Minutes of the Academic Senate Meeting
February 9, 2006
Voting Members Present: (Senators) Donna Ayers, Clive Gordon , Stan Levine, Janice
Silver, Terri English, Said Pazirandeh, Ralph La Rosa, John Orozco, Debbie Wong, Paul
Kubicki, Ruthie Grant, Joyce Woodmanse, Rick Scuderi, Leslie Milke, Charles Dirks,
Voting Members Absent: NONE
Exec, Members: Louise Barbato, Gwen Walker, Eloise Cantrell, Gary Prostak, Mark Pursley.
Michael Climo, Vickie Oddino
Executive Members absent: Angela Echeverri
Faculty Present: Lilamani DeSilva, John Glavin, Jeanne Cassara, Michong Park, , Sandra
Lampert, Geri Shapiro, Suzanne Ritcheson, Sonia Soto-Bair , Bonnie Sherman, Phoebe Rivera,
Ludi Villegas, Lorraine Manoogian, Cindy Cooper, John Klitsner ,Sherrill Frank, Alex Yguado,
Harlan Goldberg, Myriam Mekelburg, Ed Raskin, Monica Moreno, Pat Flood, John Morales, June
Wada, Susan Polk, Lupe Jara, David Jordan,
Visitors/Guests: Dr. Jose Leyba, Senator Alarcon, and his representatives Nicole Chase, Zunica,
NAAACP Sharon Garrett,
Daryl Smith, Karen Hoefel, Joe S. Ramirez, Robert Crossley, Michael Long, Margarita Lopez,
Linda Carruthers, Eduardo Pardo, Simon Rodriquez, Wendy Reme ,Emmanuel Barragan, Garni
Eskcudari, Jana Ineram. Zoila Rodríguez-Doucette, Iris Zunica-Corona, Norma E. Ramirez, Yoon
Yun
h,
Gwen Walker called the meeting to order at 1:43 p.m.
II.
Approval of Minutes: (Kubicki/Orozco)
TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF December 1, 2005
III
Officers’ Reports
A. President (Angela Echeverri absent due to maternity leave)
Vice President Louise Barbato gave the executive report. Dr. Barbato welcomed
everyone and indicated that the Academic Senate will observe all parliamentary procedures.
Parliamentarian Gwen Walker asked to move the agenda to introduce special guest, President
Jose Leyba.( Motion Walker/Kubicki)

Dr. Jose Leyba gave a brief introduction and stated he wants to establish a
dialogue in an atmosphere of respect. Dr. Leyba introduced Senator Alarcon.

Senator Alarcon stated, “Let’s listen to all stakeholders.” He then indicated that he looks
forward to working with the Academic Senate. Alarcon stated that we need to deal with
the issues on campus. Mission needs to work with the community. He reprimanded the
faculty for putting forth a motion which says that administration needs to abide by the
law, specifically AB1725 and the Brown Act. He admonished the Senate with the words,

