Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday, February 13, 2003  

 

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

Brennan    (Ext. 5313)  Comm

     

    X

Martin      (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

    

   X

Charland  (Ext. 5046)  Stud. Dev.

 

    X

Musat       (Ext. 5331) Math

 

   X

Dooley    (Ext. 5379)  AAS

 

    X

Oliver       (Ext. 5427)  AAS

 

   X

Estrada     (Ext.5164) CommSvc

 

    X

Patton    (Ext. 5296) Comm Stud

 

   X

Johnson   (Ext.5277) CATA

    X

    

Rivas       (Ext. 5282)  CATA

    

   X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

 

    X

Rosner     (Ext. 5317) ESL

    

   X

Light       (Ext. 5717) AF/CIT

     

    X

Sippel      (Ext. 5118) Comm

 

   X

Lynne      (Ext. 5248) CommSvc

 

    X

Toppel     (Ext. 5089) Stud Dev

 

   X

Mancini    (Ext. 5855) AF/HM

 

   X

VanTassel (Ext. 5334) Tech

 

   X

 

 

 

Xu           (Ext. 5273) SocSci

 

   X

Other:   A.Braun (CRC),

   

    X

Other:  B.Grayson (Staff Dev)

    X  

   

Guests:  J. Halasa, J. Lucas

 

    X

Guests:  C. Monroe  

 

   X

                   

 II.    Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the February 6, 2003, meeting were accepted and approved with the following correction as indicated below (M/S/P = Mancini/Oliver):

 

            Page 4, last paragraph under Con Arguments, second sentence:  “The Academic Senate will continue to discuss the matter, and the subcommittee will bring its recommendations to the Senate.”

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            There were no changes to today’s order of the agenda.

 

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            Recently elected Board of Trustee member Jack Lucas was introduced to the Senate members.  Trustee Lucas advised that he has served on the City Council of Monte Sereno for 18 years and 5 years as the City Mayor.  He has been in education for 42 years, 35 of them in the Los Gatos Unified High School District and he continues to teach part-time at the Fremont High School District.  He has always enjoyed government and education and he is currently serving as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees.  He described himself as very approachable and invites all to call him if they would like to discuss his philosophy, values, attitudes, etc.  He is extremely supportive of community college education, holding an associate degree from Fullerton Jr. College.  Trustee Lucas advised that he intends to attend the meeting scheduled for tomorrow with John Vasconcellos.  President Patton and the Senators expressed their gratitude for his visit and invited him to return at any time.  Trustee Lucas thanked the President Patton and the Senate members, in return, for their gracious hospitality.

        

  V.    Information & Announcements 

1.    The higher education discussion with John Vasconcellos will be held tomorrow, Friday, February 14, 2003, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 1290 Ridder Park in Santa Clara. 

2.    Faculty are encouraged to make students aware of the budget crisis and its impact on the college and their education.  It was suggested that instructors encourage students to write to their legislators.  The legislators need to hear from their constituents at the “grass roots” level.  Ms. Hanna, the ASB representative advised that the ASB is initiating a writing campaign for students as well.

3.    The Chancellor is holding a forum on budget issues and concerns today at 4:30 p.m. in Sorenson Hall.  The Senators were encouraged to attend.

4.    ACE has scheduled a forum for next Thursday, February 20, 2003, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in SE3-501.  The Senators and all faculty are encouraged to attend.

5.    President Patton has set up a suggestion box in the Communications Division Office. A folder with the suggestions was circulated for the Senators’ review.  President Patton agreed to forward a copy of those suggestions to the college President and Vice Presidents, the ACE President and the Chancellor.

6.    President Patton reported that she is attending all budget meetings, and that GAP has formed a subcommittee to organize a GAP retreat where GAP will develop a procedure for meeting the cuts that will be required for next year.   The college’s shortfall is expected to be $5.8 million next year, which is a huge cut.  The subcommittee will meet next week to finalize an agenda and GAP will hold its retreat on February 28th. GAP is considering what the college’s core essentials for education are; what is required to support education and what can be eliminated for now.  No decisions have been made yet.  VP of Instruction Dianne McKay emphasized that the subcommittee is simply developing a process to form discussion, which is to be done by GAP.

7.    President Patton reported that CBAC is moving forward to implement changes and reductions for this year.  Check e-mail for the exemption forms from the Administrative Services Offices.  It has been suggested that we consider that we have one checkbook for the college.

8.    Office Depot is selling reams of paper for $1.00/ream this weekend.

9.    President Patton indicated that she may cancel next Thursday’s meeting, particularly since the ACE forum is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  This will provide time for the Senators to participate in that meeting.  The final decision will be made at the end of today’s meeting.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

  A.    Curriculum Committee  -  Chair, Alex Braun reported that the committee held its first meeting this semester and took action on a number of new courses.  The committee will meet again next week, and any submissions for consideration by the committee must be submitted to Betty Ensminger immediately.

 B.     Staff Recognition – A resolution was presented to the Senators for signatures.

  C.    Committee Appointments  - No appointments were made at today’s meeting.

  D.    Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development   - No report

         2.  District Information Technology Steering Committee - * Senator Light reported that the committee met last week and is doing a good job dealing with budget issues.  There is a need to develop a system to better implement the Datatel system.  *  There was an intrusion into the firewall when hit by a virus worm.  There is a need for an intrusion detection system and a patch management system.

