Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,  October 23, 2003

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2:17 p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

 

   X

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

    

   X

Brennan    (Ext. 5313)  Comm

     

    X

Musat      (Ext. 5331) Math

 

   X

Charland  (Ext. 5046)  Stud. Dev.

 

    X

Oliver      (Ext. 5427)  AAS

 

   X

Cox        (Ext.5164) CommSvc

 

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

 

   X

Dooley    Ext. 5379)   AAS

 

    X

Rivas      (Ext. 5282)  CATA

     

   X 

Johnson   (Ext.5277) CATA

    X

   

Rosner      (Ext. 5317) ESL

 

   X

Laird       (Ext. 5186) SocScience

 

   X

Smebye   (Ext. 5305) CommServ

   X

  

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

 

   X

Zeisler     (Ext. 5426) Comm

 

   X

Other:  B.Grayson (Staff Dev)

   

   X

ASB Reps. B.Casillas, R.Holt

 

   X

Guests: M.Babbitt, S.Bersola, A.Cowels, S.Dinger,  E. Dolan,

   

   X

   X

J.Hacker, P.Messerchsmidt, H.Robles, H.Stephens, C.Toppel

      

   X

   X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of October 16, 2003, were accepted and approved with the following correction to Page 1, Item V.I   (M/S/U – Perlas/Charland):

 

            “Senator Perlas advised that the Chancellor Vice President requested that the Student Services Council fill out a grid form that indicates how to reduce, combine or discontinue student services for Program Review and efficiency purposes.”

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            The Senators agreed (M/S/U – Brennan/Charland) to change the order of the agenda to accommodate guests. 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.   Senator Perlas announced that Mission College is sponsoring a reception for honor students with transfer potential next Thursday at 3:00 p.m. in Room 219/220 of the Campus Center.   This reception will provide an opportunity for students, counselors, instructors and the administration to recognize those students that do so well.  Senator Charland acknowledged Vice President Bersola for promoting this event.  He noted that approximately 40 students will be honored for their stellar performance.  Refreshments will be served.

            2.   President Braun will be attending the ASCCC Fall Plenary Session in Pasadena next Thursday and asked the Senators if they wish to cancel next week’s meeting or not. The decision will be made at the end of today’s meeting.

            3.   ASB Representative Robin Holt announced that the winners of the ASB Grant award will be announced this evening in Center Space from 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.   Also, Transfer Night will be held following the Transfer Reception.  She asks that faculty encourage their students to attend.  Over 45 schools will be represented from all over California as well as other states.

            4.   President Braun introduced Cathy Cox, the replacement for Senator Estrada representing Commercial Services.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

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

 B.     Staff Recognition -  No resolution was offered today.

 C.     Committee Appointments 

            1.  Announce Tenure Review Teams – Alex reported that all Tenure Review Team vacancies have been filled.   A list is available from the Office of Instruction and the Academic Senate Office.

D.      Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development – No report

         2.  GAP Report  -  Alex will send out a written report on recent GAP and DBAC meetings in order to save time for today’s agenda.

         3.  DBAC Report – See #2

         4.  Other:  There were no other reports.

 

As agreed, the Order of the Agenda was suspended and moved to Item VIII.B to accommodate guests.

 

VIII.  New Business

B.      Presentation on Learning Communities

            Peggy Messerschmidt introduced two members of the Learning Communities Institute, Marcia Babbitt and Ed Dolan, who have been conducting a site visit at Mission College for the last two days.  Marcia is the Director of the ESL Program at Kingsford College in New York and Ed is a retiree from Hartford College in Chicago and serves as a facilitator at the Learning Communities Institute.    

 

            Marcia explained that the site visit is a follow-up to the Institute attended by the Mission College team in 2002.  She expressed appreciation for Mission College and indicated that a similar type of student population attends her college.  Kingsford College is a commuter college like Mission and most of the student are at-risk students.  The Learning Communities program started at her school in 1995 and the college has developed a complete program, which starts in the Freshman year.  She reported that the result of the program is a low dropout rate with much intervention.  Students take five different classes in a multi-interdisciplinary learning community with content courses. 

