Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday, March 4, 2004  

 

I.          Call to Order/Roll Call

                  President Alex Braun called the meeting to order at 2:09 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

   

Guests:  Y.Coleman,

   

    X

D.Sweetapple,   J.VanTassel 

 

   X

 

II.        Approval of the Minutes

                  The minutes for the meeting of February 26, 2004, were accepted and approved (M/S/P) as submitted.

 

III.       Order of the Agenda

                  No changes were made to today’s order of the agenda.

 

 IV.     Oral Communication from the Public

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

             

  V.     Information & Announcements 

              1.  Since the Academic Senate has discussed the issue of textbook pricing, Senator Cox reported on a publication from the CALPIRG Organization, entitled “Rip Off 101” providing information as to how publishers are increasing the cost of textbooks to students.  The Executive Summary indicates that one of the major reasons for an increase in cost is that publishers are releasing new editions of a text with minimal changes, making the old one obsolete and the new one necessary.  Another added expense is bundling, which most faculty members do not use or need.  The 24 page document is available on line at CALPIRG.org.  It was suggested that faculty members, when solicited by publishers to buy a textbook, request that two or three additional complimentary books be included in the order.  Those books can then be donated to the Library for use by students.

                  2.    President Braun reported that the District Academic Senate’s Task Force charged with a review of the District’s Faculty Hiring Policy has met. In addition to Alex, the task force includes Senator Dooley (MC), Senator Reed (WVC) and Senator Dotson (WVC).  The recommended changes will be submitted to the District Academic Senate for consideration and approval at its meeting on March 25, 2004.                                             

              3.    President Braun reported that the Board of Trustees has placed an item on its agenda for March 18, 2004, dealing with the Brown Act.  He advised that Trustee Schwartz has taken issue with the actions taken by both Senates on the WVC Wrestling Course, stating that the Senates acted in violation of the Brown Act.  Alex advised that the Academic Senate Presidents have consulted with experts at the state level who have stated that the Senates acted within the limits of the Brown Act.  A copy of Trustee Schwartz’s letter will be distributed to each Senator.   

 

At this time, it was agreed, by consensus, to move the agenda to Item VI. B before Item VI.A.

VI.       Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

 B.       Staff Recognition  -  The following resolution was unanimously passed at today’s meeting (M/S/U – Dooley/Oliver) and was presented to Dick Sweetapple:

 

                    “Whereas, Dick Sweetapple is an integral member of the Mission College community performing expert telecommunication and media support services and;

 

Whereas, Dick Sweetapple has over (the years) provided these services on an untold number of occasions to all elements of Mission College and;

 

Whereas, Dick Sweetapple was instrumental in the design and implementation of the telecommunication facility and;

 

Whereas, Dick Sweetapple has assisted the Health Occupation Programs in developing and producing teaching videos and has been instrumental in establishing the protocols for using distance learning with Cabrillo College and:

 

Whereas, Dick Sweetapple has given of his time to record health messages for Student Health and for Counseling and:

 

Whereas, Dick Sweetapple has willingly and graciously videotaped college wide events and;

 

Whereas, Dick Sweetapple makes every person he works with feel very special;

 

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that Dick Sweetapple is held in the highest regard and esteem by the Academic Senate and Mission College and will forever represent a standard of professionalism, courtesy and service to which all may aspire.”

 

Dick received a standing ovation from the members of the Academic Senate.

 

A.         Curriculum Committee  -  Dianne McKay, Chair of the MC Curriculum Review Committee reported that the committee is currently operating significantly different from past semesters.  She explained that the change in operational procedures have occurred due to necessity, as the committee no longer has administrative support.  She emphasized that all faculty must be made aware of the current process, and it is anticipated that a new online process will be in place by Fall.   Dianne advised that the committee will meet every week to review and revise curriculum proposals in great detail.  Two Super Monday meetings will be held this semester for first and second readings for all course proposals.  The intent is that all submissions must be correct and complete, and Division Chairs need to be conscientious with regard to overlap or the course will not be approved, and, therefore, not offered for next Spring.  The following is the committee’s timeline and steps in the current process:

 

                  1.    Submit proposed new or revised curriculum to the committee through your respective CRC representative.  Completed curriculum requests include all signatures and associated forms.

 

                  2.    CRC representative will review the requests and work with the instructor on changes and corrections.

 

                  3.    After CRC representative (Step 2), review, submit proposed curriculum electronically to the Technical Review Subcommittee – to Betty Ensminger.

 

                  4.    The Technical Review Subcommittee will review the proposed curriculum, and submit the packet of complete forms to Hoan Phamn to check for completeness.

