REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Meeting of the Academic Senate
November 19, 2010, 1 p.m.
• Eureka: 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, AD 201 (Board Room)
• Del Norte: 883 West Washington Boulevard, Crescent City, Rooms E3 and E7
• Mendocino Coast: 1211 Del Mar Drive, Ft. Bragg, Room 106 B
Members Present: David Holper, Mark Winter, Rebecca Ashbach, Michael Bailey, Bob Brown,
Kady Dunleavy, Jennifer Gardner, Dave Gonsalves, Utpal Goswami, Jeff Hogue,
Allen Keppner, Dana Maher (meeting substitute for Justine Shaw), Philip
Mancus, Kerry Mayer, Todd Olsen, Pat Padilla, Ruth Rhodes, Mike Richards,
Chris Romero, Gary Sokolow.
Members Absent: Justine Shaw.
1. Call to Order: Copresident David Holper called the meeting to order at 1:00.
2. Introductions and Public Comments: Copresident David Holper welcomed all members and
guests, and he introduced Dana Maher as the meeting substitute for Justine Shaw. Dave called
for public comments; no public comments were offered.
3. Approve the November 5, 2010 Meeting Minutes: On motion by Gary Sokolow, seconded by
Jeff Hogue, the minutes were approved as written.
4. Action Items
4.1
4.2
November 12 Curriculum Committee Recommendations: Chair Peter Blakemore presented
the recommendations, and he answered questions. Construction Technology Professor Bill
Hole spoke to the proposed Certificate of Achievement in Historic Preservation and
Restoration Technology, and he addressed the need for the college to offer required courses
in a sequence that allows students to complete a program in a timely manner. On motion
by Allen Keppner, seconded by Kady Dunleavy, the recommendations were unanimously
approved by the following roll call vote: Bailey – y, Brown – y, Dunleavy – y, Gardner –
y, Gonsalves – y, Hogue – y, Keppner – y, Mancus – y, Maher – y, Mayer – y, Olsen – y,
Padilla – y, Rhodes – y, Richards – y, Romero – y, Sokolow – y.
Senate Resolution – District’s Proposed Revisions to Article XI, Faculty Tenure and
Evaluation: Copresident Holper presented the proposed resolution. Kerry Mayer moved to
approve the resolution, seconded by Gary Sokolow. Mike Richards then moved to amend
the resolution to have the second paragraph read, “Whereas the Vice President of
Instruction, who is a member of the ASPC, the TRC, and the Academic Senate, was
thoroughly involved in that review.” The motion to amend was seconded by Gary Sokolow
and unanimously approved by the following roll call vote: Bailey – y, Brown – y,
Dunleavy – y, Gardner – y, Gonsalves – y, Hogue – y, Keppner – y, Mancus – y, Maher –
y, Mayer – y, Olsen – y, Padilla – y, Rhodes – y, Richards – y, Romero – y, Sokolow – y.
The vote on the main motion then carried unanimously by the following roll call vote:
Bailey – y, Brown – y, Dunleavy – y, Gardner – y, Gonsalves – y, Hogue – y, Keppner – y,
Academic Senate Minutes
November 19, 2010
Page 2
Mancus – y, Maher – y, Mayer – y, Olsen – y, Padilla – y, Rhodes – y, Richards – y,
Romero – y, Sokolow – y. Allen Keppner, Todd Olsen, Kady Dunleavy and Jeff Hogue
emphasized that their vote in support of the resolution was based on the direction of their
constituents.
5. Discussion Items
5.1
5.2
Faculty Prioritization Process Proposal: Copresident Holper presented the proposal, and he
informed the Senate that it was drafted by an ad hoc committee, forwarded to College
Council, and is now in the 30 day constituent review period. During discussion Dave
clarified that elements that are still needed to complete the process are (1) a Program
Review position request form; (2) a program initialization process; and (3) a conversion
process for how grant funded positions will be considered for tenure track, district funded
positions. Senate feedback and suggestions for additions to the proposed process included:
(1) a request that the procedure include a process for replacing retirements; (2) the position
description and where to advertise be coordinated with discipline faculty; (3) the reference
to growth data be revised to say, “Fill rate percentage of classes that are offered within that
discipline”; and (4) a way to address the hiring freeze of the last few years. Dave stated
that once the process is approved, it will be used to prioritize position requests both within
and outside the regular cycle. With the Senate’s suggestions, the proposal will go back to
College Council for further review.
