Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,  March 10, 2005 

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2:10 p.m. 

 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

 

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

    X

 

Brichko    (Ext. 5222)  CATA

      

    X

McKay    (Ext. 5312)  Comm

    X

 

Cogswell (Ext. 5388)  AAS

    

    X

Musat      (Ext. 5331) Math

    

    X 

Cox        (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

 

    X

Ostrander  (Ext. 5274) Stud Dev.

 

    X

Dooley    (Ext. 5379)   AAS

    

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

    

    X

Harris     (Ext. 5413)  AF/Comm

    

    X

Rath       (Ext. 5413)  AF/CIT

    

    X

Kashima  (Ext. 5319)  ESL

 

    X

Smebye   (Ext. 5305) CommServ

    X

 

Laird      (Ext. 5186)  SocSci

    

    X

Szabados  (Ext.5289)  CATA

    X

 

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

    

    X

Zeisler     (Ext. 5426) Comm

    X

 

Other: T.McCracken (ASB Rep)

   X

 

Other: K.Raczkowski (ASB Rep)

    X

 

Guests: E.Estrada M. Junker,    

   

    X

Guests:  C.Ritz, J.Smith, J.VanTassel, C.Wilson

 

   X

   X

 

 II.    Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of March 3, 2005, meeting were accepted and approved (M/S/U – Harris/Ostrander) as submitted. 

             

III.    Order of the Agenda

            It was agreed (M/S/U – Cox/Harris) that the order of the agenda will be changed to accommodate guests and Item VII.D will immediately follow Item VI.

             

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            There were no communications from the public at today’s meeting. 

        

  V.    Information & Announcements 

         1.   Congratulations and Kudos to Susan Monahan.  Susan is the recipient of the Paul N. Peters Award for Excellence in Career Education designed by the California Career Education Association in honor of Paul N. Peters, who is considered to be one of the “Fathers of Career Education in California.  The criteria for this award are as follows:

                        Demonstrate exceptional leadership

                        Make a significant contribution to the field of career education

                        Provide a unique comprehensive career education program

                        Direct a comprehensive program that has proven to be an effective model

                        Make a sustained contribution to the career education movement

                  Implement a broad base view of career education and infused that view into all academic    areas of the curriculum.

                        Is a visionary and on the cutting edge of evolving concepts.

                  The Senators gave Susan a round of applause in absentia.  

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments    

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

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

 

 C.     Committee Appointments 

         1.  Appoint Faculty to Fixed Cost Subcommittee – Alex advised that no one has volunteered to serve on this committee.  Last week, it was suggested that Steve Dinger be asked to serve, but the Senate Office has not received any word from Steve.  Alex offered to sit on the committee either as a permanent member or until such time as it can be determined if Steve is willing to serve.  The first meeting is scheduled for next Monday and Alex will attend to ensure that Mission College is represented.

 D.     Oral Reports -  No reports were received at today’s meeting.

 

            As agreed, the order of the agenda was suspended at this time and moved to Item VII.D.

 

VII.   Old Business

 

   D.   Consider Recommendation of the Information Competency Task Force on the Implementation of the Information Competency Proficiency Requirement

            Last year, the Academic Senate agreed to implement an information competency proficiency requirement for graduation.  The committee was charged to develop a recommendation for implementation of the requirement.  Judie Smith, Chair of the committee offered the following recommendation:

 

            “The Information Competency Committee recommends that students be required to take a one unit Information Competency Course (Library 10) as a prerequisite or co-requisite to English 1A, or complete an adaptation of the OASIS online tutorial program from San Francisco State (http://oasis.sfsu.edu).  The English Department at Mission College unanimously agrees with this recommendation.  OASIS will require approximately eight hours of work by students.  (Note:  This assumes the college has the staff expertise to make the adaptations to OASIS and the mechanisms in place to record student completion.  This would not be a WSCH generating program.)”

 

            The committee was charged to develop a plan to infuse the information competency requirement into the curriculum. Since English 1A is the only course all degree-earning students must take, the committee focused on infusing information competency into this course.  Thirty components that must be covered to meet the State Academic Senate guidelines for Information Competency were identified.  Less than half of the thirty components were covered in an English 1A course.  This is the rationale for the recommendation to the Senate.  In addition, a separate course requirement would match the approved West Valley model for information competency.

