Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 2783

Unapproved Minutes

Thursday, October 8, 1998

I. Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by President Dianne McKay at 2:08 p.m.
Hill (Ext. 3366) CATA
Senators
A P
Senators
A P
Chiang (Ext. 3424) Math X Hudak (Ext.3419) ESL X
Collins (Ext.2708) StudDev X McKay (Ext. 3418) Pres X
Cordero(Ext. 3142) Stud Dev X Monroe (Ext. 3349) Tech X
Cowels (Ext.3301) AAS X Patton (Ext. 3402) Comm X
DelFrate (Ext. 3339)CommSv X Smith (Ext.3223) CommServ X
Flolo (Ext.3309) AAS X Wilson (Ext. 3407) Comm X
Grams (Ext. 2195)AF/SocSci X Other: Wain, Bui (ASB Reps) X

II. Approval of the Minutes

The minutes for the September 24, 1998, meeting were accepted and approved with the following notations (M/S/U - Smith/Flolo):

Page 3, Item VIII.C (Discuss Proposal for Global Garden), first paragraph, third sentence - Dianne read an e-mail from Tom Trask that objected to the statement that the Biology Department will benefit from a Global Garden. The Senators agreed to change "The Biology Department" to "Students."

Page 5, Item 4.d (CGAC) - Don Cordero attended the CGAC meeting with Dianne and Laurie.

III. Order of the Agenda

It was agreed that the Order of Agenda will be suspended to accommodate Celia Esposito.

Dianne asked the Senators to consider adding Item VIII.B (Confirm the Senate/Faculty Role in Faculty Hiring Committees) as an emergency item. An issue regarding the selection process has arisen which must be addressed as soon as possible. The Senators unanimously agreed (M/S/U - Flolo/Chiang).

Add Item VI.C.6 (Tenure Review Committee for Kari Mansour).

IV. Oral Communication from the Public

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

V. Information & Announcements

1. Senator Patton distributed copies of an article, "Where the New Jobs Are" which indicates the trends in the workplace.

2. Charlie Klein from the state Chancellor's Office will visit Mission College on November 9, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to discuss strategies on presenting new curriculum for certificate

programs to the state. The Senators were strongly encouraged to attend, and it was suggested

that the Curriculum Committee be encouraged to attend as well. Dianne agreed to notify Diane

Lamkin, Chair of the Curriculum Committee. She requested that Senators and faculty who plan to attend should notify Joyce Anttila (Ext. 2718).

3. DeeDee Bicocca has completed her term as Grants Liaison and has taken an assignment as

Coordinator of a Health Occupation Grant. Dianne advised that a call for applicants will be

issued jointly by the College President, the Senate President and the Director of the Grants Office on e-mail. The position will probably be filled by a number of people on a part-time basis this semester since everyone has a teaching load assigned for the semester. The full-time assignment will probably start next semester.

4. Senator Cordero advised that a Candidates' Forum will be held Tuesday, October 20, 1998,

from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Front Lobby. He asked the Senators to encourage their constituents and their students to attend.

VI. Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

A. Curriculum Committee - On Monday, the Curriculum Committee will be reviewing courses that meet general education requirements.

B. Staff Recognition - No resolutions were brought forward at today's meeting.

C. Committee Appointments - It was agreed that all the following appointments would be approved with one motion.

1. Appoint Senator to District Council - Judie Del Frate was nominated and accepted the nomination to serve as the second Mission College representative on the District Council.

2. Workforce Development Committee - Ann Cowels volunteered to serve on this committee. Faculty representatives from the general education area are still needed.

3. Instructional Program Review Committee - Son Le volunteered to serve on this committee as the Social Science representative.

4. Search Committee for MC President - Dianne reported that both Academic Senate Presidents were asked to submit names of faculty to serve on this committee and the Search Committee for the Chancellor. Both Senate Presidents advised Kirk that faculty members

will not be selected until the committee composition and charge is defined.

5. Search Committee for Dean of Administrative Services - Deborah LaFalle and Ann Roberts agreed to serve on this committee.

6. Tenure Review Team for Kari Mansour - Dianne announced that Mina Jahan will serve as the Team Chair, and Ian Walton and Marsha Chan will serve on the team with Mina.

All the above appointments were unanimously approved (M/S/U - Cordero/Flolo).

