Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday, March 16, 2006 

 

I.          Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2:12 p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Beggs      (Ext. 5188)  AAS

 

    X

Mancini   (Ext. 5413)  AF/HM

    

    X

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

 

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech

 

    X

Brichko    (Ext. 5222)  CATA

     

    X

Moles      (Ext. 5113)  ESL

    

    X

Cogswell (Ext. 5388)  AAS

    

    X

Ostrander  (Ext. 5274) Stud Dev.

 

    X

Cox        (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

 

    X

Paicius    (Ext. 5413)  AF/CATA

 

    X

Holt       (ASB Rep.)

 

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

 

    X

Juncker    (Ext.5229)  Comm

    

    X

Rounds    (Ext. 5288)  Comm

     

    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

Ting       (Ext. 5330)  Math

 

    X

Guest:   B.Baldefare, R.Chan,

 

    X

Guests: D.Peck,  J.VanTassel 

 

    X

 

II.        A.  Approval of the Minutes for March 9, 2003

                  The minutes for the meeting of March 9, 2006, meeting were accepted and approved as      submitted   (M/S/U – Mancini/Szabados).

 

            B.  Correction to Minutes of February 23, 2006

                  This correction will be made at the next MC Academic Senate meeting.        

 

III.       Order of the Agenda

             It was agreed (M/S/U – Cogswell/Cox) that Item VII.C will be addressed immediately following Item V along with Item VIII.A to accommodate guests.

IV.       Oral Communication from the Public

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

           

  V.      Information & Announcements 

            1.   A digital music summit will be held at Mission College on April 8, 2006.  More detailed information will be provided via e-mail.

            2.   It was announced that Mission College was the only community college represented at the Silicon Valley Workforce on Future Health Care Conference held at DeAnza College.

            3.   The Digital Media Arts Award Ceremony will be held at Mission College Telecommunication Building on March 23, 2006.  Detailed information will be provided via e-mail.

            4.   An article appearing in this week’s Metro in response to the ACE ad was passed around.

            5.   The Chancellor has called an emergency Round Table meeting with the two Academic Senate Presidents and the two Classified Senate Presidents for 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.  Alex will turn the meeting over to Stephanie and participate in the Chancellor’s meeting by phone.  Alex was directed not to agree to anything with the administration without consulting the Academic Senate members. 

                  In light of the information provided by Alex, the Senators voted to reconsider the order of the agenda (M/S/P – Cox/Juncker), and passed the following motion (M/S/P – Cox/Szabados):

 

                  “In light of the round table meeting at 3:00 p.m., Item VII.A is to immediately follow Item VII.C.  Item VIII.A will be addressed after Item VII.A.”

 

            As agreed, the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Item VII.C.

 

VII.     Old Business

 

    C.    Discuss & Consider Change to College’s Smoking Policy

            Senator Cogswell advised that this discussion does not involve a change in policy. Mission College has been waiting for West Valley College to develop a similar smoke free campus policy already agreed to by the Mission College Academic Senate.  West Valley has indicated that they are not ready to move forward and for Mission College to proceed on its own.  Mission College is ready to implement the no-smoking policy.

 

            After a brief discussion relative to signs and enforcement the following motion was made (M/S – Cox/Cogswell):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate implement the adopted no smoking policy starting June 2006.”

 

             Discussion continued briefly, a call for the question passed (M/S/P – Cox/Cogswell) and the Senators passed the above motion.

 

 A.       Discuss Reaction to District Academic Senate Meeting

            It was suggested that the Senate members have a discussion on the issues related to the District Academic Senate’s resolution in order to provide direction to the Academic Senate President, who will be attending an emergency roundtable discussion with the Chancellor at 3:00 p.m.

 

            The Senate members discussed concerns relative to hiring committees and tenure review teams as they relate to the resolution. Any exemptions must be a decision of the District Academic Senate (DAS).  Alex noted that the direction to faculty is true to the resolution passed.

 

            Alex asked for direction if the Chancellor asks for specific criteria.  Alex was directed to advise the Chancellor that the District Academic Senate has appointed a special task force to consider whether any committees should be exempt and to develop the criteria that will be used to determine if progress has been made in the four areas of concern.  Several Senators urged Alex not to make any assumptions regarding statements from the Chancellor.  The philosophy of the term “active anticipation” was mentioned as a means of determining what to do and it was suggested that Alex discuss the need for “active anticipation” with the Chancellor.   It was stated that the administration thinks the resolution was passed because of money.  This indicates a lack of understanding of shared governance and the problems in the District.  The administration and the Board do not understand the legal basis for the Senate’s concerns.  It was emphasized that the Senate must stand firm. Instructors obsess over students.  The Chancellor and the Board should obsess over faculty. 

            Relative to how progress will be determined, Alex was directed to advise the Chancellor that the District Academic Senate is has put a process in place to develop criteria that will determine progress and the Senate is standing firm until the Senate reviews the process and makes a decision.  A major change in behavior and attitude will be required.  Another concern is how negotiations will proceed while the Chancellor is in China.

 

            As discussion continued, it was reported that the District Academic Senate’s resolution, or its consequences, has not been discussed at the President’s Council at Mission College, GAP or the Division Chair Council.  Alex reported that President Chong has expressed his concern and stated his desire to help mediate the process to resolution.  At this time, Alex was asked to place President’s Reports on the agenda weekly and provide the Senators with a report on what has been discussed in the meetings he attends.

