Mission College Academic Senate

Ext. 5413

Unapproved Minutes

Thursday, November 21, 2002

 

I.       Call to Order/Roll Call

            The meeting was called to order by President Jane Patton at 2:10  p.m. 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

Brennan    (Ext. 5313)  Comm

     

    X

McAlister (Ext. 5087)  Stud.Dev.

    X

   

Charland  (Ext. 5046)  Stud. Dev.

 

    X

Mancini    (Ext. 5855) AF/HM

 

   X

Dooley    (Ext. 5379)  AAS

   

    X

Martin      (Ext. 5356)  Tech.

    

   X

Estrada     (Ext.5164) CommSvc

    X

     

Musat       (Ext. 5331) Math

   

   X

Guich      (Ext. 5270) Social Sci.

    X

     

Oliver       (Ext. 5427)  AAS

   X

   

Johnson   (Ext.5277) CATA

    X

 

Patton    (Ext. 5296) Comm Stud

 

   X

Lavallo    (Ext. 5399)  Math

 

    X

Rivas       (Ext. 5282)  CATA

    

   X

Light       (Ext. 5717) AF/CIT

    X 

 

Rosner     (Ext. 5317) ESL

    

   X

Lynne      (Ext. 5248) CommSvc

 

    X

Sippel      (Ext. 5118) Comm

   X

   

 

 

 

VanTassel (Ext. 5334) Tech

 

   X

Other: A.Braun (CRC),

 

    X

Other:  B.Grayson (Staff Dev)

       

   X

 S.Ghiya, S. Hanna (ASB Rep.) 

 

    X

C.Toppel (Inst'l Tech)

    

   X

 

Guests

   A

   P

Guests

   A

   P

S.Arterberry, S.Dinger, D.Gonzales, M.Grayson,

    

   X

   X

D.McKay, P.Messerschmidt, W.Negash, H.Pham, C.Toppel

    

   X

   X

             

 II.    Approval of Minutes

            The minutes for the November 14, 2002, meeting were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U -  VanTassel/Charland).

 

III.    Order of the Agenda

         It was agreed, by consensus, that Item A. under New Business is postponed to a future meeting.  No other changes to today's agenda were noted at this time.

 

IV.    Oral Communication from the Public

            Carol Toppel addressed the Senate and Chancellor Arterberry regarding the appointment of an Interim President for Mission College.  She reported that there is great concern regarding a rumor that the appointee may not be an internal member of Mission College.  During these difficult times, it is strongly felt that someone unfamiliar with the college's budget and budget cuts will find it difficult to manage operations on a short-term basis given the learning curve. Carol invited Chancellor Arterberry to seriously consider serving as Interim President of Mission College.  This would provide him with an opportunity to experience the college first-hand. 

 

            Chancellor Arterberry stated that he attended today's meeting, primarily to address this topic.  He reported that he considered Carol's suggestion. He feels, however, that he is too new to the district and not yet ready to assume such a responsibility. He acknowledged that he consulted with all the college's constituent leaders on campus and he noted that they all expressed their rationales for, and stressed the need to appoint someone from Mission College.  He considered three options: 1) appoint an individual from within the institution, 2) appoint an individual from within the district, or 3) select an individual from outside the district.

 

            The Chancellor announced his decision to recommend to the Board of Trustees that Dr. Joseph Samuels be appointed as Interim President of Mission College.  He is hopeful that the President's Search Committee will submit at least three names, and noted that the Academic Senate is actively involved in the selection process; two Senate faculty appointees are serving on the committee.  The final interview will be an all day interview process, with the candidate spending at least one hour with each of the leaders on campus, culminating with dinner.  The Academic Senate President will also be invited to participate in the site visit.  It is his expectation that a permanent appointment will be made in March, hopefully to begin employment in April, and no later than July1, 2003. 

 

            Senator Charland, speaking on behalf of his division, stated that there is considerable concern about the selection.  He emphasized that the concerns expressed are not about the individual selected, but rather about the need to select someone more familiar and involved with this college.  There is great concern that someone unfamiliar with the institution will not be the best person to represent the college at district meetings.  It is preferred that someone from within the college be selected to better represent the needs of the institution.

 

            Classified Senate President Matthew Grayson stated his support for the above statements, and indicated that there is further concern that the selection represents a conflict of interest for Dr. Samuels.  How can Dr. Samuels effectively represent Mission College, particularly in areas dealing with money, in light of the fact that he has to return to his permanent position at West Valley College?

 

            The Chancellor expressed his hope that the two colleges can work together collaboratively and stated that any administrator of value is loyal to the institution he/she works for.  It is his expectation that Dr. Samuels will work hard and diligently for Mission College.  He noted his selection of Steve Kinsella proved to be a positive one.

