I. Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by President Don Cordero at 1:48 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), Gail Greenwood (Social Science, Ext. 3446), Judy Hooper (Student Services, 3146), Mike McKenna (AAS, 2752), Peggy Messerschmidt (Communications, Ext. 3415), Diane Pette (Student Services, Ext. 3138), Clint Poe (Natural Science, Ext. 3436), Joan Powers (ESL, Ext. 3401), Helayna Thickpenny (CATA, Ext. 3368), Karl Ting (Math, Ext. 3442), and Jim Van Tassel (PE/Bus/Eng, Ext. 3343). Also present: Husam Asfoor (ASB Rep), Cheryl Carter (AGS Pres), and Vicki Johnson (ASB Rep) . Guests Present: Lana Bone, Lee Callaway, Phil DeMarco, Linda Retterath, Saroj Sabherwal, Sumi Tanabe, and Carol Toppel.

II. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes for the November 21, 1996, meeting were accepted and approved with the following correction to Item VI.A (Staff Recognition Award). The name Vira Bustamante was changed to Vita Bustamante. The Academic Senate Secretary apologized for making this error. Don noted that the resolution was corrected and presented to the named individuals today.

III. Order of the Agenda

The following changes were made to today's Order of business items (M/S/U - Hooper/Poe):

Item VIII.A will be first item to be discussed after Item VI, Item VII.C will be the second, and Item VIII.B will be the third item to be discussed.

IV. Oral Communication from the Public

Husam Asfoor thanked the Academic Senate for its support of the ASB throughout the semester. He expressed his appreciation and anticipation that the Senate will continue to support the ASB. Don reported that Husam's class schedule for next semester will not permit him to continue his role on the Academic Senate. Don and the Senators acknowledged Husam for his active and valuable participation on the Senate.

V. Information & Announcements

1. Linda Retterath presented a proposal from the Instructional Program Review Committee that the college adopt one main form for any kind of request for additional resources from departments. This could include, but not be limited to, requests for additional FTE, personnel, budget, curriculum, and space. The rationale behind this proposal is to simplify all college processes. The goals behind the proposal include the reduction of paper work and redundancy, to increase the effectiveness of decision making, and to provide more stability and uniformity in the college's processes. Linda distributed a draft of the proposed forms for the Senators to consider. This matter will be brought back to the Senate for further discussion and action on the first meeting in January.

2. Don welcomed Lana Bone, Lydia Harris, and Sumi Tanabe to today's meeting.

VI. Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

A. Staff Recognition - Diane Pette presented the following motion, seconded by Betty Christopher and passed unanimously by the Senators (M/S/U - Pette/Christopher):

"Whereas, Ruth Madalena has served Mission College with dedication and absolute professionalism for over twenty years; and

Whereas, Ruth Madalena has steered faculty and staff through the murky waters of pre-requisites, content review, course challenges, etc., to keep us in compliance with state requirements; and

Whereas, Ruth Madalena took over the administration of the Matriculation Program and put us back on track just in time for a site visit six years ago; and

Whereas, Ruth Madalena's outreach efforts and collaboration with Industry representatives have brought about new programs for students and highly productive associations between local companies and Mission College; and

Whereas, Ruth Madalena's expertise in securing and administering grants have resulted in tremendous increases in resources for Mission College; and

Whereas, Ruth Madalena's efforts on behalf of Mission College with professional associations and state agencies have earned us recognition as a community college on the cutting edge with regard to workforce preparation; and

Whereas, Ruth Madalena has set a standard of excellence as Curriculum Chair, Academic Senate President, and Instructor for all of us; and

Whereas, Ruth Madalena has been an administrator for five years who always made time to listen and offered support and guidance to those of us who worked directly with her;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the Mission College Academic Senate recognizes and appreciates the contributions of Ruth Madalena."

The following motion was passed at a previous Senate meeting (M/S/U - Pette/Thickpenny):

Whereas, Grace Hazán has provided support for Mission College Academic Senate activities above and beyond the call of duty; and

Whereas, Grace Hazán's wealth of knowledge has sustained and enhanced the functions of the Mission College Academic Senate; and

Whereas, Grace Hazán's cheerfulness and empathy have made her a joy to work with; and

Whereas, Grace Hazán's unremitting patience, her willingness to work long hours, and her tremendous work ethic have brought her the love and admiration of faculty and staff; and

Whereas, Grace Hazán's knowledge of parliamentary procedure and protocol has bailed out many a Senate President; and

Whereas, Grace Hazán's devotion to the college, and her dedication to excellence in all she does have made her a great asset to our district;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the Mission College Academic Senate wishes to express its appreciation for her tireless and dedicated service to our school."

