Approved Minutes
Sacramento City College
Academic Senate
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
President: Connie Zuercher
Vice-President: Greg Rose
Secretary: Troy Myers
Senators: Bill Miller, Maha Edlbi, Nadine Kirkpatrick, Arthur Hernandez, Erica Wagner, Linda
Reynolds, Carolyn Koloski, Roxanne Tambert, Michelle Smith, Riad Bahhur, Kim Beyer, Carrie
Marks, Andrew Jones, Shannon Culmo, Angelia Jovanovic, Debbie Loomis, Susan Griffin, Chris
Daubert, Simeon Okoroike, Dena Chubbic, Lorna Reach, Lonnie Larson, Rick Woodmansee,
Randy Rosenberger, Sue Carriere, Jon Hanson, Lori Petite, Steve James, Barbara Toupadakis,
Ginni May, Amy Zannakis.
Guests: Juanita Chrysanthou, Dean of Matriculation; Mary Turner, Vice-President of
Instruction; Chris Seddon, Faculty Co-Chair of Ed Tech; Susan Fong, International Counselor.
Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Connie at 12:01.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from 2-1 were approved by consensus.
Appointment: Connie informed us that Dena Chubbic cannot make Senate meetings at this
time; Bill Miller will be filling in for her for the rest of the year. Appointment approved by
consensus.
Introduction of New Senators: Connie welcomed all who will be serving this semester as
appointees. Bill Miller, Erica Wagner, Maha Edlbi, Nadine Kirkpatrick, Arthur Hernandez. You
are all welcome!
NEW BUSINESS
SARS Update
J. Chrysanthou
Juanita explained the background of the Early Assistance Program. It started in 2001 and has not
changed much in 10 years. Faculty have suggested over the years that the process would go
better if EAP relied on electronic communication more than paper; Juanita also believes such a
change will increase faculty participation. Hence, a new system is being introduced; it is called
SARS-ALRT. The new system will make the referral process instantaneous. The new SARSALRT software provides a link for the faculty member to log in and make a referral request; the
student can be referred to counseling, tutoring, or to speak with the referring faculty member, or
to a particular department. Currently students are not contacted until the 5th or 6th week and the
process is very labor intensive; the new system will be immediate and not be limited to
counseling referrals. The goal of the new system is to get students back on track as soon as
possible. A referral can be written because a student has stopped attending, is failing, missing
assignments, needs better goals or study skills, is facing personal challenges, needs financial
assistance, etc. The current focus is first time college students; a larger scope is being considered.
Also, the new system will be customized to SCC. Feedback from other colleges who are piloting
a similar system, including ARC, has been positive. Juanita is looking for faculty to volunteer to
help customize the product to our local needs. Lori Petite, Nadine Kirkpatrick, and Angelia
Jovanovic volunteered to help.
Google Apps
C. Seddon
Chris feels there is continued confusion about Google Apps. He explained that GA is a series of
online tools, including applications for word processing and spreadsheets. Two years ago the
Tech people at District decided between licensing a similar Microsoft product and Google Apps;
feedback was received which favored Google, but there were some legal issues with the Google
contract language, including student privacy issues, and District Counsel raised concerns. There
has been a protracted negotiation with Google regarding these concerns. Chris told us that the
issues have been negotiated to the satisfaction of the District. He reminded us that there is no
mandate that faculty use Google Apps, but we will be given the ability to create and edit Google
docs. Connie tried to clarify by asking if Chris wanted the Senate to approve Google Apps.
More discussion followed: Ginni asked if there is a cost involved; we were told it would be
minimal, “three figures, not six.” Someone asked, “what does the software actually do?” Chris
said that it is like an online version of Office; we could access documents in a web browser and
edit them from any computer or mobile device. Unlike Office, multiple users can have access to
the document online if the creator so desires; or the document can be completely private, or left
open as read only. Where will the data be stored? At Google. Does this work with D2L? There
are no specific links between the two. Someone asked why would we want to use Google when
D2L can do similar things? Chris answered that he feels GA is easier than creating a D2L site
for a department, for example, and that it is quicker. Chris noted that we are not replacing D2L.
Will individuals have access to GA without an interface with the college? Yes. It was asked if
Chris saw any negatives; he answered that now that the privacy issue is solved, the only issue is
the “cloud,” meaning that all content is stored in Google servers. Still, Chris felt the strengths
outweigh the weakness; he noted that Google has better security than our servers. Connie asked
if we wanted Chris to come back and provide a demo or a list of pros and cons? Kim moved to
forward a recommendation that we approve Google apps and it was seconded; five opposed, five
abstentions, motion passed.
WordPress
C. Seddon
Ed Tech would like to do a pilot of WordPress; WordPress is blogging software. This product
is highly extensible; it can be configured to create entire websites. This pilot is being
coordinated by Jory and the Online Coordinators from the other campuses. The pilot is
investigative, and its intent is to see if WP has educational application. Anyone interested in
piloting the product should contact Jory. Does this mean we would be able to have WordPress
installed on our college page? Yes, but not during the pilot phase. The pilot phase is about
testing the product. Chris understands that he needs approval from the Senate to do the Pilot.
Motion made to go forward with the Pilot. No opposed, 3 abstentions, motion passed.
