District Academic Senate

Unapproved Minutes

Tuesday, March 25, 2004

I. Organizational Matters

I.1 Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 2:15.m. by Co-Chairs Alex Braun and Vivian Lock.

Senators	A	P	Senators	A	P
Berlani (WVC) Science		X	Lock (WVC) Pres/Bus
Braun (MC) Pres/Technology		X	Martin (MC) Technology		X
Brennan (MC) Communications		X	Musat (MC) Math		X
Brichko (MC) CATA		X	Oliver (MC) AAS		X
Buendia-Bangle (WVC) StudtServ		X	Pape (WVC) English		X
Charland (MC) Student Dev.		X	Perlas (MC) Student Dev.		X
Cox (MC) Comm’l Services		X	Pinet (WVC) AAS	X
Diamond (WVC) AF/Bus		X	Rath (MC) AF/CIT		X
Dooley (MC) AAS		X	Reed (WVC) Social Science		X
Dotson (WVC) AF/FA		X	Rudy (WVC) PE		X
Ellis (WVC) Math		X	Schock (WVC) Business		X
Harris (MC) AF/Comm		X	Smebye (MC) Comm’l Serv.		X
Hasty (WVC) Social Science		X	Smith (WVC) Language Arts		X
Johnson (MC) CATA		X	Zeisler )MC) Communications		X
Kashima (MC) ESL		X	Other: J.Henderson (WVCAS)		X
Kim (WVC) Library/LATC	X
Laird (MC) Social Science		X	Guests: P.Andrews, D.Frankel,		X
Lavallo (MC) Math		X	T.Garcia, M.Hughmanick,		X
LeFave (WVC) FA		X	S.Juarez, .Lodato, J.Root,		X
		X	L.Saito, J.Schwartz, I.Walton		X

I.2 Order of the Agenda

A motion (M/S/U – Schock/Buendia-Bangle) to postpone Item III.B (Consider Approval of District Program Discontinuance Policy Statement) was passed unanimously. It was suggested that members of the WVC Academic Senate meet with the Subcommittee of the MC Academic Senate on this matter and the issue be addressed at the individual college senates or the next District Academic Senate meeting. This policy statement must be presented to the Board by the end of this academic year.

I.3 Announcements & Information

No announcements were made.

II. Oral Communication from the Public

There was no oral communication from the public.

III. Business

A. Discuss & Consider Approval of Revised District Faculty Hiring Policy & Process

Alex explained that the Faculty Hiring policy falls under the purview of the Academic Senate. A subcommittee of the District Academic Senate, comprised of Alex Braun (MC), Edith Dooley (MC), Ron Dotson (WVC), and Michelle Reed (WVC) has prepared a revised document for the Senate’s consideration. The Senators were provided with a draft copy of the District Faculty Hiring Policy and Procedures as revised. The document was reviewed and the specific changes to the policy were noted. It was agreed that the Senators will be provided with the previous draft indicating the revisions that are being recommended. All comments will be addressed at the next District Academic Senate meeting.

Alex stated that several people were present today to address issues dealing with the Hiring Policy: Pat Andrews, Stephen Juarez, Louise Lodato, and Leslie Saito.

Stephen Juarez advised the Senators that WVC Interim President Robert Jensen raised the issue of the decline in diversity at West Valley College based on statistics provided by Angelina Duarte. Stephen stated that the percentage of white faculty increased from 62% to 78% in 2003. This is of great concern to the WVC Minority Advocacy Committee and the college. He cited the Accreditation Report, which noted small numbers of racial/ethnic minorities and directed West Valley College to address the issue. With the current number of faculty hires underway, this could increase the problem. Stephen stated, to his knowledge, most of the applicant pools are primarily Caucasian; and, in his opinion, if the process is allowed to move forward. He cited that this would increase the percentage of Caucasians. He cites that this is in violation of the Accreditation Team’s recommendations and Title 5. He agreed to provide the Senators with various documents to substantiate his points. Stephen emphasized that the MAC believes the district is recruiting under-represented students; in order to effectively meet those students’ needs, the district must recruit an under-represented faculty population.

It was also reported that Sandra Dillon, Interim Director of Human Resources (HR) has stated that HR does not have the resources to comply with all of Title 5 regulations regarding hiring. Stephen stated it is his belief that Human Resources has not reviewed the applicant pools to determine if the pools have the required diversity mandated by Title 5. Although the Faculty Hiring Policy is the responsibility of the Academic Senate, it is the responsibility of the administration, through HR, to ensure that the district is in compliance with Title 5. Examples of the application pools in current hiring committees were provided with information obtained by President Jensen and Chancellor Arterberry.

A discussion on current processes, recruitment and advertisement efforts, etc. continued at great length. The Academic Senate was asked by the Minority Advocacy Committee (MAC) to request that Human Resources provide an explanation of criteria that allows applicant pools to proceed, to provide the data on all hiring committees in place, and to stop the hiring process from moving forward with the hiring process if pools do not indicate adequate diversity. In light of the District’s need to meet the FON, MAC’s representatives suggested that interim hires be used as a solution until the college/district ensures compliance with Title 5. Leslie Saito spoke to the specific sections in Title 5 and the Accreditation Report, listing the current sources used for recruitment.

During discussion, a point of order was raised as to the appropriateness of the Senate discussing and taking action on the diversity issue at this time, and it was determined that the discussion was appropriate as the question of diversity and hiring committees falls under the proposed policy and process.

