West Valley College Academic Senate

Unapproved Minutes

Tuesday,  April 15, 2003

Academic Senate Office, Ext. #2075

 

 1.0.     Call to Order

            The meeting was called to order at 3:15 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

Guests: 

 

   

                 

 1.2      Approval of the Minutes

            The minutes for the April 8, 2003, meeting were accepted and approved as submitted (M/S/U – Sarlo/Buendia-Bangle).

 

1.3       Order of the Agenda  

            No changes were made to today’s agenda.

             

2.0       Oral Communication From the Public  

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

 

 3.0      Information & Announcements (College & District)

            1. On behalf of the Academic Senate and the Faculty of WVC, President King expressed her gratitude to the Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) Honor Society for organizing the April 10th  "Rally at West Valley.”  At least 100 students and a few faculty members participated as the rally traveled across the campus to end at the Campus Center, where students spoke in opposition to the California State budget cuts in education.

             

4.0       Administrative Business/Actions/Appointments

4.1       Committee Appointments – No appointments were made today.

 

5.0       Reports

             

5.1       Review Board Agenda/District Council  -  Linda referred to Item 6.9 in the Board Agenda packet to be considered by the Board on April 17th dealing with the Participation in the  CCLC Cash Flow Financing Program. Her concern was that the whole text was not received at DBAC or District Council, and she does not understand the pro’s and con’s of the program.  She asked the Senators to review the item and let her know if they had any concerns.

5.2       College Council – No report was made today.

5.3       President’s Report – See Item 6.1

 

6.0       New Business

6.1       Update on Budget Cuts & Concerns

            Linda reported that she and Jane Patton, President of the MC Academic Senate met with the President of the Board of Trustees, Chris Constantin, Vice President Jack Lucas, and Chancellor Arterberry on Thursday, April 10th at 5:00 p.m.  The meeting lasted for approximately one and a half hours.  The concerns of the District Academic Senate were conveyed.  As directed by the Academic Senate, the Chancellor and the Board President were asked to respond within 72 hours with an inventory of the negative effects the proposed faculty dismissals will have on educational programs, a rationale and plan for remedying the negative effects, and a plan for resolving all other complaints.  The Chancellor claimed that 72 hours was too short a turnaround time, and Linda and Jane agreed to a “timely” response. 

 

            A lengthy discussion ensued, regarding the appropriate way to proceed.  Some expressed that all avenues of cooperation must be exhausted.  It was noted by others that the Academic Senates have taken sequential steps in an attempt to work cooperatively with the administration at both the college and district level.   It was stated that even though the focus has been on the Chancellor, the college administration has not demonstrated support for the institution, its faculty, and the goals of the institution, nor does it appear that they have advocated for the institution.  The faculty has a right to expect its administrators to represent the college well and courageously, and not permit actions that will destroy the college.  President Fox has not been to the Senate since announcing the 25% reduction.  There have been no recent all college meetings or forums or attempts to pull the college community together and establish an “esprit de corps.”  In response, other Senators referred to the President as acting on the directions of her supervisor, the Chancellor.  It was also suggested that the Academic Senate should formulate a goal, find parties that have a similar set of goals and aggressively pursue them to work together to resolve the current situation.  Another view stated was that faculty is the leadership of this college and must strongly take control of the situation. 

 

            It was suggested that the Academic Senate adopt the following goals:  1)  develop a sound proactive fiscal model, and 2) move in conjunction with ACE to a binding arbitration model. Linda stated that for now the rescission of the layoff notices is her immediate goal and she asked for guidance regarding action she should take the next week.  

 

            Linda reported on the Area B meeting and sent an e-mail out to all faculty describing information received at the meeting.  Hoke Simpson and several members of the ASCCC Executive Council were present at the Area B meeting, along with the Senate Presidents and representatives of other area colleges.  Discussion at the meeting indicated that other community colleges in the state were responding to the budget deficit in more carefully planned ways than our district. They were cutting the budget with much less negative effect on educational programs and morale.

 

            As discussion continued the Senators agreed that it is imperative that the information requested of the Chancellor and the Board be presented prior to the April 18th hearing.  The Senators directed President King to advise the Chancellor and the Board that the deadline for this information is Thursday, April 17, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. (M/S/U – Ellis/Mingione).  President King indicated she would do as directed pending approval from President Patton.

 

6.2       Develop Procedures and Weighed Criteria for Program Discontinuance

            The April 1, 2003 draft of the WVCAS Policy and Process for Program Discontinuance was discussed. The revisions in it were in response to College Council input and other input from the campus community.  Vivian Lock and Linda King crafted the April 1st draft.  Joan Sarlo indicated she would have additional input for April 22nd, as may others.  King hopes that the Senate can complete the document at that meeting.  Meanwhile, the old Program Discontinuance Procedures are in affect.

 

7.0       Future Agenda Items

            No items were added.

 

8.0       Correspondence, Publications, and Announcements

            Correspondence

            Publications/Minutes

            1.   The minutes for the February 19, 2003, meeting of the WVC Curriculum Committee and the agenda for April 16, 2003.

            2.   The meeting summary for the April 3, 2003, meeting of the College Council.

            3.   The Budget Reduction Criteria document developed by a DBAC subcommittee.

            4.   The agenda for the April 17, 2003, meeting of the MWV Land Corporation.

            5.   The proposed Administrative Services reductions for FY 03/04 per discussion at the District Council.

            6.   The agenda for the April 17, 2003, meeting of the Board of Trustees.

            7.   The agenda for the April 10, 2003, meeting of the WVC College Council.

            Announcements/Conferences

            1.   The 15th Annual Hawaii National Great Teachers Seminar will be held August 10-15, 2003, at the Kilauea Military Camp in Hawaii.

            2.   The WVMCCD Recognition Reception will be held at Lou’s Village, Wednesday, May 20, 2003, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

9.0       Adjournment

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