Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved  Minutes

Thursday, May 5, 2005  

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2:12 p.m. 

 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

 

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

     X

 

Brichko    (Ext. 5222)  CATA

       

    X

McKay    (Ext. 5312)  Comm

     X

 

Cogswell (Ext. 5388)  AAS

 

    X

Musat      (Ext. 5331) Math

    

    X 

Cox        (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

 

    X

Ostrander  (Ext. 5274) Stud Dev.

 

    X

Dooley    (Ext. 5379)   AAS

    

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

 

    X

Harris     (Ext. 5413)  AF/Comm

     X

 

Rath       (Ext. 5413)  AF/CIT

 

    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

Zeisler     (Ext. 5426) Comm

    

    X

 

   

 

Other: M.Lin (ASB Rep)

    

    X

Guests: P.Andrews, M.Matossian

    

    X

Guests:  H.Robles

 

    X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of April 28, 2005, were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U – Kashima/Cox).

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            There were no changes to today’s order of the agenda.

             

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            Pat Andrews advised the Academic Senate members that when ACE saw the Senate’s resolution relative to the class schedule and the academic calendar, ACE wanted to ensure that the Academic Senate understood that the Summer and Fall Calendar was signed off February 15, 2005.  ACE, therefore, is not responsible for any delay of the class schedule.  She explained that when the minutes were distributed, the intent of the resolution was clarified and she thanked the Academic Senate for the actions taken by the Senate.

 

            Michele Matossian, a new faculty member and Visual Art Instructor, addressed the Academic Senate relative to the college’s academic standards.  She advised the Senators that she is going on medical leave, and wanted to advise the Academic Senate of her concerns as she stated them in her exit interview with Harriett.  Michele advised that she has been unhappy and is leaving the college for the following reasons:

                  1.  She did not feel supported by the college.  She was not provided with an office, a phone, or a computer.

                  2.  She did not have equipment to teach her class until Anna Szabados provided her with a computer she could use.

                  3.   The students were unable to perform at the basic level.  They could not read the textbook for the course.

                  4.   The students lack critical thinking skills.

                  5.   There is no pre-requisite for her class, only an advisory for English 108A.

 

            Michele stated that as she became more familiar with the college, she became increasingly appalled at the academic standards.  It is her view that it is wrong to enroll students in classes they cannot hope to pass because they do not have the basic math, reading, or writing skills.  The students cannot speak English and cannot articulate.  Students need to be able to guide themselves and do their assignments.  They lack motivation, research skills, and many do not even know how to use a dictionary. Michele further stated her opinion that the degrees from the college are useless.  Students should not be graduating without basic skills and she expressed her view that the students are not being served because the college is not holding the line for students.  If the college is operating in this matter to maintain numbers, the district is stealing from the State of California.

 

            Michele was asked if other new faculty share her view.  Michele stated that she believes so.  She emphasized that she loves teaching and enjoyed her colleagues at the college.  She is not aligned, however, with the philosophy of the college.  She advised that she comes from a family of educators, and that she has never seen the bar dropped so low.  This experience has been very stressful for her.  An instructor cannot teach students who are not ready to learn, and it’s not about money – it is about doing a good job and achieving one’s goals.  She implored the Academic Senate to address the problem. 

 

            President Braun expressed his regret for her experience and acknowledged that Michele raised some valid points.  He noted that the Academic Senate is dealing with a number of issues relative to pre-requisites, and he thanked Michele for her report.

 

V.      Information & Announcements 

            1.   A  District Academic Senate meeting will be held Thursday, May 12, 2005, at Mission College, Campus Center, Room 219/220, at 2:05 p.m.

            2.   President Chong announced at GAP that 20,000 class schedules will arrive on campus May 11th.  Another 80,000 schedules will be printed and mailed to every home and business in the area.  Harriett advised that the schedule will now come under her direct supervision.  She intends to pull together the production staff to identify where the processes fell apart and expand its membership to review the manner is which the schedule is formatted and improve it.

