Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved  Minutes

Thursday, February 19, 2004  

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2: p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

 

    X

Laird       (Ext. 5186) SocScience

   X

  

Brennan    (Ext. 5313) Comm

     

    X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

 

   X

Brichko    (Ext. 5222)  CATA

 

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

     

   X

Charland  (Ext. 5046)  Stud. Dev.

 

    X

Musat      (Ext. 5331) Math

 

   X

Cox        (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

 

    X

Oliver      (Ext. 5427)  AAS

 

   X

Dooley    (Ext. 5379)   AAS

 

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

   X

   

Harris     (Ext. 5413)  AF/Comm

 

    X

Rath       (Ext. 5413)  AF/CIT

 

   X 

Johnson   (Ext.5277)  CATA

 

    X

Smebye   (Ext. 5305) CommServ

 

   X

Kashima  (Ext. 5319)  ESL

 

    X

Zeisler     (Ext. 5426) Comm

  

  X

Other:  

   

 

 

 

 

Guests: D.Cordero, B.Grayson,

   

    X

Guests: Pat Hudak, J.VanTassel 

 

   X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of February 12, 2004, will be submitted to the Senate at next week’s meeting.  

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            It was agreed (M/S/U – Brennan/Harris) that Item VIII.A and Item VIII.B will be addressed immediately following Item VI.

 

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            There was no oral communication from the public at today's meeting.

        

  V.    Information & Announcements 

         1.  Alex advised that the Board of Trustees is holding a Strategic Conversation this evening in place of its regular Board meeting.  The meeting will be held in the Board Room at West Valley College, starting at 7:00 p.m.  The three items on the agenda for discussion are:

                  a)  Long term district financial analysis (Schwartz/Lewis)

                  b)  Revenue Enhancements (Jewett/Schelcher)

                  c)  Implications of Collective Bargaining (Owens/Dillon)

                  There will be small group discussions and Alex will attend the meeting and report back to the Senate.  He encouraged Senators to attend if at all possible.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

 A.     Curriculum Committee  -  No report was presented at today’s meeting.

 B.     Staff Recognition - Two resolutions are in process and will be announced in the future. 

 C.     Committee Appointments  - No appointments were made at today’s meeting.

 D.     Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development  - Betty Grayson welcomed Heather Lynne into the position, noting that the task  includes college and district functions.

         2.  Instructional Technology Committee - Pat Hudak presented the Senators with two documents for their information and review:  1) a synopsis of the committee’s meetings from December 9th and February 18th, and 2) the Activities List taken from the Technology Plan.  Pat skimmed over the documents explaining key issues for the Senate. He explained that the final report will be presented to the Senate in approximately two weeks.  The committee is using the report as a guide for the year.  He noted that the committee is lacking representation from the Social Science Division and the Applied Sciences Division.

         3.  Other:   No other reports were made today.

 

As agreed, the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Item VIII.B.

 

VIII.  New Business

 

    B.   Discuss Transfer Counselor Position

            Yolanda Coleman, serving as Chair of the Hiring Committee for the Transfer Program Director/Counselor, advised the Senators that there is a possibility that applicants may come from in-house.  The advantage to having an internal applicant is their knowledge of and experience at the college.  The disadvantage is that the division will not grow by the addition of a counselor, which has already been approved jointly by the Division Chair Council (DCC) and the Academic Senate.

 

            Yolanda asked the Senate to consider if an internal candidate is selected, can the vacant position be filled immediately without being included in the ranked list of positions approved by the DCC and the Senate?  She noted that Diane Pette has retired, Don Cordero is planning to retire, and Joni Johnson has expressed interest in retiring. If an internal candidate is selected for the position of Transfer Program Director/Counselor, the department will lose a number of positions, which will severely impact the department.  The department wants to maintain the number of positions for which it was approved.  If a lateral move is made, the department will not have its additional growth position. The application deadline is March 12th, and the committee is moving forward with recruitment efforts.  Yolanda was advised to bring the matter to the Senate and the DCC. 

 

            Discussion ensued and it was suggested that the department might fill the position with a one-year temporary contract person. One Senator remarked that there are some departments that will have to wait for positions based on the ranking and such action might not seem fair to those departments.  It was stated that this is a different situation, since the department’s needs were considered when the ranking took place and the department was given one additional position.  Another view expressed is that there may be a number of transfers, depending on the budget, and decisions of this nature should be made across the board, not just in one area.

