West Valley College Academic Senate

Unapproved Minutes

Tuesday,  April 1, 20037

Academic Senate Office, Ext. #2075

 

 1.0.     Call to Order

            The meeting was called to order at 2:07 p.m. by President King.

 

 1.1      Roll Call

 

Senators

   A

   P

Senators

   A

   P

 

Berlani      (Ext. 2563)   Science

    

   X

Kopernik (Ext.2578) Lib/TechCtr

 

   X

 

Brueckner  (Ext. 2472)  FineArts

   

   X

Lock      (Ext. 2442) Pres-Elect

 

   X

Buendia-Bangle(Ext.2476)StudSer

 

   X

Mingione (Ext. 2075)  AF/Bus

   X

 

Carey       (Ext. 2419) AtLge/Bus

 

   X

Sarlo        (Ext. 2526)  PE

 

   X

Cisneros   (Ext. 4014) English

   X

   

Schock     (Ext. 2447)  Business

   X

   

Ellis        (Ext. 2568)  Math

 

   X

Smith      (Ext. 4082)  LangArts

 

   X

Javan       (Ext. 2498)  AAS

 

   X

Thelin      (Ext. 2147) SocSci

   X

   

King        (Ext. 2547)  At-Large

 

   X

Hasty      (Sub for Thelin)

  

   X

Guests: A.Braun,M.Conroy

S Juarez, P.Mancini, J.Patton

 

   X

   X

Guests:   M.Reed

 

   X

 

1.2       Approval of the WVCAS Meeting Minutes for March 11, 2003

            The minutes for the March 11, 2003, meeting were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U – Javan/Brueckner).

 

1.3       Approval of the DAS Meeting Minutes for March 18, 2003

            The minutes for the March 18, 2003, meeting were accepted and approved (M/S/U – Smith/Kopernik) with the following corrections:

 

            Page 1, Item I.4 (Oral Communication from the Public) first paragraph: Senator Charland read a summary of an open letter from Don Cordero to be presented to the Board.  Senator Charland requested that the minutes include Don’s statement that he does not feel that it is in the best interest of the district to move forward with a vote of no confidence at this time.

 

            Page 1, Item I.1 (Roll Call):  Senators Oliver and Musat were not listed and both were absent.  Marge Faulstich was present.

 

            Page 3, Item, II.1 b) (Establish Policy and Subcommittee on Possible Faculty Reductions):

 

            “A study of district-wide services was reported.  The cost of these services have increased 2.27% since last year.”

 

            Senator Brennan requested that it be clarified that the increase was over a three-year period, going from 12.47% in 2001, to 12.2% in 2002, and to 14.47% in 2003.  The increase becomes a more significant figure when reviewed over the last three years. 

 

 

1.4       Approval of the WVCAS Meeting Minutes for March 20, 2003

            The minutes for the March 20, 2003, meeting were accepted and approved (M/S/U – Ellis/Kopernik) with the following corrections:

 

            Item I.0 (Call to Order):  A.M. Wasserbauer was present, Senator Berlani was absent, and Joe Hasty substituted for Peter Thelin.

 

1.5       Order of the Agenda

            It was agreed (M/S/U – Ellis/Brueckner) that Item 6.3 will be addressed immediately following Item 4.0 to accommodate guests from MC Academic Senate.

             

2.0       Oral Communication From the Public  

            May Conroy runs the Teacher and Reading Development Partnership (TRDP) at WVC.  She requested that the Senate consider passing a resolution for presentation at the State Academic Senate. West Valley College is one of thirty-seven community colleges with TRDP grant funding.  The college is one of eight local community colleges and two CSU partners to establish the South Bay Monterey Bay Regional Consortium.  The grant objectives include the recruitment of community college students to consider teaching, particularly students from under-represented populations in the teaching profession; early and frequent field experience; course development and articulation with four year schools; benefit to elementary students being tutored by community college students.  The Senators were provided with a sample resolution for their consideration advocating preservation of the program. The resolution will be considered at a future agenda meeting.   

 

            Ken Colson requested that the Academic Senate place the issue of online instruction on a future agenda.  The district seems not to be aware of changes in the Ed Code, maybe as far back as 1986 and as recent as 2002, relevant to on-line courses that have great implications on state apportionment.  The information was obtained through Ian Walton and has been passed on to Dan Varty and the Curriculum Committee.  Ken urged the Academic Senate to take the lead on this issue.  The change requires evaluation requirements that apparently have not been followed in the district.     This item is to be placed on a future agenda for further discussion.

                                                                                                                       

3.0       Announcements & Recognition

             None were made.

             

4.0       Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

4.1       Curriculum Committee – Linda advised that the Board approved the WVC curriculum packet on March 20th. Trustee Jewett expressed concern that courses were being approved without prioritizing their value.  Linda explained that the Curriculum Committee approves courses, but the FTE allocation to offer the courses takes place at the Performance Goals Committee.  Approving new courses does not mean all classes are taught. Trustee Jewett asked for a possible presentation from the Curriculum Committee. 

