Overview

The Academic Senate is the voice of the faculty on academic and professional matters. We work collaboratively with college administration, staff, and students to promote academic excellence.

College of San Mateo's Academic Senate honors and values the diversity of faculty work. 

Mission Statement

The Academic Senate has been established in accordance with Education Code Section 70902(b)(7), which calls on the Board of Governors to enact regulations to ensure the right of faculty, as well as staff and students, to participate effectively in district and college governance. It further ensures the right of Academic Senates to assume primary responsibility for "making recommendations in the areas of curriculum and academic standards."

The Academic Senate shall make recommendations regarding academic and professional matters to the District Academic Senate, the College and District administration, the Board of Trustees, and to other appropriate individuals and bodies.

Academic and professional matters as defined in Title 5, Section 53200, include the following policy development matters:

1. Curriculum, including establishing prerequisite
2. Degree and certificate requirements
3. Grading policies
4. Educational program development
5. Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success
6. College governance structures as related to faculty roles
7. Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes
8. Policies for faculty professional development activities
9. Processes for program review
10. Processes for instructional planning and budget development
11. Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon

The Academic Senate will consult collegially with the Board of Trustees and college/district administration when adopting policies and procedures, and according to Board Policy 2.05 (BP2510), the Board of Trustees "will rely primarily on faculty expertise on academic and professional matters as listed above."

Academic Senate Sub-Committees

• Committee on Teaching and Learning (CTL)
• Curriculum Committee
• Distance Education Advisory Committee