REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Meeting of the Academic Senate
October 2, 2009, 1 p.m.
• Eureka: 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, AD 201 (Board Room)
Members Present: Allen Keppner, David Holper, Colette Beaupre, Trish Blair, Bob Brown, Marjorie
Carson, Kady Dunleavy, Dave Gonsalves, Jeff Hogue, Kerry Mayer, Susan
Nordlof, Todd Olsen, Pat Padilla, Mark Renner, Mike Richards, Chris Romero,
Gary Sokolow, Danny Walker, Mark Winter.
Members Absent: None.
1. Call to Order: Copresident Allen Keppner called the meeting to order at 1:00.
2. Introductions and Public Comments: Copresident Allen Keppner welcomed all members and
guests, and he announced that because no one was attending the meeting via teleconference, a
voice vote can be taken on the action item at today’s meeting. Allen called for public
comments; no public comments were offered.
3. Approve the September 18, 2009 Meeting Minutes: On motion by Gary Sokolow, seconded by
Jeff Hogue, the minutes were approved as written.
4. Action Item
4.1 Curriculum Committee September 25 Recommendations: Chair Peter Blakemore presented
the recommendations, and he answered questions. On motion by Kerry Mayer, seconded
by Gary Sokolow, the recommendations were unanimously approved. Copresident
Keppner asked Peter to extend to the Curriculum Committee the Senate’s appreciation for
the Committee’s work and to thank them for a process that is working well.
5. Discussion Items
5.1
Faculty Participation in Learning Communities: Copresident Keppner presented the
background of what has taken place at CR, and he highlighted sections of the article that
was included in the meeting packet that note what elements are essential for learning
communities to have the potential to enhance student success. In contrast, what CR
implemented last year were linked courses aimed at developing student cohorts and
increasing student success, but they were not true learning communities. Allen asked the
Senate to consider whether learning communities are a good idea, and if so, how faculty
can participate in developing true learning communities. Senators agreed that when
developed properly learning communities are dynamic and effective, but it takes a big
commitment and a lot of work by the involved faculty. While simply linking classes is not
a very effective strategy for student success, true learning communities provide a rich
learning environment, and it was suggested that protocols be developed for how to develop
effective communities. With the goal of offering more true learning communities by Fall
2010, Allen reported that Keith Snow-Flamer has requested faculty participation on a
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October 2, 2009
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learning communities committee that will hopefully provide an opportunity for faculty to
develop communities that support student success and help them attain their educational
goals.
5.2
Address 2009-2010 Academic Senate Priorities: Senate Copresident Allen Keppner
presented the list that was previously developed by the Senate, and he asked the Senate if
the list is still relevant and if issues need to be added. The Senate agreed that accreditation
is still the top priority, and the need to establish a mutually agreed upon faculty position
prioritization process is also very important. Additional issues for Senate focus include (1)
developing a clear model of how Program Review will be linked to integrated planning and
will inform decision making, (2) clarifying the process for how proposals move through
College Council, (3) revitalizing faculty development and developing a faculty-driven
assessment process, and (4) identifying Senate recommendations for the 2010-2011
academic calendar.
6. Reports
6.1 Accreditation Update: Vice President Marjorie Carson thanked the Senate for their input
on the Accreditation Progress Report drafts, and she reported that the Report will continue
to be revised and refined until it is sent to the Commission by the October 15 deadline.
Marjorie then addressed the comprehensive Accreditation Self-Study Report and the site
visit, which is scheduled for Fall 2011. In preparation for the Self-Study, a training is
scheduled for the CR community on Friday, October 9, from 9:00-3:00 p.m. in the Forum
Theater. Jack Pond and Steve Maradian from the Accrediting Commission will present the
training, and Marjorie encouraged senators and other faculty leaders to attend. Marjorie
also announced that on Friday, October 30, a two hour assessment training aimed at
addressing the needs of the CR faculty will be presented by Susan Nordlof and Justine
Shaw, and beginning at 10:30 an outside facilitator will provide additional assessment
training for faculty. Susan asked faculty to forward assessment questions and comments to
her so the two-hour training she and Justine are presenting can be tailored specifically to
CR faculty needs.
