Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved Minutes

Thursday, October 20, 2005

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Alex Braun at 215: 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: F.Chong, D.Peck,		X	H.Robles, M.Speck, J.VanTassel		X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of October 13, 2005, were accepted and approved with the following correction to Page 2, Item VII.B, third paragraph, third sentence e (M/S/P – Paicius/Szabados):

 

            “He stated that the third largest cohort of students comes from Piedmont High School, and he intends to visit Overhill Overfelt

           

III.    Order of the Agenda

            The Senators agreed to modify the order of the agenda as follows (M/S/U – Paicius/Mancini):

            Item VIII.A will be addressed immediately following the President’s Reprots and Item VI.D will follow Item VIII.A.

IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

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

        

V.    Information & Announcements

         1.         The Senators were provided with a meeting schedule and an academic calendar for their notebooks.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

A.    Curriculum Committee - No report was presented at today’s meeting.

B.   Committee Appointments

            1.  Staff Development Committee – No names were submitted by faculty to serve on this committee.

         2.  Schedule Advisory Committee – Cam Valenzuela submitted her name to serve on this committee and the Senators unanimously agreed to appoint her to the committee (M/S/U – Paicius/Kashima).

         3.  Technology Committee – No names have been submitted by faculty to serve on this committee.

         4.  Student Learning Outcomes – No names have been submitted by faculty to serve on this committee. Senator Kashima asked how to proceed with getting the work done, and it was agreed that a second call for faculty candidates will be issued from the Senate office.

 

C.      President’s Reports - *Alex reported that Harriett’s report on assignment #1 of Program Review and E&FMP update that was presented to the Senators at last week’s meeting was presented at yesterday’s GAP meeting. In addition, Jim Bracy presented his report on outreach as presented to the Senate last week. Alex advised that the administration has decided to postpone indefinitely the proposal to decentralize facilities. It was determined that it is more cost effective to maintain the status quo during a tight budget situation.

         * Relative to the Bond measure, Alex reported that Dr. Chong advised the members of GAP that progress continues to be stalled by the lawsuit brought about by Mr. Katz. At this time, the matter is in the State Court of Appeals and the matter will take time. In the meantime, the District faces an increase in labor costs and an increase in construction expenses for concrete, steel, and wood. The District, therefore, has opted to raise funds through Certificates of Participation for approximately $11 million in order to proceed with the projects, and that requires that the District pay interest on the certificates.

         * GAP members opened discussion on a process for filling two classified positions at Mission College. The college will receive funding for the base salary for these two positions, not including benefits. West Valley College will also be given two classified positions to fill.

         * Tonight’s Board meeting will be held at West Valley College. Agenda items include a cash flow analysis relative to Measure H and the Board will consider approval for a Program Management Services (CCS Group) for approximately $7.5 million for a five year period. The CCS Group will manage construction projects. This amount accounts for approximately 4.5% of the Bond money. A request was made that copies of the documents be forwarded to the Senate members. Alex agreed.

         * It is also expected that the Board will propose a resolution to take a position against Proposition 76 at tonight’s meeting.

 

            As agreed, the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Item VIII.A to accommodate Harriett Robles and Dan Peck.

 

VIII.  New Business

 

A.           Discuss Results of E&FMP Update and Assignment One of Program Review

            Harriett reported that there has been an excellent response, approximately 95%, to assignment #1. She presented updated information to GAP at yesterday’s meeting, and the data has been refined for presentation to be made this Friday. This information is beginning information and now includes data from Fall 2005.

 

            Daniel Peck, the Institutional Research Analyst, advised that the information that will be presented at Friday’s forum is not meant to be comprehensive. An overview of the self-reporting responses provided from Assignment #1 will be presented, as well as a summary of comments received as prepared by Harriett. This is meant to serve as a starting point for the future. Different facts will be considered for each department that will have an impact and serve as a good reference base. Other parts include student learning outcomes, the mission statement as a foundation for the work being done, looking at instruction, non-instructional and administrative parts, and the process will close with the third assignment, which is looking to the future.

 

            People are encouraged to present questions and suggestions in order to refine and quantify the data and to help develop a better process.

 

            Dr. Chong thanked Harriett, Dan and the members of the Academic Senate for their assistance in developing the process that will be useful for departments and programs. He expressed his appreciation for the 955 response received to the first assignment, which indicates a buy-in for the model used. Dr. Chong emphasized that this tool will not be used as a tool for program discontinuance, but rather it is to be used as a means of better planning for the college. He urged everyone to attend the forum if possible, and stated that other forums will be held in the future.

 

            As discussion continued, it was clarified that the data that we have now is quantifiable in some respects. We do not have consistent data for non-instructional areas. The facts that will be presented tomorrow deal with the instructional programs. Harriett advised further that the quantitative piece must be considered, as well as external data, and the college’s mission statement. We need to decide on the college’s focus and how it will respond to the needs of the community.

