Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,   May 8, 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 S.Hanna

   

    X

Other:  B.Grayson (Staff Dev)

    

   X

Guests: L. Harris, L.Jiang,

 

 

    X

   

R. Lowenberg, D. McKay, H.Pham, J.VanTassel

 

   X

   S

                   

 II.    Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the February 24, 2003, meeting were accepted and approved with the following correction (M/S/U - Estrada/Mancini):

 

            Page 2, Item VI.D.3 first bullet:  "The Refreshment Committee. . ."  is changed to "The Refresh Committee …

           

            The minutes for the April 29, 2003, meeting of the District Academic Senate were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/P Braun/Dooley).

             

III.    Order of the Agenda

It was agreed that Item VIII.D will be addressed as the first order of business (M/S/U - Mancini/Braun). 

             

IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

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

 

  V.    Information & Announcements 

            1.   Senator Estrada provided the Senate President with a copy of a letter she received stating the ruling of the Administrative Judge at the hearing regarding layoff notices.  The judge has ruled that the process was followed correctly in terms of consultation with the Academic Senate.  Senator Estrada indicated that the language in the letter implied is that all faculty statements were not credible, and that the issue did not fall under the purview of the Academic Senate since it is not an academic or professional matter.

            2.   A special meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at West Valley College this evening at 7:00 p.m.  The Board will decide whether to rescind the March 15th notices or send lay off notices.

            3.   President Patton reported that she read the Resolution of No Confidence in the Chancellor at last Thursday's Board meeting.  At the end of the Board meeting, several Board members indicated their support for the Chancellor.

            4.   President Patton reported that the Board of Trustees will continue to meet during the summer.  She urged the Senators to plan on attending at least one meeting and/or encourage a member from their department to attend at least one meeting.  The meeting schedule is as follows:  June 5, June 19, July 17, August 7, and August 21, 2003.

            5.   Jane, Erlinda, and Alex attended the Spring Plenary Session of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) in San Francisco last week.  All three acknowledged that the session was excellent and provided significant information.  Jane Patton was elected as the Area B Representative and Ian Walton was elected Vice President of the ASCCC.  Two Mission College people will be serving on the 15 member Executive Council of the ASCCC, representing 108 California community colleges.  Jane noted the following issues as important:

                  •  The FON versus the 75/25 ratio - The ASCCC is emphasizing the importance of the 75/25 ratio over the FON and is trying to change the current law to ensure that the ratio is enforced.

                  •  Consultants from the State Senate and Assembly indicated that they are working hard to develop a new budget proposal for presentation to the Governor.  They expressed shock at the size of the proposed deficit and indicated that the cuts to community college funds and categorical funds were disproportionate.

                  •  No decision on a fee increase has been made. The ASCCC urges that we keep the pressure on the state legislators regarding fee increases.

                  •  There is a need to be cautious about applying marketing business and corporate terms to community colleges.  Terms such as "productivity," "accountability," "profit," and "efficiency" do not apply to community colleges. Such usage could result in the devaluing of faculty, providing more funding to the administration, and encouraging more contract hires of faculty.

                  •  A copy of the Appendices with supporting statements for the resolutions presented to the ASCCC is available from the Senate Office. Jane noted the statements include supporting documentation regarding the need for Counselors.

            6.   The Senators were provided with a flyer from the Finance Office/Admissions & Records regarding the collection of student fees and were asked to share it with their departments.  The flyer requests that faculty include a statement on their green sheets as a standard practice, beginning Summer 2003.

            7.   At the last Board meeting, President Constantin asked the Senates to review their course offerings, particularly in terms of cutbacks.

            8.   At the President's Forum on the Budget, it was announced that the Board of Governors approved the deferral of the Faculty Obligation Number for colleges who received approval from their Senates and Collective Bargaining units.  Jane emphasized that this district was approved based on the fact that both Senates and ACE approved the deferral for one year.

