Ext.
5413
Unapproved Minutes
I. Call to
Order/Roll Call
The meeting
was called to order by President-Elect Cathy Cox at
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Senators |
A |
P |
Senators |
A |
P |
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Beggs (Ext. 5188) AAS |
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X |
Mancini (Ext. 5413) AF/HM |
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X |
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Braun (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech |
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X |
Martin (Ext. 5356) Tech |
X |
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Brichko (Ext. 5222) CATA |
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X |
Moles (Ext. 5113) ESL |
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X |
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Cogswell (Ext.
5388) AAS |
X |
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Ostrander (Ext. 5274) Stud Dev. |
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X |
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Cox (Ext.5164) CommSvc |
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X |
Paicius (Ext. 5413) AF/CATA |
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X |
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Holt (ASB Rep) |
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X |
Perlas (Ext. 5041) Stud.Dev. |
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X |
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Juncker (Ext.5229) Comm |
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X |
Rounds (Ext. 5288) Comm |
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X |
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Kashima (Ext. 5319)
ESL |
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X |
Smebye (Ext. 5305) CommServ |
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X |
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Laird (Ext. 5186) SocSci |
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X |
Szabados (Ext.5289)
CATA |
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X |
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Lavallo (Ext. 5399) Math |
X |
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Ting (Ext. 5330) Math |
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X |
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Guests: R. Dewis,
C.Kuri, |
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X X |
Guests: C.Qzai,
J.VanTassel , A.Wheeler |
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X X |
II. Approval
of the Minutes
The minutes
for the meeting of
III. Order of the Agenda
No changes were made to today’s order of the
agenda (M/S/U).
IV. Oral Communication
from the Public
There was
no oral communication from the public at today’s meeting.
V. Information
& Announcements
1. Robin Holt reported on the results of the ASB
election. Juan Montoya was re-elected to
the Presidency, Brenda Pinal was elected Student Trustee, and the position of
Vice President, Secretary, and Director of Activities were filled as well.
2. Senator Moles advised that the President of
Ohlone College has approached the Chair of her Department with a request to
assist in establishing an International English Program at Ohlone. The President indicated that the ESL
Department at Ohlone was not able to handle the task. He was directed to Carol Qazi, and a meeting
was held with the President of Ohlone, Carol and Phil Pabich. Kathy noted further that Ohlone has a dorm in
which to house international students and that this project would not involve
any cost to the District. Kathy advised
that there is some interest in taking on this project and it is currently in
the exploratory stage.
VI. Administrative
Business/Actions/Appointments
A. Committee
Appointments
1.
Hiring Committee for Dean, Workforce & Continuing Education - The Senators approved the appointment
of Haze Dennis and Cliff Monroe to this committee (M/S/U – Cox/Szabados)
B. President’s
Reports
Alex informed the Senators that a
presentation was made at DBAC by two representatives of the Fiscal Crisis and
Management Advisory Team (FCMAT), explaining their services and the processes
used to provide those services. FCMAT
provides financial planning analysis in three areas: 1) in the case of a fiscal emergency, 2) to
assist in a financial analysis of the District, providing management assistance
and conducting an analysis on District finances, and 3) professional and
product development.
Alex explained that this service is
offered by FCMAT at the cost of $400/day/person and the process usually takes
one week. If the District invites FCMAT
to perform their services, the District will pay for the service. Their team of
experts will conduct an investigation in accordance with a “scope of
engagement” developed by the District, designating the scope of areas to be
studied. The end result of the study is
to present a draft report to the District for comment, a final report is
presented, and the District can take or not take action based on the report, as
it sees fit. If FCMAT steps in at the
request of the State Chancellor’s Office, the authority of the Board of
Trustees is divested and an administrator is appointed.
At the DBAC meeting, it was agreed that
a subcommittee of DBAC be empanelled to develop the “scope of engagement,”
which would include the Land Corporation.
The subcommittee will consist of Angelica Buendia-Bangle, Randy
Castello, Jim Henderson, two additional faculty members and one
administrator. The subcommittee will
conduct a detailed analysis and DBAC will decide on the scope of engagement. Alex expressed confidence that the committee
will prepare an objective and impartial analysis. He also expressed confidence in those
selected to serve on this committee.
