Las Positas College Academic Senate (Approved) Minutes, room 2201 2:30 4:30 p.m. Present: Absent: Guest: Kevin Ankoviak, TeriAnn Bengiveno, Janet Brehe-Johnson, Greg Daubenmire, James Gioia, Ruth Hanna, Terry Johnson, Keith Jolly, Melissa Korber, Stuart McElderry, Margaret Richards, Sarah Thompson, Paul Torres Christine Acacio, Richard Dry, Lauren Hasten, Anthony Leaños (ASLPC), Donna Manning, Maureen O Herin, Cynthia Ross, Lisa Weaver, Jinna Wilson Aji Hassan (ASLPC) 1. Call to Order: President Korber convened the meeting at 2:35 p.m. 2. Establishment of Quorum: Quorum was established. 3. Agenda President Korber asked for a motion to approve the agenda as written. Jim Gioia requested an amendment to the agenda. It was requested under item 7A, Unfinished Business, it be changed to a discussion regarding the Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Report and Recommendations. President Korber asked for a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion: MSC: To approve the agenda as amended. T. Bengiveno/M. Richards Unanimous in favor 4. Approval of November 30, 2005 Minutes President Korber asked for a motion to approve the minutes of November 30, 2005, as written. Dr. Ankoviak clarified when a Call the Question is announced, it requires a vote to close discussion first, afterwards the item may be voted on. Motion: MSC: 5. Reports To approve the minutes of November 9, 2005, as written. T. Bengiveno/M. Richards All in favor - unanimous A. President s Report (attached to agenda) Melissa Korber 1. District Curriculum Committee It is on the agenda for further discussion. Feedback is requested on Chabot s proposed changes. 2. Strategic Cost Management The Board of Trustees considered the proposed cuts at the December 13, 2005 meeting. A handout of Mr. Legaspi s presentation was distributed, which included President Korber s notes and comments. Reports given by the college presidents and Chancellor Cota were distributed to everyone via email. Several items in Mr. Legaspi s report were briefly discussed. It was reported by President Halliday that 92.1% of the budget last
Las Positas College Academic Senate Page 2 year was spent on salaries and benefits. This is an increase from 86% just a few years ago. President Korber highlighted several of the proposed cuts by LPC: Elimination of most all on-call hourly. Possible cuts to Outreach Programs. Student Services is working to revitalize programs and services. Laser and Design Technology (drafting) programs will become inactive. Electronics and Computer programs will be reduced. Mass Communication has been restructured. Possible position cuts, which in-turn would become shared positions with Chabot. Reduction in hours of operation, which was somewhat vague but is thought to be for items such as library hours, and possibly for sections that are offered at unpopular times or are unpopular overall. District services will be reduced. There was a brief discussion regarding M & O and what the outcome of the cuts is expected to be for this group. Several senators reported concern that M & O is somewhat understaffed as it is. Security is under review and is one area where potential cuts might be implemented. Cuts are expected at this time to be more structural in nature. Regarding District cuts, it was reported the District will attempt to save money by researching and looking for better energy and telephone savings, reduction of paper costs by copying on both sides, reduction in the amount of administrative and support staff, and costs will be submitted to the state for specific reimbursements. Chabot cuts were highlighted as follows: Programs to be eliminated are HIT, ISLS, and Design Technology. Other programs/services expected to see an impact are Athletics, Dental Hygiene, Tutorial Center, Children s Center, and Service Centers. Ten (10) classified positions are expected to be eliminated and three (3) faculty positions are expected to have adjustments implemented. One interesting item reported is Chabot s Academic Senate had concerns about their Master Plan and the Board of Trustees has not acted upon it to date. Mr. Jolly commented on page 5 of Mr. Legaspi s report and noted the historical data. It is important to keep in mind the District has historically always overstated the deficit. This prompted a brief discussion regarding the actual reserves and deficit. Dr. Ankoviak reported this is being discussed now due to the fact that LPC is being projected to fall below the 5% reserves and end up on the state watch list. The real root of the problem is a reduction of funding by the state. President Korber noted Chad Mark Glen, Chabot Academic Senate President, has brought forth the issue of the Program Discontinuance and Revitalization documents, both colleges have been working on during the semester. With the cuts at Chabot potentially affecting three (3) faculty members and several programs, it might be something to be addressed, as the purpose of these documents is for situations such as this. Several senators inquired if the increasing costs are tied up in compensation as President Halliday reported, then how is cutting what appears to be peripheral programs really going to add up to a tangible amount of savings? Some expressed concerns about the need for budget cuts. President Korber requested everyone read through the reports provided and address any questions, comments, or concerns to her. It was reported at the February 2006 Board Meeting, action is expected to be taken on the proposed lists of cuts.
