The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges sets policy and provides guidance for the 72 districts and 109 colleges which constitute the system. The 17-member Board, appointed by the state's Governor, formally interacts with state and federal officials and other state organizations. The Board of Governors selects a Chancellor for the system. The Chancellor, through a formal process of consultation, brings recommendations to the Board, which has the legislatively granted authority to develop and implement policy for the colleges. Additionally, each of the 72 community college districts in the state has a locally-elected Board of Trustees, responsive to local community needs and charged with the operations of the local colleges. The governance system of the California Community Colleges is one which uses processes of "shared governance." In March 1988, the Board of Governors adopted a process known as"consultation," through which a council composed of representatives of selected community college institutional and organizational groups, assist in development and recommendation of policy to the Chancellor and Board of Governors.

The council includes representatives from each of the following: chief executive officers, the Academic Senate, chief instructional officers, chief student services officers, chief business officers, chief human resources officers, chief student body government officers, faculty members, and community college organizations. The council meets regularly throughout the year. It develops and recommends policy, and reviews and comments on developed by other groups, locally-elected boards, and the Legislature.

The formal consultation process allows the massive community college system to advise the Chancellor, who makes recommendations to the Board of Governors on matters of policy. The purpose of the consultation process is to strengthen a system of communications, policy development, and review to ensure the quality and effectiveness of college operations and programs.

Legislation affecting the California Community Colleges is, for the most part, channeled through the Board of Governors and presented to the Legislature.