“You need to abide by the law. Shame on you, Shame on you faculty.” He also advised
faculty to, “teach students from where they come." The corn fields was one example.
Another was that if they come from Pacoima, we should teach them how to solve the
problems in Pacoima. Then he added, of course, that the students probably know how to
do that better than we do.
Sharon Garrett from the NAACP was introduced. She explained the role of the
NAAACP and indicated that it is based on civil rights which is fairness for all
people. She asked for a partnership to help educate the community and prepare
them for better jobs and a brighter future.
L.A. MISSION COLLEGE ACADEMIC SENATE
Vice President Report –Barbato
 President Angela Echeverri gave birth to a wonderful boy – Samuel. She is
out on maternity leave.
 Approval of the Dec. 1-2005 minutes (Kubicki/Orozco unanimous)
 Gwen Walker will be the Acting Academic Senate President during Angela’s
absence and Louise Barbato will be on sabbatical for the Spring semester.
 Parliamentarian Walker asked that the 5 resolutions go under NEW
Business, Moved, Seconded (Kubicki/Orozco), and that the draft for the
establishment of a new department go under OLD Business, Moved,
Seconded (Kubicki/Orozco).
 Louis Cruz Update –
Cruz was Mission’s Prop A/AA Building Project Manager, representing
Gateway Science and Engineering. He was introduced to Mission faculty on 3-1804 at College Council and disappeared from Mission in the May of 2005. Mission
faculty were told he had been in an car accident in Texas which would not allow
him to return to Mission.
News articles from the San Antonio Express-News indicate that a Louis Cruz in
March 13, 2002 was the object of a Texas Ethic Commission probe for bid
rigging in order to gain construction contracts with the Los Alamos Community
College District. In a November 2004 news article, it was reported that Cruz
had left his “felonious life in Texas “ to start anew in California where he had a
job as as a project manager making $150,000 a year for a “company that works
on school contracts.” He had lost his architect’s license in Texas and proceeded
to file for bankruptcy in a court San Fernando. On May 25, 2005, the San
Antonio Express-News reported that Cruz was sentenced to two years in prison
in Texas after pleading guilty to, “one count of bribery in connection to 18
payments totaling $32,000. Dr. Barbato stated that it could not be discerned if
this Louis Cruz was the same man that was hired at Mission. She also stated that
the accuracy of what was reported in the newspapers could not be guaranteed.
Faculty stated that it would be opportune to find out if it were the same man.
Great concern was expressed regarding the fact that a person who was under
indictment and later convicted for a felon involving bribery to get Alamo
Community College contracts was hired as Mission’s Prop A/AA Project
Manager. They expressed the need to look further into this matter.
B.
Treasurer (Mark Pursley)
1.
Report on account at the First American Bank:
a. Faculty Senate Checking Account
b. Carla Bowman Scholarship
c David Lee Moss Scholarship
$1,857.87 +225.00TBD
$3,649.00
$655.11
2.
Faculty Dues of $25 are due now. 25 faculty have paid. Please pay Mark as soon
as possible.
The Faculty Academic Senate of Los Angeles Mission College approves the following
changes in those who are authorized to sign checks, make deposits and withdrawals to the
following Academic Faculty Association accounts at Pacific Western Bank (formerly First
American Bank): #DDA- 032200126; #DDA- 0311003016; and #DDA- 0322000548.
Individuals to be removed: Margie Long (former treasurer) and Leslie Milke (former
president). Individuals to be added: Mark Pursley (new treasurer) and Angela Echeverri
(new president).
C.
Parliamentarian (Gwen Walker)-Dr. Barbato explained the difference between
a motion and a resolution.
IV. Public Address: 15 minutes allowed(comments on matters on the agenda for the
current meeting)

Karen Hoefel –, VP of Administrative Services, declared that this indeed was the
same Louis Cruz, his crimes were not known when he was hired as Mission Project
Manager. She assured the Senate that Louis Cruz did not have the opportunity to
bribe anyone while he was in service at Mission.

Clive Gordon expressed his dismay that Senator Alarcon would come to the Senate
to reprimand faculty for asking that the law be followed. He found the Senator’s
remarks to be very inappropriate.

Daryl Smith LAMC student who identified himself as an older adult student with
concerns that all students be heard . He spoke of opportunities and betterment for
humanity that the community colleges can give, He praised LAMC faculty and said
he was proud to be a part of the student body and the community.

Margarita Lopez – identified herself as the co-chair of Mecha. She accused the
senate of not allowing students to attend meetings of the senate. She alleged that
campus police had stood at the doors of the senate meeting and had not allowed
students to enter. She accused the Senate of violating the Brown Act.
V. Reports of Senate Committee Meetings
A. Curriculum: (Said Pazirandeh)
Curriculum Report for Academic Senate Meeting 2-9-06