         3.  Instructional Technology Committee -  In light of last week’s discussion at the Senate on the Technology question, Senator Toppel requested that the Senate provide the committee with direction on the objectives listed in the Technology Plan.   The committee would like to formalize the Technology Plan for ultimate presentation to the Board.  Carol explained that each college received $25,000 from the state to develop a workable, practical technology plan, and each strategic objective has a phase-in and a timeline.  The plan is not tied to budget; it merely indicates wheat has been done at the college and what is planned to standardize technology in the college.  The plan was adopted by the Senate last year, and the only question is whether or not to continue to have one of the strategic objectives a commitment to making Mission College the “Technology College of Silicon Valley.”  A lengthy discussion ensued, and Cliff Monroe stated that much work has been done over a five-year period creating a reputation for Mission College as the “Technology College of Silicon Valley. The college is viewed as such by Intel and Cisco, and equipment and money have been granted based on that reputation.  Mission College is standing fast and offering courses dropped by other colleges.  Even though programs are diminishing, Mission College is still the strongest in the area.  People come to this college because of the reputation and we have received grants because of that reputation.  Cliff stated that he has received a number of Pentium 2 computers this week, and offered to provide them to those who need them. It was emphasized that marketing MC as The Technology College of Silicon Valley is still a viable marketing term and is not affected by the proposed change to the plan’s strategic goals. Senator Sipple explained that the purpose of the Technology Plan is a way of protecting how we revamp labs, get computers, a way of ensuring a fair process.  If we do not maintain and upgrade technology, catching up is more costly.  All the committee is asking is that the Senate deal with one objective to ensure that technology is moved to the next phase.  The following motion was passed (M/S/P – Sipple/Charland):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate agrees to change the third strategic objective in the plan from “Commit to MC being the Technology College of Silicon Valley” to “Maintain and enhance the technological capabilities of Mission College.”

 

         4.  Other:   Senator Toppel reported that the Technology Center will be cutting its hours due to budget constraints.  The new hours are to be announced soon on e-mail.

 

VII.      Old Business

 

C.           Report from Subcommittee & Discuss Possible Freeze of New Positions

Jane reported that the subcommittee of four Senators and four Division Chairs met with Dianne McKay to review the prioritized hiring list and consider how to proceed with the faculty hiring as charged by the Academic Senate.  Based on the proposed shortfall of $5.8 million in the college’s budget for next year, the committee is recommending that the college not fill any positions on the list.  This was a painful decision.  There is one problem, however. Linda Cochran’s position as Director of the Child Care Center has been filled on an interim basis since Linda’s resignation.  In order to be in compliance with state regulations, the position must be filled.  The recommendation is that no other positions will be filled.  Jane advised that the recommendation was brought to the Division Chair Council and they approved the recommendation, and the final step is for the Academic Senate to approve the recommendation.  Jane asked for direction.

 

The following motion was made (M/S – Dooley/Lynne):

 

“that the Mission College Academic Senate approve the recommendation of the subcommittee not to fill any position with the exception of the Child Care Director.”

                 

            During the discussion that followed, several concerns regarding other critical areas were raised, i.e. matriculation.  It was explained that the responsibilities that are pertinent to such critical areas will be assigned to internal candidates capable of handling those responsibilities.  If the Director position is not filled, the college will have to close the Child Care Center. Every effort will be made to fill the position internally, as long as the candidates are qualified in accordance with state regulations.  ACE has to approve the position and it is fully expected that the position will be filled in the most effective way possible. 

 

            Jane reported that the Academic Senate Presidents, the ACE President, and the Chancellor have signed a formal request to the state chancellor’s office for a waiver of the Faculty Obligation Number.  It is hoped that the state will waive the number.  If not, the issue will need to be addressed once again.  In the meantime, the prioritization list will stand as approved.  If additional monies become available, the hiring process will move forward with the list in place.  The Chair asked for the vote on the above motion, and the motion passed.   

 

 

 

   B.   Discuss Early Tenure Clause in ACE Contract

            Jane advised that ACE has requested that the Academic Senate consider changing language from the current ACE contract that deals with early tenure, specifically Article 26.B.6.  Jane read the article and asked for direction.

 

            The rationale behind ACE’s request was discussed, as well as the need for definitions of specific terms, i.e. “exceptional” and “significant.” It was explained that one view is that everyone should be considered the same and there should be no exceptions to the rule.  Others feel that our four-year tenure review process is very rigorous and other colleges may not have the same rigorous process in place.    Ultimately, the following motion was passed (M/S/P – Estrada/Martin):   

 

         “that the Mission College Academic Senate requests that ACE retain the language in Article 16.B.6 of the ACE Contract on early tenure.”              

 

VIII.  New Business

 

A.     Discuss Paper Copies of Senate Agenda/Minutes

Jane explained that the MC Academic Senate’s policy has been to distribute hard copies of the Senate’s minutes and agendas. Jane asked for direction from the Senate on how to proceed at this time considering the budget restraints.  Several Senators spoke to the issue, stating that it is critical that people receive paper copies.  The information is critical and most people on campus read the minutes, not just faculty.  They are shared and passed around among staff as well.  Several options were discussed and considered, and it was decided that paper copies continue to be distributed as usual, and a motion to eliminate multiple copies to the Senators (M/S/U – Charland/Oliver) passed unanimously.  It was also agreed that the minutes and agendas should be e-mailed to all users at both colleges.

 

The remaining business items were postponed to the next meeting, and President Patton confirmed that she will cancel next week’s scheduled meeting.         

 

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence - None

         Publication/Minutes

1.    The agenda for the February 14th Administrative Services Budget Reduction meeting with accompanying documents re: budget reduction targets, timelines, etc.

2.    The agenda for the February 20, 2003, meeting of the MWVCCD Land Corporation.

3.    A draft copy of the Mission College Guideline and Procedures for Exemptions to District Budget Freeze dated January 29, 2003.

         Announcements/Conferences - None

          

XI.    Future Agenda Items

            No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m. (M/S/U - Oliver/Toppel).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.