REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Dean’s Council
Tuesday, September 27, 11am – 12pm
Lakeview Room (following Expanded Cabinet)
Meeting Notes
Present:
Joe Hash, Pat Girczyc, Rachel Anderson, Jeff Cummings, Ahn Fielding, Anita Janis,
Geisce Ly, Utpal Goswami, Crislyn Parker - notes
1. Responding to the Visiting Team
 Utpal asked what kind of information needs to get out to all prior to the visit
 There was discussion that this provides and excellent opportunity for the district
to review current policy and procedure and that emphasis needs to be made on the
separation of opinion vs. fact
 The tendency is that people tend to notice and comment on what doesn’t work
rather than what does, but the problem with that is, so much happens in
background that is not known. Also, people tend to think we don’t have a
process, when maybe it a process that needs improvement or is not liked
 It was suggested we approach this from the point of view, when the team leaves,
what do we want them to leave with? Team wants to see sustainability. It is ok
to make mistakes, as long as you learn and move forward to change it. What we
need to be made clear is this institution and people are able and willing to work
through problems and mistakes
 Utpal will send a supplement on the progress of our planning agenda items around
October 7 or 10th. The team may still find some problem areas in the area of
governance issues, especially peoples’ understanding of the role of a president
and board.
2. Measure Q—Instructional Programs, Enrollment limits:
 Utpal would like Dean’s input on whether we should designate some monies for
instructional programs such as culinary, fire, diesel, and other programs that are
in need of an infusion of money. This would be for facilities, equipment and
program development.
 Regarding a concern for TLUs and future budgeting, Utpal thinks past practice
has been putting growth money into a pool for distribution among existing
programs first, then new. He believes this is not the best way to utilize funds; it
doesn’t allow strategic direction. Not all TLUs, growth money should be on
existing programs. Another area he believes funds aren’t utilized properly is
program development. We don’t need to pay someone to develop a program,
unless it is a very unique program, when it probably has been successfully
developed elsewhere.
 Jeff feels having the information obtained by matching student completion in
courses, with offering enough sections for the next step, allows monies to go
where needed.
3. Dean Report-outs








Gainful employment is going through and data has to be submitted by
11/15/2011. There is an October 13 webinar, and Utpal will send an email with
more details.
Per Utpal, indications are we did not receive the Horizons grant. He thinks the
reason is we don’t have an identified population affected regularly by trade. Utpal
is inviting members of the board to walk through the athletics building during
Sunday’s Board retreat, to understand why he is asking for dollars for planning.
Joe is overseeing student conduct for Eureka campus. He has noticed a lot of the
issues are classroom management issues; faculty are not aware of their rights in
the classroom. Classroom management was discussed at the associate faculty
orientation, but not all attend. The Dean’s can direct faculty to Joe for assistance.
Jeff is moving on the faculty evaluation process. Decommission of the Arcata
kitchen is moving ahead positively. Enrollment Management Committee and
Program Review planning is moving ahead positively
Joe is advocating dedicated space for student government. Can we use the
(current administration building) space for faculty, students, IR and foundation
offices; and if so, when can we make the determination? (The old library has the
more seismic issues and will remain public space. Retrofit costs are still
unknown). Rachel sent Utpal a list of existing offices that will be vacated. Utpal
noted he would like to have room for growth
Rachel noted some hiccups in the online student evaluation per class. IR says too
difficult a work load and would like to do it through classroom management on
MyCR, which means the instructor could access the survey at any time (against
contract). Ahn would like to hear from IR, because it seems the heavy workload
is one-time only; after fall 2011, evaluations are on a time line. Her suggestion to
parcel out the sections to various staff.
Pat noted that in November, Health Occ has to announce they are reducing
nursing enrollments (from 60 to 36) because special funding ends this year. This
has to be done before taking applicants. Pat would like assistance on how to best
inform the district and will update board in her December board update.
Anita and Geisce: N/A
4. 2012 Community College Futures Assembly, January 28 – 31, 2012
Not addressed at this meeting
5. Meeting adjourned. Next meeting: Wednesday, October 12, 9am – 10:30 in the
Human Resources Conference Room, Administrating Building.