Kernel University is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian, coeducational university organized as a corporation under the laws of the state of California, subject to any limitations contained in the general nonprofit corporation laws of the State. Kernel University is owned, controlled, and operated and maintained by a religious organization lawfully operating as a nonprofit religious corporation pursuant to Part 4(commencing with section 9110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporation Code.

The University is governed by an appointed Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors represents the ultimate and inclusive authority within the University. Its authority is derived from the university’s charter. The Board is the primary policy-making body of the University. Within this context A policy is a general rule or principle, or a statement of intent, or direction thatprovides guidance to administrators in reaching decisions with respect to the particular matters entrusted to their care. All policies of the University are policies adopted by the Board either explicitly or implicitly

In those areas in which the Board has chosen to exercise its authority in fixing policies directly, members of the administration and faculty play important and necessary roles in providing staff assistance to the Board. The common pattern is for the Board to request draft policies from the President or faculty.

The Board has promulgated bylaws to provide for the delegation of policy-making authority, either completely or partially, in areas in which it does not wish to exercise its discretion. Since the Board is a deliberative body, the process by which it arrives at policies depends upon consideration of proposed policies prepared by the President (or if more appreciate, some other officer or committee). In some instances there are statutory requirements of formal Board action on certain activities due to provisions written into the university’s original charter. These constraints limit the Board’s delegating certain policy responsibilities.

The Board has established criteria that specify those parts of policy that are within the domain of the faculty and administration such as: “The university faculty shall have jurisdiction over matters of educational policy, including requirements for admission of students, for the continuance of students in academic programs, over matters of academic dishonesty and for the award of earned degree, under such policies and procedures as may be approved by the BOD. The faculty has the authority and responsibility to set, supervise, and enforce standards of academic quality that are both necessary and sufficient to maintain the integrity of a Kernel Degree. The faculty and administration shall have collective responsibility for carrying out the mission of the University, for maintain the focus of institutional purpose and for the accomplishment of institutional goals”.

Any policy, rule, or regulation adopted by the governing board, the Board of Directors of Kernel University, has the same force as a printed policy, rule or regulation in the University Catalog or in supersedes any ruling on the same subject which may appear in these publications or in any other official bulletin of the University.
The President, under the general direction of the Board of Directors, is established by the Board has leadership and functional responsibilities for mission accomplishment, policy development, academic affairs, fiscal management, institutional planning and development and public relations.
The Vice President, under the general direction of the President, is the chief executive officer of the University; and working closely with the President are faculty, staff and students committees that initiate, review and/or recommend for approval various university programs, policies and procedures. Although the Vice President is vested with operational authority for all university activities,maximum faculty, staff, student and administrative participation in decision making and governance is strongly encouraged.

Kernel University administrative officers play an important role in the formulation of academic policies. As staff for the Board, they exert initiating influence on the content and expression of policies. In addition, as members of the faculty, administrative officers not only have many cases their special experience is pertinent, their advice and recommendations can appropriately influence the consideration of policies in the faculty.

Administrative officers also have an obligation to inform the Board and the faculty of existing policies and to draw attention to policies that are absolute and to areas in which policy is ill-defined. The preparation and publication of handbooks and other summaries of policy is an obligation of the administrative staff, an obligation of great help in adjusting policy to the continuing needs of the University.

Faculty Participation in University Governance

Academic excellence is pursued at kernel through a distinguished faculty whose primary responsibility is effective teaching sustained by ongoing scholarly development and creative professional activities. Faculty are hired and evaluated primarily on the quality of their teaching. However, the University recognized and nurtures the involvement of each kernel professor in the activities carried on within their disciplinary community. Furthermore, the University endeavors to foster a collegial and cooperative intellectual atmosphere, thereby reinforcing individual effort directed toward excellent teaching and scholarly/creative activities.

Faculty participates in the governance of the University through the Faculty Senate, a council of representatives from each administrative unit in the University. The Faculty senate functions as an advisory body to the President and Vice President for Academic Affairs. It makes recommendations on rank and privilege, budget, instructional support systems, faculty development and academic standards. The President of the Faculty senate serves as an ex officio member of the University Board of Directors.