Student Letter/DAS Proposal
T. Myers
Troy reported that Phil Smith, President of the District Academic Senate, suggested the DAS
write a letter to students explaining the dramatic nature of the budget cuts and the implications
these will have for course availability. A letter whose intent is to encourage students to stay in
their courses if they are enrolled, explain how they are fortunate to have the spot, and encourage
them to take their educational opportunities seriously as those may be further restricted as the
State struggles to fund the Community College system. This letter will be vetted by the ASG
leadership as well as the DAS and the local Senates. Troy sought Senate approval to begin a
draft. Senators’ comments were positive, and some good suggestions were made: generally, have
a positive tone but express reality. Troy noted that anything that is crafted will be vetted before
students see it. Several Senators reminded us to avoid extra cost, and email or electronic posting
was encouraged. Motion made and seconded to allow Troy to begin a draft with Phil Smith.
Motion passed by consensus. Troy thanked everyone for their support.
Upcoming Senator Elections
C. Zuercher
It is election time again! For the most part the number of seats has not changed dramatically.
Greg is chairing the election committee and the all critical election forms will come from him.
The memo will contain the number of seats for each division and a form which must be
submitted with signatures by the deadline in the case of any faculty who wish to run. If you have
been appointed as a Senator, realize you can now run for an elected, two year seat. Connie
reminded us that those who have termed out can take a brief break and then run again if desired.
Greg reminded us that there are specific deadlines, rules and regulations; please pay careful
attention to the memo, especially the date and time deadline. Memo coming out this week. Troy
will serve on the committee. Lorna Reach, Art Hernandez, and Andrew Jones also volunteered.
Greg will be contacting the volunteers. Connie noted that in the case of any contested elections,
she will notify the people involved.
Special Announcement: Connie told us that she is completing her third year as SCC Senate
President, but she has volunteered to serve as District Academic Senate President because SCC
has no past President to serve and it is now SCC’s turn. Connie feels it is her duty to step
forward and represent the four colleges as DAS Pres. Because she has one year left in her term,
Connie must make an appointment upon the approval of the SCC Senate. Connie, with the
support of Greg and Troy, is going to appoint Ginni May as SCC Senate President for the 20112012 year. Next spring there will be officer elections for all three positions. Connie explained
that Ginni is highly qualified, for she serves currently as both SCC Curriculum chair and District
Curriculum chair. Connie feels this is a natural progression for Ginni, and noted she already has
good working relationships with administration. Motion made and seconded to approve Ginni’s
appointment; motion approved by consensus with one abstention. The first Tuesday of May will
be the passing of the baton. Lonnie Larson has graciously agreed to chair Curriculum in Ginni’s
place. Connie convinced Karen Kunimura to serve as District Curriculum Chair for one year.
20011-2012 Schedule Discussion
M. Turner
Mary reminded us that she came requesting permission for the middle six weeks summer session
to be our only summer session. Mary feels that we would be better serving our students if
courses also began in the first six weeks. So this summer we will have courses starting at both
times.
Mary noted that because of continued funding cuts from the State, there will be schedule
reductions as FTE contracts. Los Rios wishes to be proactive. We are jump starting cuts this
summer, reducing the summer schedule between 12 and 18 percent. The Summer reductions
were initially planned at 2.5 percent, and we are going ten percent beyond that. She noted that
some colleges in California have eliminated summer offerings completely during the current
crisis. Cuts in summer courses are preferable because such cuts do not affect benefits for adjunct
faculty. Fall is looking at a 2.5 percent minimum cut campus wide. The Workload Committee is
meeting again and is comprised of Deans and Chairs; Mary needs us to work with our Chairs and
Deans to prioritize deeper than 2.5 percent in case deeper cuts are required. She would like a list
of courses which can be removed, and another list of courses which can be put back in once the
FTE returns. She asked that we make the list as long as we can, in hopes we do not need to cut
deeply, but in preparation just in case. A Senator asked, are some departments being asked to cut
more deeply than others? Mary said that the Workload committee would like to see equal
reductions, or as close to that as possible. A Senator noted that last year we did not do this. Mary
reminded us that Humanities and Kinesiology are still under scrutiny from certain voices at the
Capitol, and that the LAO reminds us that basic skills, transfer, and vocational education remain
priorities. Mary noted many courses in HFA and Kinesiology do fit into these categories. Also,
some departments cannot cut because they are too small or all their courses are required, but
there will be an attempt to make cuts which are evenly distributed. Also, if the tax bill does not
get on the ballot or does not pass if it makes the June ballot, the departmental cut lists will be
critical as cuts will have to be made when faculty are on vacation.
Someone asked if we could add a 4 week session which begins before the middle six week
session. Mary was open to the idea. Mary is open to anyone speaking with her if there are
questions about the reductions. Meetings will be set up with the Deans and the Dept. chairs to
dialogue regarding these reductions. Connie noted that if any faculty want to be a part of the
conversation please let your chair know. The more communication that occurs in this process the
better. Everyone should know what is going on.
Riad asked about the part timers, could we write a letter to all full time faculty asking them to
limit or eliminate overloads so that adjuncts will continue to have some courses? Connie felt this
might be a Union issue; Annette said that this would be fine but that it would be something
coming from the kindness of the full-timers’ hearts. Full timers have contractual rights to teach
overload. If anyone wants to be on the agenda to discuss this issue in the future let Connie know
and she will put you there.
Meeting adjourned: 12:58
NEXT MEETING:
March 1st, Noon in RN 258
To place items on future agendas, please call x2150