School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
March 15, 2016
SBS School Meeting
Call to Order: The SBS School meeting was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in Canyons Hall
201. It began at 4 PM and was presided over by Paul Wickline, with Lisette Godinez as
secretary.
Attendance: Anne Marenco, David Andrus, Lisa Malley, Paul Wickline, Renee Marshall, Sherrill
Pennington, Tammera Stokes-Rice, Victoria Leonard, and most of SBS FTF.
Welcome: Congratulations to Phil Gussin, our newest tenured faculty member! Lisette passed
around agendas and index cards for the Myth busting activity.
Myth Busting: Paul had a myth busting activity adopted from Joe Gerda, former CIO. Academic
questions, or rumors were addressed including:
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Will faculty be forced to use OER materials?
Paul’s response is that it is not likely. Some faculty members can see them pressured by
students and publishers, as there are now incentives in switching to OER.
How do you enjoy being dean?
Paul loves being SBS dean! He finds it interesting and rewarding. Paul enjoys interacting
with instructors, and observing classes and learning about the different disciplines. He
enjoys the events clubs host, and hearing about student achievements. The job has its
challenges, but he enjoys being an advocate for faculty and students.
Is Jerry looking to leave as CIO?
Jerry is a finalist at Oxnard Community College. Jerry is looking for a “good fit”, but Paul
is not aware of any decisions Jerry has made.
Will Paul be dean for 2016/2017? Is this known yet?
There is a full-permanent hire in the next month or two, and Paul is planning to apply,
but does not know the outcome. He enjoys being a teacher, and enjoys being dean. It
would be a win/win either way.
Is the district trying to increase class sizes?
Rooms are being redistributed to allow for better seating capacities. Smaller classes will
be placed in small classrooms, and classes with higher or increased seating capacities
will be in large classrooms. If teachers can and are willing to take in more students due
to a higher seating capacity, they will be compensated, but they are not forced to do so.
Committee Reports: Not enough time was spent hearing back from the committees at the last
meeting, so Paul wanted to hear from them first today.
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OER: AB-8798 is state money awarding $1,000 per course section that creates OER
material, up to $50,000 per campus. Money will be available starting October of this
year. The money is prohibited any of that money from being used toward courses that
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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March 15, 2016
have already adopted or created OER. People who have already created or adopted OER
materials, those OER materials will be updated. Outside consultants can be paid, if
brought it, but the committee would rather the money stay “in-house.” There will be a
call for a faculty coordinator to create OER in the future, towards the end of the
semester. People who have been using OER will not get preference over those who have
not used OER if someone would like to apply for the position. The project is starting with
Sociology and social science.
CETL: They are reviving the online-teacher certification program. There will be 4
opportunities this academic year for those who want to be certified. The classes will
begin in April, though the first class is already full. It is free, and there is a need for other
workshops. Email to follow, requesting feedback from those in the pilot program using
Canvas.
Academic Senate: Victoria had sent out an email requesting feedback and opinions on
the diversity requirement. It became a hot topic at the last meeting. Senate would like
to expand and broaden the requirement, as it is currently too narrow. Diversity is an
important topic in today’s society, so taking out our local diversity requirement makes it
seem like we don’t care diversity at all. Currently, the requirement states 50% of the
class should deal with diversity, and should explore issues, especially those resulting
from conflict. Discussions agreed that diversity in courses should not focus on conflict,
and feel that if the requirement were broader, many more classes would be able to fill
the requirement. They do not want to get rid of the diversity requirement, however,
because it would make a statement that “COC doesn’t care about diversity.”
It was pointed out that it is a matter of interpretation. If it is broad, any course can fulfill
the requirement, and that getting rid of the requirement is not feasible. It was then
agreed that the requirement should be more inclusive and not just deal with conflict,
but with differences, understanding, and conflict resolution.
Civic Engagement: Discussion on Human Trafficking This is something Victoria Leonard’s
leadership course is working on this semester to raise awareness and fundraise with a
non-profit organization: Saving Innocence. There are 10,000 girls in the Los Angeles area
that have been sold into sexual slavery. The average age is 12. Their average lifespan is
19, if not rescued. The workshop will focus on student awareness and doing well for
their community. The event takes place on March 25 from 9AM to 2PM. Free breakfast
will be served at 8:30AM, and there will be free lunch. RSVP with
CivicEngagement@canyons.edu due to limited space and food orders.
CASL: Event on March 25 and/or 26 to discuss Program Level Assessment and taking a
closer look at them to review, measure and dissect. Light breakfast and lunch provided.
Please RSVP.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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March 15, 2016
Professional Development: There is an issue in which ProDev cannot confirm
conferences after the paperwork is submitted. There are suggestions to provide a
schedule and the hours to prove the conference took place. Please remember to submit
travel authorizations, including for those conferences that are paid out-of-pocket. There
should also a travel report submitted.
Diane Stewart: Diane joined the meeting to discuss the Canyons Extension. A packet was
handed out over the structure for Non Credit and Not-for-Credit educational opportunities. The
departments include Community Education and Community Ed/Non-Credit, including Gateway
SCV: SCV Adult Education Consortium.
Community Education offers diverse, fee-based personal enrichment and professional
development classes and activities to the Santa Clarita Valley.
Gateway SCV: Santa Clarita Valley Adult Education Consortium is a collaboration with the
William S. Hart School District (Golden Oak Adult School) and is funded through AEBG AB 104
for 2015/2016. There are locations at elementary schools, businesses, high schools, colleges,
and other community locations.
The Consortium has been funded through next year, with $227,000. Focus areas include:
immigration education (ESL, Civics, Citizenship), adults with disability, ASE/ABE (basic skills) –
high school diploma and GED, short term CTE certifications, Adult/Older Adult workforce
training, including K12 student success, and apprenticeships.
If anyone would like to start a class, please contact Diane Stewart to begin the discussion and
process. She is located in Canyons Hall 107 and can be reached at Ext. 3503.
Department Reports: SBS had the following quick updates and reports:
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COMS – Speech Team made 2nd Place in the State, Small Schools Division. They brought
back 9 medals: 2 gold, few silver and bronze. 50% advanced to Finals, with 10 out of 13
advancing. They have set a goal for 13/13 in the next 2-3 weeks.
POLSCI – IDEAS (Invisible Disabilities Education and Support) will be meeting weekly,
Thursdays in Hasley Hall 206 at 3:30PM. It is a new group for people with invisible
disabilities to share a safe space and create a sharing atmosphere. Email with more
information to follow!
ECE – Teach is holding the following events:
o March 18: Tech in the Classroom
o March 19: CSET workshop for free, materials included
o May 13: Education Leadership conference
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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March 15, 2016
SOCI – Federal Careers day was hugely successful! There is talk of hosting the event next
year. This upcoming weekend they will be holding their simulated society that their
classes participate in.
Closing: Paul passed around a handout about a bond from the district that outlines what
projects will come up. Paul will also send the document electronically. It is a $250 million bond.
Paul will also send an email for voting regarding the school meetings for the fall semester. The
meeting concluded at 5:15PM.