January 5, 1998

SUBJECT: Consideration of Proposed Amendment to Board Policy E-1, Master Planning

That the Board of Trustees approve the proposed revision to College Policy E-1, Master Planning, after any desired amendments.

This item is consistent with Board Policy, B-1, Board Policy Principles; B-2, Duties and Responsibilities, Board of Trustees; and Planning Directive 3: Develop a future facilities development master plan, update renovation plan and maintenance plan based upon analysis of academic needs of students and community needs.

The proposed policy amendment is derived from the resolution on Planning Principles which the Board passed last year and discussed again last month. It has been extended by amendments intended to address the issues raised by an amendment proposed at the November 3, 1997 meeting.

None.

Carol Nasworthy, Chair, Board of Trustees

Hunter Ellinger, Board Member

Richard Fonte, President

Proposed revision to College Policy E-1 (draft -- 12/15/97).

The President shall develop, in document form, for review and approval by the Board of Trustees, a comprehensive College Master Plan of a multi-range nature (long, medium, short) which encompasses the needs of the entire institution with specific attention given to educational, financial, and physical development planning. The College Master Plan will be based upon current determinations of community needs and responsible utilization of fiscal, physical, and human resources. The Board policies on Ends to Be Produced, especially Mission of the College (A-1), shall be used as the foundation for College planning efforts.

The Master Plan, and the process used to develop it, shall adhere to the following planning principles:

[1] The main focus of ACC's planning will be to ensure that the regular activities of the College match community needs and are effective in enabling students. Local employers, and the community sectors to reach their declared educational goals efficiently. Care must be taken in the planning process to ensure that new initiatives and current activities both have adequate, equitably-distributed resources.

[2] The accessibility of ACC to students who have few other educational options must be a pervasive concern in all College planning. Since any wasted money may directly lead to higher student tuition rates, the College must operate with exemplary efficiency to maximize student access and success and to avoid abuse of ACC's state and local tax subsidies.

[3] The College will provide efficiently delivered high-quality instruction which closely matches student and community needs and enables rapid student progress to competence in their chosen fields. College will minimize requirements which are not essential to meet a student’s declared educational goals, and will systematically provide the support needed for sustained high-quality instruction which develops the work habits and problem-solving skills needed for successful employment and educational advancement.

[4] The planning process will ensure compliance of College operations with Board policies and accreditation criteria.

[5] Institutional research must be an integral part of the College’s planning and evaluation processes, and there shall be clear linkage between planning, budgeting, evaluation, and assessment.

[6] The planning process will include recommendations from the instructional task forces, faculty, and staff in areas specific to their disciplines.

[7] The planning process will be open, with public access provided to the information on which plans are based and to the recommendations made at each stage of the planning process.

The President shall develop, in document form, for review and approval by the Board of Trustees, a comprehensive College Master Plan of a multi-range nature (long, medium, short) which encompasses the needs of the entire institution with specific attention given to educational, financial, and physical development planning. The College Master Plan will be based upon current determinations of community needs and responsible utilization of fiscal, physical, and human resources.

It is the responsibility of the President to ensure that the College Master Plan is updated annually and a progress report is made to the Board.

The Master Plan, and the process used to develop it, shall adhere to the following planning principles:

[1] The main focus of ACC's planning will be to ensure that the regular activities of the College are (a) effective in enabling students to reach their declared educational goals efficiently, and (b) to respond effectively to community and local employer needs. Care must be taken in the planning process to ensure that new initiatives and current activities both have adequate, equitably-distributed resources.

[2] The accessibility of ACC to students who have few other educational options must be a pervasive concern in all College planning. Since any wasted money may directly lead to higher student tuition rates, the College must operate with exemplary efficiency to maximize student access and success and to avoid abuse of ACC's State and local tax subsidies.

[3] The College will provide efficiently-delivered high-quality instruction which closely matches student and community needs and enables rapid student progress to competence in their chosen fields. The College will minimize requirements which area not essential to meet a student’s declared educational goals, and will systematically provide the support needed for sustained high-quality instruction which develops the work habits and problem-solving skills needed for successful employment and educational advancement.

[4] The planning process will ensure compliance of College operations with Board policies and accreditation criteria.

[5] The Planning process will include recommendations from the instructional task forces, faculty, and staff in areas specific to their disciplines.

[6] The planning process will be open, with public access provided to the information on which plans are based and to the recommendations made at each stage of the planning process.

Current College Policy

The President shall develop, in document form, for review and approval by the Board of Trustees, a comprehensive College Master Plan of a multi-range nature (long, medium, short) which encompasses the needs of the entire institution with specific attention given to educational, financial, and physical development planning. The College Master Plan will be based upon current determinations of community needs and responsible utilization of fiscal, physical, and human resources.

 It is the responsibility of the President to ensure that the College Master Plan is updated annually and a progress report is made to the Board.