Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday, May 26, 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

 

 

 

Guests:  W.Negash,  H.Robles

 

    X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of May 19, 2005, were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U – Harris/Szabados).

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            The Senators agreed to address Item VIII.B immediately following Oral Communications in order to accommodate Harriett Robles (M/S/U – Braun/Harris).

             

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

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

 

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

 

VIII.  New Business 

 

    B.   Consider Recommendation of DCC re: Additional Instructional Faculty Position

            Harriett Robles, VP of Instruction advised that each college has been asked to hire an additional instructional faculty member for this fall in order to ensure that the District meets its Faculty Obligation Number (FON).  She stated that the hiring process has moved through the prioritized list in terms of instructional hires, as approved jointly by the Division Chair Council and the Academic Senate last December.  Harriett emphasized that the additional position had to be an instructional position.

 

            Harriett reported that it was decided that the most efficient way to add an additional position would be to consider the instructional hires that were underway and consider the possibility of adding a second hire, assuming the applicant pool was sufficient enough to yield two candidates.  She asked the Division Chairs to consider which departments would be able to support a second faculty hire, and the following departments indicated that they could provide load for a second full-time faculty hire:  Biology, Math, Child Development.  Chemistry was another department put forward, but the department was not certain that it could support a second position, particularly considering the costs involved in Chemistry courses.  The Division Chairs were then asked to prioritize the three departments and the prioritization resulted in the following order:

            1)   Biology, 2)  Math, and 3) Child Development.  Harriett asked the Academic Senate to endorse the recommendation of the Division Chair Council.

 

            Discussion ensued, and it was stated that this additional position is in addition to the CIT position, which is currently proceeding through the hiring process.  Harriett clarified that if two viable candidates are not in the pool for Biology, then the Math pool will be reviewed, and so on, until we find a second faculty position.  There was general agreement that the proposed prioritization was appropriate, and the following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U – Cox/Szabados):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate accept the ranking of Biology, Math, and Child Development for an additional faculty position.”

 

            The order of the agenda was resumed.

 

V.      Information & Announcements 

         1.  Senator Cogswell, the MCAS representative on the District Council advised that she will not be able to attend all of the District Council meetings over the summer.  She recommended that other Senators cover those meetings as important issues will be addressed over the summer.  It was agreed that this matter will be discussed under committee appointments at today’s meeting.

            2.   Senator Zeisler advised that she has completed a two year term on the Academic Senate as a Communications representative and she will be replaced by  Margaret  Juncker in the Fall.

            3.   Senator Brichko announced that the Senators who agreed to serve as Marshals and Readers at Graduation must attend a rehearsal at the Convention Center at 11:00 a.m.  Other faculty are expected to arrive at the Convention Center by 5:30 p.m.

            4.   Senator Harris announced that both she and Senator Rath have completed a two year term on the Mission College Academic Senate.  A call for candidates and an election will be held in the Fall. 

           

                  The members of the Academic Senate expressed their appreciation to Senators Harris, Rath, and Zeisler for their commitment and participation.

 

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.  Substitute Chair for Accreditation Steering Committee  -  Alex advised that no one had volunteered for this position.  During discussion it was determined that an associate faculty member or a retired faculty member could fill this position.  Senator Liz Harris then volunteered to serve, and the Senators unanimously approved her appointment (Zeisler/Cogswell). 

              2.  Information Competency Committee –  The Senators approved the appointment of the following faculty to this committee (M/S/U – Cox/Cogswell):  Leigh Anne Sippel, Michele Speck, Elaine Wong, and Susan Zeisler.   

              3.  District Council  - Since Senator Cogswell cannot attend the summer meetings of the District Council, the following Senators agreed to sit in on those meetings as follows and the Senators approved their appointment (M/S/U – Cogswell/Harris):

                  Senator Szabados – June 8, 2005 

                        Senator Brichko  -  July 6 or July 13, depending on when the meeting is scheduled.

                        Senator Cox – July 27, 2005

                        Senator Cogswell – August 10, 2005

                        Senator Cox -  August 24, 2005.

                  This information will be passed on to Rhoda Curry.  It was suggested that each substitute update the other Senators to provide information and to ensure continuity.  Alex explained that the District Council deals with district-wide strategic issues and reviews the Board agenda.  One major issue that will be discussed this summer is the Kuwait project.  Alex reported that the educational institution in Kuwait has provided the district with $209,000, which will be used for a feasibility study, to obtain WASC approval, for site visits, and to select a project coordinator and a third party administrator.

 

                  Alex also advised that he attended a teleconference with Dr. Green at Broward College in Florida that has several campuses outside of the country.  He addressed all of the Senate’s questions and concerns to Dr. Green, and he responded to most. Alex stated that Dr. Green was not familiar with Kuwait, and the question regarding the attendance of women at the school remains to be investigated further.  As for hiring faculty, there is an organization that certifies faculty that teach in institutions outside of the United States.  That organization will be contacted to determine the process.  If the Kuwait project is approved, faculty will be teaching our curriculum in accordance with our standards and will be represented by ACE.

 

                  Discussion ensued, and Alex advised that if WASC is not satisfied with the district’s effort, the proposal will not move forward. The issue of shared governance was raised, and concern was expressed that this proposal is moving forward without the Senate’s agreement.  Alex emphasized that WASC requires the endorsement of the Academic Senate.  If faculty do not support this project, WASC will not approve the proposal.  The Academic Senate retains the power to veto.  Alex was directed to place this item on the first agenda for the Fall.   

