BILL NUMBER: AB 2132 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 2, 2012
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 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 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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 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 satisfy
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 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.