Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved  Minutes

Thursday, April 15, 2004  

 

I.          Call to Order/Roll Call

                  The meeting was called to order by Vice President Jonathan Brennan at 2:12 p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

    X

    

Laird       (Ext. 5186) SocScience

  

    X

Brennan    (Ext. 5313) Comm

     

    X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

 

    X

Brichko    (Ext. 5222)  CATA

 

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

   

    X

Charland  (Ext. 5046)  Stud. Dev.

    

    X

Musat      (Ext. 5331) Math

    

    X

Cox        (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

    X

    

Oliver      (Ext. 5427)  AAS

    X

    

Dooley    (Ext. 5379)   AAS

    

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

    X

     

Harris     (Ext. 5413)  AF/Comm

    X

    

Rath       (Ext. 5413)  AF/CIT

   

    X 

Johnson   (Ext.5277)  CATA

   

    X

Smebye   (Ext. 5305) CommServ

 

    X

Kashima  (Ext. 5319)  ESL

 

    X

Zeisler     (Ext. 5426) Comm

    X

    X

Guests: S.Arterberry, S.Dinger, E.Estrada

   

    X

    X

Other: D.McKay (CRC Chair) H.Rothenberg (Staff Dev. Coord) 

 

    X

    X

 

II.        Approval of the Minutes

                  The minutes for the meeting of April 8, 2004, were accepted and approved as submitted   (M/S/U – Charland/Mancini):

 

III.       Order of the Agenda

                  A motion to approve today’s order of the agenda was made and passed with the following changes (M/SP – Charland/Dooley):

 

                  Jonathan noted that the heading under Item V (Information & Announcements) was inadvertently left off.  Item VI. should be headed “Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments” and the following numerals increased by one.  Jonathan then requested that the order of the agenda be changed to accommodate Chancellor Arterberry and Heather Rothenberg.  The Senators agreed to place the Chancellor’s Item (VIII.A) immediately following Oral Communication from the Public.  Heather’s item will be addressed at approximately 3:00 p.m.

 

IV.       Oral Communication from the Public

                  Erlinda Estrada, Interim Director of Library Services, extended an invitation for everyone to participate in the Mission College “Night of Literary Feast” to be held on Friday, April 30, 2004, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Hospitality Management Dining Room.  An Asian Fusion Gourmet Dinner and Celebration will be served and the donation is $100/person.  Author Iris Chang will then sign books and speak in the Mission College Library from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  This event is complimentary and open to the public.  Erlinda advised that all proceeds will go into the Mission College Library fund toward the purchase of library materials.  Any questions on this event should be directed to Erlinda, Ext. 5164).

 

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

 

VIII.   New Business

 

   A.    Address by Chancellor Arterberry and Discussion

                  The Chancellor thanked the Senate for its invitation.  His purpose for today’s visit is to continue a dialogue with the Academic Senate.  He hopes to meet at least once per semester and on an “as needed” basis.  He expressed his appreciation to Dr. Chong at the DBAC meeting, who indicated that Mission College will address its deficit without a lay off of classified or administrative employees.  He has made the commitment that there will be no March 15th notices.  This is necessary in terms of our organization and the district’s need to meet its Faculty Obligation Number (FON).  The next principle in the development of the budget for this year is to maintain the current workforce to the greatest degree possible.  At the DBAC meeting Dr. Jensen also mentioned that WVC is dealing with its budget deficit as well and not submitting any reduction in its current workforce.  However, Administrative Services, the Chancellor’s Office, and the Vice Chancellor’s Office will be recommending, on paper, that two .5 positions be reduced.  It is his hope that the Board of Trustees does not accept this recommendation.

