REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Meeting of the Academic Senate
September 2, 2011, 1 p.m.
• Eureka: 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, AD 201 (Board Room)
• Del Norte: 883 West Washington Boulevard, Crescent City, Rooms E3
• Mendocino Coast: 1211 Del Mar Drive, Ft. Bragg, Room 106 B
• Reedsport OR: 2401 Loon Lake Road
Members Present: Mike Richards, Mark Winter, Dave Bazard, Bob Brown, Steve Brown, Kady
Dunleavy, Ryan Emenaker, Chris Gaines, Jennifer Gardner, Utpal Goswami (for a
portion of the meeting), Dave Gonsalves, Cindy Hooper, Allen Keppner, Philip
Mancus, Susan Nordlof, Gary Sokolow, Kevin Yokoyama.
Members Absent: Colette Beaupre.
1. Call to Order: Copresident Mark Winter called the meeting to order at 1:02.
2. Introductions and Public Comments: Copresident Mark Winter welcomed all members and
guests, and Copresident Richards introduced Jeff Cummings as the new Dean of Career and
Technical Education. Mark called for public comments; no public comments were forwarded.
3. Approve the May 6 Meeting Minutes: On motion by Gary Sokolow, seconded by Bob Brown,
the minutes were approved as written.
4. Action Items
4.1
4.2
Academic Senate Proposed Appointments: Copresident Winter presented the proposed
appointments. On motion by Allen Keppner, seconded by Gary Sokolow, the appointments
were unanimously approved by the following roll call vote: Bazard – y, Brown, B. – y,
Brown, S. – y, Dunleavy – y, Emenaker – y, Gaines – y, Gardner – y, Gonsalves – y,
Hooper – y, Keppner – y, Mancus – y, Sokolow – y, Yokoyama – y.
2011-2012 Faculty Development Funding Resolution: Copresident Richards presented the
proposed resolution, and he answered questions. On motion by Allen Keppner, seconded
by Gary Sokolow, the resolution was unanimously approved by the following roll call vote:
Bazard – y, Brown, B. – y, Brown, S. – y, Dunleavy – y, Emenaker – y, Gaines – y,
Gardner – y, Gonsalves – y, Hooper – y, Keppner – y, Mancus – y, Nordlof – y, Sokolow –
y, Yokoyama – y.
5. Discussion Items
5.1
5.2
Campus-Wide Faculty Meeting Schedule Guidelines: Copresident Winter presented the
proposed guidelines, and he gave the background for how they were developed. Concerns
with the Eureka all-faculty meeting schedule were discussed, and a suggested revision will
be included when the draft is forwarded for Senate approval on September 16.
2011-2012 Senate Priorities: Copresident Winter presented the priorities list, and he
explained that the issues can come from faculty or be generated by administrative
Academic Senate Minutes
September 2, 2011
Page 2
5.3
initiatives or actions. The Senate discussed each of the items and forwarded the following
feedback. (1) Accreditation and the October 17-20 site visit: There was consensus that
accreditation and the site visit are a top priority for the Senate. Suggestions for how the
Senate can support a positive outcome included (a) have informed faculty who can speak to
the work that has been done and what the college plans to accomplish. To that end, it was
suggested that information sessions be scheduled for all faculty and staff prior to the site
visit. (b) Increase efforts to gather assessment evidence. (c) Continue to address general
education assessment and gather evidence. (2) Board policies and administrative
procedures: Copresident Winter presented the current process, and he informed the Senate
that updating the policies and procedures is an administrative priority for this year. As a
result, numerous proposals will be distributed by College Council for constituent review,
and the proposals that deal with academic and professional matters will be forwarded for
Senate consideration. (3) Program Initialization: Copresident Winter reported that the
college does not currently have a procedure for program initialization, and developing a
policy this year is a Senate and administrative priority. (4) Grant development process:
Copresident Winter informed the Senate that a proposed process is being drafted, but it is
not yet ready for Senate review. Senators discussed elements that they want to see
included in the process, and Mark said the draft proposal will be distributed to senators
when it is released. (5) Assessment: As a subset of Accreditation, assessment issues and
the importance of gathering evidence were addressed during the Accreditation discussion.