B. Select Nominee for Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning, & Technology - Betty Ensminger nominated Jane Patton for the Senate's consideration for this award. The Senators unanimously passed a motion (M/S/U - Messerschmidt/Pette) to nominate Jane Patton for the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning, & Technology Award to be presented at the Eighth Annual Conference on College Teaching and Learning in April, 1997, in Florida.

C. Select NISOD Award Recipients - The Senators agreed to follow tradition and approved the nominations (M/S/U - Greenwood/Hooper) of the 1996 Faculty Recognition Award winners for the NISOD award. They are Rosalyn Chan, Dorin Gheorghiu, Cliff Monroe, Diane Pette, Helayna Thickpenny, and Karl Ting. In addition, nominations were also submitted for Saroj Sabherwal and Chris Jimenez and were approved by the Senate (M/S/U - Asfoor/Thickpenny). These names will be forwarded to the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. The recipients will be contacted with instructions on how to proceed.

D. Select Faculty for Hiring Committee for Asst. to the Chancellor - Sumi Tanabe spoke to the issue to clarify that there was communication and process regarding the selection of faculty members to serve on the hiring committees for the Assistant to the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor, Administration. She explained that the question was raised at the Executive Staff meetings and the Chancellor's Staff meetings attended by the two college presidents, the Director of EDI, the Vice-Chancellor/Director of Business Services, and the Director of Human Resources. Both college presidents were asked if the request for faculty to serve on the Hiring Committee for the Asst. to the Chancellor should be processed through the Academic Senates, and both presidents responded negatively, since the individual would be working directly with Rose. Dr. Tseng then appointed Sumi to Chair the committee and select the committee members. Sumi selected Lana Bone and Lee Callaway, both of whom have served as the Special Assistant to the Chancellor. Sumi indicated that the Chancellor's preference is that communication go through the college presidents to the academic senates. Sumi stated that the hiring process has begun and the Chancellor has agreed to add a faculty member to the hiring committee for the interview portion of the process. She requests that two or three names be submitted for consideration, and that they be people familiar with the job and who have a broad perspective of the district overall. Sumi emphasized that, contrary to rumor, the Assistant to the Chancellor position is not meant to serve as the research position the Chancellor was requesting last year. That question has been referred to a task force headed by Ed Myers for investigation.

Don advised that he has volunteered to serve on this committee and he is available during the interview dates of January 6 and 7. He noted that the Senators have reviewed a letter drafted by the District Academic Senate regarding this matter. The letter denotes the Senate's concerns regarding details in the job description that are connected to educational planning, which falls under the purview of the Academic Senate as stated in Title 5 and AB 1725. The letter has not yet been sent to the Chancellor, pending a final draft. He noted that some individuals and a division have indicated support for a boycott of this committee in protest of the position. He strongly recommended that a Mission College faculty member be added to the committee. He asked the Senate for direction. After a brief discussion regarding the affirmative action process and the division which considered boycotting the hiring process, the Senators passed the following motion with one abstention (M/S/P - Pette/Thickpenny):

" that the Mission College Academic Senate send Don Cordero forward as the Mission College faculty representative on the Hiring Committee for the Assistant to the Chancellor."

E. Academic Senate President Evaluation - The Senators received a copy of the Evaluation Form for faculty on Reassigned Time from the ACE Contract. Don has asked Diane Pette to conduct an evaluation of his service as Academic Senate President, and he will also invite the ASB, faculty, staff, and the administration to participate in the evaluation. Diane requested that all forms be returned to her and that extra forms will be available in her box.

As agreed, the Order of Agenda is altered to start with Item VIII.A , Item VII.C, and Item VIII.B,

VIII. New Business

A. Consider Flex Day Schedule for January 17, 1997

The Staff Development Coordinator, Lydia Harris has presented a plan to the Division Chair Council for the January 17, 1997, Flex Day. There will be a two hour breakfast meeting with the administration, including an all college meeting with Mike, plus four hours for a division function. Each division will submit a plan to Staff Development for either an on-campus or off-campus activity based on broad guidelines and criteria established by Staff Development.