 

            Concern was expressed relative to process, since the ranked list is a decision made jointly by the Academic Senate and the DCC.  It was agreed that there is no desire to violate the process and that the Senate can indicate its support or non-support to the DCC.  The following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U – Brennan/Zeisler):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate supports the Counseling Department in finding a solution and follow through on the original intent of the ranked list to add one counseling position, the Transfer Program Director/Counselor. Should an internal candidate be selected for the position, it is the intent of the Senate to maintain the staffing level already approved by the DCC and the Academic Senate.” 

 

            It was stated that it is not the intent of the Academic Senate to ignore the ranked list, but rather to support the Counseling Department.  The Senate is open to options, one being to revisit the list and make a new decision jointly with the DCC.  Yolanda will take the matter to the DCC and report back to the Senate next week.

 

 

 

 

A.      Discuss Need for Eleven-Month Health Occupation Position

            Senator Dooley explained the responsibilities of the Department Chair/Director of Health Occupations.  Much of the paper work that must be completed occurs after the semester, during the summer and winter breaks.  The position is currently a ten-month position and the off semester work is being done without compensation.  An eleven-month position is required to maintain the integrity of the Health Occupations program.  Betty Grayson explained that Mary Moore, serving as Division Chair, used some of her release time to fulfill the responsibilities of the Director.

 

            Alex reported that he received a call from Carolyn Fisher regarding this matter, stating that this is an ACE issue currently under negotiation.  If the Senate takes action, it can only serve as an advisory to ACE.  Don Cordero stated that this is indeed an issue for the Academic Senate.  This issue has to do with the direction of the college and the balance of curriculum.  If the Senate supports the Nursing Program, then academically, the integrity of the program requires an eleven-month position.

 

            The following motion passed unanimously (M/S/U – Brennan/Charland):

 

            “in that the tasks and responsibilities of the Department Chair/Director of Health Occupations extends beyond the teaching year and is critical to maintaining the academic integrity of the Health Occupations program, therefore, let it be resolved that the Mission College Academic Senate urge ACE and the district to shift the Department Chair/Director ten-month position to an eleven-month position, or consider another appropriate solution or provide compensation for additional work.”

                                                                                                             

The order of the agenda was resumed.

                 

VII.   Old Business

 

  A.    Discuss Status of Resolution of No Confidence in the Chancellor

            Alex stated that he had no additional information at this time.  He is anticipating the discussion that will take place at the March 25th District Academic Senate meeting on this matter. 

 

            A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the status of negotiations, the budget, and the relationship to the Board.  The tone of the discussion indicated frustration, concern, disappointment, and mistrust.  It was stated that it is the Chancellor’s job to demonstrate leadership skills and resolve the major problems facing the district. That doesn’t seem to be happening. The district needs a leader who will move the colleges and district forward and out of the current situation.  An effective leader is one who empowers and supports the membership of the organization.  Although the Chancellor appears to be addressing the nine points raised in the Bill of Particulars, there is question as to whether or not he is demonstrating leadership and supporting the colleges in all respects – not just the nine points.  After a leader has run the course, the organization should be stronger and more vibrant than the state the organization was in prior to his/her arrival – not weaker.  It was agreed that this matter must be discussed further at the March 25th District Academic Senate meeting.

 

    B.   Discuss Consideration for Associate Faculty in Hiring Process

            Alex provided the following historical background regarding proposals for Associate Faculty and the actions taken by the Mission College and West Valley College Academic Senates.

 

            On October 1, 2002, the WVC Academic Senate passed the following motion:

 

            “that the West Valley College Academic Senate directs its President Linda King to advise ACE that it does not support the proposal to guarantee interviews to associate faculty.”

 

            On November 25, 2003, the WVC Academic Senate passed the following motion in response to the second proposal for a point system:

 

            “that the West Valley College academic Senate upholds the current Hiring Policy and Procedures as adopted jointly by the Board of Trustees and the Academic Senate.  If changes take place in the Hiring Policy and Procedures, the changes should be made by the Academic Senate.”

 

            On September 26, 2002, the Mission College Academic Senate passed the following motion relative to the request for guaranteed interviews for Associate Faculty:

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate inform ACE that it does not support the idea of guaranteed interviews to Associate Faculty.”

 

            On December 4, 2003, the Mission College Academic Senate reviewed and discussed the proposal for a point system for Associate Faculty, and expressed concerns as to the feasibility of the proposed point system and its effectiveness in the hiring process.  Such a system would vary from department to department and would not be equitable across the board.  The Senate did not take action at that meeting.

