Setting Course Enrollment Maximums: Process, Roles, and Principles Adopted Spring 2012 The Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges

Questions from Cañada Faculty Address the Board of Trustees ruling regarding the number of students needed to teach a class? Stop classes from being cancelled? Percentage rate vs. number of actual students?

Community College Funding CA funds community colleges based on FTES (full-time equivalent student) One student attending 15 hours a week for 35 weeks (1 academic year) generates 1 FTES. 1 FTES = 15 (student contact hrs./week) X 35 (weeks) = 525 (weekly student contact hrs./yr.) Effectiveness determined by reaching 525 WSCH Note: District has changed allocation model

Response to reduction in state revenue PIV process – program viability cuts; Cañada loses adaptive physical education program SMCCCD promotes managed hiring; early retirement incentives to prevent lay-offs Full-time students - units reduced by 20%; enrolling in 12 units rather than 15 units Three colleges began aligning classes; similar class designations and unit credits

Changes to Allocation Model Based on addressing community needs measured in other ways than the state defined FTES Allocate additional funds to Cañada to address infrastructure needs Maintain a steady source of funding for CSM and prevent further funding decline Allow the colleges to continue to serve their communities in innovative ways

Abstract “Appropriate course enrollment maximums are an essential aspect of guaranteeing the quality of instructional programs. Colleges must consider many factors in establishing these enrollment limits, including legal codes, student and instructor safety, instructor workload, and the fiscal viability of the institution. However, the primary basis of any determination regarding enrollment maximums should be the pedagogical factors that influence the success of the students in the course.”

Whereas; “Non-pedagogically based class caps have a serious impact on effective instructional delivery and student success, and raising class caps in many classes such as Career Technical Education and science laboratory classes not only impacts effective instruction but can also negatively impact safety conditions for students”

Faculty: Enrollment should not exceed the number of students a faculty member can attend The number of students in a class must be appropriate for the method of instruction and presentation (lecture, lab and online) Determine the lowest capacity level new classes are allowed and increase growth over two semesters Example 25 max: new class (Semester 1) 70% capacity = 18 students; (Semester 2) 85% capacity = 22 students; (Semester 3) 100% = 25 students

Curriculum Committee: Determine the faculty member have considered all relevant factors from all sources (advisory groups) Review the data presented and allow faculty the opportunity to explain and defend their conclusions Equitably consider all special populations (capstone classes, honor classes, CTE and ESL classes involve increased interaction with the faculty member during class) Publish enrollment decisions in official CORs

Academic Senate: Ensure policies and procedures are transparent; publish in official college documents to ensure they are preserved Delegate authority to the curriculum committee to approve faculty recommendations Provide an appeals process and resolve issues Collaborate with college administrators to apply policies and criteria fairly

Administration: In a multi college district - optimum class size and capacity level must be argued on behalf of student learning Advocate for variance allowances when Cañada is compared to her sister colleges regarding enrollment growth; physical and spatial limitations prevent “course by course” comparisons Administrators must explain the limitations of the campus to the board or community when questions arise regarding enrollment size occur

Conclusion As results of reduced funding continue to plague the state, Cañada must adopt the policies and procedures for optimal and effective class size detailed in the resolution adopted the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges The Cañada community must cooperate and support faculty recommendations regarding optimal and effective class size while continuing to support students with their educational goals.