ACADEMIC SENATE
MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 16, 2008
12:45 – 2:00
Student Services Building, Conference Rooms A & B
Senators Present: Carol Adair, Yolanda Bellisimo, Michael Dougan, Eric Dunmire, Ron
Gaiz, Erika Harkins, Robert Kennedy, Sara McKinnon, Arthur Lutz, Joe Mueller, Meg
Pasquel, Radica Portello, Derek Wilson,
Senators Absent: Blaze Woodlief, Patrick Kelly
Guests: Rinetta Early, Matt Markovich, Bob Balestreri
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Summary
Approved AP 4225 – Course Repetition which applies to credit courses where a
substandard grade was earned)
Motion for next week’s discussion “that the Senate agenda be modified to
include a heading titled “New Business” during which time, senators might
introduce legitimate new business to be included on the next meeting agenda.
Amended “that the Senate vote on whether on not to accept the suggested
agenda item and on where it is placed on the agenda.”
Pledged support for Athletic Department proposal.
I.
Minutes
Approval and Adoption of the Agenda. Accepted
II.
Reading and Approval of the Minutes of OCTOBER 9, 2008. Accepted
III.
Reports
President’s report. Yolanda Bellisimo: Attached.
Vice President. Patrick Kelly: None
Treasurer. Ron Gaiz: None
Curriculum Committee. Derek Wilson: The CC tech reviewed 9 courses. Although
the official deadline for submitting new or changed courses is October 16th, the CC will
continue to accept new and changed courses as time permits. The CC will develop a new
form for 139 and 249 courses (Selected Topics). This form will present the generic outline
so that the submitting department need only present the schedule description.
Academic Standards. Rinetta Early: AS gave approval for an AP Chinese course.
There is a new problem with our IGETSE standards. According to IGETSE agreements, a
student gets credit for college English if he/she receives a score of 3. At COM, the student
with a score of 3 is merely “eligible” for 120/150. AS will renegotiate with the English
department.
Community Education. Erika Harkins: Members of ASEC (Associated Students
Emeritus College), who are both students and, frequently, teachers, were surprised to
discover that although they paid monthly fees to UPM, they are not members of the union
unless they filled out a membership card.
IV. Consent Agenda
a) Committee Appointments. There are still openings for 1 faculty member on the
Technology Committee, 1 on the Instructional Equipment Committee (preferably from Art
or PE). Also the opening for an SLO Facilitator from the sciences is still open. Yolanda will
send Senators a list of department chairs so that suggestions can be solicited.
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V. Action Items
a) Procedures AP 4225 – Course Repetition (applies to credit courses where a
substandard grade was earned). Approved.
VI. Discussion
a) Change to Agenda Format. Arthur Lutz: Senator Lutz moved that the Senate
agenda be modified to include a heading titled “New Business”, during which time,
senators might introduce legitimate new business to be included on the next meeting
agenda. Lutz /Dougan. Senator Bellisimo amended that the Senate vote on whether or not
to accept the suggested agenda item and on where it is placed on the agenda.
Bellisimo/Adair
b) Athletic Program Reforms. Matt Markovich, Director of Physical Education &
Athletics: Matt informed the Senate that the Athletic Department has a new
emphasis – students first. Immediately, the department’s goals are to
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Create a culture in which academics is the first priority.
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Help students meet their full potential as students and athletes.
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Retain students in the program.
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Meet Title 9 requirement for women’s athletics.
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Have over 250 students participating in intercollegiate athletics.
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Field competitive teams.
Bob discussed the specific strategies planned to achieve these goals including study halls
for athletes, mandatory grade checks, the establishment of two new women’s teams and
an examination of the feasibility of COM’s supporting a football team.
Bob will send the Senate his specific proposals. The Senate pledged full support for
any of these proposals that need administration or IPC attention.
c) Banner Issues Bob Balestreri: Bob responded to concerns sent from the counselors
and from Senators.
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Because counselors cannot access Banner to print student transcripts, they are
unable to advise effectively. This is especially dire, since students will soon be
applying for graduation. Bob sent the order for counselor access to IT months
ago. Yolanda will write a letter to Al Harrison and to the President suggesting
that counselor access should be a priority job for IT.
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Students have complained that they cannot access services, such as pass/no
pass, through Banner or at the window. Bob insists that all services are available
at the window and that students who had trouble have been granted extensions.
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One on-going problem has been that on-line registration has never been live. It
has always taken 24 – 48 hours to take the registration from the application,
sent by e-mail, and transfer it. However, within weeks, this will be corrected
because on-line registration will be live and immediate.
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Mid-term grades from professors must be posted through MYCom Portal.
Admissions sends all notices through MyCom and not through regular e-mail.
They are hoping that faculty will make it a habit to check into MyCom every day.
Senators suggested that Chairs should be notified that grades are due through
MyCom Portal and that Betty Schlaepfer should send a college-wide phone
message.
VII. Adjournment: 2:00 PM
For questions or information concerning the Academic Senate, please contact Carol Adair:
carol.adair@marin.edu X7367
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
October 16, 2008
1.
Suggested Revisions to the Weekly Senate Agenda
Rather than change the by laws, may I suggest that we direct the Senate president to put old
business discussion items ahead of new business discussion items unless there is an important
reason to do otherwise, e.g. a guest speaker, an urgent need?
We have this on as a discussion item as Arthur may have additional suggestions.
2.
Program Review Training and Due-Date Change
Derek Wilson and Kathleen Kirkpatrick have planned a follow up workshop for Friday,
November 7 in BC 102 from 10:00-2:00pm. We will have the data packets for participants at
that training. Due to the hold-up in the data packets and the need to schedule a second workshop,
the due date for program reviews has been changed to 11/21.
3.
Ed Master Plan and Strategic Planning Workshops
Just to make sure you read this message from Kathleen Kirkpatrick:
To All Governance Committee Members: As a governance committee member you are
strongly encouraged to attend the Integrated Planning Model Workshop on Friday, October 24th
from 9:00-2:00 PM in FH 120! Educational Master Planning facilitators Dr. Eva Conrad and
Dr. Ed Buckley will work with participants to develop a model that will integrate planning with
resource allocation. This is vital information for all governance committee members to be
informed about as we move forward with the Educational Master Plan, strategic planning and
linking planning to resource allocation. If you have not responded to the Integrated Planning
Workshop Outlook meeting invite, please do so or email barbara.david@marin.edu so we can
make sure we have enough food for lunch! Thanks, Kathleen
4.
IPC Request for a Program Review of Campus-Wide use of Instructional Specialists
At today’s IPC meeting a resolution was passed calling for a program review of the IS
assignments for all programs, especially math and English. The IPC is asking that a task force
be formed including representation from the English and math departments, a faculty member atlarge, representation from the ISs, administration, and students. The task force will be directed
to prepare and conduct surveys of all affected groups and to collect both qualitative and
quantitative data about the use of ISs and to come up with recommendations for the college-wide
use of ISs. Anita Martinez and I have been instructed by IPC to prepare a memo that will go to
the chairs of English and math and for the ISs, and the Student Senate requesting prospective
members to serve on the task force and outlining the charge.
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