4.2       Committee Appointments – No appointments were made today.

4.3       Confirm Senator’s Terms – The following Senators indicated their terms will be completed at the end of this semester: 

            Senator Ellis,  Senator Javan,  Senator Thelin,  Senator Kopernik,  Senator Sarlo,  and Senator Buendia-Bangle 

 

As agreed, the order of the agenda was suspended and moved to Item 6. 3.

 

6.0       Old Business

             

6.3       Status Report on District Academic Senate’s Crisis Subcommittee

            As directed by the Senate at the March 20th meeting, Linda met with Pat Andrews of ACE and Jane Patton, President of the MC Academic Senate to obtain ACE’s input regarding the subcommittee.  Linda reported that it is ACE’s opinion that the task of prioritization should not take place at this time. Linda contacted Hoke Simpson, President of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, as directed.  It is his view that although the prioritization of academic programs falls within the purview of the Academic Senate, it would be wrong to take this action while there are pink slips in effect, which should not have been issued in the first place.

 

            Jane Patton, President of the MC Academic Senate stated that her Senate had asked her to address the WVCAS today to appeal to the Senate to honor the action taken by the District Academic Senate on March 18th.  After this morning’s meeting, she has a new perspective.  She is absolutely convinced that the committee should not meet and she has e-mailed her Senators with the information she obtained this morning.  While the District Academic Senate’s position was appropriate at the time, new information has come to light precipitated by the WVCAS’s action.  It is now her opinion that this committee should not be formed until all the pink slips are rescinded.   Mr. Braun opined that, in effect, the Senate would be participating in a personnel issue, and that does not fall under the purview of the Senate.

 

            Several Senators indicated that the rationale for their decision on March 20th was largely due to a number of faculty who attended the meeting and expressed strong concerns about the process used by top management and the precariousness of their positions.  It was clear that the legalities of the situation were in question and needed to be researched before moving forward.   Jane emphasized that this matter should be discussed further at this Thursday’s District Academic Senate meeting; it is important to share perspectives and ensure that everyone understands.  The role of the Performance Goals Committee (PGC), an ACE committee, is enrollment management.  The roles of the PGC, the DCC, and the Academic Senate are different and must be clearly defined. What is occurring at this time is program slashing and this falls under the purview of the Senate and must be monitored by the Senate.

 

            It was noted that the shortfall has now apparently been reduced to $10.9 million, a difference of almost $5 million, which could translate into a large number of faculty positions.  Under the current time schedule of courses, our fall schedule represents a 40-60% reduction in FTEF.  Counting zeroed classes as zero.  This will have an affect on future income.  In the proposed budget, WVC is projected to have 9,057 FTES.  That’s a larger number that last fall, and we had 500 FTEF.  How can this possibly be accomplished with only 200 FTEF?

 

            During discussion it was stated that both qualitative and quantitative criteria must be developed and incorporated into a District Program Discontinuance Policy for the District Academic Senate’s consideration after May 15th.  Linda reported that Hoke Simpson will attend this Thursday’s DAS meeting.  He has been kept up to date on   the district’s crisis and is prepared to advise the Senate on Thursday.

 

The order of the agenda was resumed.

             

5.0       Reports

5.1       Review Board Agenda/District Council  - President King advised that she will address the Board at its April 17th meeting and strongly urge, yet again, that all pink slips be rescinded as previously requested by the District Academic Senate.

5.2       College Council – The College Council has made some recommendations regarding the Program Discontinuance Policy.  Linda and Vivian have revised the Senate draft to reflect those recommendations and the draft policy will be forwarded to the Senators for their review. The implementation of the policy and the Senate’s role and responsibility in the process was discussed.  The Senators agreed that the Academic Senate must have a strong voice in shaping the college for the future.  The Senate will have to make hard decisions based on quantifiable criteria and will be prepared to stand behind their decisions.  A Senator suggested that, when appropriate, a presentation on the policy and the process be made to all faculty.  Program discontinuance is not about saving money; the policy was never designed to deal with a budget crisis and cannot be tied to the budget. The intent is for such a policy to ensure a more balanced college that meets the needs of students in today’s world, and to consider the interconnections between areas and the impact on all areas involved.  All agreed no action can be taken while pink slips are in effect.

5.3       ACE Issues/Liaison:  Senate Response to ACE Memo 03/20/03  - See Item 6.3

5.4       President’s Report – Linda reported that she and Jane met with the Chancellor as directed by the District Academic Senate.  They prepared an agenda presenting all these concerns of the Senate:  Restoration, Credibility, Shared Governance, Fiscal Problems, and the main point being that faculty are extremely dissatisfied with the reckless pink slip process.  It is her view that the meeting was constructive.  She also believes that there are sufficient funds have been found to make the pink slips unnecessary.   A fuller record of the meeting is available in the Mission College Academic Senate minutes for March 27, 2003.

