Academic Senate
Minutes
December 2, 2003
Members Present:
President:
Vice President
Secretary
Past President
Tonie Hilligoss
Kris Kays
Mick Dunne
Barbara Davis-Lyman
Senators: Genevieve Flett, Patty Harris-Jenkinson, Deva Chopyak, Pam Flaherty, Michael
Richardson, Alex May, Shirley Brown, Travis Silcox, Ken Naganuma, Ruth Ochoa, Dennis
Smith, Darlene Arnold, Richard Cervin, Ginnie Gessford, Janet Handel, Ginni May, Forrest
Newman, Gayle Pitman, Donna Nacey, Bob Ackley, Marisa Avendano, Mary-Sue Allred,
Keely Carrol, Paul Frank, Ed Gallup, Larry Johnson, Andrew Jones, Ellis Jones, Sandra
Kawamura, Sandra Ruedas, Linda Stroh.
Others:
1.
Tonie Hilligoss called the meeting to order at 12:02 pm.
2.
Introduction of Guests: Annette Barfield, Counseling; Chris Thomborg, Psychology;
Karen Kunimura, Curriculum Committee; Judi Keen, ESL; Daniel Styer, Engineering; Phil
Cypret, Technology; Lisa Gunderson, Psychology; Brent Scott, ASG; Scott Suneson,
Sociology; and four students joined the meeting at 12:40.
3.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes were approved by consensus.
4.
Announcements:
a. Recycling: Gayle Pitman, Andrea Greenwell and Craig Davis recently met to
brainstorm ways to increase the recycling effort at SCC to meet the 50% minimum that is
required. Craig has been doing much of the work himself and will be needing more
volunteers to help realize the 50% goal. There will be a Flex activity on Thursday,
January 15th to discuss recycling.
b. Social Responsibility Initiative: Ellis Jones reviewed the detailed results of the survey.
The most recent finding showed that the Senate members were most active in 5 areas:
voting, donations, modeling values, recycling and placing family before work. The areas
in which we were least involved included socially responsible credit cards, public
transportation, community supported agriculture, volunteer travel, socially responsible
banking, biking / walking and socially responsible long distance telephone service.
Work will be continuing on providing information on hybrid cars, biking and volunteer
travel. The committee would like to reach out to staff and students. A “sister village”
arrangement is being developed between SCC and a village in Uganda. The last meeting
of the semester for this committee will be Thursday, December 4th at 2:30 pm in RS 273.
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OLD BUSINESS
1.
Faculty Hiring Results: Tonie distributed three items: the faculty rankings, the WSCH and
Productivity data and the final V.P.I. ranking. A few positions were placed higher on the list
because the V.P.I. considers them to be “critical” hires, with the other areas moving down
the list accordingly. The positions moved up on the priority list included:
Math moved from #7 to #2
PE/Track coach moved from #5 to #3
Tonie mentioned that the V.P.I. was very concerned about several areas not included near
the top of the final list: Reading, Chemistry, Cosmetology, ESL, and Library Services for
Outreach facilities.
The number of full-time positions available in the District keeps changing due to an
uncertain climate concerning the budget, but it appears that there will be 20-22 positions for
the 4 campuses. SCC may receive 6-7 positions. All this may change if the mid-year
financial situation deteriorates further. In addition, if the District offers incentives for
retirees, this may change the outlook for the better.
2.
Constitution and Bylaws Revision: With the exception of two areas, Article I, Section 5a
and 5d, a motion was made to accept all proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws.
The motion was passed with a vote of 37 ayes, 0 noes and 0 abstentions. Discussion
occurred on the two remaining proposals, with most of the discussion focused on the
election run-off policy. According to the proposal, candidates would be ranked by the voter
1,2,3, etc. If no one voter received a 50% majority, the top two vote-getters would receive
the second-choice votes from the other candidates’ ballots. It was suggested that this process
be tried next year as a “pilot” and changes be made after reviewing the process. Most
modifications to the Bylaws were “benign” and would require little discussion.
The changes to Section 5a and 5d will be voted upon at the December 9th Senate meeting.
3.
Testing Support Issue Paper: First Reading: The Issue paper was distributed to the
Senators. A lively discussion occurred in regards to this Paper. The idea of establishing a
“Testing Center” was the main topic of discussion. One faculty member and four students
were present to support the concept of a testing center. Several faculty members spoke
against the proposal. Brent Scott, the ASG President, stated that the Associated Student
Government does not support such a center at this time. A vote on this paper will occur at
the December 9th Senate meeting.
4.
Productivity: Tabled until the next meeting.
Minutes were submitted by Mick Dunne on December 3, 2003.
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