Academic Affairs Policy Code: AA 2024-01

I. Authority

This policy is authorized by and subordinate to California Education Code Article 4, Instructionally Related Activities (Section 89230), which reads: 

“Instructionally related activities” means those activities and laboratory experiences that are at least partially sponsored by an academic discipline or department and that are, in the judgment of the president of a particular campus, with the approval of the trustees, integrally related to its formal instructional offerings.

Activities that are considered to be essential to a quality educational program and an important instructional experience for any student enrolled in the respective program may be considered instructionally related activities.

Instructionally related activities include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Intercollegiate athletics: costs that are necessary for a basic competitive program including equipment and supplies and scheduled travel, not provided by the state. Athletic grants should not be included.

(b) Radio, television, film: costs related to the provisions of basic “hands-on” experience not provided by the state. Purchase or rental of films as instructional aids shall not be included.

(c) Music and dance performance: costs to provide experience in individual and group performance, including recitals, before audiences and in settings sufficiently varied to familiarize students with the performance facet of the field.

(d) Theatre and musical productions: basic support of theatrical and operatic activities sufficient to permit experience not only in actual performance, but in production, direction, set design, and other elements considered a part of professional training in these fields.

(e) Art exhibits: support for student art shows given in connection with degree programs.

(f) Publications: the costs to support and operate basic publication programs including a periodic newspaper and other laboratory experience basic to journalism and literary training. Additional publications designed primarily to inform or entertain shall not be included.

(g)  Forensics: activities designed to provide experience in debate, public speaking, and related programs, including travel required for a competitive debate program.

(h)  Other activities: activities associated with other instructional areas that are consistent with purposes included in the above may be added as they are identified.

Pursuant to this section and other provisions of this code, the Chancellor of the California State University shall develop a program of fiscal support and shall consult with the California State Student Association, the Academic Senate, and the Chancellor’s Council of Presidents regarding the program.

II. Local Governance

1. CSU Dominguez Hills shall assess a student fee to fund IRAs.
2. Each year Academic Affairs shall solicit spending proposals and convene an IRA Committee to recommend IRA spending for the following year. Final decisions on IRA spending rest with the President.
3. The IRA Committee consists of eight voting members:
   1. An Academic Affairs representative appointed by the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
   2. A Student Affairs representative appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs
   3. Two faculty members elected by the Academic Senate
   4. Four students named by Associated Students, Inc.
4. The IRA Committee shall publish Calls for Proposals and Review Criteria that prioritize:
   1. Equity, inclusion and social justice, including full compliance with Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the values articulated in the university’s strategic plan
   2. Educational merit
   3. Number of students potentially served
   4. Innovation
5. Twenty-five percent of each year’s recommended allocations will go to the first category named by statute California Education Code Section 89230, as quoted above in heading I. Authority, under section (a) Intercollegiate athletics.
6. The IRA Committee may establish additional allocation targets for various clearly defined categories of instructionally related activities, such as guest speakers, performances, publications, and field trips. Any such targets will be published in advance of the application period, and will constitute recommendations to the president, not decisions.

 III. Annual Schedule of Activity

1. The provost’s designee shall co-chair the IRA Committee with the president of ASI. The provost’s designee is responsible for adhering to this timetable, as detailed.
   1. Each year the IRA Committee will begin by publishing a Call for Proposals and Review Criteria for the following year. Calls, criteria, and supporting web materials will make clear the rules and any restrictions on spending. Applications will be made electronically, with clear sponsorship from an academic department and signed approval from the respective dean.
   2. Applications will be reviewed, and recommendations forwarded to the President.
   3. Applicants will be notified of decisions in time to inform their planning for the following year’s programming.
   4. Each spring the Office of the Provost, Academic Senate, and Associated Students shall publish a call for service to populate the following year’s committee.
   5. At the conclusion of the funded activity and as part of any application for further IRA support, programs will provide the committee and campus with a report on their IRA-funded activity, the students it served, and its impacts.

All Revision & Review Approved Dates

None

Attachments and Links

California Education Code Article 4, Instructionally Related Activities (Section 89230)

Related Policy

None

Keywords

Committee, Students

Approval Signatures

Executive

Approved: Michael E. Spagna, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Date: 01/30/2024

Area Manager/Owner

Approved: Ken O’Donnell, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Date: 01/30/2024

Older Version Approval Signatures

None