Board of Trustees Report
Trade Tech College
February 25, 2009
Planning and Student Success Committee
The meeting began with a series of accreditation reports, from Mission,
Harbor, Southwest, and West, each detailing how they were responding to
recommendations. Mission's focused on improving shared governance.
Harbor reps reminded us that they had an excellent visit last fall with no
problems cited at that time. Southwest, which was placed on probation in the
fall, has now completed program reviews for all non-instructional units, and a
writing center has been opened. Steps are also being taken to improve the
Math program, which came under heavy criticism from students last
semester. In particular, the chair of the department, Mr. Lernik Saakian, was
accused of being indifferent to student needs. I told the committee that I had
had extensive discussions with Mr. Saakian and others at SW since those
accusations were made, and that, based on the information I had learned, I
believed Mr. Saakian was a dedicated and hard-working professor who cares
about his students. I added that he has taken recent steps to improve his
department, though there did seem to be an on-going clash within his
department between traditionalists and those who wanted to take new
approaches.
West made the last report and seemed the most up-beat. They highlighted
their growth since 2006, their budget stability, and their effective shared
governance processes, among other things.
In addition to these reports there were discussions about two related topics.
One had to do with how the district has responded to its long-term retiree
benefit obligation, given that this has been cited by visiting teams as a
concern. The Chancellor pointed out that this really isn't an accreditation
issue, anymore than fire insurance or legal department budgeting, and that
he objects very strongly to ACCJC's involvement in this area. That aside, one
possibility to meet our obligation is to look for a special type of bond funding
and the Board members were interested in learning more about this.
There was also a general discussion about the large number of recent ACCJC
sanctions, with the high percentage relative to the rest of the country noted.
I did add that the ASCCC leaders were not making the same complaints,
ironically enough, given our history withy ACCJC. (For more about this, see
the Feb. 23 newsletter.)
Finally, Trade Tech made an Institutional Effectiveness report. This was the
first to be done in the district, but all colleges will be required to do these
now every two or three years. City and East will report on April 29, and the
other six colleges will be up next year. The purpose is to have a candid
discussion with the committee as to where the college is at in terms of
meeting its strategic and educational goals, and whether they are moving in
sync with the district strategic plan. In DPC, we have been planning how to
do this ever since the district plan was adopted two years ago.
A summary data sheet was provided, and then Brad Vaden and Marcy
Drummond presented a PPP on Trade's progress. It was a very impressive
presentation in many respects, but I did challenge them on two points as it
seemed to me overly positive. Shared governance, for example, has flared
up again as a problem at Trade.
Open Session
Chip Chapdelaine, President of Trade Tech, welcomed the Board. He thanked
all involved in hosting, especially the Culinary Department. Both Kindra
Kinyon and Carole Anderson, Senate and AFT presidents, welcomed the
Board, as did Alison Reid, the ASO president. The ASO also presented the
Board with some Trade "swag," which was very well received.
Rachel Roberts from Harbor protested her recent suspension as ASO
president, and alleged that ASO officers are forced to take a political science
class as a condition of office. She was supported by Nehasi Lee, a student
activist from another campus, but two Harbor students spoke in opposition to
her position, as did Linda Spink and Abbie Patterson. Patterson said Harbor
had been commended in their last accreditation for having a strong ASO
program. The Board, apparently convinced that the suspension was
permitted under established administrative regulations and that the class was
voluntary, did not offer Roberts a response.
Ethan Burrall, a student at Valley, made a highly articulate statement,
objecting to filming at Valley when it disrupts student parking. He cited the
lack of advance notification. Sue Carleo said they were in communication and
that steps would be taken to see that this did not happen again. The
Chancellor added that we need to look at district procedures for filming on
campuses.
No items were reported out of Closed Session.
A report was given on the Planning and Student Success Committee meeting
in the morning (see above). Trustees Field and Mercer said they were
pleased with the progress they heard documented. Board goals for the year
were adopted, and Mercer asked that there be periodic reports made on their
attainment. It was also suggested that the goals be sent to all faculty in an
e-mail blast. The accreditation follow-up and mid-term reports discussed in
the morning were also approved.
Chancellor Drummond summarized the possibilities of budget trouble ahead,
in spite of the recently signed agreement in Sacramento. Property tax
revenue could show a further decline in April, the May Revise could hit the
CCC's especially hard (given that we’ve gotten off relatively lightly so far),
and the voters could reject any of the five ballot measures needed to
complete the budget deal.
The Consent Calendar was passed unanimously. There were questions about
the new Basic Skills Initiative grant, with Mona Field wondering if it was
going to pull our staff away from focusing on district problems. Gary
Colombo's response was that it was an opportunity for us to enhance
funding. I added that, while aware of the danger, it seemed to offer more
plusses than minuses.
The public/private venture at West was praised by Mark Rocha, in response
to another question from Field. He also described a new private bus line
service at West. It's now serving 1,000 students, as compared to around 200
with their former shuttle line.
The resolution authorizing the issuance of General Obligation bonds was
passed (as discussed at the last meeting).
It was announced that some Board members visited a LEEDS Platinum
facility in Chino on Tuesday, in order to assess its advantages. Also, West
was praised for its program working with MEND, a non- profit in the
northeast valley, to provide low cost dental care.
Comment
I was glad to make that statement about Math at Southwest, as I really hate
to see someone’s integrity attacked, especially in public (and at length),
without some answer being given. Presidents get slammed often enough at
Board meetings, but they’re right there and can defend themselves. They
also have regular access to the Chancellor and Board members. When faculty
are attacked, it can go unanswered unless the Senate and/or Guild leaders
speak up.
There is a palpable sense of frustration at every college over the high math
failure rate. I’ve been working lately with the Math Discipline Council and
Deborah Harrington to see what we might do as a district to improve things.
More about this at our March 12 meeting at Valley.