Las Positas College Academic Senate Page 3 3. Access Bob Kratochvil has followed up on this with President Korber. A new draft policy has been emailed to all senators. Please provide any feedback and/or concerns to President Korber. 4. Holiday Potluck The Classified Senate will host the holiday party in the Staff Lounge from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. on December 15. 5. Tenure Committees A list of appointees to committees was distributed. An interesting item President Korber found out it is that it is the responsibility of the divisions to appoint individuals to the second level. President Korber spoke with past president Sophie Rheinheimer for insight and feedback. Fortunately, the second level appointees noted on the list volunteered. 6. The Statewide Academic Senate Nomination of Dale Boercker for the Hayward Award was completed and submitted. Thanks were given to the Awards and Events subcommittee members, Paul Torres and Margaret Richards, for their efforts. Information pertaining to the Vocational Leadership conference in March was emailed to all senators. It was asked this information be distributed to all those interested in attending. Also, the State Academic Senate sponsors the Stanback Stroud Diversity Award. Nominations are being called for and anyone interested should contact either President Korber or the Awards and Events subcommittee for more information. B. Vice President s Report Cynthia Ross C. Secretary Greg Daubenmire Mr. Daubenmire reported one of Larry Aguilar s parents passed away recently. He was not sure which one it was but would find out and send a card. D. Treasurer Christine Acacio E. ASLPC Representative Anthony Leaños F. Faculty Association and CEMC Kevin Ankoviak Dr. Ankoviak reported Faculty Association negotiations are stagnant with no new items to report. The CEMC has approved the 2006-07 Discipline Plans. LPC got all of the new growth, while Chabot did not. The plans were approved with the caveat that disciplines may be asked to make voluntary cuts, as the plans submitted were over-budgeted by 3-4%. There are several options to accommodate this: President Halliday can use some of her budget to buy FTEF. Disciplines may be asked to make adjustments (cuts). The CEMC is taking a wait and see approach depending on how spring enrollments are. If adjustments are elicited, it will mean one (1) three (3) unit section will need to be cut for every seven (7) FTEF in the Discipline Plan for the year. Michael Sato will be sending an email to all faculty members with an explanation of the approvals. It was reported Chabot will not make base. It will be approximately 120 FTES short. G. SLO Report Maureen O Herin
Las Positas College Academic Senate Page 4 H. Curriculum Report Greg Daubenmire It was reported the only issue is the removal of voting privileges for the student representatives. President Korber announced the student representatives may be invited to a future senate meeting to present their argument. One possibility suggested is to have it during the last hour of a town hall meeting. Aji Hassan, Vice President of the ASLPC, reported he believes a petition has been generated and is currently being circulated among the students. Point of Information: Dr. Ankoviak noted to his knowledge the vote of the student representatives is not being taken away. President Korber clarified that historically the students have had the right to vote on the Curriculum Committee. This privilege was removed recently by the Academic Senate. The students initiated a request to have it re-instated. At least two different votes were taken by the Curriculum Committee with the outcome being the students maintaining their privileges. The Academic Senate recently voted in favor of removing those privileges. Aji Hassan reported it is his belief students would prefer to present their arguments in a town hall format. I. Student Success Report: A copy of the emailed report provided by Frances Hui was distributed. All questions and feedback can be sent to President Korber. J. Division Representatives: Division I Stuart McElderry Division II Maureen O Herin Division III Margaret Richards Division IV Christine Acacio Division V Keith Jolly 6. Public Forum Dr. Bengiveno reported she is concerned by the absenteeism of certain appointed senators during the semester. She requested the topic be added to the agenda for next semester under New Business. There was a brief discussion regarding the policy and procedures for censuring a senator. President Korber acknowledged the concern and reported one possibility might be to review the By-Laws and change the composition of the senate. 7. Unfinished Business A. Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Report and Recommendations (Jim Gioia) As reported earlier, the agenda was changed to accommodate a brief discussion regarding the Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Report and Recommendations document. Discussion on the Philosophy was postponed to the January meeting. It was reported the first portion of the document has been forwarded to President Halliday. The second portion consists of several different matrixes which are proposed to assist faculty in developing their SLO. It was requested this information be read through and reviewed during the holiday break so as to be able to have more detailed discussion early in the new semester. It is at a point where progress need to be shown, as several aspects require implementation in fall 2006.
