Mission College Academic Senate (Ext. 5413)

Approved Minutes

Thursday, September 20, 2001

I. Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by President Jane Patton at 2:08 p.m.

Senators	A	P	Senators	A	P
Bell-Cheung (Ext.5385) AAS		X	Martin (Ext. 5349) Tech	X
Brennan (Ext. 5313) Comm	X		McGee (Ext. 5042) Stud Dev		X
Cochran (Ext. 5176) Stud Dev		X	McKean (Ext. 5326) Math		X
Estrada (Ext.5164) CommSvc		X	Moore (Ext. 5331) AAS		X
Guich (Ext. 5270) SocSci		X	Myint (Ext. 5316) ESL		X
Jackins (Ext.5322 ) Math		X	Patton (Ext. 5296) Comm Stud		X
Johnson (Ext.5277) CATA		X	Sippel (Ext. 5118) Comm		X
Lynne (Ext. 5248) CommSvc		X	VanTassel (Ext. 5334) Tech		X
Mancini (Ext. 5855) AF/HM		X	ASB: C.Vincenz	X
Other: B.Grayson (Staff Dev)	X		Guests:

II. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes for the September 13, 2001, meeting were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/P – Jackins/Mancini).

III. Order of the Agenda

Item VI.D (Elect Vice President of the MCAS) was deleted. This item was listed in error. The vice president was elected at the previous meeting.

IV. Oral Communication from the Public

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

V. Information & Announcements

1. Donnelle McGee announced a Forum dealing with some issues that are relevant to the recent terrorist attacks will be held on Tuesday, September 25^th, from Noon to 1:00 p.m., on the Patio outside the Student Center. Dr. Hafiz Siddiqi is the keynote speaker.

VI. Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

A. Curriculum Committee - No curriculum issues were raised at today’s meeting.

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

C. Committee Appointments - There were no committee appointments needed this week.

E. Oral Reports

1. Staff Development - No report was made today.

2. Datatel Implementation Committee (DISC) - Quin reported that the committee met yesterday, and the following issues were discussed:

* The prerequisite feature of Datatel should be ready in time for next spring’s registration and prerequisite requirements will be enforced at that time.

* Quin advised DISC of the MC Academic Senate’s concerns that only one person on campus is capable of working on the schedule. Sumi stated that several people have been trained on Datatel and are familiar with the process required. Quin suggested that all procedures and practical steps be documented, and Sumi advised that such a document currently exists.

* In light of the action taken by the MC Academic Senate on the PARIS issue and the Vital Stats conversions, Quin requested that the committee reconsider its decision on the prioritization list. She was advised that only $20,000 of the conversion money is left, and that will be expended within two weeks. The financial decision-making process is questionable. In any case, Datatel conversion implementation funds are depleted and any extra implementation will have to be covered by the colleges. This would mean that the Vital Stats module of PARIS will not be available to MC. Quin persisted with her request to reconsider, and the committee agreed to form a subcommittee to address the issue. A meeting was scheduled for next week, and Quin will serve on that subcommittee. In keeping with the information that Chancellor Salter utilizes the Vital Stats to track PFE funds, she was sent a copy of the e-mail sent to Steve Kinsella stating the MCAS’s position and resolution, as were all the members of DISC.

Discussion followed, noting that many of the faculty at Mission College do not have access to Datatel, and now Vital Stats on PARIS is no longer available. Several suggestions were made as to how to deal with this dilemma, such as a faculty petition or the like. It is clear that the committee is not convinced of the magnitude PARIS is used at Mission College. The Senators agreed to defer any further action on this matter until Quin’s next report.

* The next meeting is scheduled for the second week in October.

3. MC Compressed Calendar Committee Report – Jane reported that she and Senators Erlinda Estrada, Heather Lynne, Tim Jackins, and Mary Moore, and other committee members met this past Tuesday and established a meeting schedule and action plan. The committee will hold several long meetings. Three forums on the calendar, cosponsored by ACE and the MCAS, will be held starting next Tuesday, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.; and Thursday, 1:30 –2:30 p.m, locations to be announced. The committee will meet from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. immediately following Thursday’s forum. Since a number of Senators serve on the committee, Jane has opted to cancel next Thursday’s meeting. She requested that the Senators try to attend at least one forum.

Jane stated that last year there was consensus on the District Calendar Committee that the compressed calendar was basically a good idea. The MC members, however, wanted additional facts. This year’s college committee feels a compressed calendar is a viable alternative if concerns can be addressed and resolved. The committee’s tasks include the following:

• Gather data

• Conduct surveys of faculty, staff and students

• Tabulate results of the surveys

• Address room utilization concerns

• Address scheduling concerns

• Address academic concerns carefully, particularly where change would impact specific

programs.

• Address non-academic concerns – staffing, etc.

During discussion it was reported that Carolyn Fisher visited the Math Department and advised that the ACE survey that went out last week will only be considered as one source of faculty input. Carolyn also advised that any additional cost incurred by the colleges because of the two different calendars will be absorbed by the district. Whether or not the Datatel system can handle two separate calendars is arguable, although there are other multi-college districts that use Datatel and have separate calendars. The facts, however, remain to be seen.

At this time the agenda was moved to Item VII.B in order to continue discussion on the calendar.

