Trustee Handbook - Section 1: California Community Colleges Chapter 1—The Community College System

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob

Trustee Handbook provides an annual, professionally authored guide for trustees and district leaders of California community colleges. It explains the structure and governance of the community college system, including governing board roles, trusteeship, student trustee functions, board practices, ethics, and compliance with laws. The handbook also covers strategic planning, policy development, monitoring student success, curriculum approval, accreditation responsibilities, board–CEO relationships, human resources participation, and fiscal management, with a detailed glossary.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages170

Reading Time7 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Section 1: California Community Colleges

Chapter 1—The Community College System

Chapter 2—Governance of the Community Colleges

Chapter 3—The Community College League of California

Chapter 4—California Community Colleges Strategic Plan

Chapter 5—California Community College Districts and Colleges

Section 2: The Governing Board

Chapter 6—Governing Board Role

Chapter 7—Trusteeship

Chapter 8—The Student Trustee

Chapter 9—Board Organization and Practices

Chapter 10—The Board Chair

Chapter 11—Community Relations

Chapter 12—The Advocacy Role

Section 3: Toward An Effective Board

Chapter 13—Ethics and Laws

Chapter 14—Board Self-Evaluation

Chapter 15—Board Education

Chapter 16—Effective Decision-Making

Section 4: Policy, Planning and Monitoring

Chapter 17—Policy and Policymaking

Chapter 18—Student Success and Educational Policy

Chapter 19—Board Role in Planning

Chapter 20—Monitoring Student Success and Institutional Effectiveness

Chapter 21—Curriculum Approval Process

Chapter 22—Accreditation and the Board’s Role

Section 5: The Board and the CEO

Chapter 23—Board/CEO Relationships

Chapter 24—CEO Evaluation

Chapter 25—The CEO Search

Section 6: Board/Staff Relationships

Chapter 26—Human Resources Policy

Chapter 27—Employee Participation in Decision-Making

Chapter 28—Faculty Participation in District and College Governance

Section 7: Fiscal Responsibilities

Chapter 29—The Fiscal Environment

Chapter 30—Budgets and Budgeting

Chapter 31—Fiscal Management Policies

Chapter 32—Monitoring Fiscal Status

Chapter 33—Glossary

Trustee Handbook© Community College League of California 2017 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 (916) 444-8641 / (916) 444-2954 fax E-mail: [cclc@ccleague.org](cclc@ccleague.org) [Web site: www.ccleague.org](Web site: www.ccleague.org) Author: Cindra J. Smith, Ed.D. , with updates by The League © Community College League of California, Revised 201 􀀛 The Trustee Handbook is updated annually and published by the Community College League. Complimentary copies are provided to those who attend the annual Effective Trusteeship Workshop, all newly-elected or appointed trustees, and each district chancellor and superintendent/president. Additional copies may be purchased from the League for $25 .00, plus postage and handling. Permission is granted to all CCLC member districts to copy all or parts of the Trustee Handbook for use in educational programs, with appropriate attribution. Trustee Handbook Table of Contents Section 1: California Community Colleges Chapter 1—The Community College System ........................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2—Governance of the Community Colleges ........................................................................................... 5 Chapter 3—The Community College League of California................................................................................. 11 Chapter 4—California Community Colleges Strategic Plan ............................................................................... 15 Chapter 5—California Community College Districts and Colleges .................................................................... 18 Section 2: The Governing Board Chapter 6—Governing Board Role....................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 7—Trusteeship........................................................................................................................................ 28 Chapter 8—The Student Trustee ......................................................................................................................... 32 Chapter 9—Board Organization and Practices ................................................................................................... 36 Chapter 10—The Board Chair .............................................................................................................................. 42 Chapter 11—Community Relations ..................................................................................................................... 44 Chapter 12—The Advocacy Role ......................................................................................................................... 48 Section 3: Toward An Effective Board Chapter 13—Ethics and Laws.............................................................................................................................. 50 Chapter 14—Board Self-Evaluation..................................................................................................................... 58 Chapter 15—Board Education ............................................................................................................................. 64 Chapter 16—Effective Decision-Making ............................................................................................................. 66 Section 4: Policy, Planning and Monitoring Chapter 17—Policy and Policymaking ................................................................................................................. 70 Chapter 18—Student Success and Educational Policy ..................................................................................... 76 Chapter 19—Board Role in Planning................................................................................................................... 80 Chapter 20—Monitoring Student Success

FAQs

Who is the Trustee Handbook intended for?

It is provided for those who attend the annual Effective Trusteeship Workshop, newly elected or appointed trustees, and each district chancellor and superintendent/president.

How does the handbook cover governance and leadership at California community colleges?

It outlines the community college system, governing board roles, trusteeship, board organization and practices, and the advocacy role, along with the board chair and community relations topics.

What areas of responsibility are addressed beyond governance?

It includes ethics and laws, board self-evaluation and education, effective decision-making, policy planning and monitoring, curriculum approval, accreditation oversight, board–CEO relationships, human resources policies, and fiscal responsibilities.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob