281—21.2 (260C) Administration.
	 21.2(1) Policy manual. A community college board of directors shall develop and maintain a policy manual which adequately describes the official policies of the institution.
	 21.2(2) Administrative staff. A community college shall develop an administrative staff appropriate to the size and the purpose of the institution and one which permits the institution to function effectively and efficiently. This administrative staff shall provide effective leadership for the major divisions of the institution including administrative services, adult and continuing education, career and technical education, college parallel education, and student services.
	 21.2(3) Chief executive officer. A community college shall have a chief executive officer who shall also be the executive officer of the board of directors. The executive officer shall be responsible for the operation of the community college with respect to its educational program, its faculty and student services programs, and the use of its facilities. The executive officer shall delegate to the staff all necessary administrative and supervisory responsibilities to ensure an efficient operation of the institution.
	 21.2(4) Financial records and reports. The community college shall maintain accurate financial records and make reports in the form and pursuant to the timeline prescribed by the department and other state agencies.
	 21.2(5) Enrollment. A community college shall meet minimum enrollment requirements if it offers instruction as authorized in Iowa Code chapter 260C, and if, to the satisfaction of the state board of education, it is able to provide classes of reasonable economic size as needed by students, meets the needs of the students, and shows by its past and present enrollment and placement record that it meets individual and employment needs.
	 21.2(6) Catalog. The catalog shall be the official publication of the community college. It shall include accurate information on institutional policies, admissions requirements, procedures and fees, refund policies, residency requirements, program enrollment and degree requirements, due process procedures, affirmative action, and other information as recommended by the department. Students’ rights and responsibilities may be included in the catalog or in a separate document.
	 21.2(7) Admissions and program/course enrollment requirements. The community college shall maintain an open-door admission policy for students of postsecondary age. This admission policy shall recognize that students should demonstrate a reasonable prospect for success in the program in which they are admitted. Applicants who cannot demonstrate a reasonable prospect for success in the program for which they apply should be assisted to enroll in courses where deficiencies may be remediated or into programs appropriate to the individual’s preparation and objectives. The community college may set reasonable requirements for student enrollment in specified programs and courses. Admissions and program enrollment requirements established by each community college shall be published in the community college catalog.
	 21.2(8) Academic year. The academic year of the community college shall consist of semester, trimester, or quarter terms, and shall be a period of time beginning with the first day of the fall term and continuing through the day preceding the start of the next fall term as indicated in the official college calendar. A community college may offer instruction in units of length (i.e., days and weeks) consistent with the identified scope and depth of the instructional content.
	 21.2(9) Award requirements. The director shall approve all new credit certificate, diploma, and degree award programs in accordance with Iowa Code section 260C.14. Awards from a community college shall be certified by the issuance of appropriate recognition, pursuant to award approval requirement guidelines issued by the department, indicating the type of program the student has completed. The minimum number and maximum number of credit hours required for each award type contained within this subrule may be waived pursuant to paragraph 21.2(13)“i.”
	  a.   	 Associate of arts (AA). The degree is awarded upon completion of a college parallel (transfer) course of study that provides a strong general education component to satisfy the lower division general education liberal arts and sciences requirements for a baccalaureate degree. An associate of arts degree shall consist of a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours and a maximum of 64 semester (96 quarter) credit hours.
	  b.   	 Associate of science (AS). The degree is awarded upon completion of a course of study that requires a strong background in mathematics or science. The degree is intended to prepare students to transfer and initiate upper-division work in baccalaureate programs or prepare them for employment. An associate of science degree may also be awarded upon completion of a state-approved associate of science-career option (AS-CO) program of study that includes core technical coursework needed to complete a concentration in a specific field of study. The AS-CO program shall prepare students for entry-level careers and to complete requirements for transfer to a baccalaureate degree. An associate of science degree awarded upon completion of an arts and sciences course of study shall consist of a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours and a maximum of 64 semester (96 quarter) credit hours. An associate of science degree awarded upon completion of an AS-CO course of study shall consist of a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours and a maximum number of credit hours stated in program guidelines issued by the department. An associate of science degree awarded upon completion of an AS-CO course of study shall not consist of more than 70 semester (117 quarter) credit hours without an approved waiver pursuant to paragraph 21.2(13)“i.”
	  c.   	 Associate of general studies (AGS). The degree is awarded upon completion of a course of study that is primarily designed for the acquisition of a broad educational background rather than the pursuit of a specific college major or professional/technical program. It is intended as a flexible course of study and may include specific curriculum in lower division transfer, occupational education, or professional-technical education. An associate of general studies degree shall consist of a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours and a maximum of 64 semester (96 quarter) credit hours.
	  d.   	 Associate of applied science (AAS). The degree is awarded upon completion of a state-approved program of study that is intended to prepare students for entry-level career and technical occupations. An associate of applied science degree shall consist of a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours and a maximum of 86 semester (129 quarter) credit hours. The general education component of the associate of applied science degree program shall consist of a minimum of 12 semester (18 quarter) credit hours of general education and shall include at least one course from each of the following areas: communications, social science or humanities, and mathematics or science. The technical specialty component of the associate of applied science degree shall constitute a minimum of 50 percent of the course credits.
	  e.   	 Associate of applied arts (AAA). The degree is awarded upon completion of a state-approved program of study that is primarily intended for career training in providing students with professional skills for employment in a specific field of work such as arts, humanities, or graphic design. An associate of applied arts degree shall consist of a minimum of 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours and a maximum of 86 semester (129 quarter) credit hours. The general education component of the associate of applied arts degree program shall consist of a minimum of 12 semester (18 quarter) credit hours of general education and shall include at least one course from each of the following: communications, social science or humanities, and mathematics or science. The technical specialty component of the associate of applied arts degree shall constitute a minimum of 50 percent of the course credits.
	  f.   	 Diploma. The diploma is awarded upon completion of a state-approved program of study that is a coherent sequence of courses consisting of a minimum of 15 semester (22.5 quarter) credit hours and a maximum of 48 semester (72 quarter) credit hours including at least 3 semester (4.5 quarter) credit hours of general education. The general education component shall be from any of the following areas: communications, social science or humanities, and mathematics or science. A diploma may be a component of and apply toward subsequent completion of an associate of applied science or associate of applied arts degree.
	  g.   	 Certificate. The certificate is awarded upon completion of a state-approved program of study that is designed for entry-level employment and shall consist of a maximum of 48 semester (72 quarter) credit hours. A certificate may be a component of and apply toward subsequent completion of a diploma or associate of applied science or associate of applied arts degree and may be developed in rapid response to the needs of business and industry. A certificate may consist of only career and technical courses and no general education course requirements.
	 21.2(10) Academic records. The community college shall maintain in perpetuity for each student the complete academic record including every course attempted and grade received. An official transcript must be created at the time of course enrollment. The credit hour(s) and grade must be recorded on the student’s official transcripts upon completion of a community college course. These records shall be kept in disaster-resistant storage, unless other equivalent safeguards are used, such as maintaining duplicate files (electronic or otherwise) in separate facilities. The method of storage shall be consistent with current technology to ensure the ability to retrieve records. The community college shall implement a security plan that ensures the confidentiality of student records.
	 21.2(11) Resident policy. There shall be adopted for all community colleges a uniform policy for the determination of permanent residence for tuition purposes.
	 21.2(12) Credit hours. Credit hours shall be determined consistent with the following procedures.
	  a.   	 Specifically stated criteria are minimal requirements only, which institutions may exceed at their discretion.
	  b.   	 Conventional instruction is subdivided into four instructional methods as herein defined.
	 (1) 	 Classroom work — lecture and formalized classroom instruction under the supervision of an instructor.
	 (2) 	 Laboratory work — experimentation and practice by students under the supervision of an instructor.
	 (3) 	 Clinical practice — applied learning experience in a health agency or office under the supervision of an instructor.
	 (4) 	 Work experience — employment-related experience planned and coordinated by an institutional representative and the employer, with control and supervision of the student on the job being the responsibility of the employer.
	  c.   	 No registration or orientation hours may be included when determining credit hours.
	  d.   	 Institutions shall take into account the soundness of the learning environment being created by the scheduling sequence and length of classroom, laboratory, clinical, and work experience sessions. However, the final decision on these matters is left to the institutional administration so long as minimal standards are met.
	  e.   	 Only minutes for students officially registered for courses or programs, including audit registration, may be included when determining credit hours.
