Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,   February 14, 2002

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Jane Patton at 2:05 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:  Phuc Le, C.Vincenz

   

    X

Other:  B.Grayson (Staff Dev)

 

   X

Guests: K. Gobbi, M. Munoz

 

    X

Guests: C. Toppel (Inst’l Tech)

 

   X

             

 II.    Order of the Agenda

         It was agreed that the order of the agenda will be changed to accommodate guests (M/S/U – Mancini/Cochran).  Item VIII.A will be addressed immediately following Item VI.

 

III.    Oral Communication from the Public 

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

 

IV.    Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the February 7, 2002, meeting were accepted and approved with the following correction to Item V.C on Page 1 (M/S/P – Lynne/Mancini):

 

            “ Senator McGee reported that Student Services the 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 Services the Student Success Committee would like the Senate to consider a request to re-establish regular staffing of the island.”

 

            The minutes for the January 31, 2002, meeting of the District Academic Senate were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U – Sippel/Estrada).

             

V.      Information & Announcements

           1.    Jane reported that several members of the Board directed her to extend their congratulations to the college community for its excellent accreditation report.  A Board member has indicated an interest in a report on new approved courses offered and their success to date.

            2.   The Senate will hold a joint meeting with the Mission College Curriculum Review Committee next Thursday, February 21, 2002.  It was agreed that the meeting should be open to all who wish to attend.

           

 VI.   Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

  A.    Curriculum Committee – No curriculum business was conducted at today’s meeting.

  B.    Staff Recognition – The following motion, passed at the February 7, 2002, Senate meeting (M/S/U – Cochran/Sippel) was presented to Mimi Munoz of the Child Development Department by Linda Cochran:

 

Whereas, Mimi Munoz is an outstanding employee of Mission College; and

Whereas, Mimi always approaches tasks with a “can do” attitude; and

Whereas, Mimi consistently and sensitively supports Child Development Center Staff, Parents and Child Development Students; and

Whereas, Mimi always seeks innovative and creative ways to approach problems and challenges; and

Whereas, Mimi balances multiple tasks and responsibilities with grace, good humor, skill and organization; and

Whereas, Mimi serves low income families with tact, compassion, understanding and integrity; and

Whereas, Mimi provides an important link to the college for Spanish speaking students; and

Whereas, Mimi puts in extensive hours in the community on behalf of the college; and

Whereas, Mimi contributes significantly to the success and smooth running of the Child Development Center Services and the Child Development Department of Mission College; and

Whereas, Mimi is an exemplary employee of Mission College;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the Mission College Academic Senate recognizes Mimi Munoz for her exemplary contributions to the college.

 

   C.   Committee Appointments

         1.  Appoint faculty to Chancellor’s Search Committee -  Jane explained that the district has hired Lois Callahan’s Search Firm as a consultant to assist in the search for a chancellor.  It is anticipated that the hiring process will be completed before the end of the school year.  It was announced that recruitment for the chancellor’s position opens March 1st through April 19th,  Applicants will be encouraged to turn in their applications early so that committee members can review them as soon as possible. 

            Jane advised that Chancellor Salter has requested that the Senate forward as many names as possible to be selected by the administration.  Only two faculty members will be selected from each college.  In light of the fact that the Senate’s constitution and policy has been to appoint faculty to committees, Jane asked the Senate for direction.  The Senators unanimously agreed (M/S/U – Moore/VanTassel) that the Senate select two faculty to serve on the committee, with an alternate in the event that one of the appointees is unable to fulfill the commitment to the process.  The Senators, by written ballot, elected Carolyn Fisher and Jane Patton as the appointees, and Betty Grayson as the alternate

   D.   Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development  -  Betty Grayson had asked the Senate members to determine if there was interest within their divisions to change one fall flex day in August to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Betty emphasized that the final decisions on the academic calendar falls under the purview of ACE with the Academic Senate.  This proposal does not change the number of flex days for the semester, but rather provides everyone with a five-day weekend rather than four.  Several Senators reported on information received within their divisions and the following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U – McGee/Cochran) after discussion:

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate asks ACE to consider changing the flex day in August to the day before Thanksgiving.”

 

            Betty’s proposal also included an additional flex day next spring, specifically the day after Washington’s Birthday.   This would increase the number of flex days from two to three for the one semester next fall.  Discussion ensued and one senator noted his department was not in favor of any additional flex time, and the following motion passed with one no vote (M/S/P – VanTassel/Mancini):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate recommend to the ACE Calendar Committee and to Staff Development to add a flex day on the day after Washington’s Birthday next February.”

