El Camino Community College
Learning Resources Unit Council Meeting
September 23, 2008
Persons present: Kerry Bossin KB, Don Brown, DB, Alice Cornelio AC, Lisa George LG, Alice
Grigsby AG, Wilma Hairston WH, Ed Martinez EM, Noreth Men NM, Donna Post DP, Dean
Arvid Spor AV, Rebecca Stewart-Wilson RS, Howard Story HS, Claudia Striepe CS.
The meeting was convened at 3:10 P.M. by AG.
Item # 1: The minutes of the April 22, 2008 meeting were distributed.
Item # II: Accreditation Visit: AG advised that the Accreditation Team comprised of 16 faculty
and administrator at other colleges would be visiting October 6, 7, 8, and 9. With our report in
support of affirmation of accreditation, the team will be looking for evidence that we have
incorporated SLOs into our operation; have moved on evaluations of our classified employees,
etc. AG thanked Don Brown for his contribution to Program Review which was received with
commendations. She noted that Distance Education has been separated out and will have to
report separately. She advised all to be familiar with the Accreditation Report in terms of the
LRU and Library in case the visiting team has questions.
AG introduced Dean Arvid Spor, point person for the accreditation, who presented information
on planning agendas. He advised that wherever the self-study showed a standard wasn’t met, it
created a need for a planning agenda. Discussion followed on Standard IIC and the need to
establish timelines and a process for evaluation. AS said he would need someone to
communicate timelines and a process for evaluation to him. The group then discussed a handout
with information about six themes: Institutional Commitments; Evaluation, Planning, and
Improvement; Student Learning Outcomes; Organization; Dialogue; and Institutional Integrity.
In response to a question from CS about funding, AS advised that the college’s four vice
presidents are going to develop a rubric so that there is a way to measure justification merits. He
added that in lean times Cabinet has to make the tough choices. AG advised AS that timetables
and plans to actualize the items in Standard IIC will be devised and communicated to him. AS
raised the question of knowing whether or not something is effective and commented that what
we’re doing well leads to commendations. DB then asked whether LRU’s working with
Compton Center would affect accreditation and whether there are other areas on campus working
with Compton Center. AS advised that Counseling is affected. He added that the partnership
has two separate districts but one college and that Compton would be assessed as a center not a
full-blown campus. The Accreditation Team’s focus would be on the one college rather than any
lacks Compton might have. AS asked that a timeline be given to him sometime in late October.
Item # III: Prioritized Budget Requests: AG discussed a list of prioritized budget requests sent
to our Vice President: No. 1, a viable book budget; No. 2, replacement of outdated Reference
computers; No. 3, updating Media Services equipment; and No. 4, replacement of 32 computers
2
in the Library classroom. A separate request was made for a fulltime staff member in the LRC.
She advised there may be a need to keep pushing for the position.
Item # VI: Facilities/Building Grand Opening: AG advised that she, HS, EM, WH, and DP
have been working on the opening to be held on Monday, October 20, before the ECC Board
meeting. Discussion followed regarding timing and the question of Ray Bradbury’s speaking at
the ribbon cutting. CS asked about the possibility of Eva Brown coming for the unveiling of her
Peace and Tolerance Education Center. AG said that the team would be meeting the next day to
discuss Bradbury. RS suggested faculty could have an assignment related to Bradbury. She also
suggested that the LRU might have a Friday potluck just for staff as a way of relaxing after the
Opening. AG said there wouldn’t be group tours just staff stationed in specific locations with a
printed handout for distribution. HS suggested that preceding Ray Bradbury, perhaps a few
students and graduates might offer testimonials as people who’ve used the LRU services.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 P.M.