Basic Skills Initiative, Proposed Senate Resolution: Copresident Winter presented the
background and history of how the Basic Skills Initiative (BSI) has been addressed and
administered at CR, and he informed the Senate that since 2009, the goals and expenditures
reports have been submitted to the Chancellor’s Office without the signature of a Senate
copresident. The current BSI plan outlines seven initiatives that include student learning,
but the majority of the initiatives were developed without input from faculty or the
Academic Senate, which are requirements for BSI compliance. Additionally, BSI monies
have been used on activities that are outside the funding parameters, but since 2009 they
have not been used to support a BSI coordinator. Therefore, the proposed Senate
resolution was drafted as an attempt to address BSI compliance issues and bring collegial
consultation to the planning and implementation process. Mark asked senators to consider
the language and intent of the draft resolution, distribute it to their constituents for
feedback, and bring suggestions to the December 3 Senate meeting where the resolution
will be considered for approval.
6. Reports
6.1
Status of 50% Law Compliance: The Business Office requested that this item be
postponed until the 50% Law Report to the Chancellor’s Office is completed.
6.2 Administrative Procedure 4240 – Academic Renewal Proposed Revision 11/12/10:
Academic Standards and Policies Committee (ASPC) Marla Gleave informed the Senate
that the proposal was approved by the Senate in April 2009 then forwarded to College
Council. Discussion at College Council resulted in a request that the proposal be returned
to ASPC for a revised definition of a term. Marla presented ASPC’s recommendation, and
she explained that the proposal will now go back to College Council for further
consideration.
Academic Senate Minutes
November 19, 2010
Page 3
6.3 Proposed Student Representation Fee: ASCR Treasurer James Rogers presented
information on two proposed student fees—a student use facility fee and a student
representation fee. James reported that both fees are authorized in the Ed. Code and both
require student approval. Because the ASCR wants to inform students prior to the vote,
James asked for faculty support to help distribute information on the proposed fees.
6.4 Accreditation and Site Visit Update: Vice President Utpal Goswami reported that the
visiting team members are scheduled to be on the Eureka campus Monday, November 22,
and they plan to meet with a number of constituent groups, including the Board of Trustees,
the classified staff, and the CRFO and Senate Executive committees. An all college forum
is scheduled for 1:10-2:10 in FM 100, and Utpal encouraged everyone to attend. In
addition, Utpal reported that the document for the mock self-study is ready and will
probably be distributed today. Utpal asked that feedback on the document be sent to him,
which he will then forward to the appropriate standards chairs for consideration.
6.5 ASCCC Fall 2010 Plenary Session: Copresident Holper presented information on a
number of the sessions that he attended, and he reported that attending Plenary was a
valuable education for him and a benefit for our local Senate. Dave stressed the need for
our Senate to be in contact with other Senates across the state, particularly those in our own
Area A, and he encouraged faculty to participate on statewide ASCCC committees.
Senators who would like more information on the resolutions addressed and approved at
the Plenary Session can contact Dave or view them online at the ASCCC’s website.
6.6 ASCR Update: Student Representative Rebecca Ashbach reported that with Treasurer
James Rogers transferring in the spring, the ASCR is looking for a replacement for that
position. Rebecca also informed the Senate that ASCR needs a faculty advisor, and
Copresident Holper agreed to help identify a faculty member to serve.
6.7 November 15 College Council Meeting: Copresident Winter presented a list of current
agenda items and the status of each one. Mark also reported that the Council is working on
a process for how to address competing drafts, which will probably be addressed by an ad
hoc committee using the Interest Based Approach. Resources are posted on the College
Council website, and Mark encouraged everyone to visit the site and to attend College
Council meetings to become better informed.
7. Announcements and Open Forum: Kerry Mayer voiced concerns that she and other faculty
members are already hearing student complaints and feedback on problems regarding the spring
registration process and the lack of available classes. Kerry requested that the December 3
Senate agenda include a discussion focused on enrollment concerns and a report on the protocol
for how faculty should handle student adds, drops and other registration issues for the spring
semester.
8. Adjournment: On motion by Gary Sokolow, seconded by Jeff Hogue, the meeting was
adjourned at 2:25.
Respectfully submitted by Sally Frazier, Administrative Secretary to the Academic Senate.
Next Meeting:
December 3, 2010