumstances are defined in administrative procedures.

Reference: Title 5, Sections 55761-55765

See Administrative Procedure [ ]

4230 Grading Symbols

Courses shall be graded using the grading system established by Title 5.

The grading system shall be published in the college catalog(s) and made available to students.

The grading system shall include the "FW" grade for unofficial withdrawal.

See Administrative Procedure 4230

Reference: Title 5, Section 55758;

Board adopted 9/11/01, 11/05
Board revised 1/24/06

4235 Credit by Examination

Credit may be earned by students who satisfactorily pass authorized examinations. The superintendent/president shall establish administrative procedures to implement this policy.

Reference: Title 5, Section 55753

See Administrative Procedure [ ].

4240 Academic Renewal

Previously recorded substandard academic performance may be disregarded if it is not reflective of a student's demonstrated ability. The superintendent/president shall establish procedures that provide for academic renewal.

Reference: Title 5, Section 55764

See Administrative Procedure [ ].

4250 Probation, Disqualification and Readmission

Probation

A student shall be placed on academic probation if a minimum of 12 semester units of work has been attempted and has a grade point average of less than a "C" (2.0).

A student shall be placed on progress probation if the student is enrolled in a total of at least 12 semester units and the percentage of all units in which the student has enrolled, for which entries of "W," "I" and "NC" were recorded reaches or exceeds fifty percent. A student who is placed on probation may submit an appeal in accordance with procedures to be established by the superintendent/president.

A student on academic probation shall be removed from probation when the student's accumulated grade point average is 2.0 or higher. A student on progress probation shall be removed from probation when the percentage of units in the categories of "W," "I" and "NC" drops below fifty percent.

Dismissal

A student who is on academic probation shall be subject to dismissal if the student has earned a cumulative grade point average of less than 1.75 in all units attempted in each of three (3) consecutive semesters.

A student who is on progress probation shall be subject to dismissal if the cumulative percentage of units in which the student has been enrolled for which entries of "W," "I" and "NC" are recorded in at least three (3) consecutive semesters reaches or exceeds fifty percent.

A student who is subject to dismissal may submit a written appeal in compliance with administrative procedures. Dismissal may be postponed and the student continued on probation if, upon review and approval, it is determined that there are extenuating circumstances or the student demonstrates significant improvement in academic performance.

Readmission

A student who has been dismissed may request reinstatement after at least one semester has passed following the term of dismissal. Readmission may be granted, denied or postponed according to criteria contained in administrative procedures.
The superintendent/president shall develop procedures for the implementation of this policy that comply with the Title 5 requirements.

Reference: Education Code Section 70902(b)(3); Title 5, Section 55754, 55755, 55756, 55759, 55764

See Administrative Procedure [ ].

4260 Pre-Requisites and Co-Requisites

The superintendent/president is authorized to establish prerequisites, co-requisites and advisories on recommended preparation for courses in the curriculum. All such prerequisites, co-requisites and advisories shall be established in accordance with the standards set out in Title 5. Any prerequisites, co-requisites or advisories shall be necessary and appropriate for achieving the purpose for which they are established. The procedures shall include a way in which a prerequisite or co-requisite may be challenged by a student on grounds permitted by law. Prerequisites, co-requisites and advisories shall be identified in district publications available to students.

Reference: Title 5, Section 55200

See Administrative Procedure [ ].

4300 Field Trips and Excursions

The superintendent/president shall establish procedures that regulate the use of district funds for student travel and attendance at conferences and other activities that are performed as a class assignment or co-curricular activity.

No district funds shall be used to support student expenses for out-of-state field trips or excursions. The expenses of instructors, chaperons, and other personnel traveling with students may be paid from district funds.

Students and staff shall at all times adhere to the standards of conduct applicable to conduct on campus.

Reference: Title 5, Section 55450

See Administrative Procedure [ ].

4400 Community Services Programs

The district may maintain a community services program that may include classes in civic, vocational, literacy, health, homemaking, technical and general education, including but not limited to classes in the fields of basic skills training, parenting, ESL, music, drama, art, handicraft, science, literature, nature study, and physical fitness.

The community services program shall be designed to contribute to the physical, mental, moral, economic or civic development of the individuals or groups enrolled in it.

Community services classes shall be open for admission of adults and of minors who can benefit from the programs.

No general fund monies may be expended to establish or maintain community services classes. Students involved in community services classes shall be charged a fee not to exceed the cost of maintaining the classes. Classes may also be offered for remuneration by contract or with contributions or donations of individuals or groups.

Reference: Education Code Section 78300

Policy Adopted 12-11-01