A World of Cultures United in Learning
Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Room 5301
Senate Representatives: Lottie Bain, Kay Harrison, Alan Kirshner,
Bunny
Others present:
Ralph, Vicki Curtis, Rob Smedfjeld, Jim Wright, Deb Parziale, Leta Stagnaro
1. Announcements
Carolyn Strickler is attending a colloquium.
2. Approval of Minutes
Minutes approved with correction.
3. Proposed 2007-2008 Academic Calendar - Myers
- Senate will continue to discuss the possibility of holding a January 2008 Intersession. The Senate would like to gather information on what types of courses faculty would like to teach.
Feedback on the Calendar:
- Starting spring one week earlier (to avoid graduation during finals week) would overlap with Intercession. Also, Ralph Kindred needs that break to prepare for spring semester. It would impact the current planning cycle.
- Optional flex days Aug 20-23 are labeled “optional flex days” Do we want to label it “Learning College Activities Week?” UFO doesn’t want to use the word “flex;” as it is still in the contract that we fulfill 2 days optional, 1 day fixed. Activities would not be labeled not as “flex,” although they would be reported to state as “flex.”
- Labor day weekend- Sat/Sun classes don’t start until the second week of classes; this is a problem for students wanting to add after the second week of classes has ended. Suggest labeling those classes as “late start” classes to avoid this problem. Could also consider starting fall semester one week later.
- Should
Motion: Accept calendar unchanged if July 3 is not a legal holiday for classified with the possibility that graduation could be moved to May 23. (Kirshner) Second Loukianoff
Motion passed.
4. Tennis as an Ohlone Sport - Wright
The tennis team was discontinued about 15 years ago, and the courts fell into disrepair.
Proposed strategy is
to encourage an increase of full time students by including co-curricular
activities to attract them. The tennis
courts have been renovated. The
5. Proposal for Faculty Positions - Wright
Proposals: 1) to fill vacancy in Computer Studies with a full-time position in Exercise Science and Wellness and 2) to create a new faculty position in Environmental Science and Technology. Jim requests Senate endorsement of these two positions so that the hiring process can take place in the spring.
Jim has asked Senate to carry out process of educational planning for filling faculty vacancies whether or not funding is available for hiring, particularly in anticipation of retirees within the next 3-5 years.
The need is urgent, as the
The Computer Studies position is not needed. This move would return the number of PE faculty positions to what it was.
Alan Kirshner
stated his concern that too often at
Motion: Restore the
PE position. Fill the computer studies position with an Environmental Science
and Technology faculty member. (Bain) Second
(
6 Ayes
1 Abstention
6. Retreat for Prioritization of New Faculty Positions - Myers
Susan will schedule a Senate retreat in January prior to the beginning of the spring semester to complete the educational planning process for filling faculty vacancies.
7. Basic Skills Coordination Team Proposal - Wright
Basic skills courses are non-AA degree applicable. Currently 86% of students test into basic skills writing classes; 67% test into basic skills reading; 20% test into transfer level math; 36% test into math 190/151. Those numbers are low; however, numbers for CSU are comparable.
During the 2005 calendar year, the English and Math departments held meetings which resulted in certain conclusions about basic skills courses. Currently we have basic skills courses, but no basic skills program. Since then the assessment instrument has been changed to Acuplacer, a computerized, sequentially scored instrument that provides immediate results to students. Wayne Takakuwa is conducting validation sessions with subject-area faculty.
Jim distributed a handout outlining 8 characteristics the College would like to model in a basic skills program. The goal is to institutionalize this, led by a Basic Skills and Supplemental Instruction Coordination Team.
A large amount of money is available at the state level for basic skills programs
Motion: The Faculty Senate supports the approach the college is taking with respect to institutionalizing a basic skills program. (Kirshner)
Second (
Motion Passed.
8. Learning Communities Advisory Group Proposal - Curtis
Vicki Curtis proposed the formation of a learning community advisory group to carry out long range planning, develop guidelines for appropriate linkage of courses, and promote learning communities on campus.
Motion: Faculty Senate supports the formation of a
Learning Community Advisory Group to promote the success of learning
communities. (
Second: Bain
Motion passed.
9. Board of Trustees Reorganization - Myers
Faculty Senate needs to keep the issue of Trustee Brunton’s censure going. While content that he was removed as president, the Senate is disturbed that Board has not censured him.
Senate thanks Nick Nardolillo for allowing the faculty to speak. Censure is still needed for his continued comments and implications, specifically his recent comments about the HP scandal, and his implication that Dr. Treadway is not bringing information to the board in a timely manner—these kinds of statements will continue until he is censured for his remarks. He has also implied that the rest of the Board members are not doing their jobs.
It was suggested that Senate ask the Board investigate those things that can be substantiated- circumstances in which he has embarrassed the college, president, and board..
10. President's Report - Myers
Associate Degree
The State Senate will make a recommendation to the chancellor’s office regarding the Associate degree. There are 5 very different proposals; one or all could be voted on next week.
Two most viable proposals: 1) to define the difference between the AS and AA degrees and 2) to have a single title for the Associate degree. Do we want the state to make this decision or leave it up to each individual college?
Senate supports a state definition of the AS and AA degrees.
Senate recommends removing “transfer” from Associate degrees because students don’t necessarily fulfill all requirements for a university degree.
College Committees
There have been many requests for committees; any committee that needs to fill vacancies may go ahead and recruit.
Task Forces
Task Forces that reported to College Council no longer function.
Faculty Vacancy Prioritization Process
Suggested date for Senate pre-semester retreat: Thursday, January 25. There may be other faculty who need to be there. The current prioritization process contains questions that need to be addressed. Susan will put this item on the agenda some time before January.
Faculty computers
There is a surplus in the faculty computer line in the budget. The current inventory will be reviewed; need to formally assess faculty computer needs.
11. All Other Business
Senators for 2005 - 2006
Building 1 & 5 Bunny Klopping
Building 2 & Hyman Hall Kay Harrison Committees Chair
Building 4 &
Building 6 & 7 vacant
Building 8 Carolyn Strickler Rep to CCLC
Building 9 & NOC vacant
Counseling and LR&IT Susan Myers President
Deaf Studies & Special Services Nancy Pauliukonis Secretary
Exercise Science & Wellness Lottie Bain
Fine Arts, Business, & Broadcasting vacant
Health Sciences Heidi Story
Lang. Arts & Soc. Sci. (English & ESL) Barbara Tull Vice-President
Lang. Arts & Soc. Sci. (other depts.) Alan Kirshner
Math, Sci., & Tech. (ASTR, BIOL, BIOT,
CAOT, CHEM, CS, & PHYS) George Rodgers
Math, Sci., & Tech. (other depts.) Victoria Loukianoff Treasurer