Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,  September 8, 2005 

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2:05 p.m.  Alex welcomed and introduced the new Senators:  Kathy Moles, a second representative for ESL, Cathy Beggs, replacing Edith Dooley for AAS, Margaret Juncker, replacing Susan Zeisler for Communications, MaryLynn Rounds, completing Dianne McKay’s term as representative for Communications, and

            Karl Ting, replacing Carmen Musat for Math.

 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Beggs      (Ext. 5188)  AAS

 

    X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

    

    X

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

 

    X

Moles      (Ext. 5113)  ESL

    

    X

Brichko    (Ext. 5222)  CATA

     

    X

Ostrander  (Ext. 5274) Stud Dev.

 

    X

Cogswell (Ext. 5388)  AAS

    

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

    X

 

Cox        (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

 

    X

Rounds    (Ext. 5288)  Comm

 

 

Juncker    (Ext.5229)  Comm

    

    X

Smebye   (Ext. 5305) CommServ

 

    X

Kashima  (Ext. 5319)  ESL

 

    X

Szabados  (Ext.5289)  CATA

 

    X

Laird      (Ext. 5186)  SocSci

    

    X

Ting       (Ext. 5330)  Math

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    X

Guests.  P.Andrews, F.Chong,

 

    X

Guests: D.Frankel, C.Kuri, 

 

    X

L.Lodato, E.McAlister, S.Pancella  

   

    X

    X

R.Pavao, H.Rath, H.Robles, J.Schwartz, J.VanTassel

 

    X

    X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of May 26, 2005, were accepted and approved as submitted   (M/S/U – Szabados/Kashima).

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            In order to accommodate Pat Andrews, it was agreed (M/S/U – Ting/Cogswell) that Items VIII.B and VII.B.

 

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            Elizabeth Harris formally requested that a call for volunteers to serve on the Accreditation Standard Committees so that the college can move forward with the next self-study.

 

            President Chong welcomed everyone back and expressed his pleasure at starting his third year as the Mission College President.  He intends to work together with the Academic Senate on the issues of mutual concern in order to serve the best interests of the college.  President Chong reported that the construction of the third floor is expected to start by the end of this semester, providing faculty offices, new classrooms, etc.  He expressed his appreciation to Harriett Robles for her work with the Academic Senate on a college-wide program review.  This task is key to accreditation.  Frank noted that enrollment is down, and he welcomed any suggestions.  He will return to the Academic Senate in the future to discuss any issues of concern.

        

  V.    Information & Announcements 

         1.  Alex announced that he plans to hold an orientation meeting with the five new senators, and Senator Ostrander asked to be included.  A call has been issued for two associate faculty Senate representatives, and the Technology and Natural Science Divisions need to elect representatives as well.

            As agreed, the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Items VIII.B and VII.C.

 

VIII.  New Business

 

    B.   Consider Endorsement of Work-to-Contract Request from ACE

            Pat Andrews, President of ACE, noted that last Spring 91% of faculty that voted, voted in favor of a Work-to-Contract strategy for this Fall semester.  ACE has been considering how to implement this strategy over the summer and has decided to proceed slowly, doing as little harm as possible, while providing the District with the opportunity to respond to the faculty’s long awaited request for the recognition deserved in terms of compensation. The longer the District takes to negotiate in good faith, the more stringent the action will be.  She outlined the following request:

 

            1.  ACE is asking the Academic Senate to support a call for all faculty to Work-to-Contract, filling only their institutional responsibilities as required by the contract.  The intent is to start the process slowly and do the least harm to our students, faculty, colleges, and District. It is anticipated that this action will make the administration aware that the colleges do not function well without the additional work done by faculty members over and above their responsibilities.

 

            2.  The District had agreed to negotiate the issue of a Winter Session in Fall 2005.  The District, however, is moving forward with plans for a Winter Session anyway without negotiating this issue.  ACE is not optimistic about the Winter session and parity.  ACE is asking that faculty not participate in a Winter session without a settlement agreement on the definition of parity.  If the District does not comply by October 1, 2005, ACE will not agree to a Winter session.  In the meantime, ACE is requesting that the Department Chairs and Division Chairs not submit plans for a Winter session.