 

                  The biggest issue being discussed at the state level deals with equalization.  He encourages everyone to contact a legislator in support of equalization.  Right now there’s a conflict within the community college system itself between low revenue districts, high revenue districts, and non-credit districts.  Low revenue districts, such as ours, want equalization.  High revenue districts do not really care about equalization, and non-credit districts that have huge non-credit programs want more equalization money placed into non-credit districts because they receive about half of what credit districts receive in FTES funding.  We want to bring more equalization money to low funded and high funded districts.  There will be a CEO Board meeting tomorrow, at which time an attempt will be made to reach a compromise for presentation to the Board of Governors for approval.  If the system cannot come to an agreement on equalization, he is concerned that those funds will be targeted for removal from the system’s budget. The Governor’s budget allocates $60 million for equalization, which translates to $1.2 million for the District.  The District’s budget will be impacted if those funds are removed.

 

                  It is his hope that the colleges are working diligently to fill open faculty positions, seeking to fill three or four positions over the required number of positions to cushion any positions not filled.  There will be a major discussion at tonight’s Board meeting in reference to the diversity of our faculty.  Chancellor Arterberry stated that he is a strong proponent of faculty diversity and the need to have faculty that reflect the student body.  However, he also strongly supports the need to hire the best people available.  If we do not hire the best people, the organization is not being improved.  We have to do what is necessary to make us competitive, fair, and open.  There are some questions relative to the district’s compliance with Title 5.  His position is that if we are not in compliance with Title 5, steps will be taken to ensure compliance.  He will request that a District-Wide Diversity Committee be formed to investigate the issue, but it is his position that the district must continue the hiring process and get the faculty on board.  He plans to address the District Academic Senate’s resolution and ask that Human Resources work with the Academic Senates on this matter.

 

                  Discussion went to the Bill of Particulars and his responses to it.  He has established the Roundtable discussion, he has started the budget cycle early, he changed the selection process for the Interim President for West Valley College, in that faculty were involved in the decision making process.  The rest of the procedure was the same as for Mission College.  The Chancellor advised that there may be some finalists from out of state and it has not yet been determined how many members of the Selection Committee will participate in a site visit.

 

                  At this time, the Chancellor opened the discussion to the floor for dialogue on any issue. 

 

                  Stan was asked to report on what steps he would take to ensure that Human Resources is following appropriate recruiting and hiring practices to ensure a diverse faculty.  There is concern about changes that have taken place in Human Resource (HR) policies relative to outreach efforts and the monitoring process to ensure that required results are achieved.  It appears that those practices have been abandoned.  The Chancellor responded that since Proposition 209, the District discontinued a number of practices; a number of required tracking practices have not been conducted.  Proposition 209 has restructured the steps required to stop the hiring process and the required statistical data.  The new interim HR Director has begun to collect and reassemble that data.  We now have data that shows the current profiles in each division.  To the best of his recollection, under-represented groups in teaching faculty is about 29.9% District-wide.  Under the new Director, the monitoring process will be maintained to ensure compliance with Title 5 and Proposition 209.  He noted that Proposition 209 requires that if you advertise in one minority publication, the district must advertise in all minority publications.  However, if a district can demonstrate, using specific data, that historically there is a low representation of a specific minority, then it is acceptable to advertise in specific minority publications.  He emphasized that the statistical specific data must be available.

 

                  Historically, records were kept indicating what sources provided the best return.  The Community College Registry, the Chronicle for Higher Education, the San Jose Mercury News, and the College and District registries are the current advertisement sources used and seem to provide the most responses. The Chancellor was asked if HR checks its sources to ensure that the advertisements have been placed.  Stan agreed to investigate that point and will advise accordingly. The Chancellor reiterated his commitment to ensure that the District is in compliance with Title 5 regulations, and Sandra Dillon is working with the Academic Senate Presidents and the task force to ensure same.  Ultimately, the District must hire the best person for the position. 

