The minutes for the March 1, 2001, meeting were accepted and approved with one correction under Call to Order. President McKay was absent and the meeting was called to order by Vice President Carol Toppel (M/S/P - Akers-Martin/McGee).

The Senators agreed to reorder the agenda to accommodate guests as needed (M/S/U - Jackins/Patton).

IV. Oral Communication from the Public

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

1. Dianne thanked Carol for conducting last week’s meeting. Dianne attended a Learning Communities Conference with Ray Charland, Carol Beck, Peggy Messerschmidt, Christy Brown and Myo Myint. These six faculty members will create two separate learning communities: the first will include Reading 961, English 905, and a Counseling 1 course, to be taught around the theme of evaluating what it means to live a successful life in Silicon Valley. The second learning community will include ESL 135, English 905, and a counseling course. The theme is creating community in American culture. The focus will be to bridge the transition between English and ESL for students who may not have qualified for English 905. Dianne explained that DeAnza College received a Packard Foundation grant for a consortium of community colleges in the South Bay to create and/or expand these learning communities. Faculty will be advised of all the criteria and asked to recruit students.

2. The Spring Plenary Session for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges will be held in San Francisco April 19-21, 2001. There is ample funding to send a number of Senators to the session, and Dianne invited the Senators to consider attending and advise the Senate office by Monday, March 12th.

3. A call for nominations has been issued for the Academic Senate President. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 15, 2001.

4. The annual Senate/Administration Spring Luncheon, culminating the Faculty Recognition Program will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2001, at Hospitality Management. A call for nominations will be issued in the near future, and Dianne encouraged Senators to solicit nominations for the five categories.

A. Curriculum Committee - No report was made at today’s meeting.

B. Staff Recognition - No resolutions were presented at today’s meeting.

C. Committee Appointments

1. Appoint Senate Rep to Alumni of the Year Selection Committee - President O’Hearn has asked that a Senate representative be appointed to this committee. Dianne advised that the committee’s work should not take more than one hour. Senator McGee volunteered to serve, and the Senate approved his appointment by consensus.

1. Instructional Technology Committee - The committee will meet next week.

2. Distance Learning Committee - No report was made at today’s meeting.

3. Staff Development - * Mary Moore reported that the college’s Staff Development Committee met yesterday and discussed issues relative to the Fall Flex Day scheduled for Thursday from Noon to 8:00 p.m., with a reception to be held sometime between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the college’s 25th year anniversary. Several flex activities are planned within the theme, to celebrate Mission College. Betty has suggested that at least three departments take the opportunity to showcase Mission College programs. * Faculty have been receiving $500/year for conferences from staff development. This spring, the committee agreed to raise the amount to $800/year, and on Betty’s recommendation, the committee approved an increase to $1,000 for a two year period of time. This would allow faculty to attend more expensive conferences. * Betty also recommended to the committee that they approve a $500 stipend to each division to use as they wish for the purpose of recognizing associate faculty and encouraging them to participate in flex days and other such activities.

4. Datatel Implementation Committee - This committee will meet next week.

5. Workforce Development Committee - No report was made at today’s meeting.

6. Alternative Calendar Committee - * Mary Moore reported that at yesterday’s meeting, the committee decided that the quarter system would not be considered. Other systems and forms of compressed calendars were discussed, as well as the problems these systems will impose relative to time and other issues, such as maintenance of facilities. Vice Chancellor Kinsella stated that the district cannot afford to go to a trimester system (3 semesters, each 16 weeks long). The committee anticipates presenting its recommendations to the Board by November 1st. Dianne reported that she has requested that any recommendation be distributed to the entire district community in the form of a position paper. * Mary noted her concern relative to the composition of the committee as it currently stands; Mission College faculty is not represented adequately. Both ACE representatives are WVC faculty, there is a DC from WVC, as well as two Academic Senate representatives. MC has the two Academic Senate representatives and the MC Division Chair Council (DCC) is currently not represented. She urged that the DCC appoint a division chair to the committee. Both Mary and Jane expressed concern, particularly because the differences between the two campuses are extremely relevant to calendar issues. The student populations differ, the daytime and evening programs differ, and the impact any calendar will have on curriculum issues and transfer must be reviewed and considered as they affect each individual campus. It has been stated that the two colleges do not necessarily have to have the same calendar. Mary advised that the committee is planning an all day retreat on March 30th starting at 8:00 a.m. The retreat will probably be held at West Valley College in the Board Room, but that has yet to be confirmed. She emphasized the importance of attendance by Mission College representatives. * The Senators discussed the rationale for pursuing a change in calendar, and it was explained that there is some statistical evidence that students generally do better on the quarter system, and that a change in the calendar may provide a better opportunity to compete with Bay Area community colleges for enrollment. It has also been suggested that a later start attracts more students. Mary and Jane will keep the Senate apprised as the committee’s work progresses.

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

Deborah LeFalle reported that the program review for EOPS will start next Tuesday, March 13th through March 16th. This review consists of a self-study and a site visit to the campus by a team that will collect data, review files, as well as interview faculty, staff, students, and administration. Carol Toppel advised that the site visit for DISC will take place from March 20th through March 22nd, and noted that two different consultants have been hired for each review (EOPS and DISC). The DISC team will look at accessibility from a technical and physical aspect. The purpose of these visits is for the teams to review the programs and address any concerns, with the intent to improve the programs to better serve the students. Deborah encouraged all who have been tagged for interview to be honest and to provide any information the teams ask for.

Carol noted that this is the first time that all programs will be reviewed across the state. Dianne asked Deborah and Carol to share the results of the review with the Academic Senate, and she thanked them both for their reports.

The order of the agenda was resumed and moved back to Item VII.A.

