Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Approved Minutes

Thursday, October 27, 2005

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by Vice President Stephanie Kashima at 2:12 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: A.Chandler (DC)

 

X

H.Robles

 

X

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of October 20, 2005, were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/P – Juncker/Szabados).

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

            There were no changes to today’s agenda.

IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

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

        

V.       Information & Announcements:

          No announcements or information items were reported at today’s meeting.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

A.    Curriculum Committee - Betty Ensminger, Chair of the CRC, reported via e-mail that the CRC will give final approval on curriculum proposals submitted for Fall 2006 on Monday, October 31, 2005. New dates for submission of curriculum proposals for Spring 2007 will be distributed to faculty in the near future, with an invitation to attend a curriculum workshop and training session to be held November 14th from 2:05 to 3:40 p.m. Location to be announced. In addition, Betty indicated that the work of the CRC is hampered by the lack of representatives from each division. She urged that the Academic Senate require that the Technology and Natural Science divisions start sending representation to the CRC meetings immediately as the committee is not always able to meet the needs of their faculty.

B.     Committee Appointments

            1.  Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee – No faculty have volunteered to serve on this committee.

            2. Plagiarism Procedure Committee - No faculty have volunteered to serve on this committee.

         3. GAP Council – A call for two faculty members was issued by the Academic Senate. Only one person submitted their name. Stephanie asked for direction as to whether to put out a second call or to appoint the person who volunteered. The Senators unanimously approved the appointment of Phil Sienna to this committee (M/S/U – Szabados/Juncker) and directed Stephanie to reissue the call to fill the second vacancy.

            4.  AD Hoc Colors Committee - The Senate was asked to appoint two faculty members to an ad hoc Colors Committee to discuss how to deal with the fact that the school colors are gold, but all promotional materials are in teal, with white and black. The Senators were advised that Jeff Nelson had agreed to serve on this committee and Senator Szabados volunteered to serve as well. The Senators unanimously approved the appointment of Jeff and Anna (M/S/U – Cox/Perlas).

C.      President’s Reports

         1. E&FMP Update to GAP – The Senators received an E&FMP update to the GAP document from Harriett Robles, which was presented to GAP on October 26, 2005. Harriett expressed her appreciation to all the faculty members that attended the forum on October 21st, and particularly to Stephanie Kashima for her presentation on SLOs. Harriett noted that many valid points were raised at the forum regarding data and issues yet to be addressed. Those points and issues are listed on the cover page to the document, as well as the possible objectives to be considered at a second forum to be held on December 2, 2005.

        

            The gist of the proposal to GAP is to revise the format and delay the implementation of assignment 3. GAP has been charged to develop criteria by which assignment 3 will be evaluated. Discussion on the criteria for review and how to process input will be addressed at next week’s meeting of GAP. When GAP completes this task, the decision as to when assignment 3 goes out will be made.

 

            Stephanie reported that the assignments have produced some anxiety among some faculty in programs with low enrollment. There is concern that what is happening may jeopardize programs. Harriett explained that decisions will not be made on one single measure. The proposed criteria are to be fairly broad and will help programs look at different measures. A program in decline could be infused with more funds if it is determined that it is appropriate. Harriett emphasized that it is important for people to feel they can control the information on which decisions are being made. At this point, everything is slowing down, primarily due to the delay brought about by the lawsuit, and the college is taking the time to make certain that people are comfortable with the process. The forum scheduled for December 2, 2005, may serve as a kickoff for assignment 3.

 

VII.   Old Business

 

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

The Senators reviewed drafts prepared by Senator Paicius and Senator Cox. The Senators considered how to proceed with the existing adopted Senate policy. It was determined during discussion that the intent of the Senate was to modify the language in the existing policy. Senator Cogswell volunteered to prepare modifications to the existing policy and bring it back to the Senate for consideration at the next Senate meeting.

 

B.       Discuss ACE’s Letter re: Academic Freedom

The Senators were provided with a copy of a letter from ACE attorney Robert Bezemek on the issue of Academic Freedom as published in the ACE Newsletter. Stephanie explained that it was suggested that the Senate consider endorsement of the letter and opened the floor to discussion.

 

The following motion was made (M/S – Cox/Szabados):

 

“that the Mission College Academic Senate endorse the letter from Robert Bezemek to Ms. Dillon as published in the ACE Newsletter.”

