The mission of the Butte College Fashion Program is to provide high quality education and services to the community. The Fashion Program prepares students for careers related to working within the Fashion industry. It provides students the opportunity to discover the inner workings of the industry, including the design concept, construction of product, and the distribution and sales of merchandise, from the designer and manufacturing level through the retail level and ultimately, to the consumer.
The Butte College Fashion Program is housed within the Art Department. The Fashion Program offers an AS Degree and a Certificate of Achievement in Fashion Merchandising, a Certificate I Clothing Construction, and a Certificate in Fashion Design. Each semester three to five courses are offered. Fashion courses are taught by two to three Associate faculty members. The program has a classroom dedicated to clothing design and construction, ARTS 246, and another classroom, ARTS 241, for lecture classes. The program is well equipped with 18 sewing machines, an embroidery machine, 15 dress forms, and cutting and pattern making equipment and furniture. Each year Fashion students have an opportunity to display their work in the Butte College Fashion Show held in May.
Program Learning Outcomes
AS Degree in Fashion Merchandising
1. Analyze and describe the fashion industry including innovations, careers, current trends, the impact of globalization and technology, and the expanding roles of designers.
2. Analyze, describe, and apply concepts in the business of buying, distributing and selling of fashion merchandise from the manufacturing level through to the retailer and, ultimately, the consumer.
3. Demonstrate command of visual presentation or production, and create a resume or relevant portfolio to be used to market him/herself in the fashion industry.
Certificate of Achievement in Fashion Merchandising
1. Analyze and describe the fashion industry including innovations, careers, current trends, the impact of globalization and technology, and the expanding roles of designers.
2. Analyze, describe, and apply concepts in the business of buying, distributing and selling of fashion merchandise from the manufacturing level through to the retailer and, ultimately, the consumer.
3. Demonstrate command of visual presentation or production, and create a resume or relevant portfolio to be used to market him/herself in the fashion industry.
Certificate in Clothing Construction
1. Select appropriate fabrics and notions suitable to specific garment designs.
2. Drape, draft or manipulate flat patterns to create accurate garment patterns.
3. Lay patterns correctly and economically onto markers or fabric
4. Construct garments using various sewing techniques.
5. Fit garments on various body types and be able to make the proper adjustments.
Certificate in Fashion Design
1. Analyze and describe the fashion industry including innovations, careers, current trends, the impact of globalization and technology, and the expanding roles of designers.
2. Demonstrate command of visual presentation or production, and create a resume or relevant portfolio to be used to market him/herself in the fashion industry.
3. Demonstrate the principles and practice of fashion design including design analysis: use of industry vocabulary; technical illustration; drafting of patterns; and effective communication of original design concepts.
4. Demonstrate technical skills including machine operation; taking measurements; basic alterations, pattern layout, cutting and preparation; and use of fabrics, tools, and supplies.
The program faculty members are in the process of the assessment of PLOs and reevaluating the goals of the program as a whole.
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College |
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Program |
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Indicator |
Source |
2013-2014 Performance |
Standard |
Five Year Goal |
Fall 2014 Performance |
Standard |
Five Year Goal |
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Course Success |
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- Overall |
PDR |
71.1% |
70% |
73% |
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- Transfer/GE |
PDR |
71.5% |
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73% |
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- CTE |
PDR |
75% |
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77% |
66.7% |
65% |
72% |
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- Basic Skills |
PDR |
51.7% |
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55% |
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- Distance Ed (all) |
PDR |
62.5% |
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64% |
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Persistence (Focused). Note: The Persistence (Focused) that is included in the PDR is a different indicator than the three-primary term persistence indicator, from the state Student Success Scorecard, that is used to measure institutional persistence. The Focused Persistence indicator measures the percentage of students that took a second course in a discipline within one year. There is no relationship between the college and program standards in this area. |
PDR |
72.6% (Three-Term) Scorecard |
67% (Three-Term) Scorecard |
75% (Three-Term) Scorecard |
44.6% |
35% |
50% |
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Degrees |
PDR |
1,455 |
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1,600 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
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Certificates |
PDR |
366 |
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475 |
CA: 4 CC: 4 |
CA: 3 CC: 3
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CA: 6 CC: 6 |
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Developmental Strand Completion |
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- English |
State |
42% |
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45% |
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- Math |
State |
30.7% |
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33% |
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- ESL |
State |
25% |
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28% |
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Licensure Pass Rates |
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- Registered Nursing |
SC |
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- Licensed Vocational Nursing |
SC |
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- Respiratory Therapy |
SC |
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- Paramedic |
SC |
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- Cosmetology |
SC |
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- Welding |
SC |
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Job Placement Rates |
PIV |
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n/a
1. Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Academic Achievement
Connection: The Fashion program is currently formulating a plan for recruiting students from the high schools. During class faculty advise students on potential careers in the fashion industry and suggest fashion institutes and university fashion programs that would meet students’ individual needs.