 

                  Steve Dinger stated his opinion that Mission College had reached the 75/25 ratio, and asked the Chancellor to explain how many faculty members Mission College actually has to hire to reach the goal of 75/25. Steve asserted that since the college has dropped 219 sections, and since no full-time faculty were laid off, the number of associate faculty must have been reduced and would necessarily skew the 75/25 ratio.   Steve also raised the issue of the 50% rule.  Stan explained that the 75/25 ratio is a district goal, not a college goal.  The district was at a ratio of 72%.  Jim Wilczak of WVC and Jim Burrell of MC chaired a task force that was asked to create a simulation showing how many faculty the district would have to hire to meet the 75% figure.  The final analysis indicated it would be less expensive for the district to meet the FON of 358.6.  If any faculty submit retirement requests later in the semester, those positions will not be filled in the Fall and will be filled the following Spring.  He noted that this problem developed initially because the District had been over reporting its numbers for several years.  He found the error; the district was not reporting correct figures.  He is correcting the mistake. It is his hope that the District will be closer to the 75/25 ratio with the next report submitted to the State. As for the 50% rule, Stan stated he would need to review the data for information.  

 

                  The Chancellor was asked what the district’s status was relative to the final 311 report submitted to the State in November 2003.  The Chancellor stated that the report indicated that the District was still in a structural deficit, meaning that the annual income from the State is less than the District’s budgeted annual expenditures.  However, because of steps taken during the year, the end result is in the black.  For example this year (2003/04), it is anticipated that the District will have a surplus in excess of $3.3 million.  When asked if he is satisfied with the current budget process, the Chancellor indicated his dissatisfaction with the process, noting the changes that have been made for this year.  It is his hope that the State approves its budget on time, that the District has its budget by July 1st, and that when faculty return in August, the building of the 2005/06 budget can begin.  In addition, DBAC will be more involved in the process and he has requested that the Budget Allocation Model be reviewed and revised to bring about greater equity within the District.  The colleges appear to have handled their internal budgets this year and have been all-inclusive, with more involvement of faculty and staff through their representatives.  It is his hope that the District can build a two-year budget in order to better forecast in terms of income.  The Chancellor expressed his view that the State’s budget problem will exist for some time, although the State is showing some recovery. If there is an increase in fees as proposed, the District’s budget will be impacted significantly.  He mentioned several actions that were taken last year that were helpful.  He expressed his regret regarding the action taken last year relative to March 15th notices.  His strategies include internal recruitment to maintain the current workforce and a level of good service to faculty in the classroom.  

 

                  Steve Dinger once again raised the issue regarding the number of people being hired.  The Chancellor stated that the District is not hiring any new non-teaching employees. The District is increasing the number of full-time faculty because it must.  If the District does not meet its Faculty Obligation Number, the District will be penalized $57,500 for each position under the FON.  Once the District reaches the 75/25 ratio, the FON is no longer considered as a requirement.  

 

                  The Chancellor thanked the Senate for the opportunity to discuss these issues and offered to return at any time.

 

V.        Information & Announcements 

                  1.  Jonathan reported that in response to the Senate’s request that the MC Academic Senate and Division Chair Council jointly develop a position replacement justification for internal transfer policy, Harriett Robles has offered to take the matter to the Division Chair Council at its meeting of April 19th and bring the DCC’s recommendations to the Academic Senate for discussion on April 22nd.  There was consensus that Harriett be advised to take the issue to the DCC on April 19th, and that this matter be placed on the MCAS agenda for April 22, 2004, and that the Division Chair Council be invited to participate in the discussion.     

 

VI.       Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

 A.       Curriculum Committee  -  * Dianne McKay, Chair of the Curriculum Committee reported that the committee held its first Super-Monday meeting. Curriculum approved this semester will go to the Board on May 20, 2004.  The committee will continue to meet until all its work for the semester is completed.  The committee will have approved 37 new courses and 30 revisions.  She noted that a number of departments have submitted changes to certificate programs; some have been deleted, some added, and some revised. 

              *  At this time, the committee is dealing with a content overlap between Business 78C and English 105. She noted that the college does not have an Overlap Policy per se, and, in the past, similar issues have been resolved collegially. The committee voted to move the curriculum application forward for a second reading, and the outcome will be determined at the second full committee meeting on Monday.  During discussion, the history relative to the development of an Overlap Policy was reviewed and Dianne expressed her view that it is difficult to quantify a policy.  It might serve better to establish guidelines for disciplines to refer to.  She emphasized the importance of the responsibility of department representatives to the Curriculum Committee. 