Curriculum meeting dates for the Spring 2006 semester are available online on the
curriculum webpage. Please observe the deadlines for submitting your course
outlines in order to expedite the process.
When submitting course outlines, please use the latest version of the PNCR form.
This form is periodically improved and the latest version is posted on the curriculum
website.
Submit all curriculum items to Academic Affairs in care of Luis Cordova (AA
administrative assistant in charge of curriculum).
.
Curriculum Calendar (Spring 2006)
Due to A.
A.
by noon
Jan 6
Jan 20
Feb 10
Mar 10
April 7
Form
Revisions
Available
(p.m.)
Jan 11
Jan 27
Feb 17
Mar 17
April 14
Revised
Forms
Due to A.A.
noon
Jan 16
Feb 3
Feb 24
Mar 24
April 21
Campus Curriculum
Committee Meeting
Due to
District
Jan 24
Feb 14
Mar 7
April 4
May 2
Feb 3
Feb 24
Mar 17
April 14
May 12
The final deadline for ALL courses for the Spring 2007 Schedule of Classes
INCLUDING District and State Approvals (if applicable) is April 7th, 2006. Allow at
least 30 days for District Approval and one year for State Approval from Campus
Approval Dates.
Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month.
We are putting together a calendar for timelines. Any course outline older than
6 years needs to be redone or it will not be able to be taught in Fall 2006. Deadline
is March 2006.
B. District Academic Senate (Mike Climo)
No report
C. EPAC (Sonia Soto-Bair) –
VI. Old Business:
 Accreditation Update (John Glavin)
 Draft for the procedure/petition to establish New Instructional Departments. (
Kubicki/Orozco) unanimous to accept draft after much discussion it was decided that
faculty who would like to submit input could do so to the e-board within the next two
weeks, before the next senate e-board meeting. Leslie Milke, Jan Silver, Myriam
Mekelburg, John Morales said they were interested and Leslie Milke volunteered to
coordinate the group.
 Departmental Modification Request Motion –(Kubicki/Orozco) passed, after much
discussion related to above draft of the procedure. The process includes the
following steps:
Notice motion
Draft Motion
Final Document which is presented to the Senate, the AFT and the administration for
sign off.
When all have signed it is a Policy for the college.
VII.
New BusinessIntroduction of 4 resolutions to be voted on by the senate:
 Difference between a Resolution and Motion
 Motion #2 made orally on floor
 Resolution – presented in writing ( attached to the agenda for Feb. 9)
 Suspension of the rules “to accommodate urgent circumstances” requires a 2/3 vote.(
Kubicki/Orozco )was unanimous
a) Resolution #1: Secret Meeting pulled
b) Resolution #2: Shared Governance, Moved by Kubicki, Orozco –passed unanimous.
Committee to consider the planning and implementation of a all college retreat:
Milke, Pursley, Prostak, Cantrell ( others are encouraged to join in on the planning
for this March).
c) Resolution #3: The Hiring of a Consultant for the Reorganization of College
Structure and Instructional Support Service ( i.e., Counseling, Library and Learning
Center) ( Kubicki/Orozco passed Unanimous )– Comment by Leyba that NO
MASSIVE RE-Organization will take place. Administration MUST be in
consultation with the Senate and the Union on these issues.
d) Resolution #4: Permanent Vice President of Academic Affairs (Kubicki/Orozco –
passed Unanimous)
e) Resolution #5: Board Policy on Discrimination Complaints (Kubicki/Orozco –
passed Unanimous) Dr. Leyba commented and agreed with this resolution and is in
support of it.
All items other items under new business will be tabled until next month due to time
constraints.
VIII. Announcements and Open Forum
(Visitors and senators for matters not currently on the agenda)
 John Orozco – addressed the FALSE accusations made by the student speaker,
Margarita Lopez, concerning the senate having campus sheriffs block the
access of students to senate meetings. Dr. Barbato and members of the Senate
E-Board concurred that the Senate had never asked to have the Sheriff block
the access of students and that students have always attended Senate meetings.
Dr. Barbato asked the Sheriff present to check police records if they had ever
been assigned to perform such duties and to report back to the Senate with
findings.
 Ruthie Grant- concern about emails not getting to her in time for her to
respond. She would like for her communications to in the form of written –
hard copy.

Mike Long –addressed the perpetration of false truths. Administration and the
district have been deliberately given false information by Mecha concerning
issues on LAMC campus. He showed the LAMission newspaper that
Was not written by the student whose name appeared as the author. The
allegations ere false and students resent being used by this small group of student.
Complaints from students concerning EOPS requesting that Chicano Studies
classes be taken were expressed.
 Dr. Barbato asked that Dr. Leyba look into the mentioned student
allegations and report back to the senate his findings.
 Myriam Mekelburg asked why “American Culture Studies
Department” posters are still being posted in the faculty area. She
wanted to know if the sociology that she teaches is not “American
enough’ and what it might be. E-Board members commented that
Dr. Barrera had already previously ordered the signs to be
removed. Dr. Barbato asked President Leyba and VP of Student
Services Joe Ramirez if they Senate could have their reassurance
that the signs would be once and for all permanently removed.
 Myriam Mekelburg reported on the activities of the Diversity
committee and invited everyone to the event Wed. Feb. 15 – Fashion
Show 4:00 p.m. to celebrate Black History month - campus center
Next meeting of the senate: March 2, 2006 campus center 5 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Submitted by Eloise Cantrell, Secretary