 

         The Senators discussed their concerns with the most recent proposal to implement a point system, primarily that it is a difficult system to implement equitably.  Many faculty support finding a way to acknowledge the contributions made by Associate Faculty, and the Senate is encouraged to develop some means of demonstrating this in the hiring process.  If this proposal is not acceptable, the Senate needs to find the root causes as to why Associate Faculty are not hired into positions, and then correct the process.  The Senators agreed that there is a need for a reasonable solution. Alex suggested that further discussion on this matter be postponed to a future meeting in order to provide the Senators with ample time to study the proposed article.  If the Senate cannot support the proposal, what suggestions can be put forward in support of Associate Faculty and to address the concerns regarding the process as expressed above.                                         

 

VII.   Old Business Continued

 

   C.   Discuss & Develop District Budget Contingency Plan

            Alex posed the following question to the Senators:

 

            Assuming that propositions 57 and 58 do not pass; and that all state agencies (including all community college districts) may face up to a 25% cut in funding; and such cuts will probably reduce curriculum course offerings and academic programs; and given that matters that directly affect curriculum and academic programs is an Academic Senate responsibility;  what role should the Mission College Academic Senate play in planning for these cuts, and, in what ways can these cuts be made while preserving the integrity of our curriculum and academic programs to the fullest extent possible?

 

            Alex emphasized to the Senators that the Senate must answer this question and a plan must be developed before the election takes place.  It was agreed that the agenda for the next Senate meeting will include several appointments and selections, a report from Yolanda on the Transfer Director/Counselor position, and the only item of business will be the development of a District Budget Contingency Plan.                                                                           

                   

VIII.  New Business Continued

 

 

 

   C.   Select Candidates for Jonnah Laroche Scholarship Award

            The Jonnah Laroche Memorial Scholarship Award is an award presented by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.  The award is offered to Area B every other year, with a $300 award for a continuing student and a $500 award for a transfer student.  The Senators received copies of the students’ application, four transfer students and three continuing students, a list of criteria, and a ranking sheet.  These applications are to be ranked, tallied,  and the final selection will be announced at next week’s meeting.                                                                

 

   D.   Consider Resolution re: TTIP Funds

            At last week’s Senate meeting, the Senators were asked to consider the following resolution prepared by Senator Cox:

 

Resolution To Support Keeping Categorical Restrictions on TTIP Funds for Library Electronic Information Resources (Databases)

 

“Whereas, since 1996 California Community College libraries have received annual Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Program (TTIP) categorical funds for library automation and electronic information resources, and

 

Whereas, in the 2003-2004 budget year, 110 California Community Colleges will receive $4,000,000 ($36,364 each) in categorical TTIP funds to support subscriptions to these electronic information resources, and

 

Whereas, electronic information resources include periodical and newspaper databases, online encyclopedia resources, online bibliographic verification resources, and other online databases that are necessary for the research needs and the development of information competency skills of California community college students, and

 

Whereas, the electronic information resources made available to California Community College libraries through TTIP categorical funding provide a means of updating the resources that we offer to our students and equalizing access to information; therefore,

 

Be it resolved, that the Mission College Academic Senate urges the Consultation Council and the California Board of Governors to maintain equal and protected distribution of TTIP Library Automation and Electronic Information Resources funds, with existing guidelines left in place; and

 

Be it further resolved, that in the event that Board of Governors does not maintain the existing guidelines, the Mission College Academic Senate asks the District and College Budget Advisory Committees to continue the distribution of these funds for the purchase of library subscriptions to electronic information resources.”

 

Senator Cox was asked for the budget impact of this action.  She stated that this year the Mission College library received $36,000 plus $6,000 from the college earmarked for funding the license for the library’s online database.  According to the Governor’s proposal, these funds will be turned over into the general fund.  If this occurs, the funding for the database will be lost.  The college needs to set aside those funds for the purposes intended.  If the state does not require the college to earmark those funds, the library will lose its ability to continue the database.

 

 

            The following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U – Cox/Dooley):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate adopt the above resolution and communicate same to Ian Walton, Vice President of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.”

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence - None

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The agenda for the February 19, 2004, meeting of the Mission-West Valley Land Corporation.

            2.   The HR items that are to be reviewed at the February 25th meeting of the District Council.

         Announcements/Conferences - None

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m. (M/S/U).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.