The meeting was called to order by President Dianne McKay at 2:08 p.m.

The minutes for the January 21, 1999, meeting were accepted and approved with the following corrections (M/S/U - Patton/Cowels):

Page 2, Item VI.D.4.a) (Budget Allocation Model Review Committee), last sentence should read as follows: "He noted that Mission College has received 90% of the growth money through an agreement between the college presidents rather than through a process."

Senator Patton requested that the Senators consider adding an item on the use of the Testing Center for make-up exams and retest exams for students. She advised that decisions concerning the placement of the Testing Center are being made that will affect faculty's use of the center for these purposes. The Senators agreed (M/S/P - Patton/Flolo) agreed to add Item VIII.B (Discuss Concerns re: Use of Testing Center for Make-Up and Retest Exams).

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

1. Chris Moyers has been elected to represent the Social Science Division on the Mission College Academic Senate.

2. Carol Wilson has resigned as a Communications representative to the Mission College Senate.

A. Curriculum Committee - Don Cordero reported that the committee has approved the Child Development courses, additional general education courses, and discussed the retail floristry program. CAN will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

B. Staff Recognition - No nominations were made today.

C. Committee Appointments - Senator Cordero advised that he will resign from CGAC and the Title 3 Advisory Committee. Replacements will have to be appointed.

1. Workforce Development Committee - No report

2. Technology Committee Report - Pat Hudak reported that MT 3 will be a multi-media classroom funded by Title 3. Also, three faculty lab specialists positions will be available for network, multi-media, and PC support and technology. He reported that PC requests have been delayed as the machines are being upgraded prior to distribution. The "trickle down" process continues, the E2-105 lab has brand new machines, and there will be three group study rooms. Monies to purchase hardware has been reduced to cover wiring costs.

3. PFE Steering Committee - Dianne reported that the next official meeting will be held next Monday. Application forms are expected to be distributed by February 1st with a submission deadline of February 19, 1999.

a) EDI Report - Dianne distributed copies of a report from Marji Knowles with information on EDI grants from Fred Prochaska. Dianne was directed to determine when Marji will return to the Senate with the data requested by the Senate.

b) Staff Development Steering Committee - Dianne reported that the committee is discussing reorganization of Staff Development and asked the Senators to discuss the matter with their constituents and report back to the Senate. She explained that the committee is particularly concerned with the staff development coordinator position; should the position remain a district position responsible for the staff development of all district entities? The committee wants to be responsive to the needs of staff. Lana Bone will conduct a general evaluation on flex days. At this time, it was pointed out that February 16 and February 17 are non-instructional days, not flex days.

c) Faculty Hiring Process - Dianne reminded the Senators that next week's Senate meeting is a joint meeting of the Senate with the Division Chair Council and the ASB to discuss the requests for faculty positions. The meeting will be held in MT 13 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. All Senators have been provided with copies of all the applications. Dianne asked the Senators to review these requests prior to next week's meeting and be prepared to discuss them.

d) CGAC Report - * Senator Cordero reported that the council discussed the composition of CBAC once again. There is a move to return to the previous membership. * The Division Chairs were asked to discuss the allocation of large technology expenditures with their constituents. Dianne stated that Rita will make a recommendation on this matter and it will be agendized for discussion in the Senate.

President McKay reported on events that took place at last week's Board meeting. Trustee Wolfe raised his concerns regarding the Mission College Global Education Committee and the invitation to Angela Davis to present at Mission College. Dianne informed the Board on the committee's function, the Global Studies program, and the invitation to Ms. Davis. Dianne also presented the biography, publications list, and vitae distributed on Ms. Davis. She summarized her presentation by quoting excerpts from the district's policy on academic freedom and the Senate's motion in support of the invitation to Ms. Davis. Mr. Wolfe indicated that he continues to have reservations regarding the invitation, and other Board members expressed views that indicated they did not support his position.

A brief discussion ensued in light of the college's student population. In order to address the concern that some students may be offended by Ms. Davis, it was suggested that faculty be encouraged to speak to their students regarding the matter, indicating that in this country we tolerate all dissenting views, and we protest and express our own views through many channels, such as voting at the polls.

B. Revisit Philosophical Plan re: Interdisciplinary Location of Faculty Offices

Dianne advised that there are some concerns regarding office space for the 21 new faculty members to be hired this year. In the past, the Senate has set the direction for faculty office appointments. Dianne noted past history and the following motions passed by the Senate as indicated:

April 3, 1986 (M/S/P - Banks/Burrell)

"Be It Resolved that the Mission College Academic Senate continues to support the concept of integrating interdisciplinary faculty within the division areas; and

Be it Further Resolved that the Mission College Academic Senate supports the concept that the faculty have the right to retain their current office location."

May 25, 1989 (M/S/P - Przybylski/Mitchell)

"The Mission College Academic Senate recommends that when an office becomes available in an area where there is no counselor, that a full-time counselor be assigned to that vacant office based on seniority in the counseling area, and all other remaining office spaces be allocated on a seniority basis for full-time faculty."

In 1995, the Senate referred the matter to the Facilities and Safety Committee.