Las Positas College Academic Senate Page 5 There were several inquiries if this should be taken back to the divisions for discussion and feedback. There was confusion as to when the first division meetings of the new semester will occur. Dr. Ankoviak reported Division III will have a meeting on January 17, which is the first day back from the holiday. Other divisions will not. President Korber indicated it is important this be taken back to the divisions, even if the Academic Senate meets prior to the next division meetings. B. District Curriculum Committee President Korber highlighted changes to the draft document (draft #4) proposed by Chabot. Several of the proposed changes are as follows: the term Committee was changed to Council, as a council was perceived to be more advisory in nature. Most changes were minor with the most controversial being the voting membership. Two (2) vocational faculty members were added as well as an Articulation Officer. There was discussion as to whether or not the Articulation Officer should have voting privileges. President Korber noted this is one area that can be negotiated. Originally, the draft proposed four (4) faculty members at large be appointed. Upon review and consideration it was changed to include a recommendation that of these four, two (2) vocational faculty members be included. It was reported the Faculty Association is content being Ex-Officio members. One additional change was the addition of deans to the membership in an Ex-Officio status. There was a detailed discussion regarding the issue of the membership and attendance, specifically regarding proxy voting and alternates as appointed. Several senators inquired as to the definition of a quorum. It was clarified a quorum is the minimum number of voting members needed to begin a meeting. Usually this is a majority or ½ plus 1. There was concern and confusion regarding the scheduling of the meetings. It was noted currently meetings are held on Friday mornings at the District Office. The importance of having convenient meeting dates/times for committee members was emphasized. President Korber indicated she is soliciting feedback on these changes, as it will have to be presented to Chancellor Cota. C. Resolution on Community Colleges As noted on the agenda, this item has been postponed until the New Year. D. Curriculum Committee Charge Mr. Daubenmire reported there is no new news. E. Waitlist/Priority Numbers Discussion President Korber reported at the recent Board Meeting she spoke with Jeannine Methe about the Banner issue. Ms. Methe works with Banner and volunteered to attend a future senate meeting to highlight aspects of the new version and answer questions. She would be willing to put on a workshop if necessary. All inquiries and questions should be forwarded to President Korber. 8. New Business A. Web Use and Copyright Documents Handouts were provided. This item was previously discussed briefly. Charlotte Lofft has recently solicited feedback on the documents. President Korber indicated she will provide copies of the documents to the Technology staff for their feedback. It was reported Chabot is discussing this matter within their senate. There was a request to take this item back to the divisions for discussion and feedback, with a potential vote being conducted by the senate at an upcoming meeting. Point of Information: Dr. Ankoviak noted any item such as this, which is voted on by the senate will be required to be forwarded on to the Faculty Association. B. Senate Scholarship
Las Positas College Academic Senate Page 6 Last year the amount funded for Senate scholarships was $400.00. It was noted Christine Acacio was not present to provide feedback about cash reserves. President Korber indicated she has received communication from Andi Schreibman inquiring as to the status of scholarships for the 2005-06 year. The deadline to submit items associated with this is early spring. There was a brief discussion with Sarah Thompson putting forth a resolution which recommended keeping the Senate Scholarship amount at $400.00 for the 2005-06 academic year. President Korber asked for a vote on the resolution. Resolution: The Academic Senate recommends maintaining the Senate Scholarship amount at $400.00 for the 2005-06 academic year. Seconded by: T. Bengiveno Unanimous Resolution passed. C. Faculty Symposium There was a brief discussion regarding whether or not this event will be put on. Prior attendance has been somewhat low. There were several ideas with the most popular being to hold it as a portion of a Town Meeting. By consensus it was determined more discussion and feedback is needed to best determine the future of this event, it was agreed it should be postponed to a later meeting. D. Hiring Process for Contract Faculty President Korber noted one oversight to the agenda. This item was not originally on the agenda for this meeting. Upon request, it was added. A handout titled Recommendation and Selection Procedure for Contract Faculty was distributed. It was requested everyone review the document over winter break. It will be added to the next agenda for further discussion. 9. Subcommittee Reports 1. Awards and Events: No report. 2. Academic Fairness: Dr. McElderry and Dr. Bengiveno met with Dr. Machamer to obtain data and discuss grade inflation. It was suggested this problem is a national trend. There was a brief discussion pertaining to the W policies, standardized testing, focus groups, and the SLO relationship/ties. 3. College Governance: President Korber reported there is nothing new to report. The subcommittee requested all campus committees/taskforces complete and/or updates their college worksheet. 4. Academic Integrity: Dr. Ankoviak requested a copy of Chabot s policy. 5. Senate Oversight: 6. Curriculum: 7. Reorganization: 8. Priority/Waitlist: This has been discussed previously and is currently on the agenda. It was felt more discussion and possibly a presentation on a new version of Banner early next year would be beneficial. This item will remain on the agenda at this time. 9. Program Introduction, Revitalization, and Discontinuance: 10. Good of the Order The first meeting in of the New Year will be on January 25. 11. Adjournment There was a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:20 p.m.
Las Positas College Academic Senate Page 7 Motion: MSC: To adjourn the meeting at 4:20 p.m. R. Hanna/M. Richards Unanimous In Favor