Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved  Minutes

Thursday,  October 6, 2005

 

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 2: 10 p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Beggs      (Ext. 5188)  AAS

 

    X

Mancini   (Ext. 5413)  AF/HM

 

    X

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

 

    X

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech

 

    X

Brichko    (Ext. 5222)  CATA

     

    X

Moles      (Ext. 5113)  ESL

    

    X

Cogswell (Ext. 5388)  AAS

    

    X

Ostrander  (Ext. 5274) Stud Dev.

 

    X

Cox        (Ext.5164)  CommSvc

 

    X

Paicius    (Ext. 5413)  AF/CATA

 

    X

Juncker    (Ext.5229)  Comm

    

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

    

    X

Kashima  (Ext. 5319)  ESL

 

    X

Rounds    (Ext. 5288)  Comm

    X

   

Laird      (Ext. 5186)  SocSci

    

    X

Smebye   (Ext. 5305) CommServ

 

    X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

    

    X

Szabados  (Ext.5289)  CATA

    

    X

 

 

 

Ting       (Ext. 5330)  Math

 

    X

Guest:  D. Sanidad, H.Robles,

J.VanTassel, Bkstore Mgr

 

    X

    X

DCC:  C.Lam, J.DelFrate, D.Mckay

 

    X

    X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of September 29, 2005, were accepted and approved as submitted   (M/S/U – Mancini/Paicius).

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            The Senators agreed (M/S/U – Paicius/Laird) to add Item VI.B.8 (Hiring Committee/Dean of Instruction).  This item was inadvertently left off the agenda and the selection has to be made at today’s meeting in order that the hiring process may begin.  It was also agreed that Item VI.A will be discussed immediately following the business items under Old Business.

             

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

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

        

  V.    Information & Announcements 

            1.   The Mission College Student Success Fair will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2005, in the Campus Center Quad from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in conjunction with the MC Health Fair.

            2.   A brochure from the American River College was passed around as an example of marketing other colleges are able to afford.

            3.   It was announced that there has been some indication that there are members of the college community that are interested in the positions approved for mid-year hires.  This issue has been discussed with Human Resources and it has been agreed that the four mid-year faculty positions will be advertised internally from October 7 – October 28, 2005.  This will provide the opportunity for internal full-time faculty members to apply.  This will delay the process for an external search by approximately three weeks.  It was stated that if an internal candidate is selected for the mid-year hire, the vacated position will automatically be replaced if they are within the two-year window.  If the vacated position does not qualify, the position will be considered for prioritization next year.

            4.   President Braun asked Senators Cox, Paicius, Smebye and Szabados to remain after the meeting in order to discuss a meeting schedule for their subcommittee of the Senate.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

 A.     Curriculum Committee  - Discussion on this item will immediately follow Item VII.D

 B.     Committee Appointments 

         1.  Schedule Advisory Committee – Scott Brunson was unanimously appointed to this committee (M/S/U – Cogswell/Paicius) 

         2.  Auxiliary Services Committee. The Senators unanimously appointed Haze Dennis to this committee (M/S/U – Cox/Paicius)

         3.  Facilities Safety Committee  - Mark Engel was unanimously appointed to this committee (M/S/U – Cox/Laird)

         4.  Staff Development Committee - No faculty volunteered to serve on this committee. 

         5.  Hiring Committee/VP of Student Services - The Senators unanimously appointed Bob Miller and Helen Ostrander to this committee (M/S/U – Cox/Szabados).

         6.  Hiring Committee/Dean of Student Support Services  - Five faculty members submitted their names and two faculty are needed to serve on the committee.  The Senators elected Yolanda Coleman and Char Perlas by written ballot.

7.  Accreditation Standards Committees – Carol Brockmeier and Phil Mancini were unanimously appointed to the Accreditation Standards Committees (M/S/U – Cox/Paicius).   

         8.  Hiring Committee/Dean of Instruction  - The Senators unanimously approved the appointment of Jeff Cormier, Rachel Lowenberg, and Dianne McKay to this committee (M/S/U – Cox/Brichko).  

 

VII.   Old Business

 

   A.   Joint Meeting of Division Chair Council and MCAS to Review and Discuss Results of Ranking Full-Time Faculty Positions

            In accordance with the process, the division chairs met with their respective senators and ranked the list presented to the Academic Senate at the joint meeting of the DCC and the MCAS on Thursday, September 22, 2005.  The results were turned in to the Office of Instruction and tallied.  It was noted that the LATC position and the Real Estate position were dropped from the ranking as they were approved for mid-year hire.  The following is the ranked prioritized list resulting from the individual rankings:

 

            #1  Biological Sciences

            #2  ESL

            #3  English

            #4  Political Science

            #5  Library Services

 

            Alex opened the floor to discussion on whether or not to approve the list as ranked above.  Dianne was asked to outline the process on how positions were prioritized.  Dianne explained that each position request was presented to the DCC and the MCAS, and the main factors were discussed.  The division chairs then met with their respective senators to consider the positions for ranking.  The results were turned into the Office of Instruction, points were assigned to the numbers, and the points were tallied.  The results of the tally are listed above.  Dianne also remarked that the DCC felt the rankings made good sense and were appropriate from a holistic perspective.