	  f.   	 Each community college must establish a policy that defines its methods of equating alternative instruction to credit hours and the process for evaluating the effectiveness of the alternative instruction to meet or exceed the expected student outcomes as if the course were taught utilizing conventional methods in paragraph 21.2(12)“b.” Colleges will be held accountable for evaluating and maintaining high-quality programs, and their evaluations may be subject to department review. Students shall be expected to meet all approved course requirements and shall be expected to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and competencies/outcomes at the same level as those obtained in traditional classroom settings, in the time frames set by the institution. Alternative courses or programs of study must be approved by the college’s review processes including faculty review and input. Courses shall be listed in the college catalog. Instructional formats for which alternative methods of determining credit hours are applicable include the following:
	 (1) 	 Accelerated courses (study, programs). Courses or programs of study that allow students to complete courses or programs at a faster pace than if offered by conventional methods. Courses and programs shall be tailored to involve more student participation and self-directed study. Instructors may teach in traditional classroom settings or by alternative methods specified in this subrule.
	 (2) 	 Distance education. Courses or programs of study taught over the Internet, Iowa Communications Network (ICN), or other electronic means that allow students to receive instruction in the classroom or other sites, over personal computers, television, or other electronic means. Courses may or may not be interactive with direct communication between the teacher and students. Credit hours shall be awarded in accordance with the credit hours that would have been assigned if the course or program were taught by conventional methods.
	  1. 	 Correspondence courses. Courses offered outside the classroom setting in which the instruction is delivered indirectly to the student. Instruction is provided through another medium, such as written material, computer, television, or electronic means. Course materials are sent to a student who follows a detailed syllabus to complete assignments. Students correspond with and transmit assignments to the instructor by telephone, computer, mail, or electronic means. A third party may administer tests.
	  2. 	 Television courses. Courses or programs delivered primarily via broadcast television such as Iowa Public Television, digital video disc, or other media allowing students to receive instruction in a classroom or equipped remote location.
	  3. 	 Video conference courses. Courses or programs delivered via a closed synchronous audio-video conferencing system such as the Iowa Communications Network or similar system which allows students to receive instruction in a classroom or any equipped remote location via an audio-video feed to a television, computer, or other electronic device.
	  4. 	 Internet courses. Courses or programs delivered via the Internet. Courses may be taken using computers in a classroom setting or using personal computers or other electronic devices from the student’s home or other location using an online content management system or mixed-media methods. Students may be linked at times directly with the instructor or with other students electronically. Interaction may be direct (synchronous) or indirect (asynchronous) allowing students to participate during their own time frames.
	  5. 	 In-class hybrid courses. Courses or programs that combine traditional classroom and computer-based instruction. In-class sessions are offered with online instructional activities to promote independent learning and reduce seat-time.
	 (3) 	 Self-paced instruction. Courses or programs that permit a student to enter at variable times or progress at the student’s own rate of speed. Start and end dates may or may not correspond to the official college calendar. Contact or credit hours for self-paced programs or courses shall be computed by assigning to each registration the total number of credit or contact hours the student would have received if the student enrolled in a conventional program or course with stipulated beginning and ending dates.
	 (4) 	 Arranged study. Instruction offered to students at times other than stated or scheduled class times to accommodate specific scheduling or program needs of students. Credit hours shall be awarded in accordance with the credit hours that would have been assigned if the course or program were taught by conventional methods.
	 (5) 	 Multiformat nontraditional instruction. Instruction utilizing a variety of nontraditional methods that may incorporate self-paced learning, text, video, computer instructional delivery, accelerated training, independent study, Internet delivery, or other methods that do not follow standard classroom work guidelines. Credit hours shall be awarded in accordance with the credit hours that would have been assigned if the course or program were taught by conventional methods.
	  g.   	 Individualized learning experiences for which an equivalent course is not offered shall have the program length computed from records of attendance using such procedures as a time clock or sign-in records. Individualized learning experiences means independent study courses in which an equivalent course is not offered by the college or listed in the college catalog. Independent study permits in-depth or focused learning on special topics of particular interest to the student.
	  h.   	 Each course must have a minimum length of one credit hour. A fractional unit of credit may be awarded provided the course exceeds the minimum length of one credit hour.
	  i.   	 Each credit hour shall consist of a minimum number of contact hours as defined in paragraphs 21.2(12)“h” to “m.” One contact hour equals 50 minutes.
	  j.   	 Classroom work.