Don explained that areas of concern include accountability and that the Associate Faculty need to be involved. He and Lydia will invite all faculty, both associate and full-time, to attend a social event on the evening of January 16. This event can be used to count as flex credit. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided.

Several Senators indicated some support for the proposal. However, concern was expressed indicating that the department activity is the only way that full-time faculty and associate faculty within a division get to meet together, which is extremely valuable. Others expressed concern that associate faculty will not participate in flex days because they are disenfranchised, so to speak; they do not get paid for flex days. It was noted that most associate faculty do not need flex credit if they do not teach on Fridays. It was suggested that this matter of a flex obligation for part-time faculty falls under the umbrella of ACE and should be referred to ACE for resolution.

VII. Old Business

C. Consider Request for Senate's Support for Flex Day Workshop on Intervention & Retention

Carol Toppel returned to the Senate as the Chair of the Intervention and Retention Committee, with a second request for the Senate's support for a four hour presentation/workshop on retention strategies, to be presented by Noel Levitts, for the April 18, 1997, Flex Day. The committee is seeking the Senate's support in order to proceed with organizing the activity and hiring the presenter. Carol noted that the April flex day is not mandatory. Yet the committee is hopeful that a substantial number of faculty and staff would attend this activity since retention is such a high priority for the college. She indicated that this event is just one of many projects the committee is undertaking. The committee presented its proposal to the Academic Senate early in the year in order to ensure that planning could be accomplished in a timely manner.

The following motion was made (M/S - Pette/Hooper):

"that the Mission College Academic Senate recommend that its designees on the Flex Day Committee support the Intervention and Retention Committee's activity for April 18, 1997."

Discussion indicated that the college's Flex Day Committee is responsible for developing the activities for flex days, and Lydia indicated that she has received other proposals for activities on that date. Some senators were reluctant to approve an activity without having knowledge of other proposals. Others indicated that the Retention Committee should be commended and acknowledged for presenting its proposal early and deserves the acknowledgment and support of the Senate. Don stressed that the Academic Senate does direct the academic programs (you mean Flex activities) and if the Flex Committee does not seriously consider the Senate's recommendation, this will present a concern to the Senate. A motion to postpone the question to the first Senate meeting in January, (January 30) was passed (M/S/P - Greenwood/Powers)

A. Select Senate Reps for Subcommittee to Develop New Procedure for Determining Which Departments will Receive New Faculty

Don asked for two Senators to serve on this subcommittee. Peggy volunteered if the meeting schedule fits in with her teaching schedule. Diane and Don volunteered to serve and Peggy withdrew her name. The Senators confirmed the appointment of Don and Diane to this committee (M/S/U- Thickpenny/Van Tassel).

B. Discuss Resolution related to Inactivity of Chancellor's Advisory Committee/DAS

This item was postponed to the January 30th meeting.

D. Appoint Senate Comm to Develop New Category for Faculty Recognition Program

Don asked for a Senator to work with him on this item. Helayna volunteered and the Senators confirmed Don and Helayna's appointment (M/S/U - Poe/Pette).

E. Update Report on Process for Establishing New Departments

Don advised that the Division Chair Council is wrestling with this issue. A program for Manufacturing Technology has been established with degrees and courses and without a department. Don noted that this program will require a "venture capital fund." He has met with Bruce Judd and discussed the development of a process.

VIII. New Business

B. Discuss Changes in Division Chair Structure

Lee Callaway, Dean of Instruction, made a recommendation to the Academic Senate to reduce the current division structure from twelve to eleven, eliminating the PE Division. Lee explained that this recommendation was brought about as a result of an issue that was raised last year. Last year, the Division Chair Council (DCC) decided to request equality of release time for all Division Chairs (DC's). Twelve divisions were established, and, at first, the amount of release time reflected the differences in workload; some DC's received .3 and some .5 release time. Lee felt strongly that all DC's should have the same amount of release time since all DC's have to attend the same meetings, accomplish the same tasks, etc., no matter how many faculty serve in the respective divisions. The DCC agreed, and, since there was not enough release time for Department Chairs, it was decided that Department Chairs would receive release time on a sliding scale. This required more funding for approximately 1.5 - 1.6 more assigned time than had been allotted. A request for additional funds has been made for the 1997/98 academic year, but this year will have to stay as is.

