Kaua‘i community college

Descriptive Summary

Kaua‘i Community College reviews its catalogs, statements and publications for accuracy and consistency concerning its mission, services and programs. The KCC Catalog and the semester Schedule of Classes (Exhibit II-31: Schedule of Classes) provide information concerning educational purposes, degrees and curricular offerings, student fees and other financial obligations, student financial aid, fee refund policies, requirements for admission and achievement of degrees, including the academic calendar and information regarding program length, names of administrators, faculty and Board of Regents. The KCC Website posts semester schedule information, financial aid forms, the KCC Catalog, admissions information and other information. The UH phone directory also includes pertinent information accessible to students and the general public.

Self Evaluation

Printed materials, the college web site, and other electronic modes are all used to communicate information to the college community and general public in a consistent manner. The Dean of Instruction and various heads of departments, agencies, and offices such as Academic Support and Counseling, Division chairs, and program coordinators, Registrar’s Office, Learning Center, University Center, etc. provide updated information. Media Services personnel input the changes on the web. The Assistant Dean of Instruction/University Center Director, the graphic artist and clerical staff are responsible for updating and publishing the college catalog in a PDF file format on a yearly basis. For cost-effectiveness, 100 photocopies of the catalog are placed in the campus bookstore for purchase and 200 more copies are printed and distributed to Student Services, the Registrar’s Office, and other areas around campus.

The Schedule of Classes is revised and printed biannually, and the Course Enrollment History and the Course Completion Review are the two most widely used pieces of campus data used for course scheduling decisions (Schedule of Classes Procedures). The multi-part Scheduling Process and Timetable ensures a planned scheduling process and ensures all information in the Schedule of Classes is consistent with the KCC Catalog. Efforts have been made to take advantage of electronic formats to communicate changing information in a timely manner and to make the KCC website more user friendly for the students and the public. For example, since the previous Self study in 2000, the website and the online Banner System have been revised to be more interactive, with easy links to various areas like the KCC Catalog, the Schedule of Classes, Payment Deadlines, Academic calendar, etc. New students are directed to Steps to Enroll, Admissions, Application Procedures, Financial Aid, Attaining a Username, and the Bookstore. The KCC Catalog has easy links to alphabetized Program descriptions as well as sectional links for particular Program course descriptions. Students can quickly find any area on the website through a network of online links from whatever page they are viewing. In the UH Banner System, the Credit Schedule of Classes has been linked to the Student Information System so that throughout the entire period of registration, students can check the website to determine available classes and register online. A page listing distance courses available on Kaua‘i is linked to the KCC website on the Distance Learning website.
There has been some concern among the faculty that the replacement of hard copy catalogs for photocopies printed only as needed may deter adequate availability. There is also concern that the PDF format of the online catalog is not user friendly. The institution is considering reinstating hardcopies of the KCC Catalog.
At this time, the college has an active marketing plan and a designated marketing coordinator who works with Media Services, Student Services, OCET, and Administration and is supported by a budget from OCET.

Planning Agenda

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  The college should survey high school counselors, community agencies, and other stakeholders to find out the most efficient and useful means of receiving and sharing college information, including the catalog.
  

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  The Catalog index should be reviewed for additions and revisions, including a more effective keyword index and course listings alphabetized by subject instead of by alpha.
  

II.A.7. In order to assure the academic integrity of the teaching-learning process, the institution uses and makes public governing board-adopted policies on academic freedom and responsibility, student academic honesty, and specific institutional beliefs or worldviews. These policies make clear the institution’s commitment to the free pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.

Descriptive Summary

As part of the University of Hawai‘i Community College System, Kaua‘i Community College functions under the UH System guidelines and policies. According to the 2003-2009 contract, the University of Hawai‘i Professional Assembly (UHPA) and the BOR provides for academic freedom for faculty and lists procedures for dealing with alleged infringements of academic freedom (Article IX, 2003-2009 UHPA and UH BOR Agreement, page 17). Academic freedom cases are heard by a Faculty Advisory Committee on Academic Freedom, consisting of five members appointed from the Faculty Personnel Panel, with a majority of members coming from the campus in which the alleged infringement occurred. The Faculty Senate also deals with the issues relating to faculty academic freedom. The American Association of University Professors’ Revised Statement on Professional Ethics for Faculty is found in CCCM 2600. Other statements of employee ethics are found in the United Public Workers contract, and the Hawai‘i Government Employee’s Association contract. In addition, faculty state course content through identified teaching objectives, methods, and evaluations in the course syllabi. Updated files of syllabi are kept in the Dean of Instruction’s Office and the division secretary’s office.

The KCC Catalog provides faculty and students with clear expectations concerning the principles of academic honesty and the sanctions for violation (KCC Catalog, page 53). Many instructors include the statement in their course syllabi. Other campus publications with related information on academic honesty and the sanctions for violation include the Kaua‘i Community College Student Handbook, Kaua‘i Community College Employee Handbook, Business Education Division Policy Handout, and the Kaua‘i Community College Career Ladder Nursing Program Student Policy Handout.
The college is a state institution and espouses no particular set of beliefs or worldview.