 

            Steve Dinger addressed the Chancellor and the Senate, noting that a basic difficulty with these two administrators is the incredibly different management style of Mission College and West Valley College.  Much of the work accomplished at Mission College is done from the bottom up, and the college functions well under that style.  The college is fully operational and successful and is no longer a "step-child" of the district.  The stability of the institution is based on appointing someone familiar with the college.  He indicated his support for Dan Matarangas, who operates within the style used at the college.  An outside person may not have the same ability to deal with the flow of the college. 

 

            Peggy Messerschmidt agreed with all that was stated and she too emphasized that none of the statements are intended to reflect on Dr. Samuels.  It is simply difficult to understand why the Chancellor has chosen someone from the other college when all the leaders within the college have recommended the selection should be someone from the college, and when there is an administrator at the same level within the college who could do the job well.

 

            President Patton confirmed all the above concerns, and stated that many are wondering how much weight was given to those who were consulted.  She extended an invitation to the Chancellor to spend as much time as possible at Mission College, because it does not function as most other community colleges do.  The college has a bottom up approach, and this is true of every shared governance group on campus.

 

            Chancellor Arterberry stated that since it appears the objections and concerns do not reflect upon the individual, he asked that the college community give Dr. Samuels a chance.  The real goal is to ensure the selection of a permanent president to fit the college's needs, and he urged that the focus be on that selection.  Jane thanked him for coming and invited him to come back at any time.

 

   V.   Information & Annnouncements (College and District)  -  None were reported.

 

  VI.   Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments      

   A.   Curriculum Committee Report  - Chair Alex Braun advised that 45 separate items will be presented to the Board for approval on December 12th.  He and the Senators applauded the hard work of the committee members.

   B.   Staff Recognition - No resolutions were submitted.

   C.   Committee Appointments

         a)  Innovation Funds Committee - Jane advised that no one has volunteered for this committee.  She advised that this is usually a one-hour commitment and she asked the Senators to recruit someone from within their divisions.   

   D.   ASCCC Exemplary Program Award Nominee  - Jane reported that no applications were submitted.

   E.    Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development  -  Betty asked that her report be presented in conjunction with Item VIII.C.

            2.  District Information Technology Steering Committee - No report.

            3.  Instructional Technology Committee - * Carol Toppel requested that the draft of the Mission College Technology Plan be sent to the Senators for review and to share with their constituents. Carol and Mina Jahan will meet with Steve Kinsella and review the plan to decide how to proceed.  The plan is viewed as a workable, practical plan that will take place in stages, with each component moving forward individually.  The committee is meeting this Wednesday, and she asked that any concerns be addressed as quickly as possible to either Carol or any another committee member.   Carol advised that there is no deadline at this time since the state is not providing any new funding for technology.  The final draft will be presented to the Academic Senate, GAP, the President, etc. 

            *  A presentation was made to the committee at its last meeting on the use of E2-401 as an ESL Language Lab.  Although everyone recognizes that the room is under utilized, the committee feels all parties impacted by such action should be involved in the decision making process. 

            *  Cliff Monroe made a presentation on recycling.  

            *  Additional computer connections are needed on campus and the committee is working with IS and the Tech Plan to incorporate additional power and networks.

            *  The trade-up computer process is moving forward.  There are currently 1,020 computers on campus, including MAC's.

         *  Ian Abell, Fred Chow, and Mina Jahan are working on a draft proposal to the Land Corporation to upgrade computers to ensure that people have the equipment needed to support the level of technology needed in the classroom.

            *   In order to ensure that outlets are accessible for the installation of computers, Carol asked the Senators to advise their division chairs that when new office space and/or computers are assigned, not to place furniture, file cabinets, or boxes in front of the outlets.

 

            At this time, it was agreed, by consensus, to suspend the order of agenda and move to Item VIII.C to accommodate Dianne McKay.

 

VIII.  New Business

 

   C.   Discuss Flex Days Under Compressed Calendar

            In regard to the compressed calendar, Dianne McKay reported she is forming a Calendar Implementation Team to assist in the implementation of a compressed calendar. There are a number of details that need to be resolved. The issue of Flex Days is one of those details.  According to regulations, under the sixteen-week compressed calendar, flex days need to be outside the sixteen instructional weeks.  The West Valley College calendar allows for one day for faculty development, to be held the last Friday in August.

 

            Dianne explained that in order to receive a paycheck in August, at least one day must be spent on campus.  This is problematic, because, historically, Mission College faculty love flex days, using them to great advantage.  Since Mission College wants to move to a compressed calendar, and the recommendation from the major shared governance groups is to model the MC calendar after the WVC model, two challenges are clear: 1) how many Flex Days to have and when to have them, and 2) how to ensure shared governance under the new calendar?  It is her view that the Implementation Team can resolve both issues.  One solution is to hold up the calendar until the problems are solved.  The other is to move forward.  She asked the Academic Senate to consider her recommendation that Mission College adopt a calendar analogous to the West Valley College calendar as a one-year pilot program.   This will give the Implementation Team the opportunity to study and resolve the flex and shared governance issues. 