           

            Ed advised that he has been involved in learning communities for years, previously known as team taught courses.  Currently, about 500 colleges and universities throughout the country are involved in learning communities implemented in many forms.  He noted that Mission College has an advantage in that there is an existing predisposition for learning communities at the college. 

 

            The floor was opened to discussion, and the guests were asked if learning communities have an impact on teaching effectiveness and student success. Marcia stated that her college has experienced spectacular results, with student success rates in 1995, when the program started, going from 60% to over 90% with a very low drop rate, and the trend has continued.  The Provost has decided to mandate the program for all in-coming full-time students.  Ed advised that there is ample research available, both qualitative and quantitative, that has fueled the rapid expansion of learning communities in higher education. 

 

            The Senators thanked both Ed and Marcia for their report.  They, in turn, indicated their appreciation for Mission College and its learning communities and left the meeting to present a workshop, at which time they will report on their site visit and offer their recommendations.

 

            The order of the agenda was resumed.

 

VII.   Old Business

 

 

 

   A.   Discuss Status of Resolution of No Confidence in Chancellor

            Alex shared his impression that Chancellor Arterberry appears to be moving in the right direction, particularly relative to preparation of the budget for next year.  The Chancellor is consulting with the constituents of the district community regarding the upcoming state budget, including the Academic Senate Presidents and the Classified Senate Presidents. Senator Perlas indicated that the Chancellor has also been very helpful in gaining support for the MESA Program at the state level.

 

            Alex noted that although the legislature approved budget reduction cuts to community colleges in 2003/04, an $8 billion debt remains for 2004/05.  The State of California has issued a revenue bond to finance $10.5 billion.  The bond is being challenged in the courts as unconstitutional on the grounds that such a bond would require a referendum to be voted on by the electorate.  This could mean serious ramifications for the colleges if the challenge is successful.  Alex will provide further details in his written GAP and DBAC report.

 

   B.   Review Program Master Planning Process w Jody Hacker

            The Senators were provided with the final draft of the Program Master Planning Process adopted by the Academic Senate last year.  Jody reviewed the process with the Senators, and she and Carol Toppel addressed the concerns raised by the Senators and the Vice President of Instruction.  The primary concerns involved accountability and the question of qualitative and/or quantitative data to support listed goals.  Jody and Carol explained that it is anticipated that the new model, which looks forward five years rather than to past years, will motivate people to complete the process.  In addition, the plan is to be updated every year.  As for the inclusion of data, the intent was to allow people to include data they choose as appropriate. Faculty are professionals, and, in the development of the process, it is anticipated that people would avail themselves of all necessary resources.  Jody also explained that part of the plan was to include training for all those involved in the process. In addition, the process can be modified as needed if the implementation of the process indicates the need.  

 

            During discussion, a motion to include an additional document regarding goals failed and it was suggested that a training workshop be utilized to ensure understanding on the setting of goals.  It was also suggested that a pilot study be conducted. The following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U – Oliver/Dooley):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate implement a pilot program (of the Program Master Planning Process) in conjunction with the appropriate training.  The Vocational Nurse Program and the Psych Tech Program, in combination, are offered to serve as the subject for the pilot study.”

 

            It was noted, however, that a Chair of the Program Master Planning Committee has not been appointed.  The Senate Office issued a call with no results.  Jody indicated interest in continuing as chair, and the Senators unanimously and heartily appointed Jody as Chair of the Program Master Planning Committee (M/S/U – Charland/Oliver) subject to clearance for her appointment. 