DBAC minutes indicated that Vice chancellor
Jack Mahrt was contacted by FCMAT, which indicates that the State Chancellor’s
Office is aware of the situation within this District. Alex explained that copies of the resolutions
were forwarded to the State Chancellor’s Office, as well as the Accrediting
Commission and the Academic Senate for CCCs. It was noted that Angelica has
requested that the Land Corporation and China Initiative investigation being
conducted by the Mission College Academic Senate be addressed by the District
Academic Senate. This item will be placed on the agenda for the next District
Academic Senate meeting.
VII. Old Business
A. Continue
Investigation of Funding and Approval Process for
The
Senators received additional information regarding the timelines and actions
relative to the
Concerns
revolved around the $180,000 allocation from the Land Corporation to the
International Students Program (ISP) at each college. The China Initiative is
clearly connected and appears to have moved forward inappropriately and
possibly in violation of the Brown Act. It also appears now that this money has not
been allotted to the ISP at each college and no one seems to know where that
money is now and how it is being spent. The
minutes of the Land Corporation meeting indicated that the allocation was to go
to both colleges. At last week’s Senate
meeting, President Chong indicated that part of that allotment was to be used
for recruitment efforts. President Chong
also indicated that he has turned over the day to day administration of that
budget to Carol Qazi.
It was
stated that the Chancellor seems to misunderstand his authority, stating in
public that he does not have to come to the Senate for every idea he wishes to
explore. Alex advised that the Chancellor did apologize
for the pink slip episode a number of times at the Strategic Conversation. At this point, Trustee Lucas acknowledged
that the Board took the wrong action and apologized. As discussion continued, it was noted, however,
that every time the Chancellor apologized, it was accompanied by the term
“professional.” In addition, Trustee Polk stated at the Strategic Conversation
that faculty should “get over” the pink slip issue. The Chancellor’s words must
be carefully parsed because there is no shared governance, the Chancellor is
not proactive, and even when advised of concerns and needs, he does nothing.
The biggest issue of concern is one of leadership. The Chancellor stated at a District Academic
Senate meeting that it was unfair to hold him responsible for the current
situation. If not the Chancellor, then
whom? It is more critical that the issue
of declining enrollment be addressed.
The money spent on
It was
suggested that common underlying factors must be considered in light of the
fact that Chancellors and Presidents come and go, as do Board members, and
faculty and staff stay on. Several
actions were suggested and Alex advised that the Senate consider any action
carefully and present it to the District Academic Senate for
consideration. It was agreed that a
District Academic Senate meeting be called for
“that the
Mission College Academic Senate recommend that this matter be taken up at the
next District Academic Senate meeting for consideration of referring this
matter to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office with particular
reference to possible violations of the Brown Act.”
If
necessary, it was suggested that the Academic Senate for California Community
Colleges might be able to assist in providing funds for an independent counsel.
B. Update
Report on District Academic Senate Meeting
No report
was presented at today’s meeting.
C. Discuss and Consider After Graduation
Party for Faculty
The
Senators discussed what action, if any, should be taken to demonstrate
faculty’s position relative to the current situation to the Board of
Trustees. It was suggested that attending
David’s party provided an opportunity to meet with the Board members face to
face and advise them of concerns. Others
indicated that they were not willing to fraternize with the Board members and
would prefer to have a faculty only party, such as those sponsored by the
Academic Senate in the past. Individuals
can make their own decision relative to the party. It was emphasized that a boycott of the party
is not intended to reflect on President Chong,
Several Senators had indicated to Harriett Robles that some other form
of recognition for Frank be held on campus so that more faculty and staff could
participate.
Ultimately,
the Senators passed the following motion (M/S/P – Juncker/Paicius)
“that the Mission College
Academic Senate encourage faculty to boycott the David’s After Graduation
Party.”
The intent
of the above motion is to demonstrate to the Board that faculty members do not
see any movement, other than demonstrating some willingness to have a
discussion without any major effort to move forward. It was agreed that those who wished to
celebrate outside of the party at David’s were welcome to participate in a pot
luck event to be held in Hospitality Management after graduation. The following motion was passed (M/S/P –
Smebye/Juncker)
“that the Mission College
Academic Senate encourage faculty and staff not going to David’s to meet in
Hospitality Management for Pot Luck get
together immediately following graduation.”
