Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,   April 24, 2003

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Jane Patton at 2:07  p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Braun    (Ext. 5355)  Technology

 

    X

Martin      (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

    

   X

Brennan    (Ext. 5313)  Comm

     

    X

Musat       (Ext. 5331) Math

    

   X

Charland  (Ext. 5046)  Stud. Dev.

 

    X

Oliver       (Ext. 5427)  AAS

 

   X

Dooley    (Ext. 5379)  AAS

 

    X

Patton    (Ext. 5296) Comm Stud

 

   X

Estrada     (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

 

    X

Rivas       (Ext. 5282)  CATA

    

   X

Johnson   (Ext.5277) CATA

 

    X

Rosner     (Ext. 5317) ESL

    

   X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

 

    X

Sippel      (Ext. 5118) Comm

 

   X

Light       (Ext. 5717) AF/CIT

     

    X

Toppel     (Ext. 5089) Stud Dev

   

   X

Lynne      (Ext. 5248) CommSvc

 

    X

Xu           (Ext. 5273) SocSci

 

   X

Mancini    (Ext. 5855) AF/HM

 

    X

 

 

 

Other: ASB J.Weston, S.Hanna

   

    X

Other:  B.Grayson (Staff Dev)

    X  

   

Guests:D.Bailey, R. Dewis,

R. Smybe

 

    X

    X

S.Dinger, L. Harris, L.Jiang,

 

 

   X

  

                   

 II.    Approval of the Minutes

            The following clarification to Page 3, second paragraph of the minutes of March 18, 2003 and the correction to those minutes made on March 27, 2003, was sent by Ian Walton and accepted and approved by the Senate (M/S/U - Toppel/Mancini):

 

            "It is NOT that district wide services increased by 2.27%.  That would be negligible.  It is that their share of the District budget increased by 2.27% from 12.2% of the total to 14.7% of the total.  In terms of their own budget, that is equal to an 18% increase (calculated as 2.27/12.2).  That makes it significant."

 

            The minutes for April 17, 2003, were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/P - Mancini/Braun).

 

III.        Order of the Agenda

It was agreed that Items VII.B and VII.C will be addressed first (M/S/U).

             

IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            ASB representative Jason Weston announced that ASB 2003 elections will be held Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th in front of the Counseling Office.  Positions available are President, Vice President, Student Trustee, Director of Finance and Director of Activities.  Deadline for filing petition is May 2, 2003, at 4:00 p.m.

        

         ASB President, Luyang Jiang announced that this is also the time of year to vote for Teacher of the Year.  Faculty were asked to please announce both these items to their classes.

 

  V.    Information & Announcements 

            1.   Senator Toppel announced that the LATC will close for the summer due to budget cuts.  Tutoring services will not be available and the faculty need to advise their students accordingly. 

                  Senator Estrada announced that the Library will be open Monday through Thursday during the Summer.  The library will be closed on Fridays and Saturdays.   It was agreed that the Board needs to be advised of these changes in the college's normal schedules and services in order that they may better understand the losses facing the colleges.

            2.   President Patton advised that Vice Chancellor Lewis reported that tax receipts collected by the state as of April 15th, may be less than expected and may hurt the state budget further.

·      Also, May 15th is the target date for the May revision of the Governor's Budget.

·      The District is conducting research into medical costs for district employees. Those costs appear to be less than anticipated.

·      The May 15th Board meeting originally scheduled to be held at Mission College will be held at West Valley College so that the Tenure Ceremony for WVC faculty members that was postponed can take place.

3.    Human Resources is drafting a HIPPA document to comply with the law relative to privacy practices for health providers. 

4.    At the GAP meeting there was discussion regarding the lack of layoff notices to administrators.  Dr. Samuels stated that most administrators have a two year contract so they are not subject to layoff.  It has been confirmed that the Board has entered into two-year contracts with administrators, managers, etc.  It was stated that it is in the district's best interest to request that the Board reevaluate the two-year contract policy.  This may be the appropriate time for reorganization and should be followed up by the new President in the Fall.

* President Patton stated that critical decisions are often made during the summer in the absence of faculty.  It is imperative that faculty representatives remain in place for summer meetings, that a call for interested faculty to serve on GAP and CBAC be issued and appointed and to ensure that the Division Chairs are adequately represented.                 

5.    President Patton reported that President Samuels sent in the recommendation for Mission College's budget reductions.  The recommendation includes the recommendations made by GAP and the administrator's recommendation made without GAP approval. 

6.    The District is making attempts to collect the $330,000 in outstanding debt from student accounts.  Faculty will be asked to announce to their students in the fall that students who have not paid will not get their grades or transcripts.        

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

  A.    Curriculum Committee  -  Senator Braun announced that all curriculum was approved by the Board on April 17, 2003.

 B.     Staff Recognition -  None presented

 C.     Committee Appointments

            1.  Graduation Committee -  Carol Toppel was appointed to the Graduation Committee with Senator Lynne as a backup (M/S/U - Brennan/Charland).

 D.     Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development  - No report was made.

2.   District Information Technology Steering Committee - Senator Light reported that the committee met two weeks ago and the Datatel crisis could have a fiscal impact on the district.  Financial Aid could get held up until October.  Fred Chow is taking over as the Director of Information Services in approximately one month.

3.   Instructional Technology Committee - Senator Toppel reported that the ESL Lab (E2-401) is near completion.  There will be 30 stations for students and one for instructors.  Classes in other departments will be able to use the lab if there is an open time slot, but the lab will be used primarily by ESL. 

