Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday, April 20, 2006 

 

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

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: C.Kuri, C.Lam,  

 

    X

Guests, J.VanTassel

 

    X

 

II.1      Approval of the Minutes for April 13, 2006

            The minutes for the meeting of April 13, 2006, were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/P – Cogswell/Kashima).

 

II.2      Correction to the Minutes of March 9, 2006

            An e-mail was received from Ian Walton to clarify and correct the information provided under Item VIII.D (Consider Increase to Associate Faculty Load).  Ian has advised that the proposal to increase the limit from .6 to .8 was NOT developed by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC).  It was principally developed by the part-time faculty group CPFA who have been championing it at a variety of meetings around the state, including by invitation, to the ASCCC Executive Committee.  The actual proposal is already contained in SB 847 (Ducheny) that is already moving through the legislature.  He advised that he does not personally support this proposal and that the ASCCC has not yet adopted an official position on this issue.  The only historic ASCCC action on this issue was a proposal to reduce the limit to .5.  At the March 6, 2006, meeting of the Executive Committee, an interim position was taken to NOT support the proposed change unless 75/25 and part-time equity concerns are resolved.  It is expected that the ASCCC will take an official position in April.

 

            This information was followed by a brief conversation on the arguments in favor and against this proposal, and those attending the Spring Plenary Session of the ASCCC were advised to vote based on what they learn at the session.

 

III.       Order of the Agenda

            No changes were made to today’s order of the agenda.    

 

IV.       Oral Communication from the Public

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

 

  V.      Information & Announcements 

            1.   Senator Kashima announced that there is an Open House today for the Title V program from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

            2.   A reception for those who received tenure this semester will be held today at 5:00 p.m.

            3.   Alex announced that he is canceling the MC Academic Senate meeting scheduled for next Thursday, April 27, 2006.

            4.   Senator Cox announced that the Library’s annual book sale will start tomorrow through Saturday during the Library’s hours.

            5.   Senator Laird announced that the California Native Plant Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday in Hospitality Management, hosted by Jean Replicon and the Biology Department.

           

VI.       Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

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

  B.      Staff Recognition -   The following resolution was passed at today’s Senate meeting (M/S/U):

 

            “Whereas, Luis Gutierrez has served Mission College faithfully for these years, supporting instruction and activities with outstanding computer support and maintenance; and

 

            Whereas, Luis has demonstrated sense of humor and flexibility when faced with multitudes of problems with the set up and continued maintenance of hardware and software necessary for computers to work for faculty; and

 

            Whereas, Luis has worked over and above time to enable faculty to have computers in time for school to start; and

 

            Whereas, Luis is quick to respond to cries of panic from faculty when computers don’t start or crash unexpectedly and data is lost; and

 

            Whereas, Luis has had to take on new and unexpected jobs to fill unmet needs at the college, yet somehow manages to maintain his aura of calm; 

 

            Therefore Be It Resolved, That the Mission College Academic Senate commend and thank Luis Gutierrez for his dedication, service and support for the instructional programs through his maintenance of hardware and software at Mission College.”

 

            Luis thanked the Senators for this recognition, stating that it is an honor and privilege to work at Mission College.

 

C.                 Appoint 3 Senators to Faculty Recognition Award Selection Committee – Senators Brichko, Moles, and Ting volunteered to serve and were appointed by the Senate (M/S/U – Kashima/Szabados).

D.                President’s Reports – Alex reported that one major issue being discussed at the District Budget Advisory Committee (DBAC) is the relationship between the Land Corporation and the District, particularly revenues.  Jim Wilczak made a presentation to the members of DBAC showing compiled figures on the amount of Land Corporation revenue that has been accumulated.  This information addressed the issues raised by Pat Andrews at the District Academic Senate meeting.  The Land Corporation is holding approximately $6.8 million.  The endowment fund is at approximately $2.2 million.  Alex reported the Land Corporation total revenues earned for the following years:

                  2001/02  approximately $4.7 million

                  2002/03  approximately $4.5 million

                  2003/04  approximately $3.8 million

                  2004/05  approximately $3.8 million

                  2005/06  approximately $4.6 million

 

            Alex reviewed the report with the Senate members and a copy of the report will be forwarded to the Senate members.  Interestingly, the report indicates that total expenses exceed revenue by approximately $300,000.  The next meeting of the Land Corporation is May 18, 2006, at 5:00 p.m.  and Alex urged the Senators to urge all faculty to attend the next meeting.  It was noted that the Board of Directors of the Land Corporation includes the District’s Board of Trustees. 