 

            Alex left the meeting and turned the gavel over to Stephanie and a lengthy discussion ensued.   Concern was expressed regarding the Chancellor’s tendency to react to negative input, asking what he can do to change things, and yet he keeps doing the same things.  It took five weeks after the resolution was adopted before the Chancellor asked what can be done and what will constitute progress.  Unfortunately, many administrators viewed the Senate’s action as a negotiation issue and ignored the rest of the concerns.  It was stated that they should have paid attention to the resolution and responded immediately. 

 

            Several Senators raised some questions and concerns regarding the resolution.  It was pointed out that the time to have raised those concerns was before the resolution was adopted.  (A motion to extend discussion another 20 minutes passed (M/S/U – Cox/Juncker).) The Senators were urged to go to the web site for the Academic Senate for California Community College.  There are links to all legislative authorities, handbooks, etc.  The Senators need to be very clear about the authority of the Academic Senate as they discuss issues with their constituents.  The Senators need to be aware of how much power and authority the Academic Senate really has and that the Senate has not taken advantage of that power.  It was recommended that Senators should be given more extensive training on their role as Senate members. 

 

            As discussion continued, it was summarized that Alex be advised to call for a District Academic Senate meeting next Thursday, to emphasize that action items cannot be voted on without Academic Senate approval, that a training session for Senators be held, and to communicate clearly with the faculty.  It was agreed that if Alex returned from the conference call before the meeting is adjourned, the agenda will be suspended and returned to this item (M/S/U – Cox/Szabados).

 

VIII.    New Business

 

A.                 Discuss Cost of Textbooks and How to Assist Students

            Robin Holt, the ASB representative to the MC Academic Senate, introduced Brian Baldefare, the MC Bookstore Manager.  Robin reported that most students are burdened and frustrated with the high cost of text books.  Many perceive a college education as only available to the wealthy.  If an instructor requests the newest edition, it is unlikely that the bookstore will buy back the used book and students are forced to buy the new edition.  She noted that many instructors say that the new editions do not differ greatly from the previous edition.  However, it was noted that many publishers only publish the new edition.  In addition, the cost for students is reduced if books can be purchased without the CD Roms, Scantrons, or a package.  Robin noted that the Library stocks many textbooks, but not all.  The ASB is looking into the possibility of making sure all textbooks are carried in the Library.  In a chart prepared by Robin, she showed that many students are paying 22% more for textbooks than for classes at Mission College.  She urged that instructors determine how old a book is before requiring that book to determine if the book can be used for at least four semesters.  This is done at other colleges and can help reduce the costs to the students.

 

            Senator Cox, speaking as the Collection Development Librarian, stated that she makes the decisions about which textbooks to choose for the Library.  Each semester she receives a list of textbook orders from the Bookstore.  She explained that there isn’t enough money, even with support from the ASB, to purchase all textbooks.  The policy is to purchase only required textbooks and she makes the decision as to which books are likely to be used the most.  If there is a prior edition, she checks to see how old it is.  Sometimes new edition changes are minimal.  She suggested that faculty could advise their students that prior editions are acceptable. One problem concerns the ISBN number, which are different for a single book and those that are bundled.  She noted that the textbooks are at the reserve Desk and cannot be taken out of the Library and may be checked out for one hour for use in the Library. Cathy also noted that many desk copies are not for resale or redistribution and cannot go to the Library.  (A motion to continue discussion for another 5 minutes was passed M/S/U – Cox/Cogswell.)

 

            It was acknowledged that this is a national problem.  There is a trend to download a textbook online.  It was noted that everyone is sensitive to this situation and that MESA has a book loan program as well as a book fund for students.  Discussion veered to the markup used by the bookstore, and Brian explained that prices are set by the publisher and the bookstore’s pricing is a contractual issue with a markup of 30%.   It was stated that the contract is a margin contract.  It was suggested that if any faculty feel the markup at the bookstore exceeds the fair price, they should let Brian know.  Brian stated that every textbook used in the country is listed in the Faculty Center Network and he has access to all prices.  If there is doubt regarding the cost, he will be happy to look it up. In addition, instructors can refrain from a package combination (CD Rom, Scantron, etc.) to reduce the cost to students.  Another suggestion is to ask the price of the book before making a selection. The Senators asked that the Bookstore Contract be sent to them for review.  

 

            Stephanie emphasized that the Academic Senate is a powerful entity.  The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and the Chancellor’s Office should be doing much more.  It was suggested that a resolution be drafted and presented at the Area B meeting and placed on the MC Academic Senate’s agenda for next week. 

 

            The remaining agenda items were postponed to a future meeting.

 

X.        Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

            Correspondence

            Publication/Minutes

1.      The agenda for the March 16, 2006, meeting of the Mission-west Valley Land Corporation.

2.      The agenda for the March 15, 2006, meeting of DBAC and the approved minutes for the March 1, 2006, meeting.

3.      The approved minutes for the February 16, 2006, meeting of ACE.

            Publication/Minutes (Continued)

4.      The agenda for the March 16, 2006, meeting of the Board of Trustees.       

            Announcements/Conferences

            1.  The Spring Plenary Session of the Academic Senate for CCCs will be held in San Francisco,           April 27-29, 2006.

 

XI.       Future Agenda Items

            No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.     Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m. (M/S/U – Cox/Cogswell).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.