 

         2.  Instructional Technology Committee  - * Carol Toppel presented, for the Senate’s consideration, a draft document of procedures for setting up faculty offices and services for new faculty, to be used as a checklist for managers.    She stated that the number of new faculty hires has increased at an overwhelming rate, and this procedure was developed out of necessity.  The intent is to provide a request for office space and services for new faculty positions when they are proposed, particularly if there is a need for higher tech computers.  All computer requests should come to the Instructional Technology Committee.  She explained that all computer requests are filled through a trade-up system.  If specific equipment is needed, the request for additional funds should be submitted through the budget allocation process at the same time the faculty position is requested.  There was some discussion relative to additional computers obtained through sources outside of the institution, such as grants. Carol clarified that the equipment becomes institutionalized unless the equipment continues to be used for its original intent. 

            A revision to the proposal was recommended and the amended document will be brought back to the Senate for approval at its meeting scheduled for February 28, 2002.   

            *  Carol reported that the committee met with the consultant (SIG) hired by the district to develop a five year instructional technology plan for the colleges.  She indicated that the meeting was very productive and a small group will meet with SIG to review the draft of the plan, and bring the draft back to the committee for review.  It is anticipated that a plan document will be ready for implementation in May.

         3.  Commencement Committee – Senator Cheung reported that the committee has not met yet.

         4.  Program Review Committee  -  No report was presented at today’s meeting.

         5.  Other:  No other reports were presented today.

 

As agreed, the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Item VIII.A.

 

VIII.  New Business

           

    A.  Discuss Plagiarism and Cheating Policy

            Students Chris Vincenz and Phuc Le requested that the Senate take action to ensure that the current cheating and plagiarism policy, as stated in the catalog and faculty handbook, be enforced.  They emphasized that their request does not reflect on the policy itself, which they find satisfactory.  The problem is that the policy is not consistently and uniformly enforced campus-wide, particularly during exams.  Some instructors are far more lenient than others are, and departments, such as the Math Department, enforce the policy rigidly.  They asked the Senate to remind all faculty about the policy’s existence and request that it be enforced in the classroom.

 

            A lengthy discussion ensued as to actions the Senate can take and how to ensure that Associate Faculty members are informed of the policy as well.   Individual senators raised particular problems faced within their departments, such as downloading essays from the Internet.  It was agreed that a step by step process should be outlined, in simple language, as well as informing faculty what their rights are and legal guidelines. The Senators decided to form a subcommittee to address the problem.  Senators Johnson, McGee, Musat, and Sippel volunteered to serve on this committee, and student Phuc Le agreed to work with the Senate’s subcommittee on this issue.  A recommendation will be prepared and brought back to the Senate for consideration. The subcommittee will address the following items:

                   

                  What faculty can/cannot do?  Legal guidelines as to how to proceed.

                  Review current policy in Catalog/Consider revisions?

            Disseminate policy to all faculty members, including associate faculty, with tips as to how to enforce the policy.

                  Advise faculty members of their rights relative to enforcement of the policy.

                  Define “Cheating.”

                  Recommend that the students be advised of the policy and its consequences on Green Sheets.

                  Consider signed contract?

                  Define role and responsibilities of faculty members to each other, i.e. lab faculty’s role.

                  Train instructors on how to cope – consider a counseling intervention to determine the reasons

                        why the student has cheated. 

             

         Due to the late hour, the remaining business items and reports were postponed to the February 28, 2002, meeting.

 

 X.    Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         1.   Letter dated February 6, 2002, from the Academic Senate for CCC, announcing the Jonnah Laroche Memorial Scholarship Award as open to Area B students.  Please see e-mail announcement sent out from the MC Academic Senate Office on February 19, 2002.

         Publications/Minutes

            1.   The minutes for the February 13, 2002, meeting of the District Council.

            2.   The agenda for the adjourned February 7th Board meeting to February 9, 2002, at 10:00 a.m.  The Board meeting scheduled for February 21, 2002 has been cancelled, as well as the Mission-West Valley Land Corporation Board of Directors’ meeting on that date.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   The American Technical Education Association’s 39th National Conference will be held in Santa Clara, March 14-17, 2002.   For additional information, contact Len Price (925) 439-2181 (Ext. 3441) or email: lprice@losmedanos.net. 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

            No items were added at today’s meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

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