Lee explained that the PE/Business/Engineering Division asked if the Department Chair and the Division Chair have to be the same person. They were advised that they had to be the same. However, two people were serving with release time, and it was agreed that they would be held harmless for the Fall 1996 semester. However, the division members declined to go through another election for a DC, and a suggested option is to disband the division, particularly in light of the fact that the intent is to reduce the number of divisions we have under the current structure. Lee stressed that all faculty involved will be blended into other divisions; no one will be left homeless. It was noted that West Valley College has a larger number of departments, more faculty, and has only eight divisions. This is accomplished because each division has its own full-time secretary to handle tasks currently handled by the Mission College DC's.

Members from the division spoke to the issue and Lee reported the views of other members of the division not present today. It was stated that this is an organizational issue, not created by the department or the division. The issue of educational integrity was never raised. Several Senators reported feedback from their divisions. Diane stated the Counseling Department's recommendation that the total number of division chairs be reduced to 11, and to continue evaluation of the DC structure, ultimately reducing the number of DC's, and to develop a process for developing divisions on criteria other than personality issues. Statements were made in support of divisions being developed based on some form of kinship and academic integrity between the departments and the importance of everyone trying to work together. Saroj suggested that the amount of FTE for each division be an important consideration.

The Senators passed the following motion (M/S/P - Greenwood/Thickpenny) upon a motion to call for the question (M/S/U - Greenwood/Pette):

"that the Mission College Academic Senate supports the reduction of the PE/Business/Engineering division from the current structure."

C. Senator's Update to Chancellor from their Divisions

This item was postponed indefinitely. Dr. Tseng was not able to attend today's meeting.

D. Discuss CATA Division's Request for Senate Action re: Additional Paper Work

Helayna requested that this matter be postponed to the next Senate meeting on January 30th.

.

E. Report on Intercollegiate Athletic Issues

The Division Chair Council (DCC) voted to approve 13 new faculty positions that did not include athletic coaches. The number of faculty positions are based on the requirements of AB 1725 with regard to the part-time/full-time ratio. Coaches were not included in the DCC's decision. Funding was found for a 14th position, and was slotted for an undetermined athletic position. Since the last discussion on this matter, Dr. Rao has guaranteed funding for a 15th position for an athletic coach, and one athletic coach position will be given #1 priority. The two athletic positions are to be determined by a committee, and one must be a women's coach in order to comply with the requirements of Title 9.

Don expressed his dismay at the process used by the students to gain this guarantee. In his view, the ASB resorted to a process similar to the process used by the DCC which they criticized. Husam explained that the ASB viewed the DCC's decision as based on a faulty process, and the ASB went to the DCC for support on this matter. They were referred to the Academic Senate, and the students felt that the Academic Senate did not address the students' concerns Therefore, they followed procedure and went to the college President to resolve the matter.

Item IX. was postponed.

X. Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

Publications/Minutes

1. December 9, 1996, issue of FA NEWS from Foothill-DeAnza Faculty Association.

2. The December 1996, issue of CCCI.

3. MC Student Probation & Dismissal Summary and Trend for Fall 1991 through Spring 1996 from the College Institutional Research Office.

4. The December 12, 1996, agenda for the Mission-West Valley Land Corporation and the minutes for the November 17, 1996, meeting.

5. Meeting notes for the November 20, 1996, meeting of DBAC.

6. The agenda for the November 27, 1996, meeting of the MC Governance Advisory Council,

and the minutes for the September 25, 1996, meeting.

7. The agenda for the November 27, 1996, meeting of the MC ASB and minutes for the

November 20, 1996, meeting.

8. The November 22, 1996, issue of the DVC FORUM.

8. The Effectiveness of California Community Colleges on Selected Performance Measures, dated October 1996, from the state Chancellor's Office.

Announcements/Conferences

1. The Academic Senate for CCC's Leadership Institution will be held in Monterey June 19-22, 1997. Contact Lin Marelick (567-2803) for additional information.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:44 p.m. (M/S/U - Greenwood/Asfoor). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.