Alex stated that this discussion was taking a great deal of the meeting time, and time constraints would make it difficult to deal with the remaining agenda items, particularly the issue of Trustee Schwartz’s letter regarding the Brown Act. The Senate only has 90 days to act on Trustee Schwartz’s formal request that the Academic Senates rescind specific motions, and the deadline of 90 days is approaching. Therefore, this item must be addressed today. Trustee Schwartz stated that the issue of diversity and the faculty hiring policy is more important. He stated further that the Senate can respond to his request at a future meeting, as he does not intend to take further action on the Brown Act issue. It was agreed that discussion on the diversity issue continue.

Senator Brennan initiated a resolution, seconded by Senator Pape, and a written resolution was submitted by Senator Buendia-Bangle for the Senate’s consideration. As discussion ensued, Ian Walton was asked to define the Senate’s role relative to this matter, and Ian advised that it is appropriate for the Senate to take action if the requirements of the law and accreditation reports are not being implemented. Ian will provide the Senate with a document that deals with this issue.

Points from the two resolutions were combined, a number of friendly amendments were agreed to by Senators Brennan and Pape, and the final draft of the resolution was submitted for the Senators’ consideration (M/S/P – Brennan/Pape). After much discussion, the following resolution passed with six abstentions:

“Whereas, No established criteria for determining hiring committee guidelines nor applicant pools are in compliance with Title 5, Section 53006 (steps to ensure equal employment); Section 53003 (District plan to redress under-represented groups); Section 53021 (Recruitment/Outreach to ensure equal access/employment opportunities); Section 53023 (Requires review of applicant pools to ensure diversity/equal employment opportunities are being met; provides for remediation in event of under representation of monitored groups); nor are there steps being taken to ensure retention of under-represented faculty;

Therefore, Let It be Resolved, That the Chancellor take active steps to verify that HR is in compliance with Title 5 and the Board of Governors’ policy regarding diversity hiring practices, and develop and submit forthwith a comprehensive plan to recruit and retain under-represented faculty in the West Valley-Mission Community College District, and

Let It Further Be Resolved, That the Chancellor direct that Human Resources take immediate steps to ensure a diverse hiring pool for current position openings (as of March 25) that have not yet proceeded to interviews; and

Let It Further Be Resolved, That demographic data of current applicant pools be sent to both College President and to division and department chairs of hiring departments, and implement a District Academic Senate Committee to work with Human Resources, and explore the possibility of interim hires and/or application deadline extensions to ensure compliance with Title 5.”

At this time, Pat Andrews addressed the Senate in regard to the Associate Faculty issue. Pat emphasized that the loss of part-time faculty members cushioned the retention of the full-time faculty. Some may never return. The full-time faculty will not receive a pay cut because of the loss of part-time faculty. ACE believes that the part-time faculty are overlooked during the hiring processes for a variety of reasons. She asked the Academic Senate to consider making a statement to affirm the respect for the District’s part-time faculty, to acknowledge and commit support for them.

The following motion was proposed for consideration (M/S – Diamond/Harris):

“that the District Academic Senate support the Part-time Faculty by requesting Hiring Committees give them consideration for their experience with the District.”

Several Senators and guests spoke to the issue, with all indicating support for the part-time faculty and differing on how to accomplish the intent of the request. Several Senators stated that departments with large numbers of part-time faculty could not possibly grant each one an interview. Many suggested that the motion was too broad and needed to be more specific. Pat stated that the intent of the motion is purely “symbolic” to show that the part-time faculty are appreciated by the full-time faculty. Some were concerned that the motion leaves much to interpretation and suggested that a symbolic gesture is not enough.

Vivian advised that the ACE Contract will be reopened on this issue on May 1, 2004. Pat agreed, stating that all ACE needs is a “symbolic” statement from the District Academic Senate that supports some kind of consideration for part-time faculty in the hiring process. A call for the question (M/S/P – Brennan/Buendia-Bangle) was passed and the above motion was passed.

The following motion was then presented for consideration (M/S – Brennan/Harris):

Motion made at District Academic Senate meeting of March 25, 2004 re: Associate Faculty:

“Whereas, The Associate Faculty have suffered greatly in the recent budget cuts, and

Whereas, The Associate Faculty play an essential role in the West Valley-Mission Community College District,

Therefore, Let It Be Resolved, That the District Academic Senate acknowledge and applaud the essential contribution by Associate Faculty in our district, and recommend that we work together to achieve an outcome of hiring more of our Associate Faculty as Full-Time Faculty, and

Let It Be Further Resolved, That the District Academic Senate ask that ACE and the District work together to revise the Re-employment Preference Policy to ensure that it is followed more consistently, and

Let It Be Further Resolved, That each department interview a minimum of one Associate Faculty member every time the department hires, and

Let it Be Further Resolved, That each department take action to prepare Associate Faculty become strong candidates to meet the criteria and expectations to become Full-Time Faculty members.”

Due to the time constraints, it was suggested that discussion on the above motion be postponed to the next District Academic Senate meeting or each of the next respective College Senate meetings for discussion and consideration. Senator Brennan agreed to refer the motion back to each individual College Senate for consideration. If passed at each College Senate, the motion will then be considered a motion of the District Academic Senate in accordance with the Senate’s constitution.

It was recommended that more regular District Academic Senate meetings be scheduled in order to deal with district issues. Some issues are appropriate to deal with in the individual colleges as the constitution allows; certain issues, such as the Chancellor’s response to the Bill of Particulars and the issue of the Board relying primarily on the advice of the Senate must be dealt with in a meeting of the full District Academic Senate. Vivian and Alex agreed.

The remaining agenda business items were postponed to a future meeting, to be announced.

V. Future Agenda Items

No new items were added.

VI. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. (M/S/U–Oliver/Smebye). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.