 

                  5.    When correct and complete, the Technical Review Subcommittee will submit the packet to the full CRC for a first and second readings and approval.

 

                  Dianne emphasized that all curriculum forms and the Curriculum Manual are available online at http://salsa.missioncollege.org/curriculum.  The timeline is driven by the schedule for the catalog, and is as follows:

 

                  •       The Technical Review Subcommittee will meet February 23, March 1, March 8, March 15, and March 22, 2004.

 

                  •       The first Super Monday meeting will be held April 12, 2004, at which time the committee will review proposals for a first reading.  Any items remaining from last semester will be included at this meeting.

 

                  •       The second Super Monday meeting will be held April 19, 2004.  All paper work must be completed and in good order.

 

                  •       Mission College will propose all curriculum for Spring 2005 to the Board of Trustees on May 20, 2004.  Therefore all items must be completed and satisfactory by March 22, 2004. 

 

                  •       The Technical Review Subcommittee will continue to meet for 2004/05 curriculum on April 26, May 3, May 10, and May 17, 2004.

 

                  Dianne also reported that a District subcommittee, comprised of herself, Harriett Robles, Joe Samuels, and Jim Wilczak is working on the development of a policy on Lab by Arrangement classes.  This is to ensure that the district is in compliance with Title 5.  The Academic Senate Presidents will be invited to join the committee to develop the policy.  It is anticipated that this task will be completed in April.  Alex will keep the Senate apprised.

 

                  Dianne and Yolanda Coleman attended a hearing sponsored by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) on raising graduation requirements for Math and English.  One recommendation is to require English 1A, which Mission College has already instituted, and the other is to require Intermediate Algebra as a Math requirement.  The rationale for the math change is that Elementary Algebra is a graduation requirement for high schools at this time.  The pro and con arguments on this issue are available on the ASCCC web site, http://www.academicsenate.cc.ca.us/.   

 

 C.       Committee Appointments

                  1 Commencement Committee  -  The Senators unanimously approved (M/S/U – Johnson./Cox) the appointment of Senator Anna Brichko and Senator Ron Smebye to this committee.  They will keep the Senate apprised of commencement plans.            

              2.   Student Readiness Task Force – Chair Jonathan Brennan reported that Keith Johnson has volunteered to replace Ruth Laird on this Committee. Keith’s appointment was unanimously approved by the Senate (M/S/U-Johnson/Cox).

D.        Oral Reports

              1.   Staff Development  - No report was presented.  It was suggested that Heather be invited to the Senate.                                                                                                                     

              2. Other:   No other reports were presented.

 

VII.     Old Business

 

    A.   Discuss Status of Resolution of No Confidence in ChancellorAlex reported that Chancellor Arterberry has agreed to respond to the Senate’s request for a written response to the Bill of Particulars.  He will attempt to comply with the Senate’s request and have a report ready by March 11, 2004.  This item is to be addressed and reviewed at the District Academic Senate meeting of March 25, 2004.

                   

  B.      Update Report on Transfer Program/Director Counselor Position

                  Yolanda Coleman reported that she met with the Division Chair Council (DCC) on this matter, and the Council members were not willing to approve the request to replace a counselor if an internal counselor is hired to fill the Transfer Program/Director position at this time.  She advised that there is some concern relative to the 50% rule, particularly since the college has been approved to fill four additional positions.  Harriet Robles asked for additional time to consider the matter and intends to meet with President Chong and Sam Bersola on this issue. 

 

                  Alex stated that currently there is no policy relative to lateral transfers and how that impacts the ranking of positions to be filled, which is accomplished jointly by the Academic Senate and the Division Chair Council.  The rationale for the ranking procedure is to ensure that adequate staffing is provided where needed.  However, when the process defeats the purpose of the intent of the ranking, there needs to be an orderly and fair process in place to remedy the situation.  If a position is approved, and an in-house candidate moves into the new position, then the department has lost the additional position it was intended to have.

 

                  During discussion, there was some concern regarding process. Since the ranking is a joint decision of the Academic Senate and the Division Chair Council, and although it is important to have advice from the Office of Instruction, Student Development, and the President, it is ultimately the decision of the DCC and the Academic Senate.  Although the Board of Trustees makes the final decision, Alex emphasized that the Board has agreed to rely primarily on the advice of the Academic Senate.  It was agreed that a discussion on a Lateral Transfer Policy be agendized for discussion.                          