D. Oral Reports

1. Workforce Development Committee - The committee will meet tomorrow.

2. Technology Committee Report - Pat Hudak reported that major items at Monday's meeting included discussion on training issues, revisiting the Technology plan for the college and its goals, and developing more faculty web pages. The five year trickle down plan to replace old computers is still in place. Senator Patton reported that many faculty have

expressed frustration and concern over the fact that they were told last spring to expect the

computers over the summer, and October is here and the plan has not yet been implemented. Ann Cowels reported that a request for applications will be issued in the near future. Jane noted that applications have already been submitted, and a second request to apply is frustrating at best.

* Pat reported that there will be a software demonstration and discussion presented by Data Tel on Friday, October 9, 1998, and SCT on October 23, 1998, from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Pat explained that the Santa Rosa system is to be replaced; Mission College will have its own

server. Other community colleges will be contacted for information on these systems.

3. Update on Fund 61 - Dianne met with Lana Bone to clarify questions regarding Fund 61. Lana has been made fund manager for all staff development monies, and the Academic

Senate has been allotted $4,000 for the academic year. This will enable Senators to attend the

state Academic Senate's Spring Session, usually held in Northern California sometime in April.

4. Others: No other reports were made.

VII. Old Business

A. Recommend Priority List of Faculty Hires to the President

The Senators were provided with a list of recommendations in alphabetical order for new faculty hires for the academic year 1999-2000 as received from Lee Callaway, to review, discuss, and consider approval of the list. Dianne recapped the process to date, explaining that the Senate and Division Chairs (DC's) met jointly, reviewed the requests, the DC's then met with their individual Senators to determine each division's priorities, and all of those priorities were ranked. The only holistic discussion that took place was at the joint meeting with the Senate. The DC's did not have a holistic discussion after the ranking. In essence, the ranking results were calculated mathematically. Dianne asked the Senators to consider approval of the list to be forwarded to the President as a recommendation of the Senate as well as the Division Chairs.

Senator Cordero presented the following resolution to the Senate on behalf of the Student Services Council:

"Whereas, the Board of Governors for the California Community Colleges has authorized that non-instructional faculty, including counselors and librarians, are to be considered with instructional faculty for hiring under statutes passed under AB 1725;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, the Student Services Council at Mission College protests the decision of the District Budgeting Office to maintain funding for all non-instructional faculty, including counselors and librarians, out of discretionary funds; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Student Services Council at Mission College requests that funding for non-instructional faculty, including counselors and librarians, be moved out of the discretionary budget allocation for the new fiscal year."

Don explained that funds for non-instructional faculty have been allocated out of discretionary funds. The Student Services Council is asking that non-instructional faculty be paid out of categorical funds in compliance with the law, placing non-instructional faculty into the same budget cycle as new full-time faculty. Although it reduces the amount of discretionary money, it removes non-instructional faculty positions from competing with other non-instructional budget priorities. Even though a counselor and two librarians are included in the list of recommendations for faculty hires, they are at some risk because they must be processed through yet another budget approval process. Dianne reported that DBAC has formed a subcommittee to review the funding for non-instructional positions relative to AB 1725, with the charge to prepare a recommendation for the current hiring cycle to be forwarded to the Chancellor by November 18.

Don reported further that the Student Development Division, which includes all counselors, EOPS, DSPS, and Child Development, expressed dissatisfaction with the voting process that resulted in the list of recommendations from the DC's. They were particularly concerned that the Director of the Library participated in the voting process and the following motions were passed:

Motion #1

"that there be a review of the voting privilege of the Library Director on the Division Chair Council."

Motion #2

"that the vote of the Division Chair Council on new faculty be declared invalid."

Don explained that there was the feeling among his constituents that there was some commitment from the Library staff not to seek additional library faculty in order to get the Library Director position. He expressed his view that every DC should advise their constituents how they voted and why they selected the top five positions; the rationales for their decisions reflect one's view relative to the direction of the college. He provided a report to his constituents indicating his choices and his rationales. He had anticipated that a discussion of rationales would take place prior to the ranking. This discussion did not take place at the DCC.

Judie Smith expressed support for the motion relative to the budget. As to the motion regarding the voting concerns, she accepted some responsibility, noting that she participates on the Senate as a member of Commercial Services, and she participated in the discussions with the DC for Commercial Services on the rankings. In hind sight, she feels she should have removed herself from contributing to the division's voting, since the Director of the Library was voting for the Library. How to deal with this in the future must be clarified. Relative to the alleged commitment not to seek additional librarians, she stated that when the appeal for a director was made last fall, she clearly stated that the library would not seek another position for that year. However, a request would be made for the following year.

