American Samoa Community College

IV.A.3.  Administrators and faculty, through policy and procedures, have a substantive and clearly defined role in institutional governance and exercise a substantial voice in institutional policies, planning, and budget that relate to their areas of responsibility and expertise.

The changes made at the College to comply with this standard were guided by Recommendation 1, 2, and 8.

Policy 1004 identifies the President as the authority to delegate responsibilities for governance to the Leadership Team and/or designated standing committees with oversight by the Leadership Triangle. 1

ASCC has written policies that promote faculty, staff, administrator and student participation in the decision-making process. There is a mechanism in place for valuable input from students and staff. The roles and responsibilities of the constituencies are identified in the Participatory Governance Structural Manual.

ASCC Policy 1001 on organizational structure describes how individuals of the College are involved in governance in one or more of the following ways:

  • Through the organizational structure;
  • By serving on or presenting information to a standing committee;
  • By serving on or working with advisory, ad hoc, and task force committees;
  • Through the Faculty Senate;
  • By participating in staff meetings; and
  • Through Student Government 2

Policy 2000.1 describes the purpose of the Board of Higher Education and its commitment to the achievement of the mission. 3

The American Samoa Community College Board of Higher Education will develop a vision, establish a set of goals, define outcomes, and liaison with ASCC’s students, customers and the community.  The Board shall ensure that the College is effectively managed and supports an environment whereby the College will achieve its mission.”

The BHE includes an elected Student Representative to the Board. It is the responsibility of the student to represent the voice of the student population. 4

Faculty have an important role in governance as described in the Governance Manual, Policy 5102 and 5118:  5, 6

“…faculty will be given the opportunity to address institutional-wide issues such as catalog revision, budget development, institutional planning, curriculum revision, policy discussion, institutional self-study, program evaluation and revision, etc.”

“ASCC shall establish committees as part of the professional responsibilities of the College faculty.  Committee membership may be determined by position, appointment, or by election, and becomes effective, usually at the beginning of each academic year.  ASCC shall establish the following standing committees with by-laws to govern their processes on file with the Dean of Academic Affairs and copies to appropriate departments.

  • Curriculum
  • Assessment
  • Faculty Senate
  • Institutional Planning

The role and responsibility of faculty as constituencies in governance is detailed in the Participatory Governance Manual 7 and in committees 8

1 - Participatory Governance Structural Manual, pp. 4-5
2 - Participatory Governance Structural Manual, pp. 2-3
3 - Governance Policy Manual # 2000.1