The history of AB1725 as it became the law under Title 5.

"It is the general purpose of this act to improve academic quality, and to that end the Legislature specifically intends to authorize more responsibility for faculty members in duties that are incidental to their primary professional duties." (AB 1725, section 4, (n).

When AB 1725 was signed into LAW, it gave local senates a great deal of new responsibility. In the San Mateo Community College District this responsibility is, as the representative of the faculty, to make recommendations to the College and District Administration and District Board of Trustees with respect to academic and professional matters. "Academic and professional matters" are defined as the following: "policy development and implementation matters" (Title 5, Art 2, sections 53200, (c), and include what is commonly referred to as the "10 + 1."

1) Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines;
2) degree and certificate requirements;
3) grading policies;
4) educational program development;
5) standards and policies regarding student preparation and success;
6) district governance structures, as related to faculty roles;
7) faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self study and annual reports;
8) policies for faculty professional development activities;
9) processes for program review;
10) processes for institutional planning and budget development, and;
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11) other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the Governing Board and the District Academic Senate Governing Council.

The San Mateo County Community College District Trustees have elected to rely primarily upon the advice and judgment of the District Academic Senate, in all of the areas listed above. This means that the recommendations of the District Academic Senate will normally be accepted, and only in exceptional circumstances and for compelling reasons will the recommendations not be accepted.

AB 1725, section 4, (r),(3) states that ... "Faculty members derive their authority from their expertise as teachers and subject matter specialist and from their status as professionals." (As a result, the faculty has an inherent professional responsibility in the development and implementation of policies and procedures governing academic and professional matters.)