Dianne advised that she has been informed of the concerns relative to the Library Director, and she has recommended to President Cepeda that the Organizational Information Group (OIG) revisit the Library Director's position, its role, responsibilities, authority, etc. Ms. Wain, ASB President, expressed confusion as to the concerns. If the Library is part of the Commercial Services Division, and there is a Division Chair for the division, how is it that the Library Director sits on the DCC which is comprised of all the division chairs. Senator Smith stated that it follows the West Valley College model. Dianne reiterated that the OIG will address and clarify these concerns.

Dianne noted that the allotted time for discussion on this matter has expired and the Senators unanimously passed a motion to extend the discussion (M/S/U - Cordero/Cowels). For the sake of clarification, Dianne stated that if the Senate does not approve the recommended list, the Senate will meet once again with the DC's, and attempt to reach consensus via arbitration. If the two bodies cannot reach consensus, each entity can forward its own recommendation to the President, who ultimately makes the final decision.

Two views were expressed during discussion as to whether or not to approve the recommended list. One view is that the list will not be changed significantly if the process is repeated. The other view reported was that many of the division chairs felt they would have benefited from further discussion within the DCC and the list might have been changed significantly. A motion to approve the list of recommendations as presented failed (M/S/F - Smith/Patton), and the following motion passed unanimously (M/S/U - Patton/Cowels):

"that the Mission College Academic Senate's meet with the Division Chair Council at next Tuesday's (October 15) regularly scheduled Senate meeting to discuss the rationales and rankings of the recommended list of new faculty hires for 1999-2000."

Dianne will advise Lee of the Senate's decision and extend an invitation to the DCC to join the Senate's meeting next week.

As agreed, the order of agenda was suspended and moved to Item VIII.A to accommodate Celia.




VIII. New Business

A. Discuss Concerns re: Current Policies re: Drops, Grades, & Rosters

Jane explained that some faculty have expressed concern regarding what appears to be a change in policy and procedures relative to drops, grades, and rosters. Celia is not aware of any changes in policy, which she interprets as either a college or board approved statement. She acknowledged, however, that some past practices have been changed.

Discussion focused on rosters, and it was noted that permanent rosters were not received until the third or fourth week in the semester, which is unusually late. Celia explained the limitations of the IS system, and she offered to discuss the problem with IS. Another radical change mentioned is the drop date, which has academic implications. Faculty must participate in any changes relative to drop dates. Celia explained that she was advised that faculty could drop students when they turn in their grades. The Senators advised that such late drops are not permitted, either institutionally or through legislation; Title 5 states that drops can be processed up to the 14th week.

It was agreed that a subcommittee of the Senate, comprised of Don Cordero, Helene Flolo, and Jane Patton will meet with Celia to develop a recommendation for the Senate to consider for approval at a future meeting.

The order of agenda was resumed.

VII. Old Business (Continued)

B. First Reading of MCAS Subcommittee Report on New Departments

This subcommittee was charged to develop a process on the creation of new departments. The Senators reviewed the report, discussed definitions, and the process outlined in the report. It was determined that a process for the elimination of a department should have been included, and Dianne advised that the committee did prepare such a process. The Senators opted to review the entire report, including the elimination process. Dianne will forward the entire report to each Senator, and the second reading will take place at next week's meeting.

C. Review MCAS Goals for 1998/99

This item was postponed to the next Senate meeting.

VIII. New Business (Continued)

B. Confirm the Senate/Faculty Role in Faculty Hiring Committees

Dianne stated that the Senate needs to reaffirm the role and responsibilities of faculty relative to faculty hiring committee. Historically and by legislation, faculty sit on the first round hiring committees, and administrators participate by invitation, with the chair of the committee being selected from within.

During discussion it was noted that it makes more sense for an administrator to serve on a hiring committee for a small department; the administrator would be more likely to know desired qualifications than a faculty member from another department. It was suggested that the policy allow for more flexibility.

In response, Dianne explained that the concern arises when an administrator spearheads the hiring and chairs the committee. The faculty is initially responsible for hiring faculty, and in the case of a small department, a WVC faculty member, or other outside sources, can be invited to participate by the faculty members of the hiring team.

The following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U - Cordero/Patton):

"that the Mission College Academic Senate reaffirms the primary role of faculty in initiating and hiring new faculty and the chair of the hiring committees will be selected by faculty on the committee. Other members are included by invitation from faculty on the committee."

It was clarified that in case of a dispute, the Academic Senate President will arbitrate with the Academic Dean.