VII. Old Business

B. Discuss Academic Issues Relative to Compressed Calendar

The Academic Senate and ACE must work together on this matter. Although it is true that the calendar is a negotiable item, it overlaps with academic issues and necessarily involves the Academic Senate. Several Senators stated the concerns they have relative to a compressed calendar and how it would affect their particular disciplines or departments. In addition, the unique student population at Mission College must be considered. Although some research indicates that students fare equally well under a compressed calendar, a wealth of information is not available. Ultimately, each discipline will have to determine if it can accommodate a shorter schedule and remain academically sound.

A number of questions and issues concerning working conditions were raised during discussion and Jane recommended they be raised at the forums. She urged the Senators to attend at least one of the forums on the calendar to be held next week,

A. Develop Senate Goals for 2001/02

The Senators reviewed and revised the first draft of a list of goals prepared by Jane. The Senate goals are connected to the college-wide core values and goals that were presented to the Senate by President O’Hearn.

The following list was adopted (M/S/U – Moore/Bell-Cheung) by the Senate, with the tie in to the college’s goals indicated by the number(s) in parentheses:

• Review current pre-requisites and consider revisions (2)

• Consider guidelines for Distance Learning courses (2, 3, 5)

• Consider Instructional Technology Policy/Develop mechanism for implementation (5, 8)

• Compressed Calendar (1, 2, 3, 4, 6)

• Review Mission College Program Review Process (2, 4, 5, 7)

• Help foster a climate of professionalism and ethical behavior (1)

• Review the Mission College Academic Senate’s Constitution and By-Laws

It was agreed that the Academic Renewal Policy and the Senate’s Roles and Responsibilities will be listed as future agenda items.

At this time, the Senators agreed, by consensus, to suspend the order of the agenda and move to Item VIII.A to accommodate Senator Guich.

VIII. New Business

A. Consider Resolution on Burrowing Owls from Social Science Division

Senator Guich presented the following resolution passed by the Social Science Division, for the Senate’s consideration:

“Whereas, The Burrowing Owls have long inhabited the grounds of Mission College, and

Whereas, The population has significantly declined due to habitat destruction, and

Whereas, Teaching social and environmental responsibility is a major objective of the Social Science Faculty, and

Whereas, Sustainable development and environmental awareness are significant social and academic concerns in the twenty-first century, and

Whereas, Modeling community values and demonstrating by action is an important purpose of the community college, and Mission College in particular, and

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the Social Science Faculty supports the commitment to saving the Mission College population of Burrowing Owls and providing for their continuing survival at this location, and directs its Senator to take the issue up with the Academic Senate for the purpose of adding protection of the burrowing owls to the master plan of Mission College and recognizing it as a legitimate academic, as well as social issue.”

Senator Guich asked that the Senate endorse the above resolution and issue it from the Mission College Academic Senate. Jane advised that the Senate passed a motion on this matter last year. In addition, she explained that President O’Hearn is currently working with Jean Replicon and a committee to develop an on-going plan to deal with this matter. She suggested that Daniel check with the president’s office for a status report on the owls. In the meantime, the Senate secretary was directed to forward the motion passed by the Senate last year to Daniel for information, to be shared with his constituents.

VII. Old Business (Continued)

C. Consider Further Academic Senate Responses to Terrorist Attacks

As directed at last week’s meeting, Jane sent out an e-mail to all MC users with the Senate’s motion encouraging everyone to foster an environment of respect, healing, and open communication. She advised that the WVC Academic Senate adopted the motion as well, making it a formal statement of the District Academic Senate.

As discussed last week, the Senators agreed to consider further actions it might take to continue the spirit of the motion. Jane asked for direction. Discussion ensued, and it was reported that San Francisco has declared itself a “hate free zone.” Posters have been displayed all over the city indicating same, and it was suggested that the college consider a similar public display. In addition, Mission College must recognize its diverse student population and it is important that the students feel that the college is a safe haven. The college must exercise a zero tolerance policy for hatred, and a 100% support for open communication.

The Senators reviewed the first draft of a statement prepared by Jane, and it was agreed that a subcommittee will be formed to develop the draft further for the Senate’s consideration at the next meeting (October 4^th). Senators Cochran, Myint, and Sippel agreed to serve on the subcommittee and will prepare the draft.

The Senators agreed, by consensus, to postpone the remaining business items and move to Item IX.

IX. President's Reports

1. Report Composition of Tenure Review Committees for New Faculty - Jane explained that the Academic Senate President participates in the selection of tenure review teams for new faculty with the administration and department chairs. A copy of the list of teams is available from the Senate office.

2. Board Meeting - This evening’s Board meeting is a strategic conversation. The main topic deals with a review of the current district zones, based on a report from a demographer presented at the last Board meeting. This would necessarily affect the election of trustees. The intent of this conversation is to ensure that the districts are appropriately represented. The report indicates that Saratoga has too many representatives and Campbell should have an additional representative.

X. Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

Correspondence

1. E-mail dated September 20, 2001, re: Update on Datatel Colleague Implementation.

2. Letter dated September 18, 2001, from Chancellor Salter re: recent events.

3. Letter dated August 31,. 2001, from the Accrediting Commission re: Draft of New Standards for Review. Any comments must be submitted to the ACCJC by December 1, 2001.

4. Letter dated September 12, 2001, from the CCC’s General Counsel re: Advisory on Education Code Section 84362 – the 50% Law.

Publications/Minutes

1. The agenda for the September 20, 2001, meeting of the Mission-West Valley Land Corp.

XI. Future Agenda Items

1. Review Academic Renewal Policy

2. Review Senate’s Roles and Responsibilities

XII. Adjournment

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