Carol attended the Board meeting when Chapter 6 was reviewed page by page, and indicated notes on her copy of the chapter. She suggested that the Senators review changes indicated on her copy and set Chapter 6 aside for the time being; Carol’s copy of Chapter 6 was passed around to the Senators. Dianne reported that she advised the District Council of the Senate’s concerns relative to the section in Chapter 3 that relates to the Administrative Retreat Rights. She advised them of the policy approved in 1995, by the District Academic Senate, and requested that it be included in the chapter. She recommended that the Senators continue to review Chapters 3 and 5 and any changes will be forwarded to Albert Moore.

The Senators continued their review, and Senator McGee reported on concerns expressed within his division relative to Student Health Services section and from EOPS. The Senators received a document prepared by Rosalyn Chan regarding Student Health Services, and determined which portion of the document was appropriate for inclusion in policy. They also considered the request from EOPS and agreed to a minor change in wording after a motion to include a separate section on EOPS failed. It was determined that it was best to write Board policy as broadly as possible and insure the program is listed in procedures.

Dianne agreed to place this item on next week’s agenda for continued review.

The order of agenda was suspended and moved to Item VIII.B to accommodate guests.

Regina Stanback-Stroud presented each Senator with a copy of a proposal to implement a Middle College program at Mission College. The plan was initially presented to the Senate last spring and has been discussed with various other campus entities to determine the feasibility of the plan. Dianne explained that the development of the proposal represents a great deal of hard work on Regina’s part, and she thanked Regina for her efforts.

Regina explained that the program between Mission College and the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) is intended to serve high school students who are highly intellectual and capable, but who do not flourish in the high school environment. The goal is to provide a challenging academic program in a supportive community. The program will initially support approximately 30 high school students who will take both core high school courses as well as college courses on this campus. The core high school courses will be taught by two high school instructors who will also assist the students to develop an individual education plan with a specific goal. The SCUSD has provided $97,000 towards the renovation of the third floor in order to make two MT classrooms available to house the program.

The Senators reviewed and discussed the proposal at great length, addressing specific concerns relative to the selection of the students, evaluation of the program, support services to be provided by the college, WSCH, credit, and other issues. Regina explained that a team will consider applicants and select those students they deem will benefit most from the experience. Relative to evaluation, a tracking mechanism is to be developed to determine the number of students that complete a certificate, or a degree, or transfer, and who complete the high school exit exam. She noted that the high school instructor will be available all day, with time to serve as a tutor for these students so that the college’s resources are not solely exhausted. The college receives the WSCH and the student may receive high school credit or college credit for the Mission College courses; it may be applicable toward the students high school graduation.

The following motion was made (M/S - VanTassel/Toppel):

"that the Mission College Academic Senate approves the Middle College Program proposal as presented."

Several Senators expressed a desire to discuss the program further with their constituents rather than approve the proposal at today’s meeting; this would ensure faculty’s support for the program. It was argued that the steering committee that put the proposal together has been extremely sensitive to the college community and covered every concern that has been raised. It was pointed out by several members of the Senate that the proposal is extremely well written and has obviously been prepared more thoroughly and with more thought given to the college community than any other proposal every brought before the Senate. It was noted that Counselor Judy Hooper conducts orietnations at Wilcox High School and Santa Clara High School; it is absolutely morally correct to implement this program, which is sorely needed in our community. It was also emphasized that the Senate has implemented other programs without an evaluation component.

Discussion continued, and it was pointed out that Senators are elected to represent their divisions and to take the initiative and vote for a proposal that has merit. Power is for those who choose to exercise it. The Academic Senate’s primary responsibility is to serve as the academic leader to establish programs, and in accordance with district policy, to advise the Board. Programs such as this proposal help high school students and promote the college as well. A motion to table the above motion failed, and the above motion was passed with two abstentions.

Regina agreed to visit any division or body to discuss the program if necessary. She expressed her appreciation for the Senate’s deliberations and has noted their concerns and will address them. Dianne thanked the Senators for exercising their discretion, and recommended that the Senators be prepared to serve as ambassadors for the program. Copies of the proposal will be forwarded to the Division Chairs, Division Secretaries for posting, and to the Senators to share with their constituents.

VII. Old Business (Continued)

This item was postponed to the next meeting.

C. Discuss Program Discontinuation Policy

The Senators and Don were asked to review a draft of the proposed policy for the discontinuation of a program, and to note any comments or concerns. This matter will be discussed further at the next Senate meeting. It was suggested that Jim Burrell be invited to next week’s meeting to obtain his expertise from a performance goals perspective.

1. GAP - Dianne reported that this group is discussing budget.

2. College Budget Advisory Committee - This committee is also discussing budget issues.

3. District Council - The council is reviewing and revising Board policy and developing its strategic plan.

4. Board Meeting - Mission College faculty who have been granted tenure were announced at the meeting, and Dianne extended her congratulations to all.

5. Others - No other reports were made at today’s Senate meeting.

1. Letter dated February 27, 2001, from the Academic Senate for CCC re: Political Advocacy workshops.

1. The agenda and summary notes for the February 28, 2001, meeting of GAP.

2. The minutes for the February 28, 2001, meeting of DBAC.

3. The agenda for the March 7, 2001, meeting of the District Council.

1. The 13th Annual Hawaii National Great Teachers Seminar will be held August 5-August 10, 2001, in Hawaii. The theme is, "A Continuing Adventure in Faculty Development."

Additional information on all the above is available from the Academic Senate Office.

1. Report from the MC Environmental Awareness Committee on Burrowing Owls. (Hudak)

2. Discuss Articulation between granting college credit for high school courses (Cordero)

3. Accreditation Report Update (VanTassel)

The meeting was adjourned at 4:17 p.m. (Hudak/Toppel). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.