Policies & Procedures

Procedure 7.2.1: College Program Advisory Committee

PURPOSE AND NEED

Technical programs must be an integral part of the community they serve. Programs must be technologically current and respond to the needs of the marketplace by providing a well-prepared work force. The industrial community must understand and support these programs. Only through the close cooperation between the educational institution and the business, industry, and health communities can this result be accomplished. This can best be achieved through the effective use of program advisory committees.

 Advisory committees are essential to initiate new technical programs as well as to guide, strengthen and improve existing programs. The program advisory committee must continually review the technical program’s course outlines to ensure that the curricula is kept current with society’s changing demands for new skills and knowledge. To achieve this objective, the advisory committee must be composed of individuals who are active and knowledgeable in their occupations.

 MEMBERSHIP

Each committee shall be composed of individuals from a cross-section of jobs within the occupational area. Membership shall consist of not less than four members. 

AUTHORITY

The authority for establishing requirements in respect to College affairs rests legally with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Board of Trustees, acting in conformity with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.

 Advisory committees should be aware that at times the College cannot adopt in full, or sometimes even in part, the recommendations of the committee. Financial restrictions, physical building limitations, and other difficulties may necessitate delay or non-enactment of committee recommendations. However, all committee recommendations will receive due consideration and receive a response from the college administration. If at any time an advisory committee feels it has not received adequate consideration, the committee chairperson may request a meeting with the administration to resolve the issue.

 ORGANIZATION

 Officers:

The program advisory committee should elect a chairperson from industry for its membership. The secretary will be an ATC staff member unless otherwise desired by the committee. The committee chairperson may appoint subcommittees as necessary to facilitate committee business.

Term of Office:

The term of office for the chairperson shall be one year. The term of office shall commence on July 1 and terminate on June 30. The chairperson may serve more than one term. 

MEETINGS

There will be a minimum of two advisory committee meetings per academic year.  Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson at the request of College staff or an advisory member.

 MINUTES

All advisory committee and subcommittee meetings must have written minutes. Written minutes must be submitted to the academic affairs office before the end of the semester.

 A current advisory committee member list and copies of all the agendas and past meeting minutes will be on record in the Academic Affairs Office.  These are the official auditable College records.  Any actions of committees or subcommittees which have not been documented in minutes via this procedure will not be considered official.

 All advisory committee meetings are covered by the Minnesota Open Meeting Law and are open to the public. 

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History:

Unknown adoption date

07.2008 Updated

03.2024 Revised to eliminate unnecessary and outdated practice and guidelines