Process

The program approval process outlined by the Academic Affairs Division of the California Community College Chancellor's Office requires that all requests to add new credit programs or certificates to a college's inventory of career technical education programs include a recommendation from the designated lead Career Technical Education (CTE) administrators from that Regional Consortium. Complete instructions for this process are included in the PROGRAM AND COURSE APPROVAL HANDBOOK, Third Edition, March 2009.

The recommendation of the Regional Consortium is intended to inform colleges in the region about changes in programs at other colleges and to foster a spirit of collaboration and coordination that results in viable and accessible choices of occupational and workforce education throughout the Region. To obtain this recommendation, college representatives are to follow the local process as outlined in the: 

Protocol for Endorsement of New Credit Programs, Central Region

Approved by the Designated Lead Career Technical Education (CTE) Administrators of the Central Region Consortium, June 2007

STEP 1:
Submit an electronic copy of the PROGRAM APPLICATION PACKET to the Central Region Consortium office NO LATER than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the meeting at which endorsement will be sought.

The Electronic Application Packet must contain:

Under MISSION:
Statement of Program Goals and Objectives
Catalog Description
Program Requirements
Background and Rationale

Under NEED:
Enrollment and Completer Projections
Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs
Similar Programs at Other Colleges in Service Area
Labor Market Information (“LMI” Data)
Job Market Analysis
Employer Survey

Under QUALITY:
Display of Proposed Sequence
Required Courses

Under COMPLIANCE:
Licensing or Accreditation Standards

STEP 1A:

Submit a paper copy of the COMPLETE APPLICATION (to include ALL ITEMS #1-26 listed on the Application) via US Mail to the Central Region Consortium Office, Attn: Sue Clark, Project Director, Modesto Junior College, Morris 204, 435 College Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350. This paper copy will be available for duplication and distribution should such a request be received.

STEP 2:
At least twenty-one (21) calendar days prior to the meeting at which endorsement will be sought, the Regional Consortium Chairperson will notify each designated lead CTE administrator of the pending action. Notification will be sent electronically. The program application packet will be linked to this electronic message.

STEP 3:
At least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the meeting at which endorsement will be sought, the Central Region Consortium office will email the meeting agenda to the complete regional mailing list. This agenda will list all pending new program applications with a notation to alert all recipients that copies of pending program applications are available through each campus' designated lead CTE administrator. (The complete regional mailing list includes: Presidents, CIOs, CSSOs, lead vocational education administrators, economic development practitioners, Academic Senate Presidents, Center Directors)
 

STEP 4:

Regional Meeting Discussion/Action:

• The criteria considered for endorsement are those areas included in the Program Application form with special emphasis on the avoidance of unnecessary program duplication and the existence of adequate employer demand.
• A majority vote of the institutions attending is required for program application endorsement. (One vote per college.)
• Minutes of the meeting will include:  1) Summary of the discussion, including any reservations or concerns;  2) A record of the vote of the colleges attending. (Institutions voting in the negative will be identified by name.)

The Regional Consortium Chair shall act according to the vote of the Region as called for by the Program Application regulations and forms.

EMERGENCY PROTOCOL
*NOTE: This protocol is designed to facilitate regional consideration of endorsement under normal timelines. Should EMERGENCY CONDITIONS or events preclude the full implementation of the protocol process outlined above, the following emergency procedures may be implemented:

A.                 Submit an electronic copy of the PROGRAM APPLICATION PACKET to the Central Region Consortium Project Director, Sue Clark. Advise the Director of the need to expedite the approval process.

B.     Upon receiving the Application Packet and request to expedite the endorsement process, the Central Region Consortium Project Director will send electronic notification of the application and pending action to the complete regional mailing list.

C.     Designated lead CTE administrators will be sent the electronic application packet and a ballot. A deadline date for returning the electronic ballot to the Central Region Consortium Coordinator will be given. This deadline date will be at least 14 calendar days from the date the emergency request is received.

D.     A majority vote of the institutions submitting an electronic ballot by the identified deadline date will be required for endorsement.

E.      The results of the electronic vote will be sent to the college and/or district that submitted the Program Application Packet. The results of the vote will also be recorded in the minutes of the next Central Region Consortium meeting.

F.      Nay votes must be accompanied by rationale. The Regional Consortium Chair will submit the ballots and rationale statements to the Chancellor’s Office, Dean of Curriculum and Instructional Resources Division, with a copy to the Regional Specialist.