	 (1) 	 The minimal requirement for one semester hour of credit shall be 800 minutes (16 contact hours) of scheduled instruction.
	 (2) 	 The minimal requirement for one quarter hour of credit shall be 533 minutes (10.7 contact hours) of scheduled instruction.
	  k.   	 Laboratory work.
	 (1) 	 The minimal requirement for one semester hour of credit shall be 1,600 minutes (32 contact hours) of scheduled laboratory work.
	 (2) 	 The minimal requirement for one quarter hour of credit shall be 1,066 minutes (21.3 contact hours) of scheduled laboratory work.
	  l.   	 Clinical practice.
	 (1) 	 The minimal requirement for one semester hour of credit shall be 2,400 minutes (48 contact hours) of scheduled clinical practice.
	 (2) 	 The minimal requirement for one quarter hour of credit shall be 1,599 minutes (32 contact hours) of scheduled clinical practice.
	  m.   	 Work experience.
	 (1) 	 The minimal requirement for one semester hour of credit shall be 3,200 minutes (64 contact hours) of scheduled work experience.
	 (2) 	 The minimal requirement for one quarter hour of credit shall be 2,132 minutes (42.6 contact hours) of scheduled work experience.
	 21.2(13) Career and technical program length.
	  a.   	 Program length for the associate of applied science (AAS) degree in career and technical education and for the associate of applied arts (AAA) degree shall consist of an academic program not to exceed two academic years. All required course offerings are to be available within two academic years. All required offerings in AAS and AAA degree programs shall not exceed a maximum of 86 semester (129 quarter) credit hours unless the department of education has granted a waiver pursuant to paragraph 21.2(13)“i.” Programs shall not exceed an average of 19 credit hours per regular term.
	  b.   	 All credit-bearing courses required for program admittance or graduation, or both, must be included in the 86 semester (129 quarter) credit hour maximum, with the exception of developmental credit hours. Prerequisites that provide an option to students for either credit or noncredit shall be counted toward the program maximum of 86 semester (129 quarter) credit hours. Prerequisite options that are only offered for noncredit will not be counted toward the 86 semester (129 quarter) credit hour maximum.
	  c.   	 Associate of applied science (AAS) and associate of applied arts (AAA) programs that receive accreditation from nationally recognized accrediting bodies may appeal maximum credit hour length requirements to the department for consideration of a waiver. All AAS and AAA degree programs over the 86 semester (129 quarter) credit hour maximum must have approved program-length waivers pursuant to paragraph 21.2(13)“i.”
	  d.   	 Program length for the state-approved associate of science degree shall consist of an academic program that includes core technical coursework needed to complete a concentration in a specific field of study. The associate of science-career option program may prepare students for entry-level careers or allow students to complete requirements for a transfer to a baccalaureate degree. The associate of science-career option program shall not exceed the credit hour limit stated in department guidelines. To facilitate the transfer of students enrolling in associate of science-career option programs and awarded the associate of science transfer degree, each program shall have articulation agreements with baccalaureate degree programs meeting the articulation agreement requirements stated in department guidelines. The associate of science-career option program shall under no circumstances exceed a maximum of 70 semester (117 quarter) credit hours unless the department has granted a waiver pursuant to paragraph 21.2(13)“i.”
	  e.   	 All credit certificate and diploma programs as defined in subrule 21.2(9) shall not exceed 48 semester (72 quarter) credit hours.
	  f.   	 Each course offered in the area of career and technical education shall be taught in the shortest practical period of time at a standard consistent with the quality and quantity of work needed to prepare the student for successful employment in the occupation for which instruction is being offered.
	  g.   	 A full-time student in career and technical education shall be defined as a student enrolling in 12 or more semester credit hours or the equivalent in career and technical education.
	  h.   	 Curricula in full-time career and technical education programs shall ordinarily be offered on the basis of student workload of 20 to 30 contact hours per week.
	  i.   	 Waiver process. A college may petition the department to suspend in whole or in part a program-length requirement contained in paragraphs 21.2(12)“h” to “m” as applied to a specific program on the basis of the particular circumstances of that program.
	 (1) 	 Waivers shall be issued at the director’s sole discretion. Waivers shall be narrowly tailored and granted for a period no longer than two academic years, after which reapplication is required. A waiver may be granted on a long-term basis not to exceed ten years if issuing the waiver for a shorter period is not practical.
