Mission College Academic Senate

                                                        Ext. 5413

Unapproved  Minutes

Thursday,  October 30, 2003 

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by Vice President Brennan at 2:35 p.m.  President Braun and Senator Zeisler are attending the Fall Plenary Session of the Academic Senate for CCCs.

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Braun      (Ext. 5355) Pres/Tech

    X

   

Martin     (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

    X

   

Brennan    (Ext. 5313)  Comm

     

    X

Musat      (Ext. 5331) Math

 

   X

Charland  (Ext. 5046)  Stud. Dev.

 

    X

Oliver      (Ext. 5427)  AAS

 

   X

Cox        (Ext.5164) CommSvc

 

    X

Perlas      (Ext. 5041)  Stud.Dev.

 

   X

Dooley    Ext. 5379)   AAS

 

    X

Rivas      (Ext. 5282)  CATA

     

   X

Johnson   (Ext.5277) CATA

    X

 

Rosner      (Ext. 5317) ESL

 

   X

Laird       (Ext. 5186) SocScience

 

   X

Smebye   (Ext. 5305) CommServ

 

   X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

   X

   

Zeisler     (Ext. 5426) Comm

   X

   

Other:  B.Grayson (Staff Dev)

   X

 

ASB Reps. B.Casillas,

 

   X

Guests: 

   

    X

ASB Rep.  R.Holt

    X  

   

 

II.     Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the meeting of October 23, 2003, were accepted and approved (M/S/U – Dooley/Oliver) with the following correction to Item VIII.B (Page 2), second paragraph, third sentence as indicated by bold underlined:     “Kingsford College is a commuter college like Mission and most of the students are at-risk students.”

 

III.    Order of the Agenda  -  There were no changes to today’s agenda.

             

 IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            Chris Olson, the college’s Research Analyst presented an initial report on prerequisites, specifically the effect of English 108A on transfer level courses.  Chris indicated that because Datatel makes it difficult to obtain access to system data, his report is based on a small sample taken from two courses randomly selected from the Social Sciences and the Arts.  The intent of this initial study, which took countless hours, is to show what role, if any, an English 108A skill level plays on student success.

 

            The sample was divided into three groups:

                      1.  Students that previously passed 108A or had a placement level of 1A.

                2.   Students not having passed 108A, passed a lower English course or had a lower placement level.

                3.   Students with no previous course or placement test history at MC or WVC.

 

            The data included statistics on students who achieved a grade of A or B, the pass rate (A,B,C), the drop rate, and the failure rate (D,F,NC,W) in a transfer level class. The greatest disparity in success rates was between the first and second category of students as listed above. The least successful students were those in the second and third categories listed above. The data clearly indicated that the students that had previously passed 108A, or had a placement level of 1A, were far more successful (with 71% success rates) than those who had not reached that skill level (with 17% success rates). Of the students who had not passed 108A, none were able to achieve A or B grades, and the 17% that passed transfer level courses did so with a “C” grade.

 

            The Senators applauded Chris for his report and his hard work.  It was agreed that this is an important issue that stemmed from the Accreditation Report, and the Senate needs to seriously consider the issue of prerequisites in the near future for the sake of the students.  Prerequisites could support the success of students.  This item is on the future agenda for further discussion.

                                                                                                                                   

V.      Information & Announcements 

         1.  Senator Charland announced that 45 colleges are expected to participate in tonight’s Transfer Night event at the college. The Senators were also reminded to attend the reception to honor the college’s high achievers immediately following today’s meeting.

 

VI.    Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

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

 B.     Staff Recognition -  No resolutions were brought forward.

 C.     Committee Appointments  -  No committee appointments were made.

 D.     Oral Reports

       1.  Staff Development – No report was presented at today’s meeting.

         2.   Others:  None

 

VII.   Old Business

 

   A.   Discuss Status of Resolution of No Confidence in Chancellor

            Vice President Brennan stated that this item remains a standing item on the agenda and asked if anyone had any comments. 