IX. President's Reports

1. Board Meeting - No Report

2. District Budget Advisory Committee - DBAC continues to clean up the one-time discretionary budget allocations to administrative services. Major discussion occurred on the accuracy of data and processes used to create these allocations prior to the budget split between Mission College and West Valley College. * Subcommittees on the effect of AB 1725 on Non-Instructional Faculty and the Review of the Budget Allocation Model are in various stages of getting started on their work.

3. Division Chair Council - * DCC met to discuss the ranking of the new faculty hires and to finalize the list to make a recommendation to the Senate. * Presentations were given on Contract Ed by Marji Knowles and on the NSP Pac Tech Grant by Charlotte Behm and Gwen Quail. Issues discussed included training for evening administrators, hours by arrangement, and the current schedule of faculty evaluations. * An announcement was made that Charlie Klein from the state Chancellor's Office is coming to speak on Monday, November 9, 1998, from 1-3pm, on how to get curriculum through the state for new certificates, etc. All interested faculty, especially Senators, are invited to attend, and should notify Joyce Anttila if the plan to attend.

4. District Council - District Council met to review the Board agenda. Upcoming projects include updating the district's mission statement.

5. AB 1725 Steering Committee - No Report

6. Others:

a) Meeting w President Cepeda: Dianne met with President Cepeda to discuss issues of importance to the college and senate, including items on the Senate agenda.

b) Academic Senate Report (Walton)

ï Ian Walton reported that on September 22 he represented the State Academic Senate at Napa Valley College by presenting a faculty/local senate workshop on Plus/Minus Grading and the recent changes in regulations.

ï He attended the Executive Committee meeting in Los Angeles on September 25 and 26. Items of interest include:

a. The Board of Governors Commitment to Diversity (formerly the Community College Pledge) - and the associated action plan.

b. The latest version of Guidelines for Shared Governance being developed jointly with CCLC. Several scenarios will be included that sound similar to events in our district.

c. Final planning for the Fall Plenary Session in Los Angeles, October 29 - 31.

d. The position paper laying out the faculty vision of the future of California's Community Colleges was presented by the Educational Policies committee and was approved to send to Session.

e. The position paper on how to increase the participation of part-time faculty was presented by the Educational Policies committee and was approved to send to Session.

f. A draft of an upcoming paper reviewing minimum qualifications and equivalency makes it clear that our current district practice on single course equivalencies is not legal.

ï The State Senate Area B meeting will be held at Mission College on Friday, October 9 in Hospitality Management (Lunch Noon, Meeting 1 - 5pm). About thirty senate presidents from bay area colleges are expected to attend. Please drop by.

X. Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

Correspondence

Publications/Minutes

1. A sample issue of The Teaching Professor.

2. The agenda for the October 7, 1998, meeting of DBAC, and its meeting summary for Sept. 9.

3. The October 1998, issue of COMPENDIUM.

4. The agenda for the Sept. 28, meeting of the MC Curriculum Committee.

5. The Sept. 25, 1998, issue of DVC FORUM, from the Diablo Valley College Faculty Senate.

6. The Sept. 21, 1998, issue of FA NEWS, from the Foothill-DeAnza Faculty Association.

Announcements/Conferences

1. CalWORKS Workshop will be held in Northern California November 6, 1998, 9:00 am - 3:00 p.m.

2. Workshop on Power Strategies for Recruitment & Retention will be held in Orange County March 12, 1999, to learn how to exceed enrollment and revenue goals.

3. The Governor's School-to-Career Advisory Council will hold a public meeting of the Student

Assessment and Certification Committee on November 6, 1998, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Sacramento.

4. The Governor's School-to-Career Advisory Council will hold a public meeting of the System Evaluation and Accountability Committee on October 29, 1998, from 9L:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in Sacramento.

5. The state Academic Senate is developing a paper, soon to be released that updates the minimum

qualifications and equivalencies paper.

*** 6. The MC ASB, Academic Senate, Classified Senate, and ACE are jointly sponsoring a WVMCCD Board of Trustees Candidates' Forum in the Front Lobby at MC on Tuesday,

October 20, 1998, from 5:00 p.m. until 6":430 p.m., with a refreshment period from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for one on one conversation. Faculty are urged to attend and to encourage their students to attend this event.

7. The WVC School Performance of Museum will be presented October 16-25, at the WVC theater.

8. The American Association for Higher Education will hold its 1999 National Conference on Higher Education, "Organizing for Learning," March 20-24, 1999, in Washington D.C.

XI. Future Agenda Items

No new items were added at today's meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:02 p.m. (M/S/U - Cordero/Hudak). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.