                       

         D. Oral Reports -  No other reports were presented.

                   

VII.   Old Business

 

    A.  Update on Tenure Credit Issue for Temporary Faculty Hired to Permanent Faculty Position

            Alex reported that he discussed the Memo of Understanding and the MC Academic Senate’s motion with Pat Andrews. The Chancellor has agreed to support the final decision of the Senate and ACE.  Pat’s concerns relate to two points in the Memo of Understanding and those points were explained to the Senators.  The basic concern is whether or not a faculty person could be denied the additional credit by the tenure review team.  Alex asked for direction on how to proceed.

 

            During discussion it was clarified that the tenure review teams are formed with the approval of the VP of Instruction and the Academic Senate President. It was also explained that a faculty member on a temporary contract receives credit for that year only if it is followed by a contract year. At the end of the first year, the tenure review team can recommend to renew, not to renew, or renew with a recommendation. The tenure review team bases its recommendation on its evaluation.

 

            Since granting tenure is a faculty matter, and since the contract allows for additional review, the consensus of the Senators was to reaffirm the action taken at last week’s meeting.   Alex was directed to advise Pat Andrews and the Chancellor accordingly.

 

VIII.  New Business (Continued)

 

   A.   Discuss Concerns Relative to New Faculty Hires Ranking Process

            The Senators were advised that a Crisis Counselor position ranked in last December’s priority list for faculty hires has been pulled based on concerns relative to the 50% law.  The Senators were advised that Bob Miller was approached by the VP of Instruction on this matter and Bob agreed to pull the position for this year with the understanding that the Counselor position will be given top priority at next year’s ranking.  Senator Perlas brought this matter to the Academic Senate to consider the deviation in the process used by the Division Chair Council (DCC) and the Academic Senate for a number of years. 

 

            Discussion ensued, and concern was expressed relative to the process and the role of the Academic Senate. The Senate and the DCC spent much time to develop and prioritize the list of faculty hires, as well as deliberating the CIT position.  The CIT position was pulled despite the Senate’s request, and placed back on the list after the Academic Senate took additional action. The question on the Counselor position issue should have come to the Academic Senate as well as the DCC for consideration of a resolution to the problem.  It is clear that the current process was circumvented and a promise for top priority was not in keeping with the current process.    The Senators directed Alex to place this issue on the first agenda of the Fall semester to ensure the matter is addressed prior to ranking the faculty hires for next year.                                                                                         

 

   C.   Update Report and Review of Proposed MC Budget Allocation Model

            Worku Negash presented the Senators with a final draft of the Mission College Budget Allocation Model (BAM).  Worku explained that a subcommittee of CBAC developed the revised model, which has been endorsed by CBAC and GAP.  The BAM is only used if and when the college receives new funding from the State or the college has a carryover. The model is supposed to be reviewed every year, but since no additional funds have been received over the last few years, the model has not been revised until now. 

 

            Worku advised the Senate members of the few changes that have been made to the model since its last endorsement five years ago. Changes of significance include a change in the amount funded to the College President, inclusion of the Technology Committee to review technology requests, an additional 12% to instruction, and under what circumstances this model will be used.  It was explained that the President’s Office received $50,000 under the old model.  The new model provides the President with 10% of the funds received, with a cap of $50,000. 

 

            Worku clarified that this is a college model, and the District has its own Budget Allocation Model, which is currently under review.  A lengthy discussion ensued relative to apportionments as indicated on a chart in the document.  Based on that discussion, a motion to endorse the Budget Allocation Model as presented failed.   As discussion continued and additional clarification was made, a motion to reconsider the main motion passed (M/S/P – Szabados/Dooley).

 

            The proposed changes to the model were discussed further, and it was emphasized that this model is only used if additional funds are received from the State or if there is a carryover of funds in the college. The points of contention dealt with the percentages allocated to Administration and Student Services. Worku and several Senators clarified the intent of the allocations further, and ultimately, the following motion passed (M/S/P – Smebye/Dooley):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate endorses the College Budget Allocation Model as presented.”

             

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

 

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The WVMCCD Leadership Institute Funding Proposal dated May 23, 2005,from Albert Moore and Corri Cooper to the Land Corporation Board of Directors.

            2.   The agenda for the June 2, 2005, meeting of the WVMCCD Board of Trustees.

            3.   The minutes for the May 4, 2005, meeting of the Accreditation Disjoint Committee.

            4.   The agenda for the May 25, 2005, meeting of the District Council.

            5.   A draft cop of the MC Mid-Term Accreditation Progress Report to be considered for approval at the May 25, 2005, GAP meeting, and the agenda for the May 25, 2005, meeting.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   Mission College Athletic Booster’s Club is hosting a Golf Tournament on Friday, September 30, 2005, at the Santa Clara Municipal Golf Course, 5155 Stars & Stripes Drive in Santa Clara.  The tournament will benefit Mission College athletes.  Check-in is at 11:00 a.m. and a barbecue dinner will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. with a no host bar and dinner at 6:30 p.m. For additional information, please contact Jeff Nelson, Athletics Director (Ext. 5367).

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

No new items were added to today’s agenda.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:10p.m. (M/S/U- Szabados/Harris). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.