BILL NUMBER: AB 2132 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 10, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Lara
FEBRUARY 23, 2012
An act to add Article 5.4 (commencing with Section 66054) to
Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code,
relating to public postsecondary education.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2132, as amended, Lara. Public postsecondary education: tenure
policy.
Existing law authorizes the granting of tenure to academic
employees in public postsecondary institutions. The existing Donahoe
Higher Education Act sets forth the missions and functions of the
segments of postsecondary education in this state, including the 3
public postsecondary segments: the California Community Colleges, the
California State University, and the University of California.
Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to
the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by
appropriate resolution, make those provisions applicable. Existing
provisions of the act express the intent of the Legislature that the
3 public postsecondary segments adopt and enforce policies and
procedures that ensure that teaching is an important factor in the
evaluation of faculty for appointment, retention, promotion, and
tenure.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature that
each of the segments of public postsecondary education
the California State University and the University of
California develop and adopt tenure policies aimed at
encouraging and rewarding service, both to the campus community and
to the community outside of the campus, provided by faculty members.
The bill would require the Board of Governors of the
California Community Colleges and the Trustees of the
California State University, and request the regents, to take
specified actions during the 2013-14 academic year, for
implementation commencing with the 2014-15 academic year, to develop
and distribute throughout their respective segments transparent
criteria for tenure that include service, to identify opportunities
for service for tenure track faculty, and to encourage and reward
participation in these types of service by giving favorable
consideration to candidates for tenure who successfully participate
in these service activities. The bill would also require the
board of governors and trustees, and request the regents,
to consult with the academic senates of their respective segments and
with student and community organizations and to act consistently
with applicable collective bargaining agreements in carrying out
these responsibilities.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Article 5.4 (commencing with Section 66054) is added to
Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code,
to read:
Article 5.4. Tenure Policy
66054. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(1) In subdivision (a) of Section 66052 of the Education
Code , the Legislature has specifically found and declared
that "there is a need to encourage policies that enhance the quality
of teaching within the segments of higher education."
(2) In subdivision (b) of Section 66052 of the Education
Code , the Legislature has specifically expressed its
intent "that the University of California adopt and enforce policies
and procedures which ensure that quality teaching is an essential
criterion, along with research, in the evaluation of faculty for
appointment, retention, promotion, and tenure."
(3) In subdivision (b) of Section 66052 of the Education
Code , the Legislature also specifically expressed its
intent "that the California State University and the governing board
of each community college district adopt and enforce policies and
procedures that ensure that teaching is given primacy in the
evaluation of faculty for appointment, retention, promotion, and
tenure."
(4) A common attribute of an outstanding teacher is the
willingness of that faculty member to expend time and energy in
giving service both to the campus community and to the greater
community outside of the campus where he or she teaches.
(5) This service can take many forms, which include, but are not
limited to, the following: involvement in civic activities, advising
and tutoring students, working in outreach programs aimed at
promoting cultural diversity in the student body, teaching extension
and service-learning courses, and consulting with or addressing
student and community organizations.
(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that
each of the segments of public postsecondary education
the California State University and the University of California
develop and adopt tenure policies aimed at encouraging and
rewarding the service, both to the campus community and to the
community outside of the campus, that is valuably and selflessly
provided by so many faculty members throughout the segments.
66054.1. (a) The Board of Governors of the California
Community Colleges and the Trustees of the California State
University shall, and the Regents of the University of California
are encouraged to, accomplish all of the following during the 2013-14
academic year, for implementation commencing with the 2014-15
academic year:
(1) Develop and distribute throughout their respective segments
transparent criteria for tenure that include service, both to the
campus community and to the community outside of the campus, as a
critical factor in the evaluation of a candidate for tenure.
(2) Identify, and notify tenure track faculty about, opportunities
for the types of service that fit the criteria developed under
paragraph (1).
(3) Encourage and reward participation in the types of service
identified under paragraph (2) by giving favorable consideration to
candidates for tenure who successfully participate in these service
activities and can substantiate how this participation informs and
enriches their teaching.
(b) In fulfilling their responsibilities under subdivision (a),
the board of governors and the trustees shall, and
the regents are encouraged to, do both of the following:
(1) Consult with the academic senates of their respective segments
and with student and community organizations.
(2) Take actions that are consistent with applicable collective
bargaining agreements.