CHABOT COLLEGE ACADEMIC/FACULTY SENATE
R e g u l a r Meeting
Board Room, Building 200
Thursday, November 8, 2007 – 2:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
A P P R O V E D M I N UT E S
Submitted by Susan Gill and Ming Ho
Senators
Applied Technology & Business — Michael Absher
Arts & Humanities — Bill Johnson
Counseling — Rachel Aziminia & Dara Greene
Health, Physical Education, & Athletics — Nancy Cowan & Vacant
Language Arts — Susan Gill & Francisco Zermeño
Library — Jim Matthews
Science & Mathematics — Dave Fouquet & Ming Ho
Social Sciences — Michael Thompson & Vacant
Part-time Faculty — Anne Brichacek
Ex-Officios
ASCC — Jove Meyer, Vice President
CLPFA — Shari Jacobsen, Membership Coordinator
Academic/Faculty Senate Immediate Past President — Chad Mark Glen
Guests
Cristina Ruggiero & Yvonne Wu-Craig, IPBC Co-Chairs
Danny Khan-Ramirez, Editor of The Spectator
Presiding Officer
President Diane Zuliani
ITEM
1.0 GENERAL FUNCTIONS
1.1 Call to Order: President Zuliani called the meeting to order at 2:15pm
1.2 Approval of the Minutes: M/S/C (Glen/Zermeño) that the minutes of October 25, 2007, as
amended, be approved.
2.0
REPORTS
2.1 Senate President: President Zuliani reported that, due to a busy agenda and another Senate
meeting scheduled for next week, she would forego the report on many unresolved issues such
as smoking, basic skills, and faculty prioritization. These issues are in progress, and she will
report on them at the November 15, meeting.
2.2 ASCC: Tabled due to Jove Meyer’s absence.
ACADEMIC/FACULTY SENATE APPROVED MINUTES
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2.3 CLPFA
CLPFA Representative Jacobsen announced that the next meeting is during College Hours
on November 15, in Room 1906. At this meeting, FA Representative Dave Fouquet will discuss
the contract related to Proposition 92. This proposition comes up for a vote in February. It asks
for a decrease in the tuition to $15/unit and asks for separation of Community Colleges’ funding
system from that of K-12. This would be very beneficial to the community colleges. There will
be a speaker about Proposition 92 the first week in December, and other groups such as
service-learning students working with the League of Women Voters may connect on this issue.
Representative Jacobsen will contact Clara McLean about this linkage.
CLPFA Representative Fouquet announced that, in support of Proposition 92, independent
community college bargaining units have set fundraising targets for Proposition 92. The Chabot
College target is $51,000.The Faculty Association donated $2,500 and will donate more. The
Faculty Association encourages the District, the Chabot Foundation, and individuals to
contribute. Prop 92 will stabilize funding. It helps colleges get paid for their growth. We have
roughly 300 full-time faculty, so if everyone gave $100 that would be a considerable sum.
Representative Fouquet sent the penultimate contract to President Zuliani, who proclaimed
that it is very user-friendly and efficient. Fouquet went on to report about an MOU for on-line
course evaluation. The on-line course evaluators will be paid $225; this includes two additional
hours and a training.
On the Sabbatical Leave fund, Fouquet reported that the District has always calculated
prospectively, assuming replacement at full-time, Step 6 with benefits; however, often the
replacement is an adjunct, which costs less. The Faculty Association estimates that the
Sabbatical fund may be owed about $225,000. The Sabbatical Leave fund receives 1% of fulltime salaries. Senator Johnson said that Vice-President Taylor, when meeting with the
Sabbatical Leave Committee, always says that there isn’t enough money. There were only four
leaves granted last year (07-08). The District claimed a negative carryover so there was less
money. The Faculty Association had been asking for months for a meeting with the appropriate
people. Fouquet had to get backfill numbers because whether the backfill is full-time or adjunct
has a large influence on the fund. The District related the small number of leaves (4) to the fact
that the one-year leave salary went from 65% to 75%. Senator Gill wondered whether the
Sabbatical Leave fund actually gets the promised 1%, and Representative Fouquet said that
that was something that needed to be verified.