	 (2) 	 All petitions for waiver must be submitted in writing to the department. A petition shall include the following information: specific waiver request including scope and duration, the relevant facts that the petitioner believes would justify a waiver, a detailed statement of the impact on student achievement, any information known regarding the department’s treatment of similar cases, and any additional information deemed relevant by the petitioner. The department shall acknowledge a petition upon receipt.
	 (3) 	 The department shall ensure that, within 30 calendar days, notice of pendency of the petition and a concise summary of its contents have been provided to a committee consisting of the chief academic officers of each community college. In addition, the department may give notice to other persons.
	 (4) 	 A committee consisting of the chief academic officers of a majority of community colleges shall review the waiver request and provide a recommendation to the department regarding whether approval should be granted. Within 90 calendar days of receiving the recommendation, the department shall review the petition and issue a ruling. Failure of the department to grant or deny a petition within the required time period shall be deemed a denial of that petition. If a waiver is issued, the department shall provide a description of the precise scope and operative period to all interested parties.
	 21.2(14) Faculty organization. The faculty shall be organized in such a way as to promote communication among administration, faculty and students and to encourage faculty participation in the development of the curriculum, instructional procedures, general policies, and such other matters as are appropriate.
	 21.2(15) Faculty salary allocation plan. Pursuant to the appropriation of funds from the state general fund to the department for the purpose of supplementing community college faculty salaries, the department follows the formula herein when distributing such funds to community colleges.
	  a.   	 For purposes of this subrule, the following definitions apply.
	 (1) 	 “Full-time faculty” means those nonadministrative instructors, counselors, and librarians who are classified as full-time employees as defined in the college’s collective bargaining agreement or written policy.
	 (2) 	 “Part-time faculty” means those nonadministrative instructors, counselors, and librarians who are employed less than full-time as defined in the college’s collective bargaining agreement and who are covered by the college’s collective bargaining agreement. For purposes of the definition of “eligible full-time equivalent instructor,” each part-time faculty person shall be counted as a fraction that accurately reflects the person’s percentage of employment by the college when compared to a full-time faculty person.
	 (3) 	 “Temporary/seasonal faculty” means those nonadministrative instructors, counselors, and librarians who are employed, full-time or part-time, by the college for short periods of time for specific purposes.
	 (4) 	 “Adjunct faculty” means those nonadministrative instructors, counselors, and librarians who are employed without a continuing contract, whose teaching load does not exceed one-half time for two full semesters or three full quarters per calendar year.
	 (5) 	 “Eligible full-time equivalent instructor” means the total of full-time faculty and part-time faculty where each full-time faculty counts as one, and each part-time faculty counts as a fraction that accurately reflects the person’s percentage of employment by the college when compared to a full-time faculty person.
	  b.   	 The appropriation shall be distributed to the community colleges based on their proportional share of eligible full-time equivalent instructors.
	  c.   	 Moneys distributed to each community college pursuant to this subrule shall be rolled into the funding allocation for all future years. The use of the funds shall remain as described herein for all future years. The appropriation will be distributed to the community colleges in equal monthly payments made on or about the fifteenth of each month.
	  d.   	 Moneys appropriated and distributed to community colleges pursuant to this subrule shall be used to supplement and not supplant any approved faculty salary increases or negotiated agreements, excluding the distribution of the funds herein. Eligible expenditures for the moneys appropriated are for salary expenditures and the required college contribution to FICA and IPERS or an alternative retirement benefits system. These moneys shall then be considered as part of the instructor’s salary in future years.
	  e.   	 Moneys distributed to a community college pursuant to this subrule shall be allocated to all full-time faculty and shall include part-time faculty covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The moneys shall be allocated pursuant to any existing negotiated agreements according to Iowa Code chapter 20. If no language exists to specify the method of allocation, the moneys shall be allocated equally to all full-time faculty with part-time faculty who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement receiving a prorated share.
	  f.   	 A community college receiving funds distributed pursuant to this subrule shall determine the amount to be paid to instructors in accordance with Iowa Code section 260C.18D, subsection 4, and the amount determined to be paid to an individual instructor shall be divided evenly and paid in each pay period of the fiscal year.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 260C.33.
[ARC 8646B, IAB 4/7/10, effective 5/12/10]