 

            Judie explained further that the downside to the recommendation is that more faculty will be needed to teach the course if all the students take Library 10.  It would require additional FTES.  The OASIS tutorial takes six to eight hours to complete and a test would have to be designed for the college.  She advised that Curtis is looking into software relative to this matter.

 

            Discussion ensued, and various options were offered and discussed.  It was stated that many of the CSUs are requiring Information Competency (IC) and it is advisable for students to transfer with that requirement completed.  Some concern was expressed about placing additional graduation requirements on students.  In response, it was stated that the students can take the Library 10 course as an elective and this would not add an additional course.  Measurable outcomes are key to the college at this time.  The Library 10 class has measurable outcomes and, therefore, would not be at odds with achieving higher graduation requirements.

 

            A question was raised as to whether or not the state has mandated this requirement; the Senate approved the additional requirement based on the information that the requirement was to be mandated by the state. It was explained that the state withdrew the mandate when it realized that the mandate had financial implications.  The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, however, has strongly urged all the community colleges to implement the requirement.

 

            A representative of the English Department spoke to the issue stating that the college should look for the best possible outcome, which is that its students should leave the institution with information competency capability.  Judie was asked if a vehicle for a student to challenge the proficiency requirement is available.  Judie advised that an extremely difficult test is available, and that a test-out mechanism will have to be designed.  

 

            The following motion was passed (M/S/P – Cox/Cogswell) with 10 ayes, 2 nays, and 1 abstention:

 

            “that in accordance with the recommendation of the Information Competency Task Force, the Mission College Academic Senate recommends that students be required to take a one unit Information Competency course, Library 10, in order to fulfill the graduation proficiency requirement for Information Competency.”

 

            Judie will report back to the Academic Senate when there is more information on how to effectively implement the requirement as a co-requisite or prerequisite and a challenge mechanism is designed. 

 

The order of the agenda was resumed.

 

A.      Discuss Agenda for District Academic Senate Meeting

            The District Academic Senate (DAS) meeting of March 17, 2005, will be held in Room N1-202 and the agenda will cover the issues of the District Faculty Hiring Policy, the removal of the Resolution of No Confidence in the Chancellor from the agenda, and the Academic Senate’s role relative to Global Education.

 

            The Senators discussed the question on the removal of the resolution of no confidence in the Chancellor.  During discussion it was stated that the Chancellor has responded in a positive manner to most of the nine points raised in the Bill of Particulars.  The budget development process used  subsequent to the process the Chancellor used in 2002/03 has been significantly different for 2003/04, 2004/05, and 2005/06.   In addition, the resolution is outdated, and if significant new concerns arise, a new resolution would necessarily be required.

 

            In reference to a motion made at the November 9, 2004, DAS meeting directing the DAS Co-Chairs to invite the Chancellor to engage in a conversation with the DAS, or its representatives, on the definition of participatory governance, Alex was asked if progress has been made.  Alex advised that steps have been taken that involve major constituents in the District in an attempt to heal the rift between faculty and the administration. 

 

            On the issue of the District Faculty Hiring Policy, Alex advised that the Senators were sent a revised version of the draft policy this afternoon via e-mail.  A hard copy will be forthcoming next week.  Senator Kashima reported that the District Faculty & Staff Diversity Committee has made a recommendation that the President make the final selection.  Studies have shown that colleges that practice that process have been successful in achieving higher levels of diversity.  Evergreen College uses this process and has been commended for its diversity.  The rationale is that the President looks at the entire college and considers if a person will contribute to the diversity of the workforce. 

 

            This is a controversial issue.  Currently, if there is disagreement between the president and the hiring committee, the position is reopened.  The recommendation of the Diversity Committee would put the entire responsibility on the president, changing status quo.  

            Discussion ensued, and a question was raised as to how hiring committee members can contribute to faculty diversity when the ethnicity of candidates is blacked out.  It was explained that the question on the application relative to ethnicity is voluntary, and if answered, the information is used by Human Resources to determine if the applicant pool is adequate.  It is illegal to have that information on the application for hiring committees.  The paper screening should be focused on the qualifications of the candidates, nothing else.  If Human Resources fulfills its role relative to advertising and recruitment, the college will draw candidates from a diverse population.

 

            This discussion will continue at the District Academic Senate meeting.