                  *  Relative to Hours by Arrangement, a District Task Force is being created to develop guidelines.  Harriett will bring the recommendations of the Task Force to the Academic Senate for consideration.

 B.       Staff Recognition -  No resolution was presented at today’s meeting.

 C.       Committee Appointments 

                  1) Select 3 Senators for Faculty Recognition Program Selection Committee – Senators Dooley, Lavallo, and Zeisler volunteered to serve and were appointed (M/S/U

 D.      Oral Reports

              1.   Staff Development  - * Heather reported that there will be one Staff Development Day, scheduled for August 31, 2004.  Classes start on September 1st.  The event will be held in Center Space as a Poster Session, and Dr. Chong will address the participants.  All groups on campus will be asked to set up a booth on their programs and/or services.  There will also be sessions on Datatel and Eudora in the classrooms surrounding Center Space.  Free lunch will be served outside the main building, and division and department meetings will be held in the afternoon.

              *  Heather advised that faculty are accountable for six hours of flex time every year.  A form is being developed for on-line use by faculty to fill out for credit.  Flex hours must be on a non-teaching day.

                  *  There is not enough funding for distribution of Staff Development funds for grants.  The conference funds provided via the ACE contract have been restored.  Heather explained there is little Staff Development money allotted for the year.  New faculty will meet before flex day with Harriett Robles and continue to meet at least one Friday each month for training and mentoring.  Department Chairs are being asked not to schedule Friday classes for new faculty so they can attend orientation meetings.

              2.   Other:   No other reports were presented at today’s meeting.

 

VII.     Old Business

 

   A.     Discuss Status of Resolution of No Confidence in Chancellor

                  There was no discussion on this item at today’s meeting.

 

   B.     Continue Discussion and Development of District Budget Contingency Plan

                  There was no discussion on this item at today’s meeting.

 

   C.     Discuss Report and Recommendations from Student Readiness Task Force

                  Jonathan reported that the committee’s work is progressing and, when ready, the committee will bring its recommendations to the Academic Senate for approval.

 

   D.     Discuss and Consider Associate Faculty Hiring Process Issues

                  At the March 25th meeting of the District Academic Senate (DAS), a resolution was presented to the Academic Senate for consideration.  Discussion on the motion was postponed and referred back to each College Senate for consideration.  In accordance with the DAS constitution, if each College Senate approves the motion, it is considered a motion of the District Academic Senate.

 

                  A motion to consider the following resolution passed unanimously (M/S/U - Laird/Charland). The DAS resolution reads as follows:

 

                  “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 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 to become strong candidates to meet the criteria and expectations to become Full-Time Faculty members.”

 

                  During the discussion that followed, many questions and concerns were raised, some dealing with legal issues, some dealing with costs for training and workshops.  It was also noted that ACE was not asking for a resolution of specifics such as presented.  Jonathan, the mover of the resolution, supported the resolution by stating that the brunt of the down sizing in the District has been borne by the Associate Faculty.  In addition, the District’s Associate Faculty are significantly underpaid relative to Full-Time Faculty in this District and other districts as well.  He stated that Associate Faculty are neglected as members within their departments.  The intent of his resolution is to address the gap in thinking that Associate Faculty are not qualified to teach.

                  The Senate members were reminded that both College Senates already decided not to guarantee interviews for Associate Faculty.  The intent should be to hire the best person possible.  Each time a position is opened, the pool is different.  Others expressed support for Associate Faculty and developing some means of ensuring that they are best prepared to teach the college’s students.

 

                  Due to the late hour, it was agreed that further discussion on the above resolution be postponed to a future meeting.

 

X.        Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

              Correspondence  

              Publication/Minutes

              1.    The approved summary of the Mach 10, 2004, meeting of the District Council.

                  2.    The agenda for the April 12, 2004, meeting of the MC Curriculum Review Committee.

                  3.    The agenda for the April 15, 2004, meeting of the Board of Trustees.    

              Announcements/Conferences  

 

XI.       Future Agenda Items

No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.     Adjournment

                  The meeting was adjourned at 4:14 p.m. (M/S/U – Charland/Martin).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.