 

            3.  If the District fails to finally respond to issues of compensation and benefits, the faculty will be asked to limit class enrollment to contract specifications for the Spring semester.

 

            The floor was opened to discussion and the Senators received copies of the motions passed at the September 6, 2005, meeting of the West Valley College Academic Senate in response to ACE’s request.  Several Senators spoke to the issue and requested that ACE provide guidelines and a workshop for faculty relative to the Work-to-Contract strategy.  Pat noted that ACE is holding a forum next Tuesday, additional information will be forwarded to faculty via e-mail, and stated further that she is happy to call for additional forums, etc .  Pat noted that this has never been done in this District before.  It is hoped that the Work-to-Contract will not last long and that the District responds appropriately.

 

            President Braun stated, for the sake of clarification, ACE’s request for the Academic Senate to support the Work-to-Contract plan relative to institutional responsibilities for the Fall semester.  If no progress is made on the definition of parity, there will be no Winter session.  If there is no movement on salary and benefits, ACE will call upon faculty to limit enrollment in the Spring to contract requirements.  Pat affirmed the above, stating clearly that faculty want a Winter session. The importance and significance of a Winter session is well understood by faculty.  Promises made by the administration, however, are not being kept and yet ACE is being asked to take good faith action again.  ACE’s position is that a settlement  on a definition of parity is necessary and a Winter session will not be put forth without it.

 

            Discussion continued, and it was stated that faculty must take a position.  There is a lack of confidence in the Chancellor and the decisions of management.  It is time for the Academic Senate to take a strong position and support ACE’s request.  Any additional work, such as working on SLO’s, accreditation, program review, etc., should be carefully weighed in light of Work-to-Contract.  It was also suggested that departments with special needs, questions and concerns contact ACE and request that these issues be addressed at a department faculty meeting.

 

            As discussion continued, it was reported that recent candidates offered faculty positions turned down the offers, and the hiring pools were very small.  The current situation is effecting recruitment and hiring efforts.  This has a direct impact on the academic programs. Alex stated his view that the dynamics involved the substance of the negotiations, the quality of communication that exists between the parties, and negotiating in good faith. He asked the ACE representatives present what they believe is the problem in the negotiation process.  It was stated that all the dynamics stated, with good faith being more critical.  Things are promised and not delivered.  ACE was willing and available to negotiation, but not the other side.  It was noted that the chief negotiator for the District is an interim administrator that has no investment in the District.  Alex noted that no movement is possible on the content and substance of negotiations if the quality of the negotiations is poor.  Without real and effective good faith in the negotiation process, little or nothing else is possible.  Steps must be taken to correct this situation.

 

            Relative to Associate Faculty, it was stated that the last Winter session was terrible in that there were no services available to the students. A representative of the Associate Faculty stated that the Associate Faculty members support parity and the Work-to Contract.  It was also suggested that the issue of parity be discussed as it relates to Associate Faculty that serve as Counselors and Librarians. 

 

            Ultimately, the following motions were passed:

 

            M/S/U – Smebye/Cogswell

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate support the Work-to-Contract Plan as outlined by the ACE President Pat Andrews.”

 

            M/S/U – Ostrander/Cox

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate support ACE’s request that all West Valley College academic departments and divisions withhold plans to implement a 2006 Winter Session pending a negotiation settlement.”

 

            M/S/U – Cogswell/Juncker

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate support ACE’s request of the Board to meet its legal obligation to negotiate a definition of parity.”

 

            Pat thanked the Senators for their action at today’s meeting.

 

VII.   Old Business

 

   C.   Consider Approval of Protocol re: Tenure Credit for MC Faculty

            Last May, the Mission College Academic Senate approved a Memo of Understanding relative to tenure credit for three Mission College faculty members, deleting ACE’s role in the process.  Alex explained that he indicated tenure was a Senate prerogative, and after meeting with Pat over the summer, learned that ACE has a statutory role in the tenure process. 

