Fullerton College Faculty Senate

 

Approved Minutes

for the Meeting held May 5, 2005

 

---

 

Present

 

 

 

Academic Services

Doris Wright

 

Business

Jeff Courchaine, Dale Craig

 

Counseling

Karyn Nguyen

 

Fine Arts

Bill Hayner

 

Humanities

Renee Bangerter, Danielle Fouquette

John Ison, Miguel Powers, Jeff Rodine,

 

Library

Michele Fitzsimmons

 

Math/Computer Science

Kelly Klassen, Deborah McQueen

 

Natural Sciences

Ken Collins, Karen Robinson

 

Part-Time Faculty

Brenda Terry

 

Physical Education

Jim Kiefer

 

Social Sciences

Calista Lee, Arienne Turner

 

Student Services

 

 

Technology/Engineering

Dennis Howey, Kevin Sampson

 

 

 

 

At-large

Elise Donley, Pamela Lewin

Adela Lopez, Marcus Wilson,

 

 

 

 

Associated Students

Araz Pourmorad

 

 

 

 

President

Rolando Sanabria

 

President-elect

Joumana McGowan

 

Secretary

Jane Troop

 

Treasurer

Behnoosh Armani

 

At-large, Curriculum Chair

 

 

 

 

Guests:  Sam Foster, Liz Kiszely Mary Hulett, Kevin Cole, Jarrod Moore

 

 

 

Absent

 

 

 

At-large

Paul Farnham, Ken Lewis, Tonomo Taguchi

 

Humanities

Kathleen Engstrom

 

Part-Time

Jim Book

 

Physical Education

Pete Snyder

 

Natural Sciences

Brad Dawson, Jeff Feaster

 

Social Sciences

Susan Grabiel

 

 

I.                     CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. by President Rolando Sanabria.

 

II.                   APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the April 21, 2005 meeting were approved by consensus.

 

III.                  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

The agenda for this meeting was approved with one change by consensus.

 

IV.                PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Liz Kiszely commented on the institutional investment of PERS and CalSTRS in companies doing business with the Sudan. It was pointed out that according to most reputable news sources, the government of the Sudan is engaged in the systematic extermination of hundreds of thousands of people in that region of the world, which has been characterized by agencies of the United Nations as “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”  Recently, the government of the Sudan has sponsored attacks on refugee camps. The continuing investments by PERS and CalSTRS in companies dealing with the government of the Sudan raises a significant ethical issue.  The phone number for STRS is (916) 229-3870.

 

Karyn Nguyen announced that the transfer recognition ceremony will be held in the Quad on Friday, May 20, 2005, from 2 pm. to 4 p.m.

 

Adela Lopez mentioned the Cinco de Mayo celebration this evening.

 

V.                  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

President’s Report

 

One of the issues at PCC concerns approval of new campus positions. Since this approval process includes review by PCC and since PCC does not meet during the summer, Dr. Hodge expressed a concern about the way to approve needed positions in a timely manner. This is part of the general restructuring process being carried out by Dr. Hodge. Since summer is normally a less busy time for campus managers, it was proposed that some of the restructuring be done during the summer. This would entail PCC reviewing new position proposals.

 

This was not met with a great deal of support in the Senate. Various senators reminded the body that in previous years shared-governance decisions have been made during the summer without faculty input. It was the sense of the Senate that faculty representatives on PCC not meet with that body during the summer.

 

The Senate supported the A.S. Smoking Proposal that was passed by PCC. This proposal called for further study on the campus smoking issue.

 

Another issue raised at PCC concerned institutionalizing current positions on campus. The Directorship of International Students was converted to an on-going position (funded by on-going dollars) because it will bring in more income than it costs. Another position being suggested for institutionalization is the Directorship of Distance Education.