Fouquet moved on to the issue of F hours, which are paid at $46.92/hour. There is a much
greater meshing between coordinator/counselor time among counselors than there is among
instructional faculty. The Faculty Association is working on discerning which hours are D and
which are F for counseling. Fouquet wants pay to be determined by work and to move away
from the “time clock” mentality.
President Zuliani announced that she is the Faculty Association representative about the
power plants. The Board of Trustees filed a legal, formal Declaration in time to challenge
Russell City, but the CEC denied that demand, as well as two others. President Zuliani met with
Gordon Galvan, who is the Vice Chair of the Chabot Foundation Board and serves as a
consultant to the other power plant, the East Shore Energy Center. She reported that Mr.
Galvan said the following: “What happened in Hayward with Russell City was wrong. The
County was duped.” Galvin said that in late 2006, he met with Dr. Carlson, and that he and
Greg Truitt, Vice President of Texas-based Tierra Energy (which is proposing the East Shore
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project) and Galvan met with Dr. Carlson at least two more times in 2007. We will invite Dr.
Carlson to the Senate to address these matters. Zuliani said that, although power plants
themselves are not a charge of Senate, there is nevertheless language in the statewide Senate’s
description of the role of local Senates to justify the involvement of the Senate, particularly in this
instance, where the Senate’s concern is less about power plants than a failure of Presidential
leadership. Additionally, there had been a motion in Social Science for the Senate to take a
stand. The first step of the Senate’s involvement is to send a letter of thanks to the Chabot
Board of Trustees for their persistence in pursuing the protest against Russell City. By
acclamation, the Senate unanimously approved of sending the letter.
2.4 Senators
Senator Michael Thompson, representing Social Science, wants the Senate to find out how
the college has been represented in the power plant approval process, and if the college was not
represented, why not? Therefore, it is important to have Dr. Carlson before the Senate to
explain this. Senator Thompson went on to discuss enrollment management, explaining that
Social Science was presented with cuts necessary for Fall, 2008, even though enrollment was
up. Social Science wants a rationale for those cuts. Senator Fouquet explained that Dr. Cota
had been focused on growth resulting in increased FTEF, while Dr. Kinnamon is focused on
productivity that resulted in cuts to FTEF. Fouquet and Tom DeWit believe Chabot College was
under-allocated at 636 FTEF: About 290 FTEF for each of Fall and Spring semesters and 60
FTEF for Summer. The District Enrollment Management Committee makes these allocation
decisions. Thompson explained that to meet cuts dictated by the DEMC, Social Sciences cut
courses that likely would have filled. He wants to know if the viability number has shifted.
Twenty used to be the number necessary to continue on with a course. Is that now lower?
Does the District have the right to cut a class that is under twenty before opening day, never
giving it a chance to fill? Fouquet responded that Chancellor Kinnamon believes that the
District has this right. Thompson stated that the Chancellor needs to improve communication
around the policies and process surrounding enrollment management and the cutting of classes.
Fouquet added that the current FTEF is close to the figure for 2006-07. Does this represent the
number before the District began chasing growth or is this reflective of the cutting back after the
escalated FTEF for growth? Representing counselors, Representative Jacobsen added that
entry level classes have been cut dramatically so that it is difficult to find spots and times to meet
students’ needs and that these classes are experiencing a very rapid fill. Past President Glen
stated that the faculty needs guidelines and a clear codification about how early a class can be
cancelled, and the criteria to be used for doing so. If a class is not cut before opening day, what
is the minimum first day count for it to be safe? Fouquet answered that, by contract, twenty is
the opening day number to ensure safety of that class. Senator Thompson raised the issue of
required planning tools, questioning why faculty members are required to create unit plans and
go through the process of program review when the decision has already been made to focus on
productivity. Fouquet advised that, if the faculty believes that these crucial decisions are made
without regard to unit plans or program review, then faculty should protest by refusing to submit
the unit plans at all, and instead should send letters of protest about the current process.
Senator Matthews mentioned that unit plans and program review are public, whereas decisionmaking is private. Senator Thompson wanted to know who the Senate should contact to
discuss this. Fouquet and Senator Zermeño responded that Vice President Taylor would be
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the appropriate administrator. President Zuliani will invite Vice President Taylor to attend the
next Senate meeting to discuss these questions.
