I. Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by President Don Cordero at 3:40 p.m. Senators present: Margaret Boone (AAS, Ext. 3313), Lois Carroll (Instructional Support Serv., Ext. 3226), Betty Christopher (Commercial Services, Ext. 3341), Don Cordero (Pres/Counseling, Ext. 3142), Judy Hooper (Student Services, 3146), Peggy Messerschmidt (Communications, Ext. 3415), Cliff Monroe (Technology, Ext. 3349), Diane Pette (Student Services, Ext. 3138), Clint Poe (Natural Science, Ext. 3436), Joan Powers (ESL, Ext. 3401), Karl Ting (Math, Ext. 3442), and Wen-Xian Xu (Social Science, Ext. 3447). Guests Present: Ruth Carlson, Chris Constantin, Moira Davis, Gloria Hom, Joni Johnson, Rose Tseng, Ian Walton, and Les White. The following WVCAS members attended by way of teleconference with the assistance of Dave Fratto: Paula Clark, Ana Maria deBarling, Linda Lawson, Bill Mowatt, Moises Roizen, Joan Sarlo, Peter Thelin, and Jim Wilczak.

II. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes for the February 27, 1997, meeting were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U - Pette/Powers)

The minutes for the May 22, 1997, meeting were accepted and approved with the following correction to Page 2, Item VIII.B, fourth sentence: Don advised that he attended a meeting this morning that was called by the Chancellor and included the two College Presidents ..."

III. Order of the Agenda

Item VII.A was deleted from the agenda. Don explained that Lin Marelick's nomination for Treasurer of the state Academic Senate did not have to be made by the Academic Senate, and he forwarded her nomination to the state Academic Senate as the Academic Senate President.

IV. Oral Communication from the Public

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

V. Information & Announcements

1. Don announced that graduation will begin at 6:30 p.m. Senators Boone, Hooper, McKay, Pette, Poe and Powers will serve as Marshals.

VI. Old Business

A. Provide Direction to the AS President re: Vote of No Confidence

Don's term as Academic Senate President will be completed May 31, 1997, and Ian Walton's term begins on June 1, 1997. The Senate directed Don to distribute a ballot to faculty to indicate their support or non-support of a vote of no confidence against the Chancellor, in the event that the Chancellor did not submit her resignation effective December 31, 1997. Since the letter of resignation was not forthcoming, a ballot was distributed to all faculty, with a deadline of 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 30, 1997, to submit their votes. Preliminary results of the ballot indicate there is strong support for the resolution of no confidence. The West Valley College Academic Senate (WVCAS) intends to approach the Board on this matter on June 5 and request that the matter be placed on the Board's agenda of June 19 for discussion. Don called this meeting today in order for the Senate members to provide direction to Ian on how to proceed should the results of the faculty's vote indicate support for the vote of no confidence against the Chancellor.

Some Senators wanted to utilize today's meeting as an opportunity for the Chancellor to address the concerns of faculty and the points raised in the resolution of no confidence. Others indicated that since the Senate distributed the ballot to faculty, it is the responsibility of the Senate to move forward, join the WVCAS, present the results of the faculty's vote, and open dialogue on the issues with the Board. The faculty at large has been given the opportunity to direct the Senate, and it is no longer the Senate's decision. The vote will reflect the opinion of faculty and it will advise the Board of the faculty's concerns through the Academic Senate. This process is in keeping with the current law, which permits the Academic Senate to deal directly with the Board.

Dr. Tseng stated that she is willing to accept responsibility for her failing and understands that she must make changes. She stated her commitment to, and love for, Mission College, as well as her desire to continue to help provide necessary resources for the college. She intends to try to understand and correct the problems. She realizes now that the communication avenue is inadequate and she will attempt to correct this by holding quality open forums at each college to address faculty concerns, meet more frequently with each college Senate, and meet more frequently with small groups of faculty. She will listen more and act accordingly. In the spirit of shared governance, more information will be shared regarding the Economic Development Institute, the Administrative Management Team, District Services, etc. She noted that the members of ChAdCo have agreed upon the membership and the operations for the newly formed District Council. The Council is intended to serve as the district's shared governance entity and will begin to operate under its new structure and guidelines for a six month trial period.

Mike Rao urged the Senate to consider the seriousness of a vote of no confidence, and to ensure that the process has been fair, just, and one each of the Senate members would expect if they were to be evaluated. He encouraged the Senate to provide the Chancellor with an opportunity to respond and influence the Senate's actions.

Ian asked the Senators to provide more specific instructions. He emphasized the need for the Senate to discuss the direction he is to take and to discuss the point of the vote, especially since it is the summer and he will not have the opportunity to communicate with faculty. What is the Mission College faculty asking of the Board?

