Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved  Minutes

Thursday,  March 11, 2004 

 

I.          Call to Order/Roll Call

                  The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2:10 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:  H.Robles

   

    X

Other: H.Rothenberg 

 

   X

 

 

II.        Approval of the Minutes

                  The minutes for the meeting of March 4, 2004, were accepted and approved with the following clarification to Page 1, Item V.1 (Information & Announcements), second from last sentence is to read as follows:  “It was suggested by Senator Brennan that faculty members, when solicited by publishers to buy a textbook, …”   (M/S/P – Cox/Johnson).

 

III.       Order of the Agenda

                  It was agreed (M/S/U – Charland/Harris) that the Order of the Agenda will be suspended in order to accommodate Staff Development Coordinator Heather Rothenberg at 3:00 p.m.

                   

 IV.     Oral Communication from the Public

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

             

  V.     Information & Announcements 

              1.  Alex announced that the following Mission College faculty members will receive tenure at the next Board meeting to be held at Mission College on March 18, 2004:

                                             Scott Brunson                                               Char Perlas

                                             Scott Buss                                                       Julaine Rosner

                                Bianka Doomani                             Heather Lynne Rothenberg                  

                                             Christopher Martin                                  Sallie Wisner

                           Alex encouraged the Senators to attend the meeting, which starts at 7:00 p.m. in Hospitality Management to congratulate and support their colleagues.

                  2.    A letter dated January 19, 2004, from Trustee Schwartz was distributed to the Senate members.  Alex explained that this issue will be discussed at the March 25, 2004, meeting of the District Academic Senate.  The letter requests that each Senate rescind its motions based on the argument that the Senates acted in violation of the Brown Act.  Alex asked the Senators to review the information received and be prepared to discuss this on March 25th.

                  3.    Information on the use of the Testing Center was provided to the Senators for review and discussion on March 18, 2004.

                  4.    The Board will hold a workshop on the Brown Act on March 18, 2004.

 

VI.       Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

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

B.         Staff Recognition -  None were presented at today’s meeting. 

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

D.        Oral Reports

              1.   Staff Development  - Held for 3:00 p.m.

              2.  Other:   None

 

VII.     Old Business

 

   A.     Discuss Status of Resolution of No Confidence in Chancellor

                  Alex reported that he was not able to comply with the Senate’s request for his written response to the Bill of Particulars by March 11th.  He was away from the district at a statewide conference on Monday and Tuesday, March 8th and 9th.  The Chancellor agreed to try to have his response ready prior to the MC Academic Senate’s meeting on March 18th, per Alex’s request.

 

  B.      Consider Next Steps in Accreditation Process

                  Jonathan Brennan, Chair of the Accreditation Committee, and Harriett Robles, Vice President of Instruction, brought the Senators up to date on the status of the midterm report.  The Senators were provided with a time line and a copy of the January 16, 2002, letter from the Accrediting Commission. In order to meet the Commission’s deadline of November 1, 2004, Jonathan explained that he intends to present the first draft of the Midterm Report to the Division Chair Council and GAP, as well as the Academic Senate by May 13. 2004.

 

                  The Commission has requested that the Mid-Term Report focus on the following two recommendations:

 

                  1.    The team recommends that Mission College identify outcome measures or performance indicators and means to assess those measures for its major college and program objectives (Standard 3C.1).

                  2.    The team recommends that Mission College develop, refine, and implement its program review and evaluation processes for both instructional and non-instructional programs to provide a tighter link to the planning goals and directions (standards 3A.3, 3A.4, 4D.1, 5.10, 6.7, 9B.6, 10C.4).

 

                  Jonathan explained that the college has taken significant steps toward dealing with the second recommendation.  The Program Review Process has been revamped to Program Master Planning process, and although the process still needs further discussion, the plan demonstrates action taken toward resolving the Commission’s recommendation.

 

                  The college, however, has not made significant progress relative to the first recommendation.  Jonathan stated that he will not have much to report unless we take some action on Student Learning Outcomes.  The college does not have to have a process in place, but it needs to  demonstrate to the Commission that the college is working towards that end. Jonathan recommended that the Senate form a group to craft a plan, make presentations, etc. Harriett has volunteered to put together a presentation to be brought to the Academic Senate, working with Alex and ultimately, putting together a plan with recommendations. This will provide the Senate with the opportunity to make specific recommendations. The following motion was made (M/S – Brennan/Oliver):

 

                  “that the Mission College Academic Senate create a Student Learning Outcomes Task Force and appoint and approve several members today to report back with recommendations for a process to implement measurable Student Learning Outcomes by April 22, 2004.”

 

                  A number of related topics were discussed from various points of view.  Jonathan and Harriett explained the processes that could be considered.  The intent is to demonstrate that the students are learning what the instructor intends for them to learn to correlate between testing and learning, and demonstrate what was learned, how improvements were made, and how to incorporate changes into the system.  Each department will need to take the responsibility of dealing with this issue.  If the college does not establish the outcome measures, the State can attempt to develop them. 

