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Instruction Cabinet

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Instruction Cabinet 2023-11-14T16:07:12+00:00

Instruction Cabinet

Members of Instruction Cabinet recognize that collaborative relationships between faculty and administration are essential for helping the College achieve its mission of increasing student success and closing equity gaps, as well as living out its vision and values. As the primary governance body within Academic Affairs, Instruction Cabinet:

  • regularly seeks input from faculty through the Division Chairs about how best to provide the multi-faceted institutional support necessary for faculty to engage in equity pedagogy (teaching based on the science of learning, with high expectations within a rigorous, critical thinking, problem solving, active learning curriculum using anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive practices)
  • works proactively to address faculty concerns and supports faculty members in their efforts to maintain their enthusiasm for teaching and professional improvement
  • supports faculty in engaging in professional development aligned with the College mission
  • develops and establishes instructional policy and practice aligned with the College mission
  • engages in enrollment management (including discussions of programs/disciplines experiencing enrollment challenges)
  • works collaboratively to develop student centered schedules
  • provides leadership for projects and initiatives aligned with HC’s strategic goals & objectives
  • allocates instructional resources according to institutional priorities, including tenure track positions, lecturer positions, and instructional equipment
  • monitors the distribution of professional development funds
  • supports the implementation of faculty advising, with Division Chairs serving as advising leads for their areas
  • responds to emerging needs from faculty and the College.

Adopted by Instruction Cabinet – Fall 2022

  • Dr. Emily Lardner – Vice-President for Academic Affairs
  • Liz Word – Dean, Academic Pathways and Student Learning Resources
  • Gabrielle Bachmeier – Dean, Workforce Partnerships and Extended Learning
  • Justin Dampeer – Dean, Workforce Programs and Transitions
  • Gayatri Sirohi – Division Chair, Arts and Humanities
  • Sherri Chun – Division Chair, Business
  • Darin Smith – Division Chair, Health, PE, and Education
  • Dr. Eric Baer – Division Chair, Pure and Applied Science
  • Dr. Teri Balkenende – Division Chair, Social Science
  • Shana Friend – Department Coordinator, ELCAP
  • Carrie Davidson – Director, Office of Instruction (ex-officio)
  • Rachel Homchick – Director, Instructional Planning and Budget (ex-officio)

Inclusivity 

  • Provide a Zoom option for meetings, many of us may need flexibility at some point
  • Be mindful of processing time; present and digest information in a variety of forms
  • Mindfulness of participation; step up and step back
  • One voice at a time
  • Take a break or stand up when you need one
  • Include time to be relational

Operations 

  • Clear agenda with meeting outcomes and related documents sent in advance
  • Right people are present in order to achieve meeting outcomes
  • Detailed meeting notes; include next steps, links to documents, and parking lot items
  • Practice good facilitation; eye on clock, eye on voices, use of parking lot, feel the room, hold space 
  • Follow through on action items
  • Parking lot management protocol; items don’t stay in the parking lot
  • Develop clear talking points; this is what you need to tell faculty, and on what timeline
  • Maintain a calendar of when business decisions need to be made
  • Clarity of roles; who votes, how and when

Relationships/ Communication

  • Create a safe space, which includes respecting differences and checking your own assumptions  
  • Speak for yourself and speak your truth with care
  • Respectfully disagree; don’t yuck my yum
  • Listen generously
  • Be present; actively engaged
  • Show appreciation
  • Create space for realness and humility 
  • If there is disagreement, focus on asking questions to understand

Drafted 9. 19.22
Approved by Instruction Cabinet – Spring Quarter 2023

Minutes of Instruction Cabinet