Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,  October 25, 2001

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Jane Patton at 2:39 p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Bell-Cheung  (Ext.5385) AAS

    

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5349) Tech

    X

    X

Brennan    (Ext. 5313)  Comm

    X

    

McGee     (Ext. 5042) Stud Dev

    X

   

Cochran    (Ext. 5176)  Stud Dev

   

    X

McKean   (Ext. 5326)  Math

 

   X

Estrada      (Ext.5164) CommSvc

 

    X

Moore     (Ext. 5382)  AAS

  

   X

Guich       (Ext. 5270) SocSci

    X

 

Myint      (Ext. 5316) ESL

 

   X

Jackins      (Ext.5322 )  Math

    

    X

Patton    (Ext. 5296) Comm Stud

 

   X

Johnson    (Ext.5277) CATA

    

    X

Sippel      (Ext. 5118) Comm

   

   X

Light       (Ext. 5413) AF/CIT

 

    X

VanTassel (Ext. 5334) Tech

 

   X

Lynne      (Ext. 5248) CommSvc

 

    X

ASB:    K.Nguyen, C.Vincenz

    X

   

Mancini   (Ext. 5855) AF/HM

 

    X

Other:B.Grayson (SD) C.Toppel

 

    X

             

 II.    Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the October 11, 2001, meeting were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/P – Moore/Myint).

 

            Jane advised that Joan Sarlo of the WVC Academic Senate requested that a portion of the October 4, 2001, minutes be amended.  She referred  to Page 2, Item VI.D.3 (MC Compressed Calendar Committee Report), third paragraph, sixth sentence, to be amended as follows:  “She also noted that many of the Senators expressed concerns not unlike those of the MCAS Senators.”  “Some of the Senators expressed many of the same concerns expressed by the MCAS Senators.”  The Senators agreed to the change the minutes of October 4th (M/S/U – Moore/Jackins).

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            The Senators agreed, by consensus, to accommodate guests and reorder the agenda accordingly.

             

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

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

        

  V.    Information & Announcements 

     1.  The next regular Senate meeting scheduled for November 1, 2001, will be cancelled as a number of the Senate members will be attending the Fall Plenary Session of The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.  The next Senate meeting is scheduled for November 8th.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

  A.    Curriculum Committee – Jane advised that Alex will attend the next Senate meeting to report on the curriculum packet going to the Board for approval.  Mission College will present its packet to the Board in December.

  B.    Staff Recognition -  No resolutions were presented.  

  C.    Committee Appointments

         a) Student Success Committee  - Linda Cochran, Keith Johnson, and Heather Lynne were appointed to this committee by the Senate (M/S/U -  Cheung/McKean).

         b) GAP  Council - Jane reported that eight faculty members volunteered for the three positions on the Governance and Planning Council.  A list of criteria was developed and various members of the Senate made a brief statement on each individual.  The Senators voted, by written ballot, for the following three faculty members to serve on GAP:  Amelia Akers-Martin, Erlinda Estrada, and Dianne McKay. 

 D.     Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development  -  The Senators were provided with a draft of a Staff Development manual, and Betty requested that she be advised of any concerns or recommended changes.

            * Betty reported that she and Jane, along with others, attended the Great Teachers Seminar, which turned out exceptionally well. The seminar was one of the best experiences for our new faculty. Betty read the following comment about the seminar from a faculty member:   “In my career I have been fortunate to have worked with many wonderful colleagues and have had some great supervisors along the way.  But I have never felt so welcome and invested in by an institution the way I feel valued and welcomed by Mission College.  As a result, I’m even more committed to discovering what I can do to serve our students to the best of my ability and to investing in Mission the way Mission is investing in me.”  Betty stated that these feelings were reflected by others comments as well.  As information, Betty advised that the funding for this event comes from the Land Corporation.  West Valley also receives a similar amount, and   takes new faculty to the NISOD Conference.  Jane congratulated Betty for her work on this very successful event.

            *  Betty advised that January flex days will include workshops on prerequisites, co-requisites, graduation, and other subjects.  A lengthy discussion on the issue of prerequisites and co-requisites followed, and Jane explained that this is a challenging issue that faces most colleges.  It was noted that the report from the Accreditation Team includes a recommendation on the matter of prerequisites, etc., and Mission will have to deal with the matter.   It is a complex and major issue that must be dealt with.

            * Betty suggested that Wednesday flex sessions might be better attended in January rather than Friday sessions and asked the Senate for direction.  A brief discussion ensued on how to proceed.  Several ideas were considered and presented to Betty for consideration.

            *  Betty reported that the classified staff has requested that a set of guidelines be developed by Staff Development to strengthen classified staff development events.

 

The order of the agenda was suspended and moved to item VI.D.4 to accommodate Carol Toppel.

 

         4.  Instructional Technology Committee – * Carol reported that the meeting with the technology consultant has been postponed to November 7th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Carol emphasized the importance of each division being represented at that meeting.

            *  The committee has met twice since her last report, and Carol advised that a portion of the total cost of ownership dollars received by the college went to the Library for network equipment.  Win Shin Chiang was invited to explain what happened and why the expense for network equipment was not included in the budget for the new Library.  Win Shin’s information was helpful to the committee.  Apparently, when the call for bids on the Library was issued, the networking portion was removed from the bid as it was very costly. The Library expected the network portion to be donated by Cisco, but this did not occur. Once the work on the new building began, the expense for the networking portion needed to be included in the estimated cost.  The college had to come up with the funds to support the networking for the Library’s computers.  Win Shin advised the committee that if the instructional materials and library funding cut by the governor is restored, she will assist the Instructional Technology Committee with the needs for the rest of the college. Carol noted that what occurred with the Library could happen again with the new Child Development Center and the new Science Building. She emphasized the importance of remaining alert to this issue. Divisions planning new buildings must ensure that the funding for networking equipment is available and the unknowns, such as the state of the economy, must be factored in as well.  The state holds the colleges to the submitted figures for new buildings.

