Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved  Minutes

Thursday, February 7, 2002

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Jane Patton at 2:04 p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Bell-Cheung  (Ext.5385) AAS

    

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5349) Tech

    

   X

Brennan    (Ext. 5313)  Comm

    

    X

McGee     (Ext. 5042) Stud Dev

    

   X

Cochran    (Ext. 5176)  Stud Dev

   

    X

Moore     (Ext. 5382)  AAS

 

   X

Estrada      (Ext.5164) CommSvc

 

    X

Musat      (Ext. 5331) Math

 

   X

Jackins     (Ext.5322 )  Math

 

    X

Patton    (Ext. 5296) Comm Stud

 

   X

Johnson    (Ext.5277) CATA

    X

 

Rosner    (Ext. 5317) ESL

 

   X

Light        (Ext. 5717) AF/CIT

 

    X

Sippel      (Ext. 5118) Comm

 

   X

Lynne      (Ext. 5248) CommSvc

 

    X

VanTassel (Ext. 5334) Tech

 

   X

Mancini   (Ext. 5855) AF/HM

 

    X

Xu          (Ext. 5273) SocSci

    

   X

ASB:  C.Vincenz

    X

 

Other:  A. Braun (CRC Chair),

 

   X

Guests: 

 

    X

 B. Grayson (Staff Dev)

 

   X

             

 II.    Order of the Agenda

            It was agreed, by consensus, that the order of agenda will be changed to accommodate guests as needed.

 

III.    Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the January 24, 2002, meeting were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U – Moore/VanTassel).

                

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

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

 

  V.    Information & Announcements 

         A.  Senator Brennan acknowledged President Patton for her leadership as Co-Chair of the District Academic Senate (DAS) at its meeting January 31st, and indicated it was a useful meeting.  Jane stated that DAS meetings provide an excellent opportunity for the Senators to meet with their counterparts at West Valley College.

            B.  Senator Sippel requested that the Senate consider the current plagiarism policy, and Jane advised that this item is scheduled for the next Senate meeting along with a discussion of the current Cheating Policy per the ASB President’s request.

         C.  Senator McGee reported that Student Success Committee is requesting that the Academic Senate address the issue of staffing the Information Island in the main lobby.  The island has been staffed in the past, and Student Success Committee would like the Senate to consider a request to re-establish regular staffing of the island.   

            D.  Senator Cochran announced that the Child Development Department would like to develop an after school enrichment program for K – 7th graders, introducing topics such as nutrition, art, math, dance, PE and any other programs that would be appropriate.  She asked the Senators to advise their constituents and ask any interested faculty members to contact her (Ext. 5176).  Jane suggested that she put out an e-mail to all faculty, explaining the proposal and what is needed.

            E.  A joint meeting of the MC Academic Senate and the MC Curriculum Review Committee will be a major item on the Senate’s agenda for its February 21, 2002, meeting to discuss common areas of concern relative to curriculum. 

            F.  Senator Estrada reported that she will make a binder available in the Library with pertinent documents from the Academic Senate meetings and advise faculty of its existence via e-mail.

            G.  The Spring Plenary Session of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges will be held in San Francisco, April 4-6, 2002.  Staff Development has funds to send a number of people to the session.  Senators are encouraged to attend and invite others to participate in this, as well as other conferences as long as Staff Development funds are available.

           

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

  A.    Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) – Jane applauded the e-mail message to all faculty from Alex Braun, Chair of the CRC, clarifying the curriculum approval process.   Alex advised that the committee is looking forward to meeting with the Senate.  There is a need to discuss and resolve issues relative to curriculum that reflect the “big picture.”  The Senate and CRC need to review the process and elevate the decision-making process to the top faculty level, the Academic Senate. The topics for discussion were considered at this time, and the agenda for the joint meeting will be drafted from that list

                  •     CRC needs to be more proactive regarding strategic direction

                  •     CRC needs to conduct an overall review of the curriculum

                  •     Curriculum growth

                  •     Consider the Roles of the CRC and the MCAS

                  •     Consider Accreditation Report relative to curriculum

                  •     Improve Graduation Rate (how?)

                  •     Cultural Pluralism  - Revisit the goals of cultural pluralism and its effectiveness in course

                        outline.

                  •     How to maintain balance between efficiency and responsiveness in efforts to legitimize    

                        curriculum.

                  •     Constraints of Technology

            Jane and Alex will put together the agenda for the joint meeting.

  B.    Staff Recognition -  A resolution was presented by Senator Cochran and approved unanimously (M/S/U – Cochran/Sippel).  It was suggested that the person being recognized be invited to the Academic Senate meeting for presentation of the resolution and to introduce the person to the Senate members.   

  C.    Committee Appointments

         1)  Dean of Information & Technology Hiring Committee – Jane advised that President O’Hearn has requested that an additional faculty member be appointed to this committee.  The current composition includes two faculty members, one classified staff member, and one administrator.  He feels the committee should be expanded, and an additional faculty member would be appropriate.  Jane asked those who had volunteered to serve on the committee if they were still interested, and two candidates expressed continued interest – Marjorie Knowles and Susanna Pancella.  The Senators spoke briefly about each candidate, and Susanna Pancella was elected to the committee by written ballot.

            2)  Program Review Committee  -  Jane advised that Todd Eagen has volunteered to represent CATA on the committee, and the Senators confirmed Todd’s appointment to the committee (M/S/U – Brennan/Lynne).  In addition, Saroj Sabherwal has resigned from the committee.  