 

During discussion in the Senate, it was pointed out that this position has normally been filled by faculty on release time. It was also pointed out that neither the need for this position nor the tasks that fall under this position have yet been clearly defined. Members of the Senate voiced their belief that before agreeing to the institutionalization of this position, the Senate needs to get more details.

 

At PCC Dr. Hodge requested input on criteria for allocating the instructional equipment money being centralized from divisional budgets. This money would be allocated for instruction-related activities based on a set of criteria. These criteria need to be clearly defined.

 

The issue of restructuring PCC was also raised in the Senate. The new PCC structure will be four managers, four faculty, two classified, and two students. Various Senators raised the issue of who will be the chair of PCC. It was felt that it would be inappropriate for the college president to chair this committee and that the chair should be elected from the PCC members.

 

President Sanabria reported that there has been progress on the District Unlawful Discrimination Policy. This policy, as written, did not require the District to inform faculty members being investigated. The district faculty (as represented by all three Senate bodies and United Faculty) strongly objected to this policy. Indications are that this will be changed.

 

There was a healthy discussion of the Academic Freedom Policy held at DPC. A Senator, Kevin Sampson, attended and conveyed the concerns of the Senate. Although the discussion was good, the Academic Freedom Policy written by the Faculty has, as yet, not been accepted.

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

No report.

 

VI.                CURRICULUM COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Curricunet package, which will help the district manage curriculum, will be purchased from the colleges’ budgets.

 

The Student Learning Outcomes workshops, currently being conducted by the Curriculum Chair, are successful and drawing a large number of participants.

 

The Curriculum Committee will not meet again this spring.

 

It was announced that the State is requiring colleges to identify online and hybrid courses with a separate form rather than identify the class within the standard course outline. When presenting curriculum, faculty will be asked to identify how the course will be taught—online or hybrid.

 

 

VII.       ELECTIONS

 

The following were elected as at-large Senators:  Callista Lee, Marcus Wilson, Sally Moore.

 

It was announced that there are openings for four faculty representatives on the Educational Technology Committee.

 

VIII.             UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

None.

 

IX.                 OLD BUSINESS

 

The issue of the responsibilities of Senate PCC representatives was again discussed. The sense of the Senate was that PCC representatives must follow the Senate Constitution, which clearly requires all Senate appointed committee members to follow the direction of the Senate.

 

The college planning agenda item was tabled until the next meeting.

 

The issue of allowing the Director of Equity and Diversity to serve as a voting member of hiring committees and also serving as the Diversity representative was raised.

 

M/S/U (Power/Wilson) that when the DMA (District Managers Association) makes appointments to hiring committees, the DMA appoint someone other than the Director of Equity and Diversity.  This would enable the position to remain as neutral as possible and avoid the appearance of potential conflicts of interest.

 

X.                   NEW BUSINESS

The Senate President announced that hiring committees have requested a meeting with the college President concerning her final selection of a candidate and was denied this meeting. Since this is clearly part of Board Policy it would seem to be a serious issue. During discussion, the issue was raised that the Senate may not have all the facts.

 

M/S/U (Wilson/Lopez) that the Senate support the Board Policy that the hiring committee be allowed to meet with the president before making its decision. 

 

Senator Wilson mentioned that we are merely supporting the Board Policy, and the Senate does not need to assume that there was anything wrong going on here.

 

Senators broke into small groups to discuss Senate goals for next year:  Joumana McGowan will tabulate the goals and present them in the fall.

 

M/S/P (Wilson/Troop) to send a third call for Senate representation to Student Services.

 

XI.                 LIAISON REPORTS

 

United Faculty

 

The current successor agreement for the United Faculty contract will not be completed this year.

 

Associated Students

 

Araz Pourmorad requested that graduation exercises not be scheduled during final exams.

 

Adjunct Faculty United

 

No report.

 

Rolando announced that he has ten tickets to the Men and Women of Distinction ceremony.  He requested that anyone wishing tickets contact him.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

/s/

 

Jane Troop, Secretary