 

   C.   Consider Chancellor’s Request for Concurrence of MCAS w WVCAS to Delay Hiring of New Faculty

            Alex provided the Senators with the Chancellor’s responses to the questions posed by the Mission College Academic Senate on this matter at last week’s meeting.  The FON numbers supplied by the Chancellor indicate that the district is 23.5 FTE below the Full-Time Faculty Obligation Number (FON) for Fall 2003. This means the district has been penalized $1.3 million, to be paid over a three year period at approximately $400,000/year. This money has been allotted in the final budget approved by the Board of Trustees. Alex also reported that he just received news that the Board of Governors has raised the penalty for this year from $55,000/position to $57,500/position.  Therefore, if the district does not meet its FON obligation or request a delay to hire, the district faces a higher penalty rate.  The Board of Governors has designated the Fall 2002 FON (our district number is 358.1) as the base number for the Fall 2003 FON.  Mission College has six retiree positions to be filled and West Valley College has 17 retiree positions.  WVC is filling six, as is Mission College, and eleven WVC positions will remain unfilled as the WVC Academic Senate has agreed to delay filling those eleven positions until Fall 2004.  If the Mission College Academic Senate elects not to agree to the delay, the district will have to fill the remaining positions by November 2004 or be subject to the penalty.  Harriett stated that the deadline to hire is February 1, 2004, or a penalty is incurred.

 

            A lengthy discussion ensued, and Alex advised that Vivian Lock, the President of the WVC Academic Senate (WVCAS) could not attend today’s meeting due to a conflict in her schedule.  It is his understanding that there is a commitment to fill the eleven positions in the Fall.  The Senators asked for a rationale for the WVCAS decision, and the minutes for the September 30, 2003, meeting of the WVCAS were read.  The minutes indicated that the Division Chair Council made the recommendation to the Senate to approve the delay, filling six positions in Spring 2004 and eleven positions in Fall 2004.  The minutes also indicated, “… that no penalty is involved if the Senate approves the delay, and all faculty hired by August 2004 will be counted towards the November 2004 faculty numbers submitted to the State by the District.”  The following motion was made (M/S – Brennan/Cox):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate agrees to concur with the decision of the West Valley College Academic Senate to delay hiring eleven faculty positions with the proviso that the eleven positions be filled by Fall 2004.”

 

            As discussion continued, President Braun reminded the Senators that the Senate’s ultimate responsibility is the integrity of academic programs and the people who teach them.  The Senate’s primary role is not administrative nor a function of human resources.   The Senate must consider the impact on the college’s academic programs. If WVC does not meet its commitment to fill those eleven positions in the fall, the results will have an effect on both colleges since the FON is a district number. It was suggested that if WVC ultimately cannot fill the eleven positions, perhaps Mission College could fill needed positions. The district has already incurred $1.3 million at the rate of $400,000 per year for the next three years.  If the eleven positions are not filled, the district will face additional penalties, and at a higher rate.  It was explained further that if the MCAS does not agree to the delay, the Board of Governors will not approve the request for delay and the district will be subject to paying the penalty right now.  If the MCAS does agree to the delay, no penalty will be imposed at this time.  A call for the question passed (M/S/U – Oliver/Charland), and the above motion passed with one no vote.

 

   D.   Confirm Approved Hiring List

            Vice President Robles advised that President Chong approved the hiring list as approved jointly by the Division Chair Council and the Academic Senate.  The Senators gave their final approval to the list (M/S/U – Brennan/Charland).

 

            All remaining agenda business items were postponed to the next Senate meeting.  The Senate will meet for one hour next week in order that the Senators may participate in the event to honor the college’s successful students.

 

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The minutes for the October 1, 2003, meeting of DBAC, the agenda for October 22, 2003, and the proposed DBAC mission and membership statement dated October 3, 2003.

            2.   The minutes for the October 17, 2003, AREA B meeting.

            Announcements/Conferences

         1.  The Fall Plenary Session of the ASCCC will be held in Pasadena October 30 – November 1, 2003. 

 

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 - Brennan/Oliver). 

 

            These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.