COLLEGE OF MARIN
ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING MINUTES
August 21, 2008
12:45 – 2:00
Student Services Building, Conference Rooms A & B
Senators Present: Carol Adair, Yolanda Bellisimo, Michael Dougan, Ron Gaiz,
Erika Harkins, Patrick Kelly, Robert Kennedy, Arthur Lutz, Sara McKinnon, Joe
Mueller, Meg Pasquel, Radica Portello, Derek Wilson
Senators Absent:
Eric Dunmire
Guests: Rinetta Early
I. Approval and Adoption of the Agenda. accept
II. Reading and Approval of the Minutes
Minutes of May 15th, 2008, first meeting. accept
Minutes of May 15th, 2008, second meeting. accept
III. Reports
President: Yolanda Bellisimo
Written report (attached) In response to the request that Senators take this
information to their departments, it was suggested that each Senator make
himself/herself responsible for communication to and from particular departments.
Vice President: Patrick Kelly
Distance Education Guidelines: According to the Guidelines, the Academic Senate
should guide matters concerning Distance Ed. Apparently, decisions are being sent from
administrators to departments without consultation from either mandated committee:
Curriculum or DETAL (which is a sub-committee of IPC).
The Senate must take a look at the key issues because state laws governing Distance Ed
have recently changed. Patrick will bring a summary of the key issues to our next
meeting. After our discussion, we will publish the issues on our web page and through
our newsletter in order to solicit faculty advice.
Treasurer: Ron Gaiz
The Senate’s account, which contains all donated money from faculty deductions,
is now at Union Bank of California. This money goes for immediate expenses and such
as gifts or Senate lunches. The balance is $1, 363.18.
The District account contains $13, 320.
Curriculum Committee: Derek Wilson – No report
Academic Standards: Rinetta Early
None of the Academic Policies approved last year are in the printed catalog. The
Senate must revisit many of these policies this semester because laws have changed.
Community Education: Erika Harkins
ESL and Non Credit courses have started. The quarter for fee based classes starts
in September Community Education staff is unable to access Banner for information
on the Summer session.
Governance Committee, IPC/Ed Planning: Blaze Woodlief
The college must develop an Educational Master Plan before the next WASC visit.
The college has done extensive research through our last Program Review and now, in
order to pull it together into a Master Plan we need a consultant to help put the
information into the correct form. Arthur Lutz expressed concern about professionalizing
jobs that faculty should do. The Senate was assured that the consultant will advise and
support, not lead, and that the Senate will receive updates on the Master Plan as it is
developed
Governance Committee, Budget Committee: Ron Gaiz
Proposition 20 Lottery funds have not been transferred to department
accounts, causing havoc with many budgets because this is their supply fund. Many
departments receive discounts by ordering early, using these funds. Some
departments such as Art, Biology and Chemistry, depend almost completely on
Lottery money for their supplies. Yolanda will ask Anita Martinez to get this money
rolled over immediately from the general fund into the accounts. However,
depending on Lottery funds for supplies is risky and inefficient. The Budget
Committee will recommend that supplies be a regular line item, unrestricted, taken
from the general fund and supported by program review. The Lottery money will
then be used for one-time expenses.
IV. Consent Agenda. Committee Appointments
Many committee positions must be filled. We need 10 faculty on various
governance committees, 3 on Academic Standards, many on Curriculum. Yolanda
will put out a call that includes each committee’s charge. She asks Senators for
names of possible candidates.
V. Action Items. Hold for later discussion and action.
AP 4225 – Course Repetition (applies to credit courses where a substandard grade
was earned) and AP 4100 – Graduation Requirements for Degrees & Certificates.
VI. Discussion
a) Employee Development Committee. Yolanda Bellisimo: To assure full
participation in the faculty and staff development program, the Senate must
reestablish and reseat the Employee Development Committee whose charge is to
assess procedures the college uses to approve IR&D grants, and to use department
Program Reviews to recommend an overall plan to UDWC. Next week, Yolanda will
present a list of six faculty members to serve on this committee.
b) Education Research Facilitator. Robert Kennedy: Robert Kennedy has accepted
the position of Research Facilitator. Robert’s research will help allocate resources,
measure achievement, set objectives and design programs to improve student
success. He will create a baseline analysis of student success, propose various
student cohorts to study and write a report, tracking these cohorts using the five
student pathways: transfer, workforce, basic skills, lifelong learning and cultural
enrichment. In two weeks, Robert will bring the matrix to the senate.
VIII. Adjournment: 2:00 PM
For questions or information concerning the Academic Senate, please contact Carol
Adair: carol.adair@marin.edu X7367