 

6.0       New Business

 

6.1       Continue Discussion on Budget Cuts & Concerns

            In light of the new projected shortfall, reduced from $15.2 million to $10.9 million, a Senator suggested that the Board set aside the current reduction plan, and that a new plan be developed that includes a review of classes with the least amount of WSCH.  The original cuts were made without any consideration of WSCH, and if such classes were eliminated, the district’s needs might just be met.  It was suggested further that the Performance Goals Committee (PGC) should take out low enrollment courses, determine what faculty can be placed in high enrollment courses, and assign the FTE accordingly.  It may be that some full time faculty will not make a full load this year, but they may be able to make it up next year.  This could prevent any lay-offs. There has been no discussion that addresses management of enrollment at this time.  The intent of such planning would be to maintain our WSCH goals, which must be achieved in order to maintain our apportionment funding.

 

            Another issue raised was the 50% law.  The law requires that at least 50% of funding must be designated for instructional purposes.  We are currently at approximately 50.6%, and if the number of faculty is reduced significantly, a larger percentage will be used for non-instructional purposes.  It is clear that the faculty is doing its job, the colleges are abiding by the 50% rule, the WSCH goals have been met or exceeded, the faculty is not earning  a higher salary than other colleges (we are #6), and the district is close to the 75/25 ratio requirement.  The current approach must be reconsidered.

 

6.2       Report & Discussion on Possibility of New Bond Election

            A list of the 2002 Bond election list projects was provided to the Senate members.  Although it is agreed that the Bond will aid instruction, the cost of holding the election is approximately $100,000. This equals the value of two faculty positions.  The major question, of course, is whether it is possible to win the election in light of the position taken by the Saratoga neighbors.  Senator Ellis reported that he  discussed the matter with the Chancellor and Trustee Schwartz.  Although the stadium issue has been removed from the table at this time, Trustee Schwartz  stated his view that local individuals will strongly oppose a Bond unless the college issues a statement in perpetuity that a stadium will never be built at WVC. 

 

            Linda opined that the Board has already decided to move forward with a Bond election; the $100,000 has been budgeted.  In order for the Bond to pass, the faculty and staff will have to work very hard.  The campus is over 30 years old and much is needed.  However, since the $100,000 could save two faculty positions, it might be wise to hold back the election for one year.  The general consensus, however, was that the Senate does not oppose moving forward with the election.

 

6.4       Discuss Faculty Recognition Event Planning

            The Senators will have to make their selections as soon as possible, and Vivian recommended that the event be held prior to May 7th.  As Staff Development Coordinator for WVC, she is planning events to bring the college community together, i.e. a picnic in April.  The Senators were asked to think about where and when to make the presentations. The senators at the next meeting will review the candidates’ forms.                                                       

 

 7.0      New Business

 

 

 

7.1       Discuss Leadership Crisis; Senior Executive Management

            This matter will be discussed at this Thursday’s District Academic Senate meeting.  Before any decisions are made, it is important to hear Hoke Simpson’s opinion on our particular situation.  There was a brief discussion on the meaning and value of a Vote of No Confidence, noting that it generally means that we no longer have confidence in the leadership.  It is a “last straw” action.  Only the Board, however, has the power to sever the contract of an administrator.

 

7.2       Lab Consolidation Task Force

            This item was postponed to the next meeting                                    

 

8.0       Future Agenda Items

            No new items were added today.

 

9.0       Correspondence, Publications, and Announcements

            Correspondence

            1.  E-mail message from the CCLS with an update on Mid-year cuts.

            Publications/Minutes

            1.   The  minutes for the March 5th ,March 19th meetings and the agendas for the March 12, 2003, and March 26, 2003, meeting of DBAC.  The April 2nd meeting is cancelled and the next DBAC meeting will be held on April 9th. 

            2.   The minutes for the March 10, 2003, meeting of the Division Chair Council.

            3.   The Revisions to the Disciplines List from the Board of Governors, CCC, dated November 12-13, 2002.

            4.   The March 24, 2003, issue of FA NEWS  from the Foothill-DeAnza Faculty Association.

            5.   The March 28, 2003, issue of DVC FORUM from the Diablo Valley College Faculty Senate.

            6.   The meeting summary for the February 27th, March 13th, and March 20, 2003, meetings of the College Council.

            7.   A Public Health Announcement from the County of Santa Clara on SARS.

            8.   The agenda for the March 20, 2003, meeting of the Board of Trustees.

            9.   The meeting notes for the March 12, 2003, meeting of the Information Literacy Task Force.

            10. The agenda for the March 20, 2003, meeting of the Mission-West Valley Land Corporation.

            Announcements/Conferences

            1.   The district Recognition Reception will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at Lou’s Village from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

 

10.       Adjournment

            The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m. (M.S.U – Lock/Ellis). These minutes are respectfully submitted by Grace Hazán, Academic Senate Secretary.