Dianne read the policy currently in use by the Dean of Instruction, developed in 1988. She noted that some concerns have been raised relative to office appointments for the new faculty; the faculty would like to avoid the creation of a ghetto for the new faculty members. She asked the Senate for direction on how to proceed.

During discussion the Senators agreed it is beneficial for new faculty to be integrated with more senior members of the faculty, and it was recommended that Dan Matarangas be involved in the discussion in order to determine what space will be available when the Student Center is completed and occupied. It was also suggested that senior faculty should be made aware of available spaces and be permitted to tour them prior to selection. The following motion was passed with one abstention (M/S/P - Cordero/Del Frate):

"In the spirit of encouraging a mixture of new faculty with veteran faculty, the Mission College Academic Senate endorses and reaffirms the resolution passed by the Senate on April 3, 1986, and the motion passed May 25, 1989, regarding the placement of faculty in the institution."

Dianne will encourage the Facilities/Space Committee to honor the Senate's recommendations at the next committee meeting, to be held Wednesday, February 3, 1999.

The Senators reviewed the first draft of a policy to create new departments as prepared by Don Cordero. Several amendments were recommended and accepted. It was agreed that the amended draft will be presented to ACE, the Division Chairs, Dr. Cepeda, Dr. Callaway, and the Curriculum Committee for review and input. Dianne and Don will take the document to specific groups for consideration and report back to the Senate as soon as possible.

A. Select Hayward Award Nominee

The Senators unanimously approved the nomination of Dr. Mary Moore as the college's candidate for the Hayward Award for Excellence in Education (M/S/U - Cowels/Flolo).

B. Discuss Concerns re: Use of Testing Center for Make-Up and Retest Exams

A number of faculty have expressed concern that space for make-up and retest exams will not be available when the Testing Center is moved to the new Student Center building. The responsibility of the center has been assigned to Student Services, partly because of funding, the reorganization of the LATC, and a shift in the deans' responsibilities. Dianne explained that since the center is funded by matriculation funds, some feel the primary role of the center should be for assessment. The problem is exacerbated by some instructors who abuse the system by using the center for early final exams.

Several Senators spoke to the issue, addressing specific needs of various departments, such as Nursing, ESL, Communications, etc., and their concerns relative to student retention and student success, and how it ties in with the objectives of the Partnership for Excellence program. Senator Cordero noted that at one time there were four testing centers, and he feels it may not be appropriate at this time to take the original concept and pour it into one facility. He is not opposed to the philosophy that relates to make-up and retest exams. However, this is an institutional responsibility that should not fall to one area. Dianne noted that the Balance of Curriculum document reaffirms the college's philosophy to focus on learning, as outlined in the college's "blue document." It may be that a configuration that expands the service provided by the Testing Center is desirable, but if the service is curtailed or eliminated at this time, it will be much more difficult to expand in the future.

The following resolution was submitted and passed unanimously (M/S/U - Patton/Hudak):

"Whereas, Mission College classes span the entire day and night and faculty cannot be here all the time; and

Whereas, Mission College students often have jobs and only have limited time on campus; and

Whereas, Mission College students often have jobs that conflict with their class attendance; and

Whereas, Make-up testing and retesting can help retention and student success; and

Whereas, Mission College has many Associate Faculty who only come to campus on class days; and

Whereas, The current practice of providing make-up and retest is academically sound; and

Whereas, The practice of allowing retest or make-up exams reinforces the fundamental philosophy of Mission College to focus on learning; therefore,

Be It Resolved, That the Mission College Academic Senate requests that the college ensure that it offers uninterrupted service to students who need to take make-up or retest exams."

Senator Cordero, who previously expressed concerns as to where the responsibility would fall, expressed his appreciation that the above resolution allows for alternate remedies to the problem. Although the way it has been done in the past has been productive toward student retention and student success, it is important to consider how to expand the responsibility as well, so the full burden does not fall solely on Student Services. Dianne reiterated that this is an institutional responsibility. She will take the above resolution to the Division Chair Council, and the Vice Presidents of Instruction and Student Services.

1. District Council (January 27) - The pre-board agenda was reviewed and updates were given on the following: Classified Senate request for support, the Chancellor and President's Searches, PFE Steering Committee, and the Evaluation of the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and College Presidents.

a) Division Chair Council (January 25) - Discussion occurred on several operational topics:

* Faculty Evaluations: Lee voiced concern with the quality and completeness of faculty evaluations. Discussion centered on how to correct problems with the forms and how to instruct faculty to improve their comments. It was recommended that rather than talk in generalities that specific quality issues be directed to the department conducting the evaluation with suggestions for improvement.

* Bookstore/Cafeteria Infill: Dan Matarangas reported that the bookstore and cafeteria will move into the new Student Center in late March. The infill of those areas will take approximately 90 days. It is anticipated that it will be completed before walk-in registration for summer school. Five components of Student Services will be moving into this newly vacated area: Counseling Appointment Area, Transfer Center, Career Center, EOPS, and Job Placement. The DC's asked to see the plan for the reconstruction of the former bookstore and cafeteria.

* Testing Center: Discussion occurred around the services of the Testing Center as it is reassigned to the Stud