Alex was
directed to advise the faculty and staff of the Senate’s motions, and invite
them to participate in the Pot Luck get together in HM.
VIII. New Business
A. Discuss
Chancellor’s Plan for Interim and Permanent Presidential Appointment
Senator Cox reported that many
people have expressed concern relative to the Chancellor’s plan for the
selection committees for both the Interim and the Permanent Presidential
Appointments. It was noted that during
the search for President O’Hearn, the consultant made a special point that the head
of the search committee should be a faculty member. The President has to have buy-in from the
faculty. If a president feels he/she is
not selected largely by faculty, it places that person in an awkward position.
During
discussion it was emphatically stated that the Presidential Search Committee
must have 50% faculty, particularly the committee for the permanent
president. Under the Chancellor’s
proposal, only two faculty members will be selected to serve on the committee
and that is unacceptable. It was also
suggested that an in-house candidate be sought to fill the interim position.
As
discussion continued, it was noted that the composition of these committees was
created by Sandi Dillon of Human Resources in a Classified and Management
Hiring Policy and Procedures. Both
Academic Senates objected to the document and did not approve the policy,
stating its concerns. This is another
example of how the administration is overriding faculty and making an executive
decision without faculty. In the past,
the process was controlled by the Academic Senate and hiring committees were
comprised of 70%-80% faculty. It was
suggested that the Senate be proactive and assert its position and authority,
state what is needed and wanted clearly, and dictate how faculty want their
college to be run. The following motion
was passed (M/S/P – Cox/Szabados):
“that the
Mission College Academic Senate recommend that the Academic Senate President
work with the Chancellor on the development of a Search Committee for the Permanent
Mission College President that is comprised of a minimum of 50% faculty
representatives.”
It was
stated that the above motion does not cover all the issues of concern relative
to the Classified & Management Hiring Policy and Procedures. This matter needs further investigation.
At this
time, a motion to suspend the order of the agenda (M/S/U – Cox/Juncker) passed
unanimously and the agenda was moved to Item VIII.D.
D. Farewell Remarks from President Braun
Alex stated that these three
years as Senate President have been the most challenging of this life. He likened his term to a roller coaster ride,
starting with the Resolution of No Confidence in April 2003 and ending on a
Resolution to suspend Senate operations.
All that has occurred has served to strengthen the faculty Senate. The Senate members are well informed and
engaged, and the weekly meetings have added to the Senate’s strength. He acknowledged that this Senate is one of
the finest that he has ever seen, and the strength of the faculty lies in its
unity, which needs to be preserved. It
is important to lead faculty and keep faculty together participating, even on
issues that involve pain, i.e. accreditation.
Educators are a community of givers, not takers. We are in the business of empowerment and the
Senate needs to provide the leadership that maintains that kind of unity among
faculty. The Mission College Academic
Senate, the West Valley College Academic Senate and the District Academic
Senate are stronger than ever, more capable, more informed than in the past.
He is
closing this chapter of his life and opening a new one. Alex will be taking a sabbatical leave
starting with Fall 2006 to conduct a scholarly research documenting his
Father’s World War II experiences as a soldier, a prisoner of war, a liberator,
etc. He closed his remarks citing the
following quote from the Bible:
“I believe
I have run the course, fought the good fight, and kept the faith.”
At this
time, President-Elect Cathy Cox presented Alex with a plaque in appreciation
for his tenure as the Mission College Academic Senate President.
The
remaining agenda items were postponed to a future meeting.
IX. Correspondence,
Publications, & Announcements
Correspondence
1.
E-Mail dated
2.
E-Mail dated
Publication/Minutes
1.
Article from The
Chronicle of Higher Education dated
2.
The Spring 2006 issue of GOALS
Update from the WVMCCD Office of Sponsored Research and Grants.
3.
The agenda for the
4.
The End-of-Year Report from the MC Technology Committee for
2005-06/
5.
The Power Point presentation made by CCS Group at the
Friday, May 19th planning
meeting.
6.
The
Announcements/Conferences
X. Future
Agenda Items
No new items
were added to today’s agenda.
XI. Adjournment
The meeting
was adjourned at