So You Want to Form A Caucus? Fall 2010 Plenary Equity and Diversity Action Committee, EDAC Katie Holton (San Diego Mesa College) Claudia Lourido-Habib (Fresno City College) Stephanie Dumont, ASCCC Executive Committee (Golden West College)

Why Caucuses? Resolutions: Establishing Caucuses SP09 1.05 Creation of Diversity Caucuses FA09 1.06 Expand the Use of Caucuses SP10 1.01 Bylaws Changes to Establish Caucuses

Why Caucuses?...cont’d SP09 1.05 Creation of Diversity Caucuses Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges create diversity caucuses within Areas A, B, C, and D under the leadership of a faculty representative from each area elected by the area constituents; Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges acknowledge that members of the newly created caucuses be comprised of those faculty members who self-identify as diverse or faculty belonging to monitored groups with minority or diverse ancestral roots from traditionally underrepresented groups as classified by federal and state guidelines; and Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges charge these caucuses to work proactively and cooperatively within Areas A, B, C, and D in terms of writing resolutions, bringing to the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate issues or concerns pertaining to equity and diversity related to leadership at the state and local level as well as to the profession and to professional practice. SP09 1.05 Creation of Diversity Caucuses Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges create diversity caucuses within Areas A, B, C, and D under the leadership of a faculty representative from each area elected by the area constituents; Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges acknowledge that members of the newly created caucuses be comprised of those faculty members who self-identify as diverse or faculty belonging to monitored groups with minority or diverse ancestral roots from traditionally underrepresented groups as classified by federal and state guidelines; and Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges charge these caucuses to work proactively and cooperatively within Areas A, B, C, and D in terms of writing resolutions, bringing to the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate issues or concerns pertaining to equity and diversity related to leadership at the state and local level as well as to the profession and to professional practice.

Why Caucuses?...cont’d FA09 1.06 Expand the Use of Caucuses Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges define processes for caucuses to be organized and recognized; and Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop a mechanism to confirm that any caucus it recognizes supports the Academic Senate mission, vision, and goals. FA09 1.06 Expand the Use of Caucuses Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges define processes for caucuses to be organized and recognized; and Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop a mechanism to confirm that any caucus it recognizes supports the Academic Senate mission, vision, and goals.

Why Caucuses?...cont’d SP10 1.01 Bylaws Changes to Establish Caucuses Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges add to its bylaws a new Article I. J. Caucus to read as follows: “A group which serves as a forum in which faculty may address academic and professional concerns vital to the interest of the faculty forming the caucus”; Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges add to its bylaws a new Article VI. Caucus to read as follows: Any group of at least ten members from at least four different colleges and at least two districts with common goals and/or interests may form a caucus by sending a letter to the President, including its name, statement of purpose, and list of members. Recognition as a caucus shall be achieved by verification by the Executive Committee that the caucus’ goals and purpose are related to academic and professional matters and notification to the body through normal communication channels. SP10 1.01 Bylaws Changes to Establish Caucuses Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges add to its bylaws a new Article I. J. Caucus to read as follows: “A group which serves as a forum in which faculty may address academic and professional concerns vital to the interest of the faculty forming the caucus”; Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges add to its bylaws a new Article VI. Caucus to read as follows: Any group of at least ten members from at least four different colleges and at least two districts with common goals and/or interests may form a caucus by sending a letter to the President, including its name, statement of purpose, and list of members. Recognition as a caucus shall be achieved by verification by the Executive Committee that the caucus’ goals and purpose are related to academic and professional matters and notification to the body through normal communication channels.

Why Caucuses?...cont’d SP10 1.01 Bylaws Changes to Establish Caucuses, (continued) Each May, caucuses will inform the President of their intent to remain active and provide a current list of membership. If a caucus fails to alert the President of the desire to stay active, the caucus shall be disbanded and a new letter of intent will need to be created to re-establish a new caucus. The intent is to have caucuses that are active and represent current faculty in California community colleges. Caucus chairs should be elected annually at the first fall meeting of the caucus and submit meeting minutes to the Senate Office. Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges renumber current Articles VI, VII, and VIII of its bylaws; and Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop procedures and processes as needed to effectively implement the formation and maintenance of Academic Senate caucuses. SP10 1.01 Bylaws Changes to Establish Caucuses, (continued) Each May, caucuses will inform the President of their intent to remain active and provide a current list of membership. If a caucus fails to alert the President of the desire to stay active, the caucus shall be disbanded and a new letter of intent will need to be created to re-establish a new caucus. The intent is to have caucuses that are active and represent current faculty in California community colleges. Caucus chairs should be elected annually at the first fall meeting of the caucus and submit meeting minutes to the Senate Office. Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges renumber current Articles VI, VII, and VIII of its bylaws; and Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop procedures and processes as needed to effectively implement the formation and maintenance of Academic Senate caucuses.