Several Senators spoke to the issue, reporting on discussions with faculty within their divisions and with faculty at large. Basically, the faculty has concerns relative to the priorities selected by the Board and administered through the Chancellor, and they want change. A tremendous amount of time has been spent focused outward and very little time focused on the two colleges, regardless of the perception of the Board, the Chancellor, and the district office. It is believed that the priorities as stated and directed by the Board, through the Chancellor, are upside-down. It is the responsibility of both the Board and the Chancellor to deal with these concerns. In essence, this vote is meant to serve as a wake up call to the Board to be aware and to remain alert as to what is occurring at the two colleges and to intervene before the situation becomes intolerable. There is a need for genuine and sincere dialogue, genuine caring, genuine commitment, and genuine value for the work performed by faculty as the priority in this district. Our students are the primary priority, and the people who teach them on the front line have to be the next priority. Everything else falls way down the list. At this time, the process is that the Lord of the Manor tells the serfs, through e-mail or the latest publicity outlet, what is being decided for them so they can do the work and bring in the resources. That is not the way it is supposed to be. Dr. Tseng stated that she has been asking the Board to discuss and clarify the priorities of the district.

Specific incidents were cited to the Chancellor to serve as evidence that faculty have been ignored by both the Chancellor and the Board. One example cited was a discussion that took place between the Chancellor, the MCAS, and MC faculty regarding an additional administrative position. The Chancellor was advised of the faculty and the Senate's strong opposition to this position and strongly advised her that there were other priorities that were considerably more important. Much to the consternation of the Senate and faculty, the position was moved forward. Dr. Tseng responded that the position was recommended by a consultant to satisfy the Board's request for additional information, and the position was discussed at ChAdCo. President Cordero strongly stated, as a point of fact, that the question of the position was never brought to ChAdCo for discussion.

Faculty feel that the Senate's role in shared governance has not really been fully accepted and appears to be superficial. Faculty must feel and have proof that the resolutions passed by the Senates, as well as advice given by the Senates, is taken seriously and acted upon. The major issue of shared governance must be addressed. In addition, a mechanism must be developed and put into place to ensure that the faculty are involved in the development and approval of new programs and new systems, such as EDI, Contract Ed, SBDC, etc. Those programs will not be successful until faculty are involved. The representatives from the AAS Division and Technology Division expressed their appreciation for the support and assistance for their programs provided by Dr. Tseng and Dr. Rao. Nevertheless, they indicated the need for more open and honest communication from the administration and stressed the need for faculty's involvement in the decision-making process.

Dr. Tseng agreed with the premise that students and faculty come first, and most of the priorities that she sets with the Board are intended to benefit the students and faculty. It appears, however, that fact may not be clearly communicated. Dr. Tseng also agreed that there appears to be a lack in communication, and further stated that she is not sure that faculty really feel that the district's priorities are upside-down. When she arrived in the district, a staff survey was taken, and her mandate clearly was to build the district's image, establish partnerships, etc. And for the last three years she has been fulfilling that mandate. The Chancellor was advised that although the results of the survey indicated these qualities were desired, it was not intended for those things to be achieved at the expense of the programs and curriculum.

Don reminded the MCAS for the record that the Senate passed a motion to proceed with a vote of no confidence unless a letter of resignation, effective December 31, 1997, was received. Irrespective of what the WVCAS did, the question of resignation was part of the motion passed by the MCAS and part of the discussion. Senator McKay agreed that resignation was part of the discussion and an option that was included in the motion. With the option not being taken, the first part of the motion to proceed with the vote of no confidence is in effect. Nowhere in the resolution of no confidence is there a mention of resignation. Don maintained that that fact must be reflected to the Board.

Ian stated his understanding of the Senate's direction is to take the results of the vote to the Board on June 5 and ask to meet with the Board on June 19 to discuss and develop some mechanism by which the Senates can address specific problems. His view is that the direction is detailed and long-term enough to occur in the fall when everyone will be available. He will take the results of the vote forward to the Board and deal with details and process. Don confirmed that it is the recommendation of the Mission College Academic Senate that the substance of the discussions, after being presented and after an agenda for discussion has been established, will take place in the fall as opposed to over the summer. The processes should include evaluative processes, value processes, Board processes, etc. A definite timeline needs to be established to determine whether or not substantive changes have taken place and the priorities of the district have changed. Joan and Ian will meet prior to the Board meeting and discuss the matter further.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

At this time, Don announced that Librarian Lois Carroll will retire effective June 1, 1997. Don recognized all of her contributions, noting not only her contributions to the Library and the College, but her contributions to the Academic Senate over the years, particularly on issues that teaching faculty may be a little less knowledgeable. On behalf of the Senate, Don wished her well and turned the gavel over to Lois. Lois thanked everyone, stating she has enjoyed her years at Mission College, she has met many good people, and she is grateful for the opportunity to have been part of Mission College for the last 12 years.

VIII. Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

No mail was received prior to today's meeting.

XI. Future Agenda Items

No future agenda items were added at today's meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m. (M/S/U - Carroll/McKay). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.