 

            The Senators were asked to approve the original Memo of Understanding with an amendment proposed by ACE to delete a step in the process that called for the Academic Senate’s approval prior to a recommendation on tenure being presented to the Board of Trustees.  It is not necessary for the Academic Senate to be involved in the final recommendation, because the Academic Senate President is already involved with the formation of the Tenure Review Teams as outlined in the ACE Contract.   The following motion was approved with one abstention (M/S/P – Cox/Szabados):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate endorse the Memo of Understanding as proposed by ACE and President Braun.”

 

            As agreed, the order of the agenda was resumed.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

  A.    Curriculum Committee  -   Betty Ensminger, Chair of the Curriculum Committee, will report at a future meeting.

 B.     Staff Recognition -  Several suggestions for recognition were mentioned.  Drafts of resolutions will be brought to the Senate for consideration at a future meeting.

C.      Committee Appointments

         1.  Information Competency Committee  - The Academic Senate has issued a call for volunteers to fill the vacancies on this committee. 

         2.  Accreditation Standards Committees – The Academic Senate will issue a call for faculty to serve on these committees.

D.      Oral Reports

         Senator Cogswell requested that the Senate reaffirm the college’s non-smoking policy.  This item will be placed on a future agenda for discussion.                                      

 

VII.   Old Business (Continued)

 

   A.   Update Report on Kuwait Project

            President Braun advised that the Kuwait Project will be addressed at the District Academic Senate meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2005, to be held at West Valley College at 2:05 p.m.  The discussion will be couched in the context of global education and international education.          Alex reported that the Chancellor is prepared to go to the Board of Trustees with a recommendation to move forward on the proposal.  He noted that the District has received $209,000 from Kuwait for an initial feasibility study.  The Chancellor, however, is willing to delay his request to provide an opportunity for the District Academic Senate to discuss the matter and reach consensus on whether or not to move forward with the project.

 

            Alex was asked to provide the Senators with all available information to date prior to Thursday’s District Academic Senate meeting.  Alex agreed to forward all the information at his disposal to the Senators as soon as possible. Alex was asked to provide the Senators with information on the Thailand project as well, and to determine what the terms of the initial Memo of Understanding entails and what is to be covered by the $209,000.  Alex agreed to follow up and provide the information prior to Thursday.

 

         As discussion continued, one Senator requested that the subject matter should not be couched in the context of global education.  The Kuwait proposal is intended to bring money into a budget that is already in difficulty.  The proposal was initiated by an interim administrator and global education should not be the focus of discussion.  It was also stated that this proposal was initiated and moved forward outside of the shared governance processes, and the Academic Senate has spent much time discussing concerns relative to the lack of shared governance. Alex explained that other initiatives have been proposed, and the agenda for the District Academic Senate meeting has already been prepared and distributed.

 

             A brief discussion followed on the possibility of inviting students who are evacuees from Katrina to attend the college. Trustee Schwartz advised that the legislature is currently considering legislation that would permit districts in California to provide access to those students via Distance Learning courses. 

 

   B.   Discuss and Confirm Full-Time Faculty Hire Ranking Process

            Harriett Robles, VP of Instruction, provided the Senate members with a time line for this year’s full-time faculty hiring process, as well as the forms to be used for instructor requests.  The process is the same, and refers to program review, asking that the request be tied to the 2001 E&FMP.

 

            At this time it was suggested that new faculty hires be provided with the equipment and support required in an appropriate time.  Harriett explained that part of the problem is a planning and funding issue.  Last year, the college hired 23 faculty, which stretched its facilities.  Senator Kashima advised that the Technology Committee has discussed the problem at length attempting to remedy the situation.

 

   D.   Consider Approval of E&FMP Update Timeline and Activities

            Harriett provided the Senate members with a copy of an E&FMP Update Time Line for 2005/06, an assignment sheet for updating the E&FMP, as well as a Tool Kit for their review.  She indicated that all E&FMP materials are available online.  In addition, Harriett advised that the Office of Instruction is responsible for collating the information received from these materials and for preparing the material for discussion at college-wide forums.  CBAC has been charged to develop a plan that will link budget to the college’s goals. 