Entry and Progress: Fashion faculty take time to discuss the optimum order in which fashion courses should be taken to help students progress through the fashion program.
Completion: Faculty in Fashion program are investigating transfer pathways to the state university system. San Francisco State has a major in Apparel Design and Merchandising, which would be ideal for the articulation of four of the Fashion program courses.
Strategic Scheduling: Faculty in the program are always looking for ways to expand course offerings to new markets, and to ensure that enough courses are offered each semester for Fashion students to complete their degree/certificates.
Technology: The Fashion faculty desire to incorporate the latest fashion technology into the program for the benefit of students. Faculty use Blackboard to connect with students and post assignments.
Workforce and Community Development: The Fashion program is putting together an Advisory Board to guide decision-making toward student success.
2. Supporting Student, Faculty, and Staff Success
Student Engagement: It is critically important to the Fashion program that we create and maintain meaningful relationships with our students. Our success rate of 66.7% bears this out. We encourage students to participate in the Fashion Club and the annual Butte College Fashion Show.
Employee Development: Currently the Fashion program consists of two Associate faculty members that would benefit from attending workshops and conferences to maintain currency and gain knowledge and skills.
Collaboration and Decision-Making: The Fashion faculty are increasing their efforts to collaborate on program goals and to discuss students’ learning outcomes and assessment, budget, safety, staff development, and classroom and equipment issues.
3. Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Using data for continuous improvement by:
Researching career and transfer possibilities for students in order to stay current in the Fashion industry.4. Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Supporting the Butte College Foundation: Each year the Fashion Program raises funds for the Foundation through the annual Butte College Fashion Show.
5. Modeling Sustainability
Providing educational opportunities in the area of sustainability by: faculty in the program promote green practices by having students use recycled/redesign secondhand clothing.
Based on the Validation Team recommendation that the Fashion Program needed more leadership and support, the program has been moved under the Art department. It is receiving support from the Chair and fulltime faculty. Plans are underway to request Perkins funds in order to provide stipends for part time faculty and/or a Fashion program coordinator.
In response to the Validation Team recommendation that the Fashion program enhance their curriculum and currency, program faculty have been meeting with Fiber Arts faculty to design new curriculum and degree/certificates that will meet the needs of students. Research is underway to incorporate electronic portfolios and insure that students learn the latest in fashion design technologies.
Fashion program faculty, with the help of the Chair, plan to contact Steve St. Cin to set up articulation agreements with San Francisco State and Long Beach State as he Validation Team recommended.
The Validation Team recommended that the District support the Fashion Program’s strategic scheduling by allowing at least 6 classes to be offered each semester so that students can progress through the program without delay. Before this recommendation can be met, the program needs to implement an outreach plan increase student demand. This can best be accomplished by having a program coordinator.
The Validation Team recommended that one of the required courses CSCI 2 be replaced by BCIS 18 in the Fashion Merchandising AS Degree and Certificate. This change may/may not be implemented based on student demand and program continuance.