            3.   Regarding the CIT position, Harriett explained that more discussion is necessary in terms of moving forward.  There are parts of the program that are not viable and parts that are, such as the Cisco Academy. The Senators asked to see the results of the questionnaire that was distributed, and Harriett advised that she has the results in her file and she will pull it together and provide it to the Academic Senate. The issue is complicated and Harriett expressed her hope that the issue will be finalized today.  One concern is how to draft the job description.  For example, the job description for a CIS position requires a Master’s Degree, the CIT position requires a Bachelor’s Degree.  Harriett explained if the decision on how to proceed is made today, the process will move forward post haste. 

            4.   Harriett advised that part of the Accreditation requirement is that the college review its GE pattern.  The Senate will put out a call to faculty at large to serve on a committee that will be charged to review the GE pattern, which is one part of the E&FMP update.   This will be a two-part project.  During the first semester in Fall, the committee’s focus will be to design a process to evaluate GE, working in September and October.  In the Spring semester, a review will be conducted using the developed process.   This will come back to the Senate in the Fall.

                                                                                                             

              Harriett stated that the prerequisite issue is handled at the department level.  Prerequisites must have evidential support to be considered valid.  The faculty has been resistant to letting students in that are not qualified.  In essence, we are reviewing the transfer pattern as GE cuts across the transfer pattern.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

         A. Curriculum Committee Report – No report was presented at today’s meeting.

         B. Staff Recognition – No resolutions were presented at today’s meeting.

         C.  Committee Appointments

              1.  Appoint Faculty to Fixed Cost Subcommittee  -  Alex advised that this committee has met twice and Alex has attended both meeting.  It was agreed that this item will be removed from the agenda.

              2.  Substitute Accreditation Chair for Spring 2006 – Alex explained that Jonathan Brennan will be on Sabbatical and a call for interested faculty to serve as his substitute for a semester was issued from the Senate Office.  Christine Ritz submitted her name for consideration.  The options are to appoint Christine or call for additional volunteers.  Alex asked the Senate for direction on this matter.  At this time Harriett explained that the DISJOINT Committee met yesterday, and the Administration is anxious to have the self-study completed by Spring 2007, which is in advance of the visit.  This changes the situation and it may be necessary to have a substitute in Fall 2005 as well. It was suggested that Harriett contact Christine Ritz, explain what the job will actually entail, clarify the assigned time and other specifics to determine her interest.   After a brief discussion, the following motion was passed (M/S/P – Cox/Zeisler):

 

                  “that the Mission College Academic Senate offer Christine Ritz the position of Substitute Chair of the Accreditation Committee as a substitute for Jonathan Brennan who will be on Sabbatical, subject to her acceptance based upon revised criteria as presented.”

 

                  Both Alex and Harriett will discuss the matter with Christine.

 

 VII.  Old Business

 

    A.  Continue Discussion on Senate’s Role re: Academic Directions Relative to Facilities                    

            Alex stated that there is nothing new to report since the report from the consultants at last week’s MC Academic Senate meeting.

 

     B.  Consider Concerns re: Tenure Credit Issue for Temporary Faculty Hired to Permanent Faculty Position

            Alex explained that this item has been placed on the Board agenda for its May 5, 2005, meeting.  He advised that Sandra Dillon, Interim Human Resources Director raised concerns relative to the issue at the District Council meeting.  Ms. Dillon expressed concerns relative to setting precedence and the possibility that other faculty may petition administration for credit for their temporary years, which might result in disparity.  She also maintained that the issue of early tenure is a contractual issue.

 

            Alex advised Ms. Dillon that this is a matter for the Academic Senate to bring to the Board and the Board should exercise its discretion as allowed under the Ed Code.  The intent of the legislation behind the provision in the Ed Code deals with individuals who have been adequately evaluated over a four-year period.  The Board is being asked to count the first temporary year as a contract year.