 

Discussion ensued, and it was pointed out that there appears to be some concern in the District relative to academic freedom and civil discourse. In the recent past, there have been a number of instances where personal verbal attacks have taken place and, in the opinion of some, the excuse of academic freedom was used to justify the attacks. It was acknowledged that although everything Mr. Bezemek stated in his letter is true in regard to academic freedom, some believe that it applies to instructors’ communications in teaching, with colleagues, etc. It was opined that it does not apply to personal attacks that are intended as personal attacks. It was further opined that academic freedom is not meant to serve as a carte blanche for insulting other people. A Senator added the following paraphrase of a known quote: “Although all speech is free, not all speech is wise.” In the opinion of one senator, one can make disparaging remarks, but one crosses the line when others become concerned for their safety.

 

As discussion continued, several clarifications were made relative to e-mail, and it was noted that in private companies, anything in e-mail belongs to the company. The issue of e-mail was included in Bezemek’s letter, noting that e-mail is a “limited public forum.” Ultimately, the Senators passed the above motion with one abstention.

 

C.   Discuss Charge of Plagiarism Procedure Committee

            Senator Juncker submitted several points for the Senate’s consideration as a basis for a charge for this committee. The Senators reviewed and discussed the intent of establishing this committee and considered the following points to be included in the committee’s charge:          

1.    Research legality in terms of what kinds (if any) tracking and documenting of plagiarism can be done and what this information may and may not be used for.

2.    Research other institutions’ handling of plagiarism, especially in terms of legality and counseling (UC Davis).

3.    Determine degrees of plagiarism and what appropriate actions should be taken for each (or create a body to do so).

4.    Create a body to which plagiarizers will be referred; determine the best possible membership constituency for this body (i.e. someone from counseling or student services, etc.).

5.    Develop a consistent procedure for handling plagiarism that involves counseling in terms of causes of plagiarism, effects of plagiarism, and solutions.

 

            Discussion ensued, and it was noted that DeAnza and West Valley College have purchased turnitin.com software to handle the issue of plagiarism. Stephanie advised that the Technology Committee is currently considering the purchase of this software. A motion to extend discussion for another 10 minutes passed (M/S/U). In response to a concern that the Senate should take up more important matters of concern, it was pointed out that although the college has a clearly defined policy on plagiarism, the college has not defined a procedure as to how to enforce the policy. The intent of the committee is to develop a consistent procedure for all faculty to follow when it is believed that a student is guilty of plagiarism. At this time, each instructor decides how to deal with the issue of plagiarism and there is much variation on how the policy is enforced.

 

            The various points listed above were discussed and amendments to #5 were made as follows:

5. Develop a consistent procedure for handling plagiarism, which may involve counseling

regarding the causes of plagiarism, effects of plagiarism, as well as other solutions.

 

            The following motion was presented and passed with one abstention (M/S/P – Cox/Cogswell):

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate adopt #1, #2, #3, and #5 as amended as the charge of the Senate’s Plagiarism Procedure Subcommittee.”

 

            It was agreed that a call for interested faculty will be issued from the Academic Senate Office.

                                                                                                           

VIII.  New Business

 

A.     Consider Graduation Requirements w Respect to Mathematics

This item was postponed to the next Senate meeting.

                 

IX. Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         Publication/Minutes

1.    The agenda for the October 26, 2005, meeting of GAP.

2.    The approved minutes for the October 5, 2005, meeting of DBAC.

3.    The list of Business Services items that will appear on the November 3rd Board agenda.

4.    The minutes for the April 26, 2005, meeting of the Faculty and Staff Diversity Advisory Committee and a report from Sandi Dillon on the September 27th meeting and the agenda for the October 25th meeting of the committee.

5.    The agenda, minutes, and course outlines for the October 27, 2005, meeting of the MC Curriculum Review Committee.

         Announcements/Conferences

1.    ACE Forum will be held at Mission College on Wednesday, November 16th in E3-301 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

 

X.    Future Agenda Items

1. Update on Non-Smoking Policy

2. Follow-Up on Kuwait (Smebye

3. Consider approval of change in Mid-Year Counseling Position (Perlas)

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 3:37:p.m. (M/S/U – Cogswell/Mancini). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.