American Samoa Community College

IV.A.4.  Faculty and academic administrators, through policy and procedures, and through well-defined structures, have responsibility for recommendations about curriculum and student learning programs and services. 

Faculty and administrators’ responsibilities are clearly defined in faculty and staff job descriptions. Curricular and educational matters fall under the scope of the Academic divisions specifically the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Director of Teacher Education, the Director of Trades and Technology, and the Director of Curriculum and Assessment.  

The Governance Manual, Personnel Manual, and Faculty Handbook identify the responsibilities and authority of the faculty and of academic administrators in curricular and educational matters. The Participatory Governance Structural Manual (PGSM) summarizes the policies, the roles, and the responsibilities that all constituencies have in governance and decision-making on educational matters. The Human Resources Office keeps an accurate and updated record of the job description of each faculty and academic administrator within the employees file. The file includes the annual Faculty Performance Evaluation detailing the performance evaluation of the faculty or academic administrator and the Plan of Action for areas in need of improvement.

The PGSM clearly details the roles Governance Groups, Operational Groups, and Task Groups have and are responsible for in governance, planning, and budget development.1 Policy 1001, 1003, 1003.1 and 1004 describe in detail the structural organization that supports the implementation of policies, regulations, and procedures. 2

The Curriculum Committee and Assessment Committee are comprised of faculty (includes Chairperson) from each of the academic departments. The PGSM outlines the outcomes for each of these operational groups that define the crucial role in curriculum development, educational planning, and achievement of the institutional achievement standards.

The revised Faculty Performance Evaluation form includes the responsibilities of faculty (part time and adjunct included) in the achievement of SLO, the participation in program review, and the accountability for assessment of student learning outcomes.

Policies 1003 Board Policy and College Regulations / Procedures, 1003.1 College Regulations / Procedures, and 1004 Comprehensive Program Review and Assessment of Instructional Programs, Student Services, and Administrative Services were revised to ensure that procedures and processes are in place to provide evidence of institutional effectiveness. The College uses Bi-weekly and Quarterly Reports as the mechanism in which deans, directors, and officers report progress toward achievement of outcomes. These reports are submitted through the Compliance Assist data system and are accessible to the Leadership Team and reviewed by the Leadership Triangle on a regular basis. Fact sheets are distributed each semester. Fact books are distributed annually. The annual Divisional Assessment and the biennial Program Review is conducted, results compiled, and an analysis provided for ongoing assessment of divisional and institutional effectiveness.

Standard Operating Procedures for all College Divisions were updated as a means for accountability of responsibilities within divisions. Revisions to College forms reflect the authority of personnel in the approval of resource allocation, personnel actions, and operating functions.

1 - Participatory Governance Structural Manual, pp. 13-19
2 - Participatory Governance Structural Manual, pp. 2-4