REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Meeting of the Academic Senate
September 16, 2011, 1 p.m.
• Eureka: 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, AD 201 (Board Room)
• Del Norte: 883 West Washington Boulevard, Crescent City, Rooms E3 and E4
• Mendocino Coast: 1211 Del Mar Drive, Ft. Bragg, Room 106 B
Members Present: Mike Richards, Dave Bazard, Trish Blair (substituting for Allen Keppner), Bob
Brown, Steve Brown, Kady Dunleavy, Ryan Emenaker, Chris Gaines, Jennifer
Gardner, Utpal Goswami, Dave Gonsalves, Cindy Hooper, Philip Mancus, Susan
Nordlof, Bobby Shearer, Kevin Yokoyama.
Members Absent: Allen Keppner, Gary Sokolow, Mark Winter.
1. Call to Order: Copresident Mike Richards called the meeting to order at 1:01.
2. Introductions and Public Comments: Copresident Mike Richards welcomed all members and
guests, and he introduced Bobby Shearer as the new ASCR representative on the Senate. Mike
called for public comments; no public comments were forwarded.
3. Approve the September 2 Meeting Minutes: On motion by Kevin Yokoyama, seconded by Bob
Brown, the minutes were approved as written.
4. Action Items
4.1
Academic Senate Proposed Appointments: Copresident Richards presented the proposed
appointments. On motion by Bob Brown, seconded by Dave Bazard, the appointments
were unanimously approved by the following roll call vote: Bazard – y, Blair – y, Brown,
B. – y, Brown, S. – y, Dunleavy – y, Emenaker – y, Gaines – y, Gardner – y, Gonsalves –
y, Hooper – y, Mancus – y, Nordlof – y, Yokoyama – y.
4.2 Curriculum Committee September 9 Recommendations: Committee Chair Peter
Blakemore presented the recommendations, and he answered questions. On motion by
Steve Brown, seconded by Dave Bazard, the recommendations were unanimously
approved by the following roll call vote: Bazard – y, Blair – y, Brown, B. – y, Brown, S. –
y, Dunleavy – y, Emenaker – y, Gaines – y, Gardner – y, Gonsalves – y, Hooper – y,
Mancus – y, Nordlof – y, Yokoyama – y.
4.3 2011-2012 Eureka Campus-wide Meeting Schedule Proposal: Copresident Richards
presented the proposal, and he gave the background. Bob Brown moved to approve,
seconded by Kady Dunleavy. It was suggested that the guidelines be adjusted in the future
to reflect the new teaching periods, and the Senate meeting time be changed to 3:15-5:15.
Following additional discussion, Dave Bazard moved to amend the motion, seconded by
Ryan Emenaker, to delete the second to last sentence and revise the last sentence to read,
“The Academic Senate suggests that division and department meetings be scheduled in
such a way that they do not conflict with the regularly scheduled meetings noted above.”
The amendment was unanimously approved by the following roll call vote: Bazard – y,
Blair – y, Brown, B. – y, Brown, S. – y, Dunleavy – y, Emenaker – y, Gaines – y, Gardner
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September 16, 2011
Page 2
– y, Gonsalves – y, Hooper – y, Mancus – y, Nordlof – y, Yokoyama – y. The vote on the
mail motion then carried unanimously by the following roll call vote: Bazard – y, Blair –
y, Brown, B. – y, Brown, S. – y, Dunleavy – y, Emenaker – y, Gaines – y, Gardner – y,
Gonsalves – y, Hooper – y, Mancus – y, Nordlof – y, Yokoyama – y.
5. Discussion Item
5.1
College Council Draft Policy and Procedure for Constituent Review – BP/AP 3260
Participatory Governance: Copresident Mike Richards presented the drafts, and he
explained that they are currently out for a 30 day constituent review and will be considered
for approval by College Council on October 10. Senate discussion included (1) the
suggestion that the Decision Making Model included in the AP be removed as it doesn’t
reflect what we do, (2) add cross references within the documents when other policies or
procedures are cited, (3) clarify in the AP what elements of governance are not part of
participatory governance, and (4) clarify the roles of administrators and managers and
consider including the roles of deans and area coordinators. Mike asked senators to
forward the drafts to their constituents and bring feedback to the October 7 Senate meeting.