The Validation Team recommended that the Fashion Program reach out to the junior and senior high schools to develop interest in Butte College’s Fashion program. It recommended that the program reach out to the local merchant community to develop internship possibilities and Advisory Board participation. A Fashion Program coordinator would have the time and resources to develop both of these recommendations.
The Validation Team recommended the Fashion program enhance student advisement. A Fashion program coordinator would be able to meet this recommendation.
The Validation Team recommended that the Fashion program ensure that students have a public forum for demonstrating their work. The program currently supports students’ needs by way of the Fashion Club organizing a Fashion Show. Offering FASH 90, Fashion Promotions, once a year will allow students an opportunity to obtain an organized course of study in fashion show experience.
The Validation Team recommended that the Fashion Show “close the loop” in their assessing and reporting of SLO/PLOs in Curricunet. The Chair is currently meeting this recommendation.
Department Goals
Fashion Program goals have been shaped by the 2014 Program Review Validation Team Report, the college’s Strategic Initiatives, and current enrollment crisis.
As of the Spring 2016 semester the program is only offering one class section, FASH 9/FASH 10, Clothing Construction I and II, because of low student enrollment. Low enrollment is currently a college-wide problem. However, the program has only two students who are Fashion majors. In addition, until recently the local high schools were a primary source of fashion enrollments, but they have eliminated their fashion programs.
The Fashion program is focused on supporting students to progress through and complete their course of study, and to transfer and/or find viable employment in the fashion industry. Faculty and administration feel the scope and design of the program need to be reevaluated in light of students’ needs and the evolving nature of the fashion industry.
The Validation Team Report of 2014 offered many recommendations for Fashion Program improvement, but some of them, such as building staff, advocating for a full class schedule, and applying for Perkins Funding are not feasible until the program show strong enrollment numbers.
Therefore, the three priorities of the Fashion Program must be to
Strategy 1 - Expand Fashion Program enrollment
Encourage existing students to work toward a degree and/or certificate by advising them about careers in fashion and course progression.
Existing students should be made aware of the career options and the value of a degree/certificate in Fashion.
Many have taken over half the courses and need only a few to complete a certificate or degree.
Strategy 2 - Marketing for Fashion Program
Market program and potential careers to local high school students, Butte College students not already taking Fashion classes, and the community
Potential Fashion program students should be made aware of the degrees, certificates, and course offerings at Butte College. A local opportunity to earn a degree in fashion is advantageous to many local students who would have to move to a major metropolitan area such as Sacramento, San Francisco, or Los Angeles to enroll in a fashion program.
Participation by the Fashion program in Art Department-wide efforts at outreach at the Chico Mall in April, and visiting the local high schools are ways in which to make the program known.
Strategy 3 - Fashion Advisory Board
Create a Fashion Advisory Board made up of community members.
The Fashion Advisory Board would provide guidance to the Fashion Program sustainability and future development. In addition, creating an Advisory Board would allow the program to make connections and build networks with local businesses that are focused on Textile, Retail, and fashion garment manufacturing, in order to establish internships and career pathways for our Fashion students.
Strategy 4 - Evaluate Efficacy of Current Fashion Merchandising Degree
Consider current Fashion Merchandising degree and certificate in light of current fashion industry and low enrollment in classes.
Research current market data and consult with Advisory Board on the sustainability of the existing degree/certificates/course offerings in terms of the needs of the students and the fashion industry.
Strategy 5 - AS Degree in Fashion Design
Consider adding an AS Degree in Fashion Design and the development of additional courses in Fashion Design, Clothing Construction III, Flat Patterning/Draping Design II and Knitting Textiles and Fashion
Currently we have fashion students transferring to other 2-year trade schools to get the courses they need when we should be serving them right here. Fashion is an ever-evolving area of study. Ongoing course modification and development will serve to keep the Fashion program's content current and relevant to employment market conditions. There is a need for qualified entry-level employees in the fashion industry. This degree will insure employers that Butte students have achieved a level of knowledge and understanding of fashion commensurate with a entry level position.