Senator Thompson went on to address the problem of construction noise making it
impossible to teach his classes. He wondered why construction needed to be slated for prime
time hours very close to buildings where classes were in progress. Also, the safety conditions at
night are problematic with poor lighting and fences everywhere.
Bill Johnson, representing Arts and Humanities, reported that Carlo Vecchiarelli, former
Chabot dean and current Board member, is concerned about the health and safety issues
surrounding the power plants. He is investigating new fronts such as state and federal legislation
on which to wage a fight, including K-12 Education Code, Migratory Bird Act, Army Corps of
Engineers regarding warming of water in the bay, etc. Chancellor Kinnamon is waiting for the
Board, but there are alternate ways of looking at how the fight against the plants can be directed.
Mr. Vecchiarelli believes that, despite the CEC ruling, the plant’s go-ahead is not a done deal.
President Zuliani recommended that people publicize and attend the Tuesday meeting of the
Task Force on Power Plants chaired by Sue Sperling. The next step of the Board of Trustees
may be to bring a case before the Supreme Court. Fouquet added that the local community
was not informed, so the power plants actions may be legal but they are not right. President
Zuliani reported on the hostile tone taken by the CEC at the hearing in Sacramento, at which
one CEC representative confronted Trustee Gin by questioning how, with twenty articles in the
newspaper, Gin could claim that he didn’t know about the plants. Zuliani explained to the
Senate that there were not twenty articles and that articles that did appear were obscure. The
Chabot community was not contacted, but it seems perhaps the Chabot President was.
2.5 Public Comments: None.
3.0
ACTION ITEMS
3.1 Formation of Basic Skills Committee
[C.f. Item 4.2 for discussion on this item.]
Senator Matthews made the following motion. “We approve the concepts and framework of
the Basic Skills Committee with the addition of representatives from DSPS, the Library, and all
Divisions.” Past President Glen seconded. The motion passed unanimously. A final form with
addition will be brought back to the Senate.
3.2 Letter of Civility
[C.f. Item 4.3 for discussion on this item.]
Senator Zermeño moved and Senator Thompson seconded that the Senate direct
President Zuliani to distribute the amended letter of civility, by email and hard copy, to everyone
on campus and the Board of Trustees and to read the letter at the College Council. The motion
passed unanimously.
4.0
DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1 Senate Feedback on IPBC Planning Timeline
Cristina Ruggiero and Yvonne Wu-Craig addressed the Senate requesting feedback on the
planning timeline. President Zuliani suggested that the idea of sending unit plans to the
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marketing department is questionable because, at present, there is no marketing director or
committee, so this element is ill-equipped to deal with unit plans as imagined on the timeline.
Senator Matthews added that Chabot College has always been hit hard by accreditation for not
utilizing unit plans; therefore, the institution needs to close the loop and give feedback and this
needs to be highlighted in the timeline. President Zuliani added that the IPBC needed to take
into account the history that left people with the feeling that unit plans come to no use. However,
she praised the logic of the timeline. Ms. Wu-Craig agreed that she wants more commitment to
feedback in the process.
4.2 Basic Skills Committee
The Basic Skills Committee first needs to establish a mission and its charges. A draft
document (created by President Zuliani, Senator Ho, Part-Time Faculty Senator Brichacek,
Immediate Past President Chad Mark Glen, and Senator Rachel Aziminia) was presented.
During discussion, a DSPS and a Library representative were added to faculty core
representatives. Senator Matthews added that the committee should consider information
competency as a basic skill. It is a basic skill mandated by the State but often isn’t regarded that
way.
In order to alter procedure so that the Senate could approve the framework of the Basic Skills
Committee formation, Senator Matthews moved to supplant 3.1 (action item) Formation of Basic
Skills Committee with 4.2, so that 4.2 becomes an action item. Glen seconded. The vote was
called and with raised hands there was a unanimous affirmation.
4.3 Letter of Civility
It was M/S/C (Matthews/Glen) that we move this discussion item to be Action Item 3.2.