The Senate asked that the Assessment Coordinator, Justine Shaw, be invited to present an
assessment update to the Senate, and it was reported that the September 9 Curriculum
Committee agenda includes a discussion on mapping student learning outcomes for general
education courses. (6) Integrated Planning Process: Cheryl Tucker reported that the
college’s integrated planning process was drafted into an administrative procedure and
forwarded to College Council. Following discussion at College Council, the proposal will
be distributed for constituent review, which will include the Senate. (7) Substantive
Change proposals: Copresident Winter reported that five Substantive Change proposals
were submitted to the ACCJC in June, and the Commission determined that all five need
further review. A visiting ACCJC team will focus on gathering more information on the
proposals, and Mark encouraged senators to read the documents and be prepared to provide
feedback on suggested revisions. (8) A suggestion was made that in order to keep the
Senate informed, the faculty co-chairs of each of the functional planning committees be
invited to give periodic status reports to the Senate.
College Council Draft Policies and Procedures for Constituent Review
5.3.1 BP/AP 5010 Admissions and Concurrent Enrollment: Copresident Winter
presented the proposals. Senate questions and concerns included: (1) What is the
criteria for assessing a student as gifted? (2) Would the criteria and process
outlined in the proposal put home schooled students at a disadvantage? (3) Why
was the age limit removed, and could consideration be given to putting it back in?
Mark suggested that senators send any suggested language revisions to the
copresidents, and they will forward them for College Council consideration.
5.3.2 AP 5011 Admissions and Concurrent Enrollment of Special Part-time High School
Students: Copresident Winter presented the proposal, and he gave some
background information. It was questioned whether mandated reporting
requirements should be added to the policy.
Academic Senate Minutes
September 2, 2011
Page 3
5.3.3
BP/AP 3430 Prohibition of Harassment: Copresident Winter presented the proposals,
and he informed the Senate that a separate procedure for filing harassment charges is
in draft form and will be forwarded to College Council for review. Senators asked if
this is meant to deal with harassment across the institution and for all groups, and if
there is a separate policy for discrimination. It was suggested that the college needs a
sexual harassment policy and a separate policy for all other types of harassment.
Concerns were voiced that it appears that harassment charges would trump academic
freedom, and the proposal does not specify criteria for how to determine whether
charges are warranted or not warranted. During discussion on how the Senate wants
to further address the proposals, it was suggested that the drafts be forwarded to the
Multicultural and Diversity Committee for their review and feedback. It was agreed
that the BP/AP, along with the procedures proposal, will be back before the Senate
for further consideration.
6. Reports
6.1 Executive Committee May 17, 2011 Meeting: Copresident Winter presented the May 13
Curriculum Committee and the May 13 Faculty Qualifications Committee
recommendations, and he reported that the Senate Executive Committee approved the
recommendations from both committees at their May 17 meeting.
6.2 Administrative Update: Utpal Goswami presented an administrative update that included:
(1) As of yesterday, FTEs were up this semester compared to last fall. Additional FTEs
were added since the beginning of the semester, but by headcount we are short our goal by
600. There are 80-90 fewer sections, and district-wide the fill rate is about 90%. Utpal
encouraged faculty to keep retention rates up. (2) In order to get a better idea of where the
district stands financially, a profit and loss analysis of the various sites will be presented at
the next Board meeting in two scenarios. (3) Also at the next Board meeting will be a
discussion of the Garberville site and what the ultimate use of the facility should be. (4) A
final budget will be presented to the Board that includes $400,000 in reserve and
compliance with the 50% law. (5) At today’s site visit by the ACCJC team leaders, the
college was informed that the Self Study is a reflection of the entire past six years, and the
work accomplished in the past two years needs to be connected to what occurred over the
entire six years.
6.3 College Council Draft Policies and Procedures for Constituent Review
6.3.1 AP 2511 College Council: Copresident Winter presented the revised operating
procedure for College Council, and he informed the Senate that College Council’s
primary function has been to review and update district policies and procedures.
6.3.2 BP/AP 5030 Fees: Copresident Winter presented the proposals, and he asked that
feedback be sent the copresidents, who will forward the suggestions for College
Council consideration.
7. Announcements and Open Forum
7.1
September 16 Senate Meeting: Copresident Winter informed the Senate that he will be out
of town for the September 16 Senate meeting, and Copresident Richards will chair the
meeting.
Academic Senate Minutes
September 2, 2011
Page 4
7.2 Invitation to Attend Home Football Games: Bob Brown announced that the first home
football game is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, with kick-off at 3 p.m. CR will
play Laney College, and everyone is invited to attend. Free passes for all CR sporting
events are available for faculty and staff, and those interested should contact the
PE/Athletics office.
8. Adjournment: On motion by Allen Keppner, seconded by Gary Sokolow, the meeting was
adjourned at 2:54.
Respectfully submitted by Sally Frazier, Administrative Secretary to the Academic Senate.
Next Meeting:
Friday, September 16, 1 p.m.