City College of San Francisco - California Competes

THEME V
I. Overview
This essay illustrates the organizational support the College provides to support student learning through
two case studies, one of a department, Biological Sciences, and the other of a program, Biotechnology.
Predictably, some of the organizational structure issues reported in these case studies may be unique to
Biotechnology or Biological Sciences; however, the conclusion focuses on College-wide issues raised in
these case studies related to staff, resources, and organizational structure.
The Biological Sciences Department case study gives a picture of a typical academic department. Several
Biological Science courses can be used to satisfy the CCSF graduation requirement in Natural Sciences
and can also be used to meet general education requirements for the California State University (CSU)
and University of California (UC) systems. The department chair, three faculty members, and the Dean
of the School of Science and Mathematics were interviewed to gather information for this case study.
The Biotechnology Program was chosen because it meets the educational and training needs of students
related to workforce, economic, and community development (CCSF Strategic Priority 3). This program
illustrates how the College supports student learning through both its noncredit and credit programs.
The College has successfully sought grant funding to support the program, and it has received regional,
state, and national recognition. This program is a good example of the way the College develops community
and industry partnerships to support programs that meet student needs. Interviews with the program
coordinators of the biotech certificate programs, the coordinator of the Bridge to Biotech program, the
director of Bio-Link, the coordinator of the new equipment clearinghouse, and the Dean of the School
of Science and Mathematics provided the foundation for this case study.
II. Institutional Context
Commitment to student learning is core to the Vision Statement the College has adopted. The CCSF
Mission Statement describes the educational programs the College provides to ensure that students
reach their educational goals. The first three of the eight priorities the College has identified in its
Strategic Plan 2003-2008 address our intentional plans to support student learning:
1. Increase student success through expansion and improvement in the areas of basic skills,
remediation, and academic support services;
2. Strengthen and improve academic programs, student learning outcomes
and alternative systems of delivery; [and]
3. Expand programs meeting educational and training needs related to workforce,
economic, and community development.
The Vision and Mission Statements of the College provide the basis and context for strategic planning,
annual planning, annual assessment, and the implementation of the programs and services at all of the
College’s campuses and sites. The College follows a Shared Governance approach in its planning process.
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