6. Reports
6.1
6.2
Curriculum Committee Update: Curriculum Committee Chair Peter Blakemore reported
that at their September 9 meeting, the committee had an opportunity to address the
following issues: (1) The new GE process. Peter asked senators to remind their
constituents that there is a new course outline for proposed GE courses. When current GE
courses are due for revision, the new form should be used and the outcomes reviewed. (2)
Mapping student learning outcomes for GE courses. Peter reported that he will keep the
Senate informed on the mapping process and the progress that has been made on assessing
GE courses. (3) Distance education (DE) and where the college is going with DE. The
Curriculum Committee would like a process in place that informs them if a proposed
course would put the program offering through DE over the 50% threshold, which requires
a Substantive Change be submitted to the ACCJC. Peter requested Senate guidance in
what should be included in that process. (4) New programs and a Program Initiation
Process. The Curriculum Committee would like Senate guidance in developing a process
for how the committee should address proposed curriculum that will lead to the
implementation of a new program. Peter also informed the Senate that a Curriculum
Spotlight and a Spotlight for DE courses are now available on the Institutional Research
website for tracking the approval cycles of courses and to highlight those that need
updating.
Basic Skills Committee Update: Faculty Tri-chair Erin Wall presented the draft of the
End-of-the-Year Expenditure Report for 2010-2011, which is due to the Chancellor’s
Office by October 10, and she gave background information and answered questions. Erin
reported that the committee has $90,000 to allocate this year, and a portion of the money is
being used to fund the English writing and the math labs. A call for proposals for the
remaining basic skills funds was distributed to faculty and staff in late August, with the
proposal review process to begin November 1. The Basic Skills Committee is meeting
again to revise and update the report before it is submitted to the Chancellor’s Office, and
the Senate will have an opportunity to review the final draft on October 7.
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September 16, 2011
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6.3 Accreditation Update: Utpal Goswami reported that the college is in the logistical phase of
scheduling meetings and organizing the October 17-20 ACCJC site visit, which will
include visits to Del Norte and Mendocino Coast. Open sessions with the college
community will be scheduled for the first morning, and meetings with district committees,
including College Council and the Senate Executive Committee, will be scheduled at the
team’s request. Utpal reported that the team wants to see the college’s committee work
tied to the mission of the institution, and at Utpal’s request, statements are being posted on
committee websites that outline how each committee’s activities supports the college
mission. With the intention of assessing how our face-to-face sections compare with those
taught online, the team plans to request access to selected distance education (DE) classes,
and they will also visit the corresponding classes taught face-to-face. DE instructors will
be contacted by early October and informed of the team’s request. Utpal reported that the
team will be very interested in learning how informed the CR faculty and staff are in the
college’s progress toward meeting the ACCJC Standards, and all district employees are
encouraged to attend one of the two accreditation information sessions scheduled for
Friday, September 30.
6.4 Academic Standards and Policies Committee (ASPC) Assignment – BP/AP 4030
Academic Freedom: Copresident Richards informed the Senate that he and Copresident
Winter tasked the Senate’s Academic Standards and Policies Committee with reviewing
BP/AP 4030 Academic Freedom. On completion of the review, ASPC will forward its
recommendations to the Senate for approval.
6.5 Course, Degree/Certificate and General Education (GE) Assessment Update: Assessment
Coordinator Justine Shaw reported that through work done by the Assessment and the
Curriculum Committees, a GE assessment plan is being developed that will allow faculty to
assess students directly. About 20 GE sections will be identified to participate in the plan,
and the assessment will focus on the area of critical thinking. The 20 faculty who teach the
identified GE sections will be asked to include one portion of their grading on a critical
thinking rubric, which will be submitted at the end of the semester. In the spring, the 20
faculty will meet to collectively review the results and to exchange ideas on what worked
and what elements can be improved. Justine also reminded senators that a six hour
assessment session that will include Del Norte and Mendocino has been scheduled for
Friday, September 30. Justine and members from the Program Review Committee will be
available throughout the session to assist faculty in developing five-year plans for assessing
course-level and degree/certificate-level outcomes.