Purpose To serve as forums within the Academic Senate in which faculty with similar interests address concerns vital to faculty and the success of students. To provide network opportunities and discuss issues of like interest as they relate to academic and professional matters. To promote dialogue on issues of interest to faculty of California community colleges. To improve overall faculty relationships on campuses.

Recognition Process Identify members: Ten members from a minimum of four colleges and two or more districts sharing common goals and/or interests. Request caucus status Send a letter to the Academic Senate President including: the caucus’ name, statement of purpose, and list of members. Proposal review Consideration by the ASCCC Executive Committee; official notification will be sent by Academic Senate President.

Recognition Process Election of caucus chair: Elect a caucus chair annually at the first meeting of the caucus and submit regular meeting minutes to the Academic Senate Office. Notification of intent to be active Each May, inform the ASCCC of the caucus’ intent to remain active and provide a current membership list. The intent is to have caucuses that are active and represent faculty in California community colleges.  

Recognition Process ASCCC Executive Committee Process A request to become a caucus can occur any time during the year. When a caucus request is received, the ASCCC President shall include the request on the next agenda. The Executive Committee will verify that the caucus goals and purpose are related to academic and professional matters (10 +1). The President will notify the requester of the outcome of the executive committee decision. If denied, the President will provide a reason.

Recognition Process ASCCC Executive Committee Process If the Executive Committee approves the caucus, the ASCCC President will submit notification to the body through established communication channels such as listservs, area meetings, session communications, websites, breakouts, publications, President’s Update and Rostrum. Executive Committee members may not sit as members of a caucus.

The Caucus Ways a Caucus Can Support the Senate’s efforts: Provide forums. Seek solutions. Invite members of the caucus to submit a “Nomination to Serve Form” each year. Disseminate Senate resources and event information to members of the caucus and college faculty. Offer suggestions for improving the caucus and its relationship to the Senate.

Member Benefits Engagement in Promoting Equity and Diversity Advocacy Institutional Capacity Building Faculty and Staff Development Student Services

Examples of Caucuses LGBT (approved) Part-Time Faculty (applied) Other groups expressing interest in forming a caucus: Latino faculty, African American faculty, Faculty Interested in Disability Issues, Asian Faculty Sample Application

Examples of Caucuses LGBT Caucus mission statement “The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus of the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges (ASCCC) consists of community college faculty committed to improving the collegiate experience of LGBT students. The Caucus works to inform and advise the Academic Senate and other professional organizations of the unique needs and challenges faced by LGBT students and to develop resources to create welcoming environments free from discrimination for all students, including those whose sexual orientation or gender expression is in the minority, so that they can reach their academic and personal goals. Toward that end, the Caucus seeks to identify and disseminate best practices that provide support for LGBT students. Membership of the Caucus is open to all faculty, both LGBT and non-LGBT, who have a commitment to supporting LGBT students.”

Resources www.asccc.org ASCCC Equity and Diversity Action Committee (EDAC): Chair, Stephanie Dumont sdumont@gwc.cccd.edu ASCCC Office (916) 445-4753

EDAC Equity and Diversity Action Committee Charge:   To respond to resolutions from the plenary sessions that deal with the issues of equity and diversity in hiring, equal opportunity, and cultural diversity in the curriculum To recommend content, methods and strategies to: Promote student equity and student success Facilitate training for hiring committees Foster a campus climate conducive to faculty diversity and student achievement

EDAC Equity and Diversity Action Committee Charge:   To advise the Executive Committee on guidelines, laws and regulations relating to equal employment opportunity and cultural diversity and promotes the integration of equity and diversity issues in appropriate ASCCC activities Members of the committee participate in scoring applications for the Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award

EDAC Equity and Diversity Action Committee Members:   Cameron Hoffman Discipline: Student Campus: Butte College Katie Holton Discipline: Communication Studies Campus: San Diego Mesa College Lionel Nash Discipline: Administration of Justice Campus: Victor Valley College Reyes Ortega Discipline: Counseling, History, Education Campus: Sierra College Equity and Diversity Action Committee Members: Stephanie Dumont Discipline: Counseling Campus: Golden West College ASCCC Executive Committee EDAC Committee Chair Nick Arnold Discipline: Engineering Campus: Santa Barbara City College Claudia Habib Discipline: Architecture/CADD Instructor Campus: Fresno City College