 

            Senator Perlas reported that she and others met with Chancellor Arterberry last Friday.  The Chancellor stated his goal not to have any layoffs and he voiced his commitment to reaching the Faculty Obligation Number, which should be determined by mid-November.  During the brief discussion that followed, it was stated that the same promises had been made last year.  It was noted that the District Academic Senate has passed a resolution of no confidence and still has the option of taking a vote of no confidence. It was agreed that the Senate must continue to monitor and document the situation and how the Chancellor follows through on his commitments.             

 

  B.    Consider Emeritus Faculty Serving on Tenure Review Teams

         Jonathan explained that this issue was brought to the WVC Academic Senate by several faculty at West Valley College due to the fact that emeritus faculty were pulled from tenure review teams, some after serving three and a half years of the four year term. The rationale provided by the district was that the language in the ACE Contract refers to “regular” faculty as serving on tenure review teams. 

 

            It was stated that the question appears to pertain to more than one issue:  1) Should faculty serving on tenure review teams that retire and become emeritus faculty be allowed to continue serving on the team, and 2)  Should emeritus faculty be appointed to tenure review teams.  Several spoke to the issue indicating support for the continued participation of emeritus faculty in the college’s affairs for their expertise and historical perspective. Many emeritus faculty continue to teach within the district and serve on committees as do Associate Faculty members.  The minutes from the West Valley College Academic Senate (WVCAS) were reviewed and a motion to adopt the WVCAS’s motion was made (M/S – Dooley/Smebye).  Discussion continued briefly and a call for the question (M/S/U – Oliver/Charland) passed unanimously.  The following motion was passed (M/S/P – Dooley/Smebye):   

 

            “that the Mission College Academic Senate opposes the recently imposed District policy of not allowing emeritus faculty to serve on a tenure review team; and furthermore, that the Academic Senate request ACE negotiate the inclusion of emeritus faculty on tenure review teams.”

 

            The West Valley College Academic Senate will be notified of this Senate’s approval.   

VIII.  New Business

 

A.      Discuss Bookstore Concerns re: Markup on Wraps

            Senator Musat reported that the Math Department is concerned about reports that indicate that the bookstore markup on textbooks is 33% and textbook packages, which include free supplemental materials, have a markup of 44%. The students are paying 10% more than necessary. 

 

            Several Senators brought up additional issues of concern pertaining to the bookstore. Some reported that their book orders were not filled as directed, others indicated lack of service and cooperation from bookstore personnel.  It was agreed that these are serious concerns that need to be addressed by the Senate. The Senators were directed to bring the matter to their constituents and be prepared to discuss areas of concern at the next Senate meeting.  A copy of the current contract was requested for that meeting and the manager of the bookstore will be invited to participate in the discussion.                                                                            

 

X.     Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence

         1.   An e-mail message dated October 24, 2003, from Victoria Lewis, Interim Vice Chancellor, with an update on the District’s budget.

**       2.   Letter dated October 21, 2003, from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) to announce that Erlinda Estrada has been appointed by the ASCCC to the Counseling and Library Faculty Issues Committee for the 2003/2004 academic year.

         Publication/Minutes

         1.   The WVMCCD GOALS Update  newsletter from the Office of Sponsored Research & Grants.

            2.   The agenda packet for the October 27, 2003, meeting of the MC Curriculum Review Committee.

            3.   The minutes for the October 1, 2003, meeting of DBAC.

            4.   The agenda for the October 22, 2003, meeting of GAP and the approved summary notes for the October 8, 2003, meeting of GAP.

         Announcements/Conferences

         1.   The MC Staff Development Teaching and Learning Center will offer a homegrown Great Teachers Seminar during January break, on Thursday and Friday, January 22 and 23, 2004.  Part 1 of a Teaching and Learning class will be offered during the week of January 26th, and   a Professional Development Day is scheduled for January 29th.  Additional information is available from Betty Grayson, Staff Development Coordinator.

            2.   Student Learning Outcomes Workshops are scheduled October 2003 through April 2004.  San Francisco City College will hold a workshop on November 7, 2003, and Chabot College on March 12, 2004.  Additional information is available from Staff Development.

**       3.   Mission College Librarian Erlinda Estrada has been appointed by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges to the Counseling & Library Faculty Issues Committee for the 2003/04 academic year.

 

XI.    Future Agenda Items

No new items were introduced at today's meeting.

 

XII.   Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m. (M/S/U – Oliver/Charland).  These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.