            *  Marsha Chan shared with the committee the need for the language Lab upgrade.  Carol explained that this lab was started in 1988, and is currently not functioning.  Marsha will explore and pursue grants for the lab.  Carol noted that the new type of language lab is computerized and can be used as a lab as well as for ESL     

            *  Sally Wisner reported on the development of web publishing guidelines. 

            *  The committee prefers that faculty submit computer orders through Instructional Technology (IT).  Up-to-date information and better prices can be obtained through IT;  Mina Jahan is the contact person at this time.  People have been ordering computers and bypassing IT, at greater cost. It was suggested that donations to the college should be sought in a proactive, coordinated manner.  It is important to solicit and gain community support for what the college is doing.

            *  Carol reported that all new faculty now have been assigned a computer and, if not yet operational, they will be soon.  IT will create a database on all faculty computers.  All faculty will be asked to provide IT with information on their individual computers.  This will provide information on the oldest computers and assist in the upgrade process. 

            *  A procedure is being developed for set up of new faculty offices and services.

         2.  Datatel Implementation Committee  -  Quin reported that DISC decided to postpone the implementation of STAR until the summer of 2002.  A commitment has been made by the committee to give priority to the development of PARIS and it has accepted the prioritized list prepared by MC.  The committee is discussing the web advisor position and registration concerns as well.  It was reported that an additional $100,000 has been identified from PFE funds to keep the project moving forward.

         3.  MC Compressed Calendar Committee – * Jane reported the results of the survey on the calendar indicated overall support for a compressed calendar, with mixed results as to whether or not to implement in 2002 or 2003.  She noted that the original charge of the committee was to conduct research into a number of issues and concerns relative to a shortened calendar, disseminate information, prepare and distribute a survey, and culminate its task with a vote of all constituent groups.  Instead, a survey of faculty was conducted prior to the committee’s completion of its task.  The results of the survey were presented to GAP yesterday, a representative body of the college, and that body will make the final decision and recommendation to the President on the calendar.

            * Jane reported that Jim Wilczak, in conjunction with WVC Compressed Calendar Committee, has prepared a template of classes for a sixteen-week calendar.  Although some issues remain unresolved, WVC will present the new calendar to the Board for approval on November 1st.  If approved by the Board, the college will seek the required approval from the state.

            * The MC Compressed Calendar Committee received the results of the survey at today’s meeting.  The ASB President, Chris Vincenz will develop a survey of the students with the help of Chris Olson, and the survey will be administered through faculty during class time. 

            * A discussion on the calendar issue and its ramifications ensued.  All agreed there is a need to inform the college community as to the concerns of all the constituent groups, and the Senators were asked to share the issues and concerns of the Senate and the committee with their constituents in order to bring some balance to the discussion.  It was also suggested that those who are strongly in favor of implementing the compressed calendar be invited to participate in the implementation process.

             

VII.   Old Business

 

 A.   Review MCAS Constitution & By-Laws 

         This item was postponed to the next meeting.

 

  B.    Update from DBAC on Fund 17

         Jane reported that this item was placed on the DBAC agenda for last week’s meeting as requested.   Jane felt that many members of DBAC were not knowledgeable of the impact the freeze on Fund 17 had on Mission College.  She gave the members of DBAC a brief summary of the facts as discussed at the last Senate meeting, and she asked the committee for the following:

               1) to make a commitment to replenish the funds taken from Fund 17,

               2) to develop a plan to replenish the accounts, and

               3) to find a solution on how to deal with short term needs. 

            Ultimately, it was agreed that there is a need to replenish the funds.  DBAC referred the topic back to the college budget committees to recommend a plan.

 

            Jane emphasized the need for CBAC to follow up on this matter.    It is essential that the Senate continue to press the issue.  Some progress has been made, but there is a need to continue to monitor the situation.

 

VIII.    New Business

 

   A.   Discuss Schedule Changes Relative to Contract w Students  

         This item was postponed to the next Senate meeting.         

        

 IX.   President's Reports – This item was postponed.

           

  X.   Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

            Correspondence

         1.   Letter dated October 2, 2001, from the state Chancellor’s Office re: 2001-02 Program Plan for CalWORKs and TANF.

         Publications/Minutes

         1.   The October 19, 2001, issue of the DVC FORUM from Diablo Valley College Faculty Senate.

            2.   The October 2001, issue of Accreditation NOTES from WASC.

            3.   The Fall 2001 issue of THE NEWS from the Community College League of California.

            4.   A notice of a new release on The Dual-Credit Phenomenon, Challenging Secondary School Students across 50 States by Hans A. Andrews, President of Olney Central College in Illinois.

            5.   The agenda for the October 10th and October 24, 2001, meetings of the District Council.

            6.   The agenda for a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on October 27, 2001, in the Board Room.

            7.   The agenda for the October 18, 2001, meeting of the Mission-West Valley Land Corporation.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   The 10th Annual ECC/CSUDH Undergraduate Conference on Teaching and Learning is scheduled for Friday, April 19, 2002, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at El Camino College.  For information, call (310) 660-3871.

 

 XI.   Future Agenda Items

         No future agenda items were added 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.