Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

 Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday, May 4, 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: D.Cordero,  F.Chong, C.Kuri, C.Lam, J.Lucas

 

    X

    X

Guests: A. Malchow, C.Qazi,  R.Rivas,  J.VanTassel

 

    X

    X

 

 II.       Approval of the Minutes for April 13, 2006

            The minutes for the meeting of April 20, 2006, were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U – Holt/Szabados).

 

III.       Order of the Agenda

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

 

IV.       Oral Communication from the Public

            Trustee Lucas addressed the Senate regarding statements he made at the April 18, 2006, meeting of the District Academic Senate.  The Chancellor advised him that Senator Smebye expressed concern at the May 2, 2006, District Academic Senate meeting that the Board member stated his impression that faculty had received a 1% increase in salary over COLA.  Trustee Lucas wanted to ensure that the record confirms Senator Smebye’s statements.

 

            President Chong referred to his e-mail announcing that he is a candidate for President of Laney College.  He wants everyone to understand that he is not dissatisfied with the college or the District.  His reasons for considering the position at Laney are personal.  He anticipates that he will hear the decision regarding the position some time next week, and he will keep everyone informed.

 

 V.       Information & Announcements  

             There were no information items or announcements made at today’s meeting.

 

VI.       Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

            President’s Reports  -  Alex reported that at yesterday’s DBAC meeting, Vice Chancellor Jack Mahrt advised that he received a call from the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), an organization set up a number of years ago to deal with school districts that now include community colleges that are in distress.  Typically, FCMAT comes in on its own when districts are in dire straits and they take over the district. It was noted that Hartnell College has requested a FCMAT visit.  In this case, FCMAT informally contacted Mr. Mahrt with the suggestion that the District invite them to do a financial and management audit of the District because of several factors that have come to the attention of the State Chancellor.  Reference was made to the Senate’s resolution, the drop in enrollment (stabilization funds), the violation of the 50% law, and the lack of stability of the executive management team.   The indications are that the District wants to accept the informal invitation for a FCMAT visit rather than have it imposed on the District.  Mr. Mahrt indicated that the visit would accomplish three things:

1.                  Help the District doe a multi-year forecast.

2.                  Fiscal Health Analysis

3.                  Improve the business aspects of the District.

4.                  Position control in Human Resources

 

            Alex explained, relative to the enrollment issue that the District is currently in a period of “stabilization” for a given time period.  The District’s enrollment is down approximately 6% between the two campuses.  If enrollment is not brought up to the base, the District stands to lose $3 million in apportionment.  The District is given this stabilization period to raise enrollment and meet the base.

 

            Ultimately, the members of DBAC instructed the Vice Chancellor to invite a representative of FCMAT to the next DBAC meeting to discuss what can be expected from such a visit.  There is interest in determining what requirements and/or conditions FCMAT would impose being invited versus coming in at the State’s request.  The Senators strongly emphasized that Alex make it perfectly clear that the Academic Senate will retain the right to make decisions regarding academic programs and will take any recommendations under consideration, but at no time will the Academic Senate abrogate its authority or legal rights as outlined in Title 5.

 

            It was stated during a brief discussion that an audit is needed, and that the membership of DBAC does not reflect shared governance as it is comprised of 50% administrators.  Decisions are being made by DBAC that are not necessarily the best for faculty.

 

            At this time, Alex acknowledged Don Cordero who was invited to attend today’s meeting to serve as a resource of the Land Corporation.

 

VII.     New Business

   

   A.     Consider Investigation of Funding and Approval Process for China Recruitment Initiative       

            The Senators were presented with information dealing with the funding and approval process for the China Recruitment Initiative.  The presentation included specific questions of concern, a modified and detailed timeline of the funding and approval process, ending with pressing questions regarding the Land Corporation, the China Recruitment Initiative proposal, and the January Planning meeting.

 

            The Senators reviewed and discussed the information provided at length with two motions passing unanimously to extend the discussion by an additional 25 minutes. During discussion, the points of contention were noted and recognized as possible serious violations of the law, i.e., the Brown Act and possibly other statutes that relate to a 501(C)3 organization.

 

             It was agreed that further investigation is warranted and it was agreed that next week’s Academic Senate meeting will be devoted almost entirely to this issue. Alex was directed to extend an invitation to the Board Members, Don Cordero, Lydia Harris, and retired faculty members familiar with the Land Corporation to participate in the discussion. A task force was appointed to develop a list of questions and concerns for use as a guideline for discussion at next week’s meeting.

