Joint Governance

Standing committees and Institution-Wide Committee

How does joint governance work at CCP?
Community College of Philadelphia has a joint governance structure, which means that delegates from the faculty, staff, student body and administration each participate in policy and decision-making at the College. Each of the five Standing Committees shown below discusses, votes on, and makes recommendations to the Institution Wide Committee (IWC), comprised of four faculty, four students and four administrators. The IWC discusses, votes on, and makes recommendations to the President of the College and the Board, if appropriate. The President, or Board, then takes actions on these recommendations.

How does the union appoint delegates and alternates?
Each spring, the Federation asks for volunteers to serve on the Standing Committees and the IWC. Representative Council then appoints the delegates and alternates to each of the following committees:

Academic Affairs: Curriculum Sub-Committee
This Standing Committee makes recommendations on proposed changes in curricula offered by the faculty and administration. The Federation appointees are faculty members who review proposed changes to make sure they are educationally sound and have a positive effect on teaching and learning.

Academic Affairs: Academic Support Sub-Committee
This Standing Committee
considers and evaluates policies and procedures related to curriculum and academic support services. The Federation appointees to this committee are faculty.

Student Affairs Committee
This Standing Committee is responsible for policies that fall under the Student Affairs area, including the Student Code of Conduct. The Federation appointees to this committee are faculty.

Business Affairs Committee
This Standing Committee makes recommendations on policies that fall under the area of Finance and Planning, including those related to facilities, purchase of equipment and safety. The Federation appointees to this committee are faculty and staff.

Technology Coordinating Committee (TCC)
This Standing Committee makes recommendations on policies and plans related to providing computer technology for teaching and learning, as well as administrative functions at the College. This committee does not include student delegates. The Federation appointees to this committee are faculty or staff.


When do Standing Committees meet?

Standing Committees typically meet once a month on the same day and time for the duration of the academic year.
Standing Committee meeting days and times are available here.

Why should I volunteer to serve on a Standing Committee?
Membership on a Standing Committee is an important way to learn what is happening at the College and to influence College policy. All the committees need active delegates to provide a voice for faculty and staff in the basic policies of the College.

The responsibilities of delegates and alternates are as follows:

  • To report regularly to the Federation's Representative Council and Membership (through a Head Delegate) and carry out in the committee the decisions of the Council and Membership;

  • To arrange with fellow delegates and alternates for coverage of committee meetings during the summer;

  • To attend committee meetings regularly.

Those who wish to volunteer should understand that they may, from time to time, be directed by the Executive Committee or the Representative Council to vote in a specific way on a given issue; delegates and alternates represent all of the Federation and not themselves alone. You should not volunteer, therefore, unless you are willing to be so bound.

For further information regarding the duties and responsibilities of delegates and alternates, see Article XXI of the Full-time Faculty contract, Section VII of the Federation's bylaws, or visit the College's Governance website to see agendas and minutes that reflect the recent work of the committees.

College-wide committees

The union's Representative Council also appoints delegates and alternates to College-wide committees. These committees discuss and votes on recommendations that go to the appropriate Dean, the President or the Board. Committees include delegates from some combination of the faculty, staff, student body, and administration. Each Spring semester, the Federation will ask for volunteers to serve on each committee where there are open spaces.

Health and Safety Committee
The Health and Safety Committee, consisting of twelve members, has six members in total from the faculty and staff and six members from the administration. Union delegates bring concerns about workplace safety to this committee for action.

Judicial Hearing Committee
The Judicial Hearing Committee, consisting of twelve members, has equal representation from the faculty, student body, and administration. It holds hearings to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct, and to recommend imposition of specific sanctions upon students who are found to have violated this Code. It hears cases at the discretion of the Judicial Affairs Officer, who is the Dean of Student Affairs.

Student Appeals Committee
The Student Appeals Committee has equal representation from the faculty, student body, and the administration. When a student is disciplined for misconduct, s/he may appeal any disciplinary sanction to the Student Appeals Committee. This committee implements the Student Appeals process and provides the final hearing on student complaints against actions taken by any of the components of the College, including faculty and administration. Typical issues center on disciplinary actions and grades.