Back See this section in context: Criterion 1 Core Component 1D

1D.4: Faculty Responsible for Curriculum

Sauk’s faculty are the primary force for developing curriculum, establishing and assessing student outcomes, and conducting operational planning and program review for academic areas. Their work is reviewed and approved by the appropriate college committees and supervisory administrator. After the 2002 HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation Visit, Sauk established systems to safeguard the principle that faculty have ownership of the curriculum:

• Area Facilitators: Faculty Area Facilitators, charged primarily with coordinating assessment and operational planning, play a key role in moderating discussions among faculty regarding curriculum and academic issues.
• Assessment: The Assessment Plan (Appendix) mandates regular discussion and review of the general education competencies by the whole faculty, as well as by area-level groups. In addition, annual evaluation of assessment data by faculty places them in the position to propose curricular changes and submit budget requests designed to improve student learning. Inclusion of assessment findings and plans into Operational Plans ensures that the faculty’s intentions are communicated to administration and into the planning system.
• Wednesday meetings: Faculty meetings are scheduled two Wednesdays a month (12:30 – 1:30 p.m.), in accordance with the Faculty Contract. One of those meetings involves the full faculty in an assessment or professional development activity, and the other is usually reserved for academic areas to do assessment, planning activities, or other curriculum-related projects.
• Committee membership: Beyond the Curriculum Committee, which is charged with approving all curriculum developments and revisions, all of the college committees include faculty members so that curricular and student learning implications are represented in discussions and decision-making.