  D.    Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development (SD) – Betty reported that the Staff Development’s subcommittee met and discussed the governor’s proposal for next year’s budget and its impact on staff development. This issue is also being discussed at DBAC and other venues. Both TTIP and AB 1725 funds have been cut to zero, and this will alter the manner in which SD is handled unless funds from other sources become available.  Depending on further budget cuts, staff development may be cut totally, unless the college can contribute funds to SD to maintain services.    Betty advised, however, the funds that cover the release time for the Staff Development Coordinator and the Staff Development Resource Center are provided by the college, and it is possible those funds may continue although be reduced. *  Betty encouraged the Senators to advise their constituents, especially new faculty members, who are interested in learning and teaching issues to contact Staff Development and consider attending the Great Teachers Conference, the NISOD Conference or other conferences/workshops that may pique their interest.  There are funds available for this year, and funds may not be available next year. *  Regarding Betty’s flex day proposals, a small number of Senators spoke to the issue, some asking for clarification, others indicating support or non-support.  President Patton directed the Senators to contact their constituents via a division/department meeting or e-mail, if necessary, and poll them on this proposal in order to provide enough information to qualify as a formal response to Betty’s recommendation.  The recommendation can then be passed on to ACE for consideration. 

         2.  Datatel Implementation Committee  -  Senator Light reported that the committee’s first meeting this semester will be held at WVC on March 1, 2002. 

         3.  Instructional Technology Committee – No report was made at today’s meeting.

         4.  Commencement Committee – Senator Cheung advised that the committee has not met yet.

         5.  Program Review Committee – Jane explained that Jody Hacker, Chair of the committee, will be making periodic reports to the Senate on the progress of program review.

         6.  Other:  No additional reports were made at today’s meeting.

             

 VII.  Old Business

 

    A.  Discuss Proposed Revisions to the MCAS Constitution

            The Senators spent considerable time reviewing a draft of recommended revisions to the Senate’s constitution.  A revised version of the constitution, in accordance with today’s discussion, will be prepared and sent to the Senators for their review.  The final draft will be brought back to the Senate for approval on February 21, 2002.  Jane explained that the final revised draft will then go out to faculty for a vote.

 

    B.   Review & Discuss Academic Policy for Creating New Dept.

            The Senate subcommittee comprised of Senators Cochran, Lynne, and Sippel submitted a report to the Senators on the Senate’s policy and process for creating a new department.  In addition, the Senators were provided with an application form for approval of a new transfer program from the state Chancellor’s Office.   Linda pointed out that the state Chancellor’s Office has a Program and Course Approval Handbook, dated September 2001, and suggested that each Senator be provided with a copy.   The Senators were charged to review these materials and be prepared to discuss possible revisions to the existing policy and procedures.   

 

    C.   Review Faculty Recognition Program Categories/Criteria

         This item was postponed to the next Senate meeting.

 

VIII.  New Business

           

   A.   Review & Discuss Program Process & Policy

            Jane explained that the committee is expected to conduct a review the current program process and policy, and since program review falls under the purview of the Academic Senate, she provided interested Senators with a copy of the state Academic Senate’s an adopted document on program review.  This matter will be brought back to the Senate for further discussion.

 

   B.   Discuss Issues Common to Academic Senate and Curriculum Committee

            This issue was discussed under Item VI.A.  Please refer to that item on Page 2 of these minutes.

 

Due to the late hour, the remaining business items were postponed to the next meeting.

 

 X.    Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         1.   A letter dated January 31, 2002, from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges with information on the commission’s actions.  A copy of the revised Substantive Change Policy adopted by the commission at the January meeting was enclosed.

            2.   A letter dated January 28, 2002, from the district chancellor, Linda Salter, regarding the bond measure with a list of guidelines for employees to follow regarding their activities relative to the bond measure.

            3.   A letter dated January 23, 2002, from the state Academic Senate regarding the revision of its handbook entitled, “Student Equity: Guidelines for Developing a Plan.” 

         Publications/Minutes

            1.   The agenda for the February 11, 2002, meeting of the MC Curriculum Review Committee and the minutes for the February 4th (Tech Committee)  and February 11th (CRC) meeting.

            2.   The agenda for the February 6, 2002, meeting of DBAC.

            3.   An article from the February 7, 2002 San Jose Mercury News stating that a judge has ruled in the district’s favor regarding a charge brought against the Chancellor relative to the dissemination of information on the district’s bond measure.

            4.   The January 28, 2002, issue of FA NEWS from the Foothill-DeAnza Faculty Association.

            5.   The agenda for the January 30, 2002, meeting of the District Council.

            6.   A report to the Curriculum Committee on submission of MC courses for General Education Breadth for the IGETC and CSU patterns.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   The 2nd Annual Symposium on Teacher Recruitment and Preparation will be held in Sacramento, June 12-13, 2002.  For additional information, please contact Andra Verstraete {(818) 240-1000, Ext. 5534} or e-mail: andrav@glendale.cc.ca.us or click on: www.glendale.cc.ca.us/trdp.

            2.   The Spring Plenary Session of The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges will be held at the SFO Westing, April 4-6, 2002.  The theme is, “Equity:  A Call to Action.”

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

            1.   Discuss Information Competency Requirement.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.  (M/S/U – VanTassel/Moore).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.