Resolution Number: 2020-3
Contact: Dan Clark

Recommend as a high priority the hire of four full-time tenure-track faculty 
in the American Ethnic Studies Department by 2024

Whereas, our campus has stepped forward to the side of anti-racism, and our Ventura College President has stated to move forward with Ventura County Colleges Anti-Racism Alliance (VCARRA) strategies to align with AB1460 in the development of an Ethnic Studies Department, support diversity hiring efforts and to identify and breakdown barriers, lead efforts to close student equity-achievement gaps, eliminate social injustices, and enhance student success1,  believing that social justice is practiced when we 
a)	openly challenge injustice and value diversity.
b)	work to further diversify both our curriculum and our faculty;2
c)	provide role models that reflect and promote the community we serve; 3

Whereas, the California Assembly states in AB1460, “It is the intent of the Legislature that students of the California State University acquire the knowledge and skills that will help them comprehend the diversity and social justice history of the United States and of the society in which they live to enable them to contribute to that society as responsible and constructive citizens”;

Whereas, “Ethnic studies disciplines are listed in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office’s Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges handbook under “Disciplines Requiring a Master’s Degree,” ensuring that the professors who teach courses within these disciplines meet the required minimum qualifications” 4; and

Whereas, “Ventura County Community College District urges the state legislator and all residents of the state to uphold California values and support California Assembly Constitution Amendment No. 5, which will permit students, regardless of sex race and ethnicity, or national origin to access social and economic opportunities to achieve their highest potential.” 5

Resolved, that the Ventura College Academic Senate recommend as a high priority to hire 4 full-time tenure-track faculty (with one being prioritized for Fall of 2021) to teach within the American Ethnic Studies department; one new hire for each discipline focus area: Native American Studies, Chicana/o Studies, African American Studies, and Asian American/Pacific Islander Studies at Ventura College, by Fall 2024;

and Resolved that the screening committees have at least 2 members of Ethnic Studies discipline experts, 1 faculty from another discipline with Ethnic Studies background and or recognized as a supportive ally and 1 community member identified by the discipline experts to have expertise in the activism for Ethnic Studies issues, as dictated by the VCCCD Administrative Procedure Manual Chapter 7 Human Resources, AP 7120-D Recruitment and Hiring: Full-Time Faculty.

First Reading Approved 3/4/2021
Second Reading Approved and Adopted 3/18/2021