April 7, 2025
Dear SRJC Community, 

The College Council has been evaluating SRJC’s governance structure to improve clarity and create a more cohesive decision-making process. The purpose of this message is to provide a high-level overview of the proposed new structure, including recommended changes to individual committees. This has been a thorough, thoughtful, and collaborative effort that included a comprehensive survey of existing committees, as well as a review of committee charges, roles, responsibilities, and decision-making pathways. We are grateful to the many individuals who contributed to shaping and refining this framework.

One key challenge of the previous structure was ambiguity in decision-making processes and the flow of recommendations. The new structure, pictured below, provides a clear framework and defined paths for recommendations:

• Central Committees provide recommendations that support the District’s mission, goals, and operational plans. These committees hold final recommendation authority on District-wide matters, except where restricted by legal statutes, board policies, or agreements.
• Operational Committees serve specialized roles, such as supporting negotiated elements of collective bargaining agreements or addressing institutional functions like technology, facilities, and professional development.
• Academic Senate Consultation Committees function as operational committees focused on professional and academic matters specifically designated for faculty.

*Note: The graphic above was updated after the distribution of this communication. Updated structure here: https://committees.santarosa.edu/revised-participatory-governance-structure  

To align with this new structure, beginning with the Fall 2025 semester, several committees will undergo changes to clarify responsibilities, reduce overlap, and better align with their specific areas of focus. Updates include refining committee charges for clarity; modifying membership to support equitable representation across constituent groups and alignment with the scope of work; aligning with collective bargaining agreements; removing policy and procedure revision responsibilities; and ensuring professional development remains within the committees with direct oversight.  

Next Steps
Committee chairs recently received specific details outlining any changes to their respective committee structure and will be reaching out to committee members to review the information. We encourage you to contact your constituent group leaders and bring forward any questions you may have. Component area Vice Presidents are available to attend committee meetings to provide clarification and respond to questions. 
 

The final participatory governance structure will be reviewed by College Council on May 15, 2025, for recommendation and approval at the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees on June 10, 2025.  
 

Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening our participatory governance system.
 

In community,
College Council Tri-Chairs

Dr. Angelica Garcia, Superintendent/President
John Stover, Academic Senate President
Linda Jay, Classified Senate President

and on Behalf of College Council Members

Robert Holcomb, PhD, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Molly Senecal, Vice President of Student Services
Kate Jolley, Interim Vice President of Human Resources
Stephanie Jarrett, Acting Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services
Anne Donegan, AFA President
Sandy Sigala, SEIU President
Ruben Garcia, SGA President
Laura Aspinall, Executive Secretary, Academic Senate
Nick Perrone, History Instructor
Anne Donnelly, SGA Executive Vice President of Legislation

Angélica Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
707-527-4431, angelicagarcia@santarosa.edu