 

            There was a brief discussion about the possibility of one position opting to give way to another, and it was determined that the process was followed and there was universal agreement that the list was appropriate.  The Senators unanimously passed the motion to accept the ranked list as submitted (M/S/U – Smebye/Szabados). Harriett agreed to forward the list to the President as the recommendation of the Academic Senate and the DCC.

 

            It was noted that DBAC has decided to use the Faculty Obligation Number (FON) instead of the 75/25 ratio.  Therefore, the District only has to fill three faculty positions for this year.  Harriett assumes that Mission College will get one, possibly two.  It is not expected that all five positions on the ranked list will be filled.

 

    B.   Consider Approval of SLO Assessment Committee Structure and Guiding Principles

            Senator Kashima distributed three documents with additional information on SLO’s from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC), the WASC Accreditation Team Training Manual, and background materials relevant to the Title V grant and the SLO System.  She advised that all the principles from the AAHE were integrated into the guiding principles provided to the Senators at last week’s meeting.  Stephanie pointed out the primary concerns of the ASCCC and WASC, some of which are addressed in the proposed guiding principles.  They are as follows:

 

            1.  The SLO’s are to be developed by local faculty, not by the State or any other entity.

            2.   Assessment is not for the purpose of evaluating an individual student or a faculty member’s performance or to impinge upon the academic freedom or professional rights of faculty.

            3.   SLO’s should not be included in course outlines.

            4.   In terms of WASC, all of the text is instructing institutions to ensure that student learning is the focus of their mission and activities. 

 

            A lengthy discussion ensued. Stephanie stated that the Senate should consider how the assessment process will include a plan for implementation of improved instruction based on the result of assessment.  The point of the assessment process is that every department should develop an assessment plan, which includes desired outcomes, assessment results, and actions to be taken to reach the desired outcomes.  The assessment process can effect change in the teaching process.  The objective is to have changes in the teaching methods linked to outcomes.  Concerns were expressed as to how to make a positive change if the anticipated outcome is different than expected.  It was suggested that designed experiments be conducted to find the process of assessment that will result in the correct combination of settings and control.  It was stated that each class is a cohort and is a variable.  Every group of students is dynamic and the outcomes, therefore, will necessarily be different.  It is unlikely that the institution will accept one standard across all the courses.  Different disciplines use different assessment techniques and the process must allow for flexibility. 

 

            It was agreed that a 15th guiding principle be added stating that, “the goal of the assessment process is to improve instruction based on the results of the assessment.”  The following motion was presented and passed (M/S/U – Smebye/Brichko):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate accepts the guiding principles as presented with the amendment (15th guiding principle stated above).”

 

            As discussion continued it was suggested that the document include the ASCCC’s recommendation that the SLO’s not be included in the course outlines of record.  The following motion was made (M/S – Cox/Juncker):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate add a 16th guiding principle to the list to incorporate the Academic Senate for California Community College’s recommendation that SLO’s generally should not be included in the course outline of record.”

 

            The purpose for this recommendation is to provide guidance to those writing outcomes.  Course level outcomes do not appear in print unless they are included in the syllabus.  There was some discussion as to whether or not this task should be left to the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) and it was noted that there currently is no place on the CRC’s form to include SLO’s.  It is the role of the Academic Senate to provide direction to its subcommittee, the CRC.  A call for the question passed (M/S/P – Cogswell/Cox) and the above motion passed.   

 

         At this point, it was agreed to extend the allotted time and continue discussion.  The next item for consideration was the proposed structure and membership of the committee.  It was suggested that several positions be added to the proposal and the Senators approved the committee as modified (M/S/P – Cogswell/Cox).

          

         Harriett reported that assignment one had a 93% return rate and she will move forward with the program review and E&FMP update process. She commended Curtis Pembrook and Jennifer Ludwick for making this effort possible.  On assignment #2, Stephanie reported that the deadline has been extended to October 14th.  She will have the information on October 21, 2005.

 

   C.   Discuss & Confirm Full-Time Faculty Hire Ranking Process w Respect to Counseling Position

            Last semester Senator Perlas brought a concern to the Senate that dealt with a breach of the standing full-time faculty hire ranking process. The Crisis Counselor position ranked in last December’s priority list for faculty hires had 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.        