6.6 BP/AP 3430 Prohibition of Harassment – Multicultural and Diversity Committee (MDC)
Feedback: Committee Chair Justine Shaw reported that the MDC discussed the proposals
at their September 16 meeting, and they forwarded the following feedback: (1) A
procedure for filing harassment charges needs to be drafted; (2) The AP focuses on sexual
harassment, but other types of harassment need to be given more consideration; (3)
Revisions were suggested for the protective categories listed in the BP; (4) Language
inconsistencies need to be addressed; and (5) The proposals potentially infringed on
academic freedom. Justine informed the Senate that the MDC will address a more formal
draft of recommendations at their next meeting, and once approved, she will forward the
recommendations for Senate consideration.
6.7 ASCR Update: ASCR representative Bobby Shearer reported on the following ASCR
activities: (1) The Student Senate established semester objectives, some of which dovetail
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September 16, 2011
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with BP/AP 3260 Participatory Governance; (2) To support improved communication,
ASCR plans to install drop boxes where students can forward concerns and suggestions,
which will then be sent to the appropriate areas; (3) A barbeque for students is scheduled
for Constitution Day, and (4) ASCR is working on reinvigorating student clubs and
activities. Bobby reported that the ASCR office is next to LS 102, and he asked faculty to
inform their students that there is a Student Senate that represents them and their peers.
6.8 College Council September 12 Meeting: Copresident Richards reported that Interim
President Utpal Goswami presented an ACCJC update to the Council in which he
emphasized the need for the college to have participatory governance documents in place
that clarify our governance process prior to the ACCJC visit. To that end, the BP/AP 3260
Participatory Governance proposals are currently out for a 30 day constituent review, with
the goal of having them approved on October 10. College Council also discussed how to
revise the college’s planning model to include a different routing process for items that are
not appropriate for Budget Planning Committee consideration, and Mike reported that in
addition to the BP/AP proposals that have been addressed at Senate meetings, there are a
number of BP/AP proposals currently out for constituent review. He urged senators to
access the documents on the College Council website and forward feedback to the
copresidents.
6.9 Board of Trustees September 13 Meeting: Copresident Richards reported that the
September 13 Board meeting included the following issues: (1) Interim President Utpal
Goswami recommended that the Board not accept the current bid for the Garberville site,
but that a site review be conducted that will probably result in a scaled-down proposal
being presented at a future Board meeting. (2) CRFO President John Johnston made a
public statement requesting that the Board not approve initiating the process for a 50% Law
waiver for 2010-2011. (3) The Board approved initiating the 50% Law waiver process for
2010-2011. (4) CSEA President Thomas Olivares asked the Board to review the large
number of temporary employee requests and to consider filling permanent positions
instead. (5) Copresident Winter’s letter to the Board was well received. (6) Reporting from
the closed session, the Board rejected the proposal to subdivide the Garberville site, and it
was announced that Ahn Fielding will be the district negotiator with CRFO.
7. Announcements and Open Forum
7.1
Portugal Award Presentations: Copresident Richards announced that Jon Pedicino’s 20112012 Portugal Award presentation titled “The Space Telescope Kepler; Searching for
Extrasolar Planets, Looking for Earths,” is scheduled at the following three locations: (1)
September 23, Mendocino Coast campus, Room 112 at 1 p.m.; (2) September 30, Eureka
campus, Room PS 113 at 7 p.m.; and (3) October 7, Del Norte campus, room DM 29 at 1
p.m. The presentations are free and open to the public, and everyone is invited to attend.
7.2 Science Night: Kevin Yokoyama announced that the 26th annual Science Night is
scheduled for Friday, October 21, from 5-9 p.m. in numerous locations on the Eureka
campus. More information will be distributed by early October.
7.3 Diversity Conference: Bobby Shearer announced that in conjunction with Science Night,
the ASCR is planning a Biodiversity Conference. The Conference will include a number of
forums presented by guest speakers, and ASCR is planning to have the conference recorded
and archived as a college and community resource.
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September 16, 2011
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7.4
Student Communications and Feedback: With the objective of improving communication
between faculty and students, Bobby asked faculty to forward any student comments and
feedback to him, and he will forward the communications to the ASCR. Bobby will keep
the faculty updated on ASCR issues through his regular report to the Senate.
8. Adjournment: On motion by Kevin Yokoyama, seconded by Dave Bazard, the meeting was
adjourned at 3:20.
Respectfully submitted by Sally Frazier, Administrative Secretary to the Academic Senate.
Next Meeting:
Friday, October 7, 1 p.m.