Strategy 6 - Potential New Degree in Textile and Fashion Design
Continue exploring the possibilities to design a new degree/certificate in Textile and Fashion Design
In a joint meeting of the Fashion and Fiber Arts faculty it was recognized by that there are many connections between Fashion and Fiber Arts, and that textile production is a primary source of cultural development on the earth. We determined that we should initially create a Certificate of Achievement rather than a degree. Faculty identified courses and developed course pathways. Present these ideas to Chair and Dean.
The alliance will allow students to create unique textiles through weaving, felting, and surface design, etc., that can be used in individually designed, sewn wearable, home and fashion applications. There is potential for future careers in a developing local textile industry, along with agricultural production of flax and wool, and construction of a mini-textile mill. Currently, there are only off-shore textile mills.
Strategy 7 - Support SLO and PLO Dialog, Assessment & Reporting
Ensure that program faculty members meet to discuss SLO/PLO, followed by reporting, and applied improvements are made to courses and program.
Proper PLO/SLO assessment maintains the quality of the Fashion courses/program by encouraging all faculty members to exchange ideas, suggestions, questions and concerns in a supportive environment with a common goal - improving student performance and completion.
Strategy 8 - Enhance Transfer Opportunities
Articulate Fashion courses with San Francisco State’s Apparel Design major.
Articulate a transfer major with San Francisco State’s major in Apparel Design and Merchandising. Currently FASH 6, 9, 13 and 64 are articulated with San Francisco State.
One of the major missions of the college is to increase transfer rates. Articulating fashion classes will create a smoother, more attractive transfer pathway from Butte to SF State.
Strategy 9 - Technology - Techniques and Methods
Ensure that all courses are technologically current, incorporating the latest techniques and methods, and the Fashion faculty members are trained in cutting-edge digital techniques and programs
The Fashion industry has embraced new technologies, both for design purposes and for social media marketing. The industry expects that employees will have a working knowledge of how to use the computer to generate designs, draft patterns and design textiles.
Strategy 10 - Showcase Student Work
Ensure there is a Fashion Show each year.
It is essential for Fashion students have a platform to share their creative efforts with the public. This gives them much needed production experience and exposes their efforts to a broad audience.
None
The Fashion Program earns revenue for its Foundation account by profits from ticket sales to their annual fashion show. Amount can vary. Last year the department made $150. Typically this fund exists as start-up money for the following year's show.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Fashion Program | Equipment | 11-000-512-1-130310 | 54300 | $1,200.00 | $0.00 |
| Materials for embroidery machine and printer | The Fashion industry has embraced new technologies, both for design purposes and for social media marketing. The industry expects that employees will have a working knowledge of how to use the computer to generate designs, draft patterns and design textiles. |
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| 2 | Fashion | Equipment | 11-000-512-1-130310 | 56410 | $12,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Pattern Drafting Equipment | The Fashion industry has embraced new technologies, both for design purposes and for social media marketing. The industry expects that employees will have a working knowledge of how to use the computer to generate designs, draft patterns and design textiles. This includes Gerber Garment Technology, digitizing table, and plotter. |
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| 3 | Fashion | Equipment | 11-000-512-1-130310 | 56410 | $1,400.00 | $0.00 |
| Manequins --2 female jersey-covered flexible; 2 male jersey-covered flexible; 1 5 year old child flexible | Students need mannequins for both genders, both adults and females for use in sewing and draping/design classes. |
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| 4 | Fashion | Operating Expenses | 11-000-512-1-130310 | $6,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Marvelous Designer.Com, online fashion design, 3D virtual clothing | Students need experience using cutting-edge design software. |
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| 5 | Fashion | Operating Expenses | 11-000-512-1-130310 | $2,000.00 | $2,000.00 | |
| Online Video Design Library Content License Agreement (Annual) | This allows students access to a huge assortment of video designs and relevant videos. |
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