 

            Alex advised that President Chong has requested that the Academic Senate form a subcommittee to review and distill the collection of documents on missions, values, and goals.  He will determine the nature of the task and request assistance from Senate members.

 

            Senator Kashima thanked Harriett for streamlining the cumbersome process and allowing time for departments to discuss goals and student learning. As discussion ensued, Harriett was asked if she would be willing to help faculty decide what tasks are top priority for the college in light of the Work-to-Contract initiative.  Harriett responded that faculty will have to decide and sort out the priorities.  Relative to planning initiatives, she must ensure that she has a voice in the process.  If the information is not provided, she will move forward without it.  She stated further that if everybody fulfills their responsibility according to contract, the college should be able to get everything done.

 

            The Senators approved the E&FMP time line and activities as submitted (M/S/U – Kashima/Szabados).

           

VIII.  New Business (Continued)

 

    A.  Consider Establishment of SLO Protocol, Timeline and Committee

            Senator Kashima advised that the accreditation standards now require all colleges to add Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) in some fashion.  She reported that she attended training on how to approach this task and learned that each college must establish an SLO Assessment Committee with broad representation from instruction, and that the Academic Senate must review and approve a list of guiding principles by which the assessment process will occur.

 

            It was agreed during discussion that Senator Kashima will develop a proposal for a committee and guiding principles for consideration at the next Senate meeting.  It was emphasized that the committee should have representation from all constituent groups on the campus, including non-instructional faculty.

 

            At this time, Vice President Robles indicated that Future Agenda Item E (Update Report on Wait List Practices and Datatel Priority) has been dealt with; lost functions have been recovered and a pilot study is being considered.  Students will be added automatically and faculty will be permitted to move students up on the add list.  In addition, the system will provide student information that will facilitate tracking, and online grading is on the horizon.          

                   

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         1.   Letter dated August 30, 2005, from the Academic Senate for CCCs (ASCCC) re: appointment of faculty to serve on the Board of Governors. 

            2.   E-mail dated September 7, 2005, from the Office of Instruction on the E&FMP Update.

            3.   E-mail dated August 31, 2005, from the ASCCC re: Student Body Government Presidential Summit.

            4.   Letter dated June 21, 2005, from the Accrediting Commission re: Commission Action on Policies on Distance Learning, Including Electronically-Mediated Learning and the policy on Refund of Student Charges.

            5.   Letter dated June 30, 2005, from the Accrediting Commission with a report on the June 8-10, 2005, Commission meeting.

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The agenda for the September 12, 2005, meeting of the MC Curriculum Review Committee, and a summary of the May 16, 2005, meeting.

            2.   The approved minutes for the August 17, 2005, meeting of DBAC.

            3.   The notice for a Special Closed Session meeting of the Board of Trustees on September 7, 2005.          

            4.   The agenda for the September 1, 2005, meeting of the ACE Council.

            5.   An e-mail dated August 30, 2005, with the HR items that are to be reviewed at the September 7, 2005, meeting of the District Council.

            6.   The agenda for the September 1, 2005, meeting of the Board of Trustees.

            7.   The agendas for the July 14th, and August 18th meetings of the M-WV Land Corporation.

            8.   The June 20, 2005, issue of FA NEWS from the Foothill-DeAnza Faculty Association.

            9.   The Spring 2005 issue of Accreditation NOTES from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   The Academic Senate for CCCS is seeking faculty candidates for the Board of Governors.  The application deadline is 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 7, 2005.  Additional information is available from the MC Academic Senate Office. 

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

1.   Review Mission College’s Non-Smoking Policy (Cogswell)

2.   Discuss Lack of Availability of Summer Session for High School Students (Perlas)

3.   Discuss Lack of Student Services during Summer Sessions (Perlas)

 

XII.   Adjournment

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