Opportunities / Responsibilities

Instructor Responsibilities

Instructors at Gavilan College are required to not only have expertise in their fields, but also the ability to use a variety of instructional techniques in order to reach their diverse student population adequately. Student learning is our top priority and teachers facilitate this with integrity, good humor, and open minds.

Faculty members have these professional responsibilities:

TO STUDENTS:

To provide a syllabus to students which inform them, in writing, about course requirements, student learning outcomes, grading and attendance policies
To create a stimulating classroom environment that encourages students to do their best
To teach
To maintain high performance standards for all students in each class
To discuss with students individually regarding their progress toward course student learning outcomes
To follow up with struggling students early on to ensure their ultimate success in the class
To refer students to resources and services at Gavilan College that can assist them with physical, emotional, learning or other problems, not in the instructor’s area of expertise

TO THE COLLEGE:

To teach their classes following approved course outlines
To teach each class at the regularly scheduled time for the full time allotted
To hold all final examinations at the time and location scheduled.
To maintain accurate enrollment, attendance and scholastic records for each student
To submit any and all required reports including census, grades, book orders, etc. according to deadlines
To add students during the add period up to the maximum expected enrollment for the class
To abide by the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession
To adhere to the Gavilan College Code of Ethics and Principles of Community BP and AP 3050

Academic Freedom Policy

BP 4030 Academic Freedom

Professional Development Opportunities

The goal of the professional development is to provide resources, training, and opportunities that support the professional development needs of college employees; create a cohesive and supportive environment that recognizes and celebrates achievement; and improve institutional effectiveness with the ultimate goal of supporting student success.

The District will provides three (3) 0.20% FTE Faculty Development Liaison positions to support instructional improvement efforts to include emphasis on accreditation standards, mentoring and professional development (GCFA Contract, Article 25). In addition the District will pay full-time and part-time faculty members for all pre-authorized travel and conference expenses. (GCFA Contract, Article 28) Detailed information regarding travel and conference can be found on the Faculty Professional Learning Committee webpage located on the Intranet.

Other faculty professional development opportunities and resources can be found on the:

College Governance

Gavilan College takes pride in its successful structure and institutional culture of participatory governance. The process of participatory governance guides and informs the college’s decision-making activities, short and long-range planning, and problem solving tasks. With the exception of collective bargaining, personnel matters and legal issues, all aspects of the College conform to the participatory process (AP 2510, Participation in Local Decision-Making).

There are a number of College Participatory Governance Committees on which you can volunteer. The committees are listed on the Intranet and in the Shared Governance Handbook.

Two useful tools provided by the ASCCC regarding College Governance include:

There Are Two Senates at Gavilan College:

Curriculum Development and Review

Faculty is encouraged to not only look at and use the Course Outlines of Record for the courses they are teaching but also to consider how to make them better. All courses must be updated every 5 years and CTE courses must be reviewed every two years.

In addition, the college's Curriculum Committee welcomes new members. It meets biweekly during the academic year to review and approve new and revised course outlines from all college disciplines as well as new and revised degrees and certificates.

The goal of the Curriculum Committee members is to provide the highest quality of education for all Gavilan College students by supporting and assisting the faculty in the process of development and revisions to all approved academic materials. It is our intent to maintain and improve academic standards as set forth by Title 5 regulations, the State Chancellor’s Office, and the duties as set forth by the state Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.

For complete information and resources including the curriculum handbook, please go to the Curriculum Committee Webpage located on the Intranet.

Looking for examples of other college's course outlines? Go to:

http://ciac.csusb.edu/outlines.html

Program Review & Institutional Effectiveness

Faculty at Gavilan College participate in the Program Review process mandated for accreditation. Faculty analyzes their discipline's success and growth (or decline), look at the discipline's curriculum, Student Learning Outcomes, and goals, as well as facilities, staff, faculty and equipment needs. To participate in your discipline's review, please contact your department chair.

For more information, please go to the Institutional Effectiveness website.