            9.   President Patton asked Senators to list their contact numbers and e-mails for over the summer.

            10. Senators who have completed their terms as of June 1, 2003, should make certain that their divisions/departments elect new senators.   

           

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

         A.  Staff Recognition -  None presented

         B.  Committee Appointments

              1.  VTEA Mini-Grant Selection Committee - The Senators approved the appointment of Steve Dinger, Betty Grayson, and Cliff Monroe to this committee (M/S/U - Brennan/Lynne).

              2.  Senate Marshals for Graduation -  One of the responsibilities of the Academic Senate is Graduation, and it is traditional that the Senators serve as Marshals.  Senator Dooley and Senator Sippel agreed to read the names of the students during the ceremony, and Senators Braun, Brennan, Johnson, Lynne, Mancini, Martin, and Oliver agreed to serve as Marshals. 

         C.      Oral Reports - None

 

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

 

VIII.  New Business

   E.   Consider Freshman Seminar-Learning Community

Senator Brennan made a presentation on his proposal to develop a Freshman Seminar intended to promote student success and retention.  He cited statistics, presented a "need" statement, and a draft plan for the Senate's consideration. He requested that Senators offer any concerns and/or comments so that he may develop a small pilot proposal and bring it back to the Senate in the Fall.  A brief discussion ensued and it was suggested that the Academic Senate form a subcommittee to conduct research into the question of how adults learn, and place the item on next year's agenda as a goal.

 

The order of the agenda was resumed.

 

VII.      Old Business

 

    A.  Follow-Up Discussion on Vote of No Confidence

Jane reported that she read the District Academic Senate's resolution to the Board last Thursday evening. Following the meeting, several Board members indicated their confidence in the Chancellor.  Letters to the Editor of the San Jose Mercury News have been sent and not printed;  there appears to be a bias in favor of the administration and the Board.  It is apparent that the Board has chosen not to acknowledge the faculty, and the Senators proceeded to discuss future action and available options.  It was ultimately agreed that the Board must respond or the Senate must take the next step as discussed by the District Academic Senate.  At this time, however, the Senators did not feel a need to call for a District Academic Senate meeting next week.

 

It was agreed that the Senate should develop a plan, inform the Board of the Senate's goals and indicate the steps the Senate will take if the Board continues to be non-responsive.  Senators Braun, Brennan, Johnson, Mancini, and Oliver will meet with President Patton to develop the plan.  Senators Braun, Brennan, Johnson and Lynne volunteered to work with President Patton on the development of a plan to educate the Board on the issues of shared governance and the Senate's eleven areas of responsibility.

 

   B.   Update from Senate Task Force on Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty

Senator Sippel reported that two people responded to the call for a Chair of this committee.  These two individuals were particularly interested in the plagiarism issue and in staff development offering flex sessions and seminars on the issue, which could provide skills to the instructors of ways to handle cheating issues in their classes.  The goal is to develop methods for instructors to deal with plagiarism and academic dishonesty.  The committee felt that the cheating issue could involve safety issues and perhaps Police Chief Laura Lorman should be consulted.  She asked the Senate for direction on how to proceed.

 

It was recommended that a call for faculty interested in participating on a committee be issued as soon as possible, and repeat the call in the Fall if there is little or no response. Jane offered to check with other Academic Senates in the state to determine how they help train faculty about issues and ways to manage dishonesty.  Senator Sippel advised that the committee conducted research on this matter throughout the state without obtaining much information. It was suggested that Betty Grayson, Staff Development Coordinator contact other SD Coordinators to determine if they have had training on cheating policies.

 

Jane thanked Leigh Anne and those on the task force for their good work.

 

VIII.    New Business

 

     A. Discuss Hiring Process for VP of Instruction

            Senator Rivas has received a letter from a faculty member regarding the hiring process for the vice president of instruction, which has left her with many questions regarding the process.  Jane pointed out that the Senate's responsibility relative to the hiring committee is limited to establishing the criteria for the selection of the committee members and making the appointments based on those criteria.