6.2 Final Budget 2009-2010: Vice President Ruth Bettenhausen thanked the Senate for the
opportunity to present the final budget, and she reported that the budget report follows the
same format that has been used by the district for the last few years. Ruth stated that
because the California state budget is a moving target, CR has had to constantly adjust its
budget in response to revisions made at the state level, but this final budget was approved
by the Board on September 14. Currently the state budget is not providing any COLA or
growth funding, and cuts have even been made to categoricals and the basic funding
allocation. Even with the adjustments already made, Ruth reported that it is likely that CR
will need to make additional budget cuts throughout the year. Ruth answered senators’
questions regarding the budget report, and she invited faculty to email her questions that
she did not have the opportunity to address during this meeting.
6.3 Title III Update: Keith Snow-Flamer presented the year five Title III goals, and he
indicated that the list is not all inclusive. Keith reported that prior to taking over his role as
Title III director, he requested that an in-house audit be performed to clarify the financial
status of the grant. Senators’ questions to Keith included (1) What positions are currently
being wholly or partially funded with Title III money? (2) What Title III activities are
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October 2, 2009
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6.4
6.5
supporting faculty with classroom research? (3) Who will write and submit the annual
October report to the federal government? (4) What is the status of the Institutional
Research Advisory Committee? And (5) How will the Title III funds earmarked for faculty
development be used? Keith reported that he is attempting to centralize Institutional
Research into planning and budgeting, and he will respond to Senate questions at a future
meeting.
CCLC/State Academic Senate September 28 and 29 Technical Assistance Visit:
Copresident Holper reported that the workshop included an overview of shared governance
in the introductory session on September 28, and Tuesday included breakout sessions for
constituency groups, with two sessions scheduled for faculty. Faculty were forthright in
presenting their concerns during the sessions, and reportedly other constituency groups
were also. During the closing session on Tuesday, facilitators Scott Lay and Jane Patton
emphasized the need for differences to be addressed and resolved internally and collegially.
Academy of the Redwoods Update: Academy of the Redwoods (AR) Principal Matt
Malkus presented several status reports that included the number of AR students who
graduated from high school last spring and how many also received AS or AA degrees; Fall
2008 enrollment data by section and how many students received a B grade or better; and
the enrollment data for fall, spring and summer of 2008 and the percentage of students who
received a GPA of C or better. Matt reported that of all the local high schools, the
Academy of the Redwoods has the highest performance index. He also informed the
Senate that the start-up grant was completed last year, and currently in year six the AR is
self-sustaining and close to its maximum enrollment with 188 students. Matt answered
questions, and he invited faculty to visit the AR’s new site in the old Child Development
Center.
7. Announcements and Open Forum
7.1
Distance Education Ad Hoc Committee: Mark Winter announced that he has agreed to
chair an ad hoc Distance Education (DE) Committee, and Mark Renner, Sydney Larson,
and Peter Blakemore have agreed to serve as members. The committee will address a
number of DE issues and concerns, and Mark will make regular reports to the Senate.
7.2 Book of the Year: David Holper announced that Greg Mortenson, co-author of Three Cups
of Tea, will be on the CR Eureka campus on Tuesday, October 20, from 11:00-12:30 in the
Forum Theater. Dave encouraged faculty to inform students of this event, which will be a
question and answer format and is not being advertised to the public. Greg is scheduled to
give an afternoon presentation at HSU, followed by a public event in the evening at Eureka
High School, with doors opening at 6:00 and the talk beginning at 7:00. Donations can be
made to the Central Asia Institute by using the Pennies for Peace jars located throughout
the Eureka campus and at each of the events, or by writing a check to Book of the Year and
submitting it to the CR Cashier’s Office. In addition, Dave announced that the Associated
Students of CR donated $2500 to the Central Asia Institute in support of Mortenson’s
work. Videos are posted on the CR web site for instructors to use in their classrooms or for
more information.
7.3 September 2009 Senate Rostrum: David Holper encouraged senators to read the
September Senate Rostrum, which includes a number of pertinent and informative articles.
Dave also announced that the state Academic Senate’s web site is a good source for past
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Rostrum articles, Senate position papers, upcoming trainings and Plenary Sessions, and
additional relevant information.
8. Adjournment: On motion by Kerry Mayer, seconded by Colette Beaupre, the meeting was
adjourned at 3:14.
Respectfully submitted by Sally Frazier, Administrative Secretary to the Academic Senate
Next Meeting:
October 16, 2009