·      The Refreshment Committee met concerning the infrastructure.  It is anticipated that the Land Corporation will fund what is needed.

·      Approximately 38 Faculty with old MACs will be upgraded.

·      Leigh Anne Sippel and Pat Hudak have been elected to co-chair this committee next year.

         4.  Program Review Committee  - No report at this time.

4.   Other:  Senator Estrada reported that she attended the PGC meeting.  Preliminary changes in reassigned time were discussed.  GAP has recommended that 2FTE be considered.  The committee is also discussing reductions in associate faculty FTEF for next year.  Some programs with low FTEF and the possibility of canceling low enrollment classes was discussed.  Dianne McKay made some suggestions as to how to save faculty jobs.  The proposal entails working in conjunction with West Valley College.  The PGC will meet again on Monday.

 

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

 

VII.      Old Business

 

B.       Continue Discussion of Budget Crisis and Issues  Under Academic Senate's Area of Responsibilities

President Patton advised that she received the Chancellor's response to the District Academic Senate's Bill of Particulars just before the meeting.  The response is comprised of a seven page letter responding to the specific points raised in the Bill of Particulars, accompanied by approximately 50 pages of supporting documents.

 

President Patton read the seven page response aloud to the Senators and referred to the corresponding support documents when indicated.  Upon completion of the reading, the Senators voiced their concerns regarding the responses. All who spoke expressed a level of distress, consternation, and frustration.  Some described the responses as bizarre and it was noted that none   of the underlying issues listed in the Bill of Particulars were addressed.  The response did not include a plan, a rationale, or remedies for the concerns that were stated. The responses that were made indicate a style that takes action without consultation, and there was nothing in the response that indicated any acceptance of responsibility for wrongdoing. There is no sense of contrition or apology, and the tone of the document was deemed as "fluff," patronizing and demeaning.  Further, it was stated that the Chancellor's responses indicate a lack of respect for faculty as stakeholders in the colleges, without accepting responsibility for his decisions. While the Chancellor claims to support shared decision-making and following processes, his behavior has demonstrated otherwise.  He has been known to meet alone with administrators, make decisions, then inform those affected of those decisions. Collegial consultation occurs before a decision is made.  The Chancellor announces his decision and then suggests that everyone take responsibility for that decision.  That style does not meet the definition of collegial consultation.

 

As discussion ensued, several options as to how to proceed were considered.  After a lengthy discussion, President Patton was directed to consult with Linda King and schedule a District Academic Senate meeting for this Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at West Valley College.  In the meantime, the District Academic Senators will receive the seven page response for their review prior to Tuesday's meeting.

 

C.       Continue Discussion on Vote of No Confidence

Based on the discussion under Item VII.B, it was agreed that the Senate needs to move forward in the process.  It was generally agreed that it would be non-productive to seek further consultation with the Chancellor. The level of trust has deteriorated greatly and the Senators indicated that the Board should be provided with the Chancellor's response. It was also agreed that the Senate needs to maintain its focus on the issues as it moves forward.  A study of the documents will be conducted by a group of the Senate members and a succinct response to the Chancellor will be drafted for discussion at the District Academic Senate meeting on Tuesday.  Hoke Simpson of the ASCCC will be consulted as well as ACE on this matter.

 

A.     Continue Discussion on Implementation of Timeline of Graduation Requirements

Senator Brennan reported that the subcommittee has reviewed a process for the demonstration of a proficiency in Oral Communication.  The process will include two 10 minute presentations, one being an informative speech, the second a persuasive speech.  The process also includes passing 70% of a written and oral communication test on communication concepts.  It was clarified that this process is different from the challenge process for credit in a class.  The challenge for credit falls under the purview of the department.  This is an alternate method to demonstrate oral proficiency.  Having a proficiency challenge falls under the purview of the Academic Senate.  The Department of Communication Studies has determined that students can demonstrate oral proficiency via the stated exams.

 

Discussion ensued relative to the test.  Two evaluators will be present and it was agreed that the Oral Communication Department will be asked to determine if the test needs to be validated.  This may be a legal question and can be researched through the State Chancellor's Office.  Ultimately, the following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U - Brennan/Charland):

 

"that the Mission College Academic Senate agrees to move forward to implement oral communication proficiency as a graduation requirement, and asks that a minimum of two evaluators be present at a demonstration of proficiency, and asks Communication Studies to look into the validation process for the written exam, and that the proficiency requirement be included in the catalog under Oral Communication Proficiency immediately, to be effective Fall 2003. "   

 

The remaining business items were postponed to the next regular MC Academic Senate meeting.

                   

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

1.    Copy of letter dated April 18, 2003, to Chancellor Arterberry from President Samuels re: Tentative Budget for Mission College.

2.    Notice dated April 15, 2003, regarding the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) from HR.

3.    Letter dated April 8, 2003, to Dr. Samuels from the University of California regarding the Dual Admissions Program.

         Publication/Minutes

1.    GAP summary notes for the meeting of April 16, 2003.

2.    The May 1, 2003, Board Action Item prepared by Victoria Lewis/Albert Moore and approved by Chancellor Arterberry on the Board of Trustees Planning and Budget Priorities for Fiscal Year 2002/2003.

3.    The April 2003, issue of Accreditation NOTES from WASC.

4.    A copy of the plan for collecting students' debts distributed at DBAC on April 16, 2003.

         Announcements/Conferences

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:15  p.m. (M/S/U-Toppel.Mancini). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.