 

            Harriett explained that she and Bob discussed the position relative to the ID number.  She explained that sometimes decisions have to be made when faculty is not available and the Academic Senate is not meeting.  The goal was to honor the list, which for all purposes is a recommendation and subject to funding.  The hiring can be stopped and is not written in concrete.  She went to the division chair when it was necessary to work out a complicated situation.

 

            Discussion ensued, and several senators stated that since the initial issue was brought to the Academic Senate in May, the Academic Senate was in attendance and the matter should have been brought to the Senate for consideration.  It was agreed that the concern is that action was being taken outside of the process and the Division Chair Council and the Academic Senate should been consulted and informed as part of the decision-making process.  It was suggested that the Senate consider some means of ensuring that the established process is followed.                                                                                       

 

   D.   Continue Discussion on Proposal for Facilities Reorganization

            Senator Ostrander brought a statement regarding the proposal for facilities reorganization from the Mission College Facility and Safety Committee.  In essence, the document lists several reasons for non-support of the recommended reorganization as presented in the draft document.  A copy of the document will be provided to the Senators.                                                       

 

            A primary reason cited is that there was no analysis presented to establish the need or purpose or objective of this proposed reorganization effort, so it is unclear whether those objectives are being addressed or resolved in this reorganization plan.  The document also states that the usual objective of decentralization is to streamline operations and increase efficiency.  There appears to be a loss of efficiency in the proposed plan.  It is suggested in the document that additional funds would be better spent on additional staff for maintenance, custodial and the trades rather than on college administrative staff.  In addition, the committee cites its reasons for non-support of upgrading the dean’s position to a vice president position.

 

            It was stated that all the Academic Senate has been asked to do at this time is to provide feedback.  The President has not asked the Senate for endorsement of the plan at this time.  Alex stated that he would provide the Senators with a written proposal presented at GAP.  

 

         As agreed, at this time, the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Item VI.A (Hours by Arrangement Paper).

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments (Continued)

 A.       Curriculum Committee  - The Senators were provided with copies of a paper entitled, “Hours by Arrangement Curriculum Review Process and Frequently Asked Questions.”   Alex explained that this document has been developed in order to comply with the recommendation that the college have some form of accountability with regard to unloaded hours by arrangement.   Accountability means that someone is to supervise those students’ hours.  This matter involves state funding.  If the Academic Senate endorses the process, all instructors who have unloaded hours by arrangement have the choice to supervise their students or no longer offer unloaded hours by arrangement.

 

            Harriett explained that the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) is planning to move ahead with this process in anticipation of an audit by the state and to ensure compliance with the law.  A Senator requested that since hours-by-arrangement is used as a revenue generator, the Senate be given a report on the financial impact this change will bring forth. 

 

            The Senators agreed to accept the report on Hours by Arrangement as presented (M/S/P – Kashima/Cox).   

 

VIII.  New Business

 

    A.  Discuss Marketing and Promotion of Mission College

            Alex advised that Peter Anning will attend next week’s meeting.  It was announced that marketing at Mission College has received $105,000 through the Title V grant.             

                     

    B.   Report on EMT Decision to Hold Adopted Non-Smoking Policy

            Alex discussed the college’s non-smoking policy as endorsed by GAP and the Academic Senate with Dr. Chong.  President Chong explained that the District is trying to work out the differences between the policy at West Valley College and the policy at Mission College.  The difference between the two colleges deals primarily with the distance away from buildings that smoking is permitted.  At Mission College, the distance is 20 feet away from the buildings and at West Valley College the distance is 25 feet away from the buildings.  He explained further that the EMT has not suspended the existing policies at either campus.

 

            Senator Cogswell explained that Mission College wants to make the college a smoke free campus.  It is her understanding that the EMT wants to create a district-wide policy, and the existing policy cannot be enforced until the decision is made with regard to district policy.

 

            Harriett explained that it is her understanding that the policy would not go into effect until next fall and would not be enforced until then.  Both Alex and Harriett emphasized that the EMT has not suspended any existing policy.

 

   X.  Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The agenda for the October 5, 2005, meeting of DBAC, and the approved minutes for the meeting of September 21, 2005.

            2.   The agenda for the October 5, 2005, meeting of GAP.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   LeAnn McGinley is now serving as Chair of the Sabbatical Leave Committee.  The deadline for proposal submissions is 5:00 p.m., December 2, 2005.

            2.   Staff Development has some funding for distribution in the form of mini-grants.  The application deadlines are Monday, October 24, 2005, and Monday, November 28, 2005.  For additional information, contact Kara Dwoark at Ext. 5278.   

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

1.  Discuss Promotion of Free Tutor.com Service (Kashima) (I)

 

XII.   Adjournment

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