 

            Alex stated that he and Stephanie Kashima will speak to this issue at tonight’s Board meeting.  He anticipates objection from Ms. Dillon, although a recent communication from her indicates that her objections may deal with operational issues, but will not include substantive concerns or objections.   The Senate’s request does not change the administrative procedures or involve any special allowance, but rather is providing advice to the Board relative to three faculty members.  If other faculty have concerns, they can bring those forward to the Academic Senate for consideration.  Faculty tenure is a faculty issue.  The contract does not address this issue.  Alex will report back to the Senate on this matter at the next meeting.  

             

   C.   Update Report on Impact of Priority Registration at WVC for Club Members on Mission College Enrollment

            It was reported that West Valley College students that receive priority registration are those groups mandated by law, i.e. EOPS, and cohort groups that require an educational plan, such as ACCESS, Puente, Honors Program, Success, etc.  International students and athletes do not currently receive priority registration, nor do West Valley College Club members.  It appears that there is no impact on enrollment at Mission College.

 

            It was suggested that a process should be developed to determine which student groups receive priority registration at Mission College.   The Academic Senate needs to revisit the question of priority registration.  This is an academic issue and should be agendized for further discussion at a future Senate meeting.                                                                                 

 

         Discussion veered to the waiting list issue.  It was explained that there are instructors who take a waiting list of students who cannot get into a class for the following semester.  Harriett explained that a new model is being tested that will be piloted in the Fall and implemented in the Spring if it is successful for developing a wait list.  It might create a problem for students if the instructor maintains a list.  The student might expect to be added when another student drops out.  However, the only time a student would be bumped up is when the Datatel gates are open, and the matter is taken out of the hands of faculty.  It was suggested that the Office of Instruction send out an e-mail to all faculty explaining the process.

 

   D.   Update on WACAC Students’ List

            Alex reported that he has not yet met with Susan Monahan on this issue.  Over 5,000 students attended.  It was noted that Mission College is the only community college that holds a WACAC event.  Only four-year schools hold WACAC events.  Not having a schedule on hand for these students was a major embarrassment.

 

   E.    Discuss Marketing Strategies for Mission College

            The last time the Senate discussed this issue, Peter Anning indicated that one problem was a lack of funding.  It appears that no significant changes have been made.  The college’s web site is not interactive, it is not clear, and the updates are too late.  Alex advised that GAP is discussing the formation of a Marketing Committee. 

 

            Discussion veered to the Web Master position. It was acknowledged that departments are responsible for updating the web site, but college information, i.e. the schedule, would fall under the Web Master’s responsibilities.  A Senator emphasized that since the position is no longer a faculty position, the faculty no longer have control.    Harriett explained that there is money to fund the position, and the hiring process is moving forward.  It is anticipated that someone will be hired this summer. 

 

            On the issue of marketing itself, it was stated that marketing is not just about promotion, but it is critical to define the target – the people who will use the service or product - and defining the target should precede promotion efforts.  Demographic information is required in order to define the market.  Harriett advised that the District is considering a proposal to fund the hiring of professional marketing consultants to analyze and identify the direction that should be taken by the District.  It was emphasized that the college needs to determine its unique selling property, particularly in light of the fact that the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District is planning to open a satellite campus in Milpitas.  The Senate will continue to monitor the situation.

 

VIII.  New Business -  There were no new business items on today’s agenda.

           

 

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The approved summary notes for the March 9, 2005 meeting of GAP, the agenda for the May 4, 2005, GAP meeting, and a draft copy of the Mission College Progress Report (Accreditation).

            2.   The approved minutes for the April 20, 2005, meeting of DBAC and the agenda for the May 4, 2005, meeting.

            3.   The HR items that will be reviewed at the May 11, 2005, meeting of the District Council.

            4.   The approved minutes for the April 7, 2005, meeting of ACE.

            5.   The minutes for the February 22, 2005, and March 22, 2005, meetings of the Faculty and Staff Diversity Advisory Committee.

            6.   The agenda for the May 5, 2005, meeting of the WVMCCD Board of Trustees.

         Announcements/Conferences

          

XI.    Future Agenda Items

No new items were presented at today’s meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. (M/S/U-Cogswell/Cox). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.