 

            Betty Grayson reported that the Staff Development Committee has prepared a survey to poll faculty on this matter and indicated her support for Dianne's recommendation.  During discussion, concern was expressed that the flex time may be lost permanently.  Dianne stated that the practical reality is that if MC differs from WVC, ACE says they will have to survey faculty in order to determine what they want and then negotiate accordingly.  At this time there are two calendars on the table - a sixteen-week calendar and a seventeen week calendar.  If any changes are made to the calendars, ACE is required to poll the faculty.  Dianne also stated that the calendar proposal goes to the Board on December 12, 2002, and then to the state Chancellor's Office.  

 

            Jane asked for direction from the Senate, and after some discussion, the following motion was made (M/S/ - Charland/Mancini):

 

            "that the Mission College Academic Senate approve Dianne McKay's recommendation to align (the MC calendar) with the West Valley College's Compressed calendar as a one year pilot program."

 

            During discussion, strong objections to the above motion and concerns were expressed that flex days, once dismantled, will be difficult to retrieve.  In support of the motion, it was stated that the one-year pilot would provide time for the Implementation Team to resolve the issues surrounding Flex and Shared Governance.  Another concern voiced is the faculty's reaction if the Senate recommends delaying the implementation of the calendar for one year.  Ultimately, the Senators passed the above motion.

 

      The order of agenda was resumed.

 

   E.   Oral Reports

         1.  Staff Development - *Betty advised that the Staff Development committee has prepared a survey to be distributed to faculty to determine what types of staff development events they prefer.  January flex day is coming up and she will be meeting with Dr. Samuels, Dianne, and Jane to determine how to proceed for the all campus day.  Division and department meetings can be held from 2:00 p.m. on, and the Division Chairs will be advised as to what types of meetings are acceptable for flex credit.   

           

VII.   Old Business 

 

   A.  Discuss Future Directions of Subcommittees on Graduation Requirements,  By-Laws, and Overall Review of the Curriculum 

            Jane advised that she met with Senators Lynne and Brennan to prepare a timeline for dealing with the changes to graduation requirements.  There are four changes that need to be addressed: 1) Information Competency, 2) Cultural Pluralism, 3) English 1A, and 4) Oral Communication.  A proposed timeline was distributed to the Senators for their review. 

 

            Discussion followed on how to proceed, and it was noted that in order to implement any changes for next year, decisions must be made by early March.  One option is to wait another year if the timeline cannot be met.  Details of the proposal were discussed, and it was agreed that the composition of the Information Competency Task Force should include a representative from Vocational Ed.  There was consensus that the English 1A and Oral Communication requirements will be discussed at a forum on December 5, 2002, at the Senate meeting.  The forum will be broadly advertised.

 

            At this time, it was agreed, by consensus, that the agenda be moved to Item VIII.B.

 

VIII.  New Business (Continued)

 

    B.    Discuss Faculty Membership on District Council

            Jane explained that the District council is a shared governance group that reviews the Board agenda.  The membership of the Council includes the two Academic Senate Presidents, the Classified Senate Presidents, the ACE President, and the administrative representatives.  In order to have balance on the council, a fourth faculty member from the appropriate college is appointed.  If the ACE President is from MC, then the fourth appointee is a WVC faculty member. Last year, a member of the ACE Council occupied the fourth faculty seat without appointment by the Senate.  Historically, that seat has always been a faculty member at-large appointed by the Academic Senate of the appropriate college.   Jane advised that the West Valley College Academic Senate has passed a motion stating that the Senate should appoint the fourth faculty member on the District Council.  Jane also reported that the Chancellor has pointed out that, by law, the Academic Senate makes all faculty appointments to committees.  Jane asked for direction, and a brief discussion ensued.  The following motion was passed unanimously (M/S/U - Charland/Mancini):

 

            "that the Mission College Academic Senate states that the fourth faculty member of the District Council should be appointed by the appropriate Senate."

 

            At this time, Senators Musat and Rosner left the meeting, and the meeting was adjourned due to the lack of a quorum.  The remaining business items were postponed to the next Senate meeting.

           

XI.    Correspondence, Publications, & Announcements

         Correspondence - None

         Publications/Minutes

         1.   The agenda for the November 25, 2002, meeting of the MC Curriculum Review Committee, and the minutes for the November 4, 2002, meeting.           

            2.   The summary notes for the November 13, 2002, meeting of GAP.

            3.   The agenda for the November 21, 2002, Board of Trustees meeting.

            4.   The agenda for the November 21, 2002, meeting of the Mission-West Valley Land Corporation.

         Announcements/Conferences - None

 

XII.   Future Agenda Items

            No items were added.

 

XIII. Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 3:57 p.m. due to the lack of a quorum.

 

            These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.