 

B.      Continue Discussion on Senate’s Role re: Academic Directions Relative to Facilities

             Last week, Harriett Robles, VP of Instruction presented a time line and a proposal that would require an update of the Educational & Facilities Master Plan (E&FMP) in order to ensure that the construction projects are directed by academic and educational concerns.  Alex explained that there are two parts to consider.  One involves  projects paid for by the Bond.  Those projects will take several years, and the Senate can advise and direct as the college updates its E&FMP. The second involves funds granted to the District two years ago by the State of California ($25 million) for capitol projects.  Those projects deal primarily with renovation of the main building.  In order to secure those funds, the architect has advised that the college must have plans in place within the next five weeks, or the district will have to reimburse the State.

 

            During discussion, Alex advised that a legal suit filed against the District by an individual could hold up money from the Bonds.  The District is filing a “demur” in an attempt to eliminate the suit as frivolous. The Senators directed Alex to advise GAP, which is serving as the Steering Committee, that the Senate feels strongly that facilities must be driven by academic directions. Alex suggested that the Academic Senate review and provide advice on the May 1st draft, and he advised that the Senate may have to meet during the summer.  An update of the E&FMP is central to the Academic Senate’s role. The E&FMP is organized by concept papers, the fundamental building block of the plan.  The division chairs and department chairs put together the concept papers and the Academic Senate should be involved in that process.  Alex expressed his view that if a pattern is followed with critical attention to milestone dates, the Senate can complete the task efficiently. 

 

            Several suggestions were made as to how to proceed, and the Senators were directed to advise their constituents of the issues via e-mail and solicit input and an update of the concept papers prepared for the E&FMP as quickly as possible.  Otherwise, decisions may be made without input from the faculty.  All input should be directed to Alex and Pat Hudak, the Academic Senate’s representatives to GAP, before the next GAP meeting. This would be the fastest course of action, since time is critical. Alex advised that GAP is meeting weekly.

 

            Alex agreed to invite Sean Blalock, Brigit Espinosa, and Jim Burrell to the March 24, 2005, meeting of the Mission College Academic Senate to respond to any concerns or questions.

 

C.      Continue Discussion on Tenure Credit Issue for Temporary Faculty Hired to Permanent Faculty Position

            Alex read a prepared statement that he intends to present to the Board of Trustees on March 21st on this matter, and he asked the Senate members for any comments or recommendations.  Several suggestions were offered, and Alex expressed his appreciation for the advice and agreed to incorporate the suggestions into his presentation.

 

VIII.  New Business

 

 

   A.   Consider Purchase of Anti-Plagiarism Software or Service

            The ESL Department is requesting that the Academic Senate consider support for the purchase of a system called turniton.com.  The system is designed to substantiate that a student’s documents have not been plagiarized.  The cost to the District is $600 per year for a license fee, and $.75/student.

 

            It was agreed that this item will be discussed further at the next Senate meeting.

 

   B.   Discuss Wait List Practices, Datatel Priority, and Adding Sections re: Biology 4

            The Senators were advised that it appears that the students and instructors have different wait list processes.  For example, Biology 4 is impacted.  Instructors have placed students trying to get in to the class on a wait list for the following semester.  Student Development staff would prefer that the wait lists are generated by Datatel.

 

            During discussion it was noted that students made a request directly to the Board of Trustees that additional sections of Biology 4 be added.   

 

            It was agreed that this matter will be placed on the next agenda for further discussion.  

                                                                       

C.      Discuss Priority Registration at WVC Open to all Club Members & Its Effect on Mission College

            Carolyn Kuri has advised that student club members do not have priority registration privileges at Mission College.  West Valley College, however, does extend those privileges to club members.  Student Development would like to determine how this practice impacts enrollment at Mission College.

           

            It was agreed that this issue will be placed on the next agenda for further discussion.   

             

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         1.   E-mail correspondence dated March 7, 2005, from Pat Andrews to the members of the District Academic Senate re: hiring policies and procedures.

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The agenda for the March 9, 2005, meeting of the District Council.

            2.   The approved minutes for the February 17, 2005, meeting of ACE.

            3.   The agenda for the March 9, 2005, meeting of GAP and the unapproved summary notes for the March 2, 2005, meeting.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   The Area B meeting for the Spring Plenary of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges will be held on Friday, March 18th at Cabrillo College in Aptos from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.               

            2.   Two all college budget forums have been scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2005, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the West Valley College Board Room, and from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in Room 219/220 of the Campus Center at Mission College.

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

No new agenda items were presented at today’s meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. (M/S/U – Harris/Cox).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.