 

VIII.    Old Business

 

   A.     Update Report on District Academic Senate Meeting  

            Alex advised that he intended to present the four recommendations endorsed by the District Academic Senate on May 2, 2006, to the Board of Trustees at this evening’s meeting.  He advised the Senators of the points he intends to make relative to those recommendations.

 

       RECOMMENDATION 1

            The District Academic Senate directs Academic Senate presidents to convey to the Board that improvement and quality of negotiations can be met by fulfilling the following:

            1.  The district negotiating team exercises good faith negotiation by presenting timely counterproposals.

            2.   The district negotiating team is given sufficient flexibility and authority to make proposals and counterproposals without having to go back to the Board of Trustees for specific authorization in every case.

            3.   The entire Board of Trustees is directly and proactively involved in the analysis of negotiation proposals, rather than relying on summaries prepared by a subcommittee or individuals.

            4.   Contract proposals should allow negotiations to agree and settle on individual items, rather than presenting an “all or nothing” package.

 

            RECOMMENDATION 2

            Schedule a Strategic Conversation between faculty and the Board on May 18, 2006.

            Focus: To define and clarify issues and concerns and begin to identify possible solutions in the    areas of respect, morale, and campus climate.

 

            RECOMMENDATION 3

            Direct District Academic Senate Presidents and Secretary to schedule at least two District Academic Senate meetings during the summer of 2006.

 

            RECOMMENDATION 4

            The deadline for the resolution adopted on February 7, 2006, put into effect on March 14, 2006, and modified on April 18, 2006, be extended until October 3, 2006 to allow further progress in the four areas identified in the resolution.        

 

            Alex advised that he and Angelica Buendia-Bangle will meet with Stan to discuss how to structure the May 18th Strategic Conversation.   It is anticipated that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) will respond to the request for technical assistance sometime this month.  It has been suggested that Dianne McKay and Jim Wilczak be asked to assist in structuring the event as well as facilitate the event.  Alex was cautioned to ensure that the field of discussion falls to the Senate.  The purpose of this meeting is to define the issues, provide clarification on the three primary issues of respect, morale, and campus climate, and as an aid to prepare for the process of mediation upon the ASCCC visit.

 

            It was noted that the District Academic Senate (DAS) has agreed to extend the suspension of Senate operations until October 3, 2006.  If the DAS determines that progress has been made, the DAS will revisit the deadline.  In the meantime, if there is discomfort, pain, or inconvenience, the Senate must stand firm in its resolution.        It was stated that the Board of Trustees and the administration appear to deny their own complicity in the current situation and it is possible that only partial information is being funneled to the Board members.  

 

            Alex pointed out that the underlying principles behind the resolution and actions taken are not easy to administer, but in every organization there are specific people who add direct value to the institution; in this case, faculty and staff.  Faculty members teach and staff members support students and faculty.  This does not mean that the Trustees and the administration do not add value.  To the contrary, they add value by supporting, empowering, and enabling those who do add direct value.  When they no longer provide that support, empowerment, and enablement, they are no longer of value. But when they do, they can create greatness in an organization.

 

             The lack of respect has been demonstrated by the Board by a number of actions:

                        *  unnecessary layoff notices in 2003

                        *  failure to pay faculty for banked leave even though faculty were contractually required

                            to receive same

                        *  Violations of 50% law despite warnings from faculty

                        *  Not offering faculty an increase in salary and attempting to take away medical benefits

 

            Alex emphasized that faculty need to keep these basic principles in perspective at all times.  

 

            Discussion veered to commencement and how faculty will participate.  This item will be placed on the agenda for next week’s meeting.  In addition, it was suggested that the Senators be provided with a copy of this year’s budget, the ASCCC’s document on shared governance.

 

            As a reminder to all, public meetings are subject to the Brown Act.  The Academic Senate meetings are public meetings and the agendas stand as an open invitation to any and all who wish to attend.   People do not have to be invited to attend or participate in discussion. 

 

            At this time Alex announced that he was informed this afternoon that the Mission College Classified Senate is prepared to call for a vote of no confidence in the Board and Chancellor.  He expressed his sincere desire that the resolutions that have come forward are taken seriously and given consideration, and that his appeal to the Board at this evening’s meeting will be reciprocated.

 

VIII.    Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

            Correspondence

            Publications/Minutes

1.      The Spring 2006 issue of COUNSELING CONNECTIONS from Mission College Counseling/Matriculation.

2.      The May 1, 2006, issue of FA NEWS from the Foothill DeAnza Faculty Association.

3.      The Spring 2006 issue of Accreditation NOTES from the Accrediting Commission of WASC.

            Announcements/Conferences

 

XI.       Future Agenda Items

No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.     Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. (M/S/U – Cox/Paicius ).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.