 

  C.      Continue Discussion & Development of District Budget Contingency Plan

                  Proposition 57 passed by approximately 64%.  Alex stated that this margin of victory is extremely high in light of the fact that the proposition was failing. He believes this is unprecedented.  Proposition 58 passed as expected.  Consequently, the information he has shared with the Senators with respect to the Governor’s proposed budget stands at this time. The deciding factor will be the legislature.  The Governor is required by law to initially prepare a balanced budget.  The new law, effective the beginning of July requires that the legislature approve a balanced budget.  Proposition 56, however, did not pass, which means that the legislature must continue to pass a budget with a 2/3 majority.

 

                  Several documents were distributed to the Senate members for their review:

                  1)  The list of 107 recommendations from various entities of the college communities, submitted to DBAC, and listed as short-term, long-term, operational, personnel, and how many times that particular recommendation was made. 

                  2) The responses to the list by the Executive Management Team (EMT) comprised of the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, the two college Presidents, the Director of Human Resources, and the Special Assistant to the Chancellor.

                  3)    The list of ideas developed at last week’s Senate meeting.

 

                  The Senators were asked to review the documents and consider the information in order to determine what the Academic Senate should emphasize or de-emphasize as far as the college’s academic programs are concerned.  Alex explained that if the Governor’s budget passes, it means a 5% increase in revenue over last year, $1.2 million in equalization funds, and $1.2 million in growth money, including a COLA.  This information is to be discussed at another Senate meeting to decide what effect this will have as far as successfully funding the activities at both colleges. DBAC will continue to seek recommendations for budget economy or reductions and yet maintain the integrity of the academic programs.

 

                  In response to a question at last week’s meeting regarding the number of transfer students, Alex reported that the college transferred 25 students to the UC system and 278 students to the CSU system, for a total of 303 students last year.  These statistics were provided by Chris Olson, the Institutional  Research Analyst, as taken from data reported by the CCC Chancellor’s Office.  Chris provided the Senators with an historical graph as well.  A brief discussion ensued on how transfers are reported and who decides what college is given credit for the transfer. 

 

                  At this time, Alex stated that he intends to place the Budget Contingency Plan as a standing item on future agendas.

 

VIII.   New Business

  

    A.   Consider DCC Resolution on Testing Center

                  Alex advised that the MC Academic Senate has been asked to consider the following motion, passed unanimously at the Division Chair Council on February 23, 2004: 

 

“Whereas, Mission College does not presently offer a make up testing center, and

 

Whereas. our students attend classes from 7am, to 10pm and on weekends, often after working full time and caring for families, and

 

Whereas, previously MC maintained a testing center that was effective, efficient and that helped countless students complete their courses and achieve their educational goals, and

 

Whereas, the testing center had a staff of up to 3 people (where today there are none), and

 

Whereas, students are suffering because PT faculty are not on campus long enough to offer students a chance to make up missed exams, and

 

Whereas, students are suffering because FT faculty do not have a secure and quiet place to provide make up tests, and

 

Whereas, the effect of no testing center on students if they cannot make up missed tests can be 1) they fail a course, 2) they get a lower grade due to missed exams, 3) they drop out ,

 

Be it resolved by the Mission College Division Chair Council that we ask the Academic Senate to work with GAP, CBAC and administrators to find the funds to staff make up testing beginning ASAP, and

 

Be it further resolved that we ask the Academic Senate to create a task force to explore alternative methods to support and fund make up testing, and

 

Be it finally resolved that we ask the Academic Senate to work with GAP, CBAC, and administrators to ensure ongoing staffing for a make up testing center.”

 

Alex opened the floor to discussion and asked for directions on how to proceed.  It was stated that previous reports indicated that only a few faculty used the Testing Center and some faculty were using the center inappropriately.   Several Senators reported how they handle make-up testing and the Senators requested that the data collected on the use of the Testing Center over a semester be provided as information.   It was also suggested that the Senate determine how other colleges handle this matter. Once again, Alex asked for direction and/or for a motion to either continue discussion, approve the motion, or postpone discussion. The following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U –Oliver/Dooley):

 

“that the Mission College Academic Senate postpone consideration of the above motion as passed by the Division Chair Council to its March 18th meeting in order to acquire more data on this matter.”                                       

     

X.        Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

              Correspondence 

                  1.    E-mail dated February 26, 2004, from the President of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges with an update of February events.

              Publication/Minutes

              1.    The agenda for the March 4, 2004, meeting of the Board of Trustees.

                  2.    A packet of HR items to be reviewed at the March 10th District Council meeting.

                  3.    The agenda packet for the March 3, 2004, meeting of DBAC .

              Announcements/Conferences -  None

 

XI.       Future Agenda Items

No new items were added at today’s meeting.

 

XII.     Adjournment

                  The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. (M/S/U – Brennan/Laird).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.