Shari Jacobsen feels that the letter reflects a vision for the campus and should be made part
of a permanent record. Senator Greene agreed with the merits of the letter but was uneasy with
some of the wording that would lead people to feel that the Senate was privy to some
information not available to the rest of the community. Senator Matthews added that the
specific issues aren’t the focus but the civility necessary to address an issue. Greene felt
uncomfortable bringing up this problem without offering appropriate action. She suggested the
book, Non-Violent Communication. Jacobsen agreed that perhaps the second paragraph may
offend some people, but she strongly supports the rest of the letter. Past President Glen
suggested removing the second paragraph. President Zuliani mentioned that Chancellor
Kinnamon wrote a letter about the need for civility at the District and that the Senate’s draft
civility letter was mentioned at College Council. Glen mentioned that in the past, the Faculty
Senate had at times become uncivil and that Jeanine Paz, in the past, had tried to address
campus climate. Jacobsen said that she found the letter to be very purposeful for this time and
related to campus climate. She felt the letter should be engraved somewhere on campus.
Senator Gill suggested amending the letter to remove the line, “…have been brought to the
attention of the Faculty Senate, which…”
4.4 The “Greening” of Chabot
Senator Zermeño wants approval from the Faculty Senate for a Greening of Chabot
Committee. This committee would cover many issues, including the use of recycled plastic
utensils, not allowing the college to purchase and use non-recyclable products, and assuring
that landscaping is non-toxic and nonpolluting. Senator Jacobsen wondered if Chabot were
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going to have solar power with the new facilities. Senator Zermeño responded that they had
decided not to include solar energy in the new buildings but that we certainly could and we could
have gardens on the roofs. Senator Matthews added that one committed person could start a
movement and mentioned how Diana Immisch began the current recycling efforts on campus.
Senator Fouquet added that the campus needed more spots for recycling. He also said that
when M&O empty the trash they mix the contents of the blue recycling baskets with the regular
trash. Senator Matthews recommended that this be an action item on the agenda for the next
Senate meeting and that the District needs to be accountable for hauling their trash to the
Altamont Pass. President Zuliani stated that the greening of Chabot must start with fighting the
power plants.
4.5 Exemplary Program Award Nominees
President Zuliani discussed the Exemplary Program Award offered by the Board of
Governors of the Community College system. There will be four winners this year. The program
recognizes innovative bridges in career/technical education programs to help students transition
into the workplace. Each college can forward just one application, and that application must be
nominated by the Senate, endorsed by the college President, and in the Sacramento offices of
the statewide Academic Senate by 5:00pm, November 15. President Zuliani has written a
proposal for the Gallery and Museum Practice Program, which was distributed to the Senators.
Past President Glen affirmed that there was a very short turn around on this application, that
President Zuliani had taken the initiative, and that the Faculty Senate should endorse this
application. He called for a sense of the Senate and the sense was to nominate the Gallery and
Museum Practice Program for consideration for this award.
4.6 Report from Plenary Session of the State Academic Senate
Past President Glen reported that the Plenary Session did not split the vote on concurrent
enrollment (separating endorsement of further research from endorsement of expansion) as we
had asked. Senator Matthews thanked Past President Glen for compiling the resolutions into a
packet and for all his good work. Past President Glen mentioned that Tom DeWit was a panelist
talking about student equity and led a breakout session about this. DeWit did an outstanding job
of promoting Chabot’s efforts to make diversity an integral part of the college. Shari Jacobsen
pointed out the resolution in the packet about asserting the difference between a corporate and
an academic culture. Senator Fouquet pointed out that Resolution 17.0 in the packet relates to
enrollment management and the role of Faculty Senates in this process. He also mentioned a
resolution about the issue of recency in prerequisites.
5.0
REPORTS II
5.1 Senate Committees: Tabled.
6.0 GOOD OF THE ORDER
6.1 Future Agenda items
6.1.1 Cameras in Labs; Banner Chart of Accounts — Farhad Javaheripour
6.1.2 Title V Curriculum Updates & AS Degree Report — Patricia Shannon
6.1.3 Textbook Expense — Kathleen Kaser
6.1.4 Administrator Evaluations — Diane Zuliani
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6.2 Adjournment at 4:15 PM. Next Meeting: November 15, 2007
6.3 Fall Meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursdays.
December 13 & 20*.
(*Special Meetings not on 2nd or 4th Thursday)
SG/MLH/DZ
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