 

            Discussion continued, and the issue relative to the Land Corporation is whether or not the decision-making process used by the corporation is subject to the shared governance processes as is the Board of Trustees and other entities.  Do all the stake holders have the ability to share in the decision-making process?  It was suggested that the Senate put together a list of concerns, the laws involving the revenue, and prepare a statement to read at the next Land Corporation meetings.  Senators asked for information on the origins of the Land Corporation, who the members are other than the Board of Trustees, and how members are elected.    A key issue of concern is that a small group of people are making decisions regarding District revenue without input from faculty and staff.  The organization is averaging about $5 million per year in revenue and there should be complete transparency.  Details are necessary and it was suggested that an independent auditor be hired. 

 

            It was suggested that since this is a non-profit organization, copies of the Land Corporation’s tax returns should be available.   The Senate was advised that since Mission College gave up part of their future by giving the land up for lease, the college was supposed to receive a larger share of the revenue.  It was suggested that Don Cordero be invited to attend the next meeting of the Mission College Academic Senate to provide the history and additional information on the Land Corporation.   It was also suggested that Chris Stampolis, acting President of the Land Corporation, be invited as well.

 

            Discussion veered to the China trip, and the fact that the Land Corporation money is being used to finance the trip.  Several Senators noted that although the Board members and the Chancellor appear to be willing to spend funds for the future of the District, they are not considering how best to support the colleges today so that there will be a future.  Concerns of the faculty revolve around the lack of narrative minutes from Board meetings, no faculty representation on the Land Corporation, and money being used for travel.  There is an incestuous relationship between the Land Corporation and the Board of Trustees.  The Senate was strongly urged to name a designated person to attend the Land Corporation meetings consistently and to put pressure on the Board members.

 

            Alex agreed to distribute the budget information he has on the Land Corporation. Alex was asked to maintain the vote of no confidence on the agenda and to request tape recordings from the last six Land Corporation meetings.   

 

VII.     Old Business

 

   A.     Update Report on District Academic Senate Meeting  

            Alex advised that a request for issue resolution and training has been submitted to the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and the Community College League of California, listing the areas of concern as shared governance, lack of respect, and the organizational climate. 

 

            The District Academic Senate has a May 1st deadline.  If no progress has been achieved by that time, the Senate will consider further action, either negative or positive, depending on the level of progress.  The District Academic Senate will have to consider the appropriate steps to take.  It was emphasized that the District Academic Senate must stand firm and strong.  Bad behavior always escalates before extinction works.  If the Senate does not stand firm, the District will assume we are not strong and will not listen to the Senate in the future.  As discussion continued, it was noted that that the Senate’s Resolution Implementation Task Force will meet next week and prepare a list of behavioral objectives for the Senate’s consideration at the May 2nd meeting of the District Academic Senate. 

 

            It was noted that faculty are seeking more effective communication.  The faculty, the administration and the District need to be reminded as to what is at stake.  The Chancellor receives a very large salary and other allowances to do his job, and part of his job is to set a strategy for the District and create a working environment where people want to do their best. If the Chancellor lacks the integrity to deal with the Board, then the faculty has to take control of the situation via the Senate.   It was noted that there is a decline in enrollment across the valley.  The District has limited funds, and the administration should be looking to create curriculum to attract students to the District.  Yet the administration is behaving irresponsibly and spending District money on a dubious recruitment effort in China rather than pursuing the problem here.  It appears that the Trustees do not know what is going on.

 

            The issue of the Commencement Committee was raised, and it was clarified that this committee is a subcommittee of the Academic Senate and falls under the suspension of committees.  It was suggested that the issue of commencement be placed on the May 2nd agenda of the District Academic Senate (DAS), as well as the next steps to flow from the resolution, such as a vote of no confidence, recall of the Board members, etc.  Alex was reminded to contact the Senators for summer information in the event that the situation extends into summer and fall and summer meetings may be necessary.  We should also coordinate with West Valley College.                                

           

            It was suggested that the Senators discuss the current situation with their constituents relative to the Senate’s resolution.  Several Senators reported that their constituents stand firm behind the resolution.  It was suggested that the task force communicate its proposal to all the Senate members before the next meeting of the DAS.   It is a critical time to bring the issues to the constituents and get them involved.  There should be a central clearing house for information.  Students need to know what is happening as well.   Alex asked the Senators to consider topics for the District Academic Senate agenda and the next steps to be taken, including summer meetings if necessary.

           

VIII.    Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

            Correspondence

            1.  E-Mail dated April 17, 2006, from Harriett Robles re: Facilities Planning Update.

            Publications/Minutes

1.      The agenda for the April 19, 2006, meeting of GAP.

2.      The agenda for the April 20, 2006, next ACE Council meeting.

3.      The March 17, 2006, issue of the DVC Forum.

4.      The agenda for the April 20, 2006, 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 4:10 p.m. (M/S/U – Cox/Paicius ).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.