 

            The process within the Senate began on January 23, 2003, when the Senate created the list of criteria, and culminated on January 30th, when the Senate selected and appointed faculty members Jim Burrell, Betty Grayson, and Peggy Messerschmidt to the committee.  The committee met, formed the job description, the position was advertised, first interviews were completed, and next week President Chong, President Patton, and a representative from the hiring committee will hold second level interviews.  The hiring process is proceeding according to plan and policy.

 

            If there are concerns regarding the way the committee is operating, that is a concern of Human Resources and any issues should be presented to the committee members so that they can respond to those concerns.  It was suggested that, in the future, when the Academic Senate selects faculty members to a committee, that the other individuals on the committee should be known in order to ensure a balanced group of individuals.  Jane explained that the information is not always available; each group selects their own representatives. Concern was also expressed regarding the number of classified on the committee, and Jane explained that the committee size was determined by GAP and any concerns should be addressed to GAP. 

 

            There are some that would prefer that an interim VP of Instruction be hired at this time of budget crisis.  It was explained that according to the Ed Code, an academic position may not be filled by an interim for a second year, even if a different individual fills it.

 

   B.   Consider Development of a Senate Executive Council

Jane advised that during her experience as Academic Senate President, there were many times when she felt the need to brainstorm ideas with fellow Senate members.  She strongly recommended that the Senate consider forming such a council next year to assist the president in preparing agendas.  Since the Senate will be revisiting its Constitution and By Laws next year, it might consider the formation of an Executive Council.  Senator Estrada also suggested that the election process be changed to include Associate Faculty in the voting processes for President.

 

   C.   Discuss Next Year's Hiring Process - In Light of This Year's Deferrals

Jane asked Interim Vice President of Instruction Dianne McKay to explain next year's hiring process for faculty in light of this year's deferrals, assuming we will have to hire faculty to meet our Faculty Obligation Number (FON).  Dianne stated that the existing process remains in place and next year's list will begin with the 22 positions deferred this year.  The positions will be reviewed for viability and hiring will proceed accordingly.  The process allows for exceptions and that part of the process will be honored as well.  If additional hires need to be done to meet the FON, there are a number of ways to proceed that will have to be determined at the time.  

 

There was a brief discussion regarding the 17 lay-off notices and how such action would affect hiring.  Dianne explained that direction will have to come from HR.  It was noted by Senators that under normal circumstances, hiring decisions are made jointly by the Division Chair Council and the Academic Senate.  The Senate's role was co-opted by the Chancellor and the Board, and it is the Senate's responsibility to consider if those positions cut by the Chancellor and the Board must be restored.  Jane urged the Senate to discuss the issue of programs and direction of the college early in the Fall to ensure that the Senate regains and maintains its proper role.

 

D.      Discuss After Graduation Party

            Senator Johnson reported that an after graduation party faculty and staff will be held at David's Restaurant.  A flyer with more detailed information will be coming out soon. 

 

   F.   State of the Academic Senate

President Patton distributed her State of the Academic Senate report to each Senator and encouraged them to read it and share it with their constituents.  The report is a summary of her term as Senate President and her recommendations for the future.                               

 

IX.    Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         Publication/Minutes

1.    The agenda for the May 7, 2003, meeting of GAP and summary notes for April 23, 2003, meeting.

2.    The agendas for the May 1st and May 8, 2003, meetings of the Board of Trustees.

3.    The agenda for the May 12, 2003, meeting of the MC Curriculum Review Committee.

4.    The resolutions discussed at the Spring Plenary Session of the ASCCC.

5.    The May/June 2003 issue of Staff Organizational Development for the District.

6.    The proposed new charter for the District Council.

7.    The agenda for the April 30, 2003, meeting of DBAC and minutes for April 16, 2003.

8.    The April 28, 2003, issue of FA NEWS from Foothill-DeAnza Faculty Association.

 

X.     Future Agenda Items

No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XI.    Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:08 p.m. (M/S/U- Lynne/Oliver). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.