 

                  The above motion was unanimously approved (M/S/U – Brennan/Oliver), and approved the appointment of President Braun, Vice President Brennan, Senator Kashima, and Senator Laird to work with Harriett on the task force.  Harriett agreed to call the meeting.

 

                  At this time the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Item VI.D.1 (Staff Development Report).

 

VI.D.1 -  Staff Development – * Heather Rothenberg reported that she has met with the District’s Director of Staff Development.  A web site for Staff Development can be visited through the Mission College website, and she is currently correcting any inaccurate information on the web site.  Heather advised that the District Staff Development Newsletter will continue, and she will contribute to the newsletter. 

              *  Heather is working on a faculty and staff three year development plan with Linda Angelotti and Frank Chong, and will  tie the college’s plan in with the District’s plan. 

                  *  Regarding Professional Development Day, Heather is working on tracking everyone’s Flex Credit.  It is unclear whether or not flex time is required by law.  The Staff Development Committee  has decided that there will be only one professional development day this year.  The August Professional Development Day is scheduled for Tuesday, August 31, 2004, and classes will start Wednesday, September 1, 2004.  This date has been set by the District.

                  *      Andres Alvarado will be available in the Staff Development Resource Center Monday through Friday, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  He is a computer expert and is available for personal training for faculty and staff.

                  *  Supplies have disappeared from the Staff Development Resource Center and there is only one printer that accommodates all the computers in the center.  During discussion the importance of funding Staff Development by the college was emphasized and President Braun suggested that he accompany Heather on a visit to Worku Negash to discuss the budget. 

                  Heather welcomed any suggestions or ideas and Alex thanked her for taking on this enormous task.

 

The order of the agenda was resumed and moved to Item VII.C.

 

VII.     Old Business (Continued)

 

    C.   Continue Discussion and Development of District Budget Contingency Plan

                  Alex advised that the district probably will face a deficit for next year even though Propositions 57 and 58 passed, although the deficit numbers have not yet been reported. The deficit is due to the state receiving less revenue than originally anticipated, particularly property tax revenue.  The district’s expenses continue to rise, particularly in Health and Welfare benefits.  It is his view, however, that the deficit will not be as drastic as originally expected. 

 

                  The Academic Senate needs to develop some way to help the district achieve its budget goals without disrupting academic programs.  The district has promised no layoffs, and so far, the promise holds. Both colleges are moving forward with hires to meet the district’s FON number of 158.6.  If the district does not meet the FON, the district is penalized $57,500/position below the FON.  The District cannot save money by laying off faculty and not meeting the FON.  

 

                  Alex reported that the State Chancellor has calculated that the amount of revenue that would be realized from raising the rate for BA holders to $50/unit would not be worthwhile.  Many BA holders are unemployed and will not be able to enroll should the fee be that high.  He announced that he will be participating in the March in March  to Sacramento on Monday with his students.  President Chong, President Jensen, and Chancellor Arterberry will also be participating and will be meeting with legislators recommending that the $50/unit be rescinded.  The unit rate for undergrads is being considered at $24-$26/unit.  This is more likely to occur.

 

                  Alex once again asked the Senators to contemplate what the Senate’s role should be in the budget process and consider the impact of budget cuts on academic programs.  Some concern was expressed relative to the role of ACE in negotiations and the Senate’s role, and it was explained that ACE and the Senate have different roles.  The Academic Senate has the authority to be involved in the budget process.  The Senate’s primary role deals with academic issues, i.e. the curriculum, and the Senate will necessarily need to consider how to respond to the administration if they request reductions in academic programs.

 

                  Alex noted that the discussion on this topic at the West Valley College Academic Senate (WVCAS) is centered around core curriculum. The WVCAS is considering the core of each department/division, students’ needs to attain certificate and/or degree, and what is not pertinent to the core.  The intent is to rebuild on the core when the budget crisis is over.  The Senate needs to consider what defines “core curriculum,” what catalog rights students have, who is teaching the classes – full-time/part-time, proposed WSCH goals, WSCH/FTE, size of classes, and the number of classes to be offered, etc.   All of the above will have a great impact to be felt by all.  It was stated that the purpose of the Senate is to protect the academy and that major concern should influence decisions accordingly.

 

X.        Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

              Correspondence

             1.    The FACCC weekly E-Mail Report dated March 5, 2004.

              Publication/Minutes

              1.    The agenda for the March 10, 2004, meeting of the District Council.

                  2.    The agenda for the March 10, 2004, Special Closed Session Meeting of the Board of Trustees.

                  3.    The agenda for the March 10, 2004, meeting of GAP, and the summary notes for the February 25th meeting.

                  4.    The approved minutes for the February 26, 2004, meeting of ACE.

                  5.    The STATE BUDGET UPDATE from the CCLC dated March 5, 2004.

              Announcements/Conferences

 

XI.       Future Agenda Items

No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.     Adjournment

                  The meeting was adjourned at 4:10  p.m. (M/S/U – Oliver/Cox).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.