 

            Alex thanked Frank, Harriett, and Dan for their report.

 

As agreed, the order of the agenda was moved to Item VI.D to accommodate Michele Speck.

 

D.           Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments Continued

         Information Competency Mid-Year Report - Michele Speck, Co-chair of the Senate’s Task Force, provided the Senators with a written mid-year report. She advised that the Information Competency requirement will become effective in Fall 2006, and will start with about five sections and work up to fifteen sections. The Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) forms for Library 010 have been reviewed by the Tech Committee and will have a first reading at the October 24^th CRC meeting. The written report included the tasks on the task force’s agenda for this semester.

 

            Michele explained that the Library 010 course will be based on the recommendations of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC). The curriculum will include how to recognize, evaluate, find, and cite information, as well as how to deal with legal concerns. The course covers information in print, non-print, broadcast media in all basic areas recommended by the ASCCC. Michele stated that the task force is open to working with any interested faculty.

 

            Alex thanked Michele for her report. The order of the agenda was resumed.

VII.   Old Business

 

A.   Continue Discussion on Codification of MC New Faculty Hiring Process

        As faculty hiring is one of the most important responsibilities of the Academic Senate, Alex asked the Senators to review the process adopted, with proviso, by the Mission College Academic Senate in 1999. This process has been used for a number of years by the Division Chair Council and the Senate and has served us well. The Senators were provided with a packet of information of past minutes in order to understand what the Senate wanted added to the existing process. Alex pointed out that this process is unique to Mission College and is not practiced among all community colleges.

 

            The Senators discussed and reviewed the process at length. One proviso of the 1999 Senate was to develop criteria that would define a “viable” position. During discussion another area of concern raised dealt with how to deal with a department that needed a position but was not submitting a request for a position. Another issue deals with how to tie faculty positions in with student needs, budgets, and trends.

 

            Ultimately, the following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U – Cox/Cogswell):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate ask for vo9lunteers to update amendments to the document and bring it back to the Academic Senate for review and consideration of the Academic Senate.”

 

            Senator Paicius volunteered to attempt a first draft for distribution to the Senators before the next meeting.

 

B.   Discuss Potential Resolutions for Consideration at the ASCCC Fall Plenary

            No resolutions were offered at today’s meeting.

 

VIII.  New Business (Continued)

 

B.     Discuss ACE’s Letter re: Academic Freedom

Alex explained that Ian Walton suggested that the Senate discuss this issue since academic freedom is an academic issue. Alex suggested that the Senators read a letter from the ACE attorney, R. Bezemek, included in the last ACE newsletter. It is suggested that the Senate consider endorsing the letter. A copy of the letter will be sent to the Senators for review and endorsement of the letter will be considered at next week’s meeting.

 

C.     Develop Plagiarism Policy

Senator Juncker asked that the Senators consider the development of a plagiarism policy to be used consistently by all. Currently, each instructor handles the plagiarism policy listed in the catalog individually and much is open to interpretation. It is her contention that students practice plagiarism in one class, get caught, deal with that individual instructor’s consequences, and then move on to the next instructor and try again. Senator Juncker suggested that the Senate develop a policy and procedure wherein a written record of students who plagiarize is stored and available to faculty for information. She also suggested that the Senate create a procedure to be followed by the entire college.

As discussion ensued, the Senators were cautioned to be cognizant of students’ rights to privacy. This could become a legal issue if it impinges on the right to privacy. Several Senators cited examples of plagiarism they have experienced and their views of why the students take such action. It appears to some Senators that some students are ignorant of just what constitutes plagiarism, and other Senators feel it is quite clear that students know what they are doing.

 

It was noted that at an FACCC presentation from UC Davis, a widely published process developed by a faculty/student committee was discussed, and the process is taken very seriously. Although Mission College has a policy, it does not have a consistent procedure for all to follow. It was moved and passed (M/S/P – Cogswell/Perlas) to refer this matter to committee. A call for interested volunteers will be issued from the Senate Office.

 

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

1.    An E-Mail dated October 13, 2005, to GAP members from Doug Masury with comments on the report presented at the October 12, 2005, GAP meeting.          

2.    An E-Mail dated October 14, 2005, to members of the Benefit Committee re: cancelled committee meetings.

         Publication/Minutes

1.    The agenda for the October 20, 2005, meeting of the Financing Corporation of the Board of Trustees. Also, an agenda for a special Closed Session meeting of the Board on October 20^th.

2.    The agenda for the October 20, 2005, meeting of the Mission-West Valley Land Corporation.         

3.    The approved minutes for the September 15, 2005, meeting of the ACE Council.

Announcements/Conferences

            1. ACE will hold a meeting for newer faculty on Thursday, October 27, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. for WVC at Chevy’s, 1602 Saratoga Avenue in Westgate Shopping Center and for MC at Pedro’s on Freedom Blvd. behind Marriott’s.

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

            No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 3:48 p.m. (M/S/U – Cogswell/Paicius). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.