Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges

The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges sets policy and provides guidance for the 72 districts and 114 colleges which constitute the system. The 17-member board is appointed by the governor and formally interacts with state and federal officials and other state organizations. The Board of Governors selects a chancellor for the system. The chancellor, through a formal process of consultation, brings recommendations to the board, which has the legislatively granted authority to develop and implement policy for the colleges. Additionally, each of the 72 community college districts in the state has a locally-elected Board of Trustees, responsive to local community needs and charged with the operations of the local colleges. The governance system of the California Community Colleges is one which uses processes of shared governance. In March 1988, the Board of Governors adopted a process known as "consultation," through which a council composed of representatives of selected community college institutional and organizational groups, assist in development and recommendation of policy to the chancellor and Board of Governors. The council meets regularly throughout the year. It develops and recommends policy, and reviews comments developed by other groups, locally-elected boards, and the California Legislature. The formal consultation process allows the massive community college system to advise the chancellor, who makes recommendations to the Board of Governors on matters of policy. The purpose of the consultation process is to strengthen a system of communications, policy development, and review to ensure the quality and effectiveness of college operations and programs.