LASC Behavioral & Social Science Department
Meeting Minutes
October 15, 2014
Present:
Next meeting:
I.
E. Braggs, T. Howard, K. Wright, A. Corneal, W. Powel, A. CranonCharles, M. Walker, S. Umoja, B. Foy, T. Truitt, L, Robert, D. ThomasWhitman, S. Lapeyre-Montrose, M. Cunin-Borer, M. Jones, J. Soto, S.
Thornton, N. Austin, S. White, M. Smith, G. Britton, M. Meaway, N. Berry,
M. Johnson
November 19, 2014 1:00pm SSEC 309
Welcome
Dr. Howard
II. Agenda Items
FTLA - Faculty Teaching Learning Academy
Dr. Howard, Dr. Smith and Prof. Meaway, have all participated in this program. The program is
not only full of valuable information, they provide meals, and it’s a great way to meet faculty from
other campuses. Also, after completing the program you may receive a: certificate, plaque or
ipod.
Hiring Prioritization
The campus will be hiring 8-10 new faculty members. Dr. Howard will lobby for a new
anthropology faculty member. Dr. White feels as though, sociology could benefit from a new
faculty member, due to class. Prof. Robert feels as though political science could benefit from a
new faculty member, due to class demand. General consensus from the group was for
Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science to be presented. Application deadline is coming up
in November.
Health Care Center
Not covered – tabled until next meeting.
Work Environment Planning
 Update – Building temperatures are still fluctuating between hot and cold. The short term
fix is to place fans and mobile A/C units, in classrooms. The long term fix is to replace the
entire heating/cooling system in the TEC & SSEC buildings. Dr. Wright has emailed and
spoken with the sheriff’s on campus regarding parking. So far, she’s only gotten excuses
regarding vehicles without a “staff” placard, parking in staff lots.
 Survey and Record - Dr. Wright is continuing her social media campaign on twitter
@mylascview, anyone can participate. Feel free to tag campus/district pages and
officials. Prof. Soto would like students to attend the next Board of Trustees meeting.
Students do not have to speak, their presence is enough. The department may offer
Political Science 41- Principles of Student Leadership, in an effort to organize students.
DE – Mandatory Online BSS Orientation
Dr. Howard would like to have a mandatory orientation, for all BSS online students. Prof. CranonCharles pointed out that, etudes offers an online orientation. She also stated that, it’s an ACC JC
violation, to make students come on campus, for any reason (unless it’s a hybrid class). Prof.
Jones thinks that, even though students enroll in online courses, they still like to see a person.
The general consensus is that, our students would greatly benefit from an in person orientation,
rather than online.
Student Group Updates
Ms. Johnson is working with ASO, to get specific fundraising and advisor information
Anthropology Club – They are officially chartered. Their first fundraiser is scheduled for, October
27, 2014 in the quad area. The club will sell hot dogs, and other food items. Two field trips have
been planned: The Japanese History Museum and the American History Museum. Also, the club
will host a, lunch time documentary series, Henry Gates Black and Latin Americans.
BSU – Book Initiative – Dr. Umoja stated that in the near future, the BSU will start collecting
books for prison inmates. These inmates are attempting to obtain an education, and are an
underserved population.
SAADA – Dr. Apenahier not present
Hip Hop Congress – November is Hip Hop History month. Kick-off events are planned for
November 3-4, 2014. Dr. Wright wants to ensure that others know, the group uses hip hop, to
address real social issues.
Course Approval
The department has been hard at work, updating our classes. At the previous meeting, one
person was assigned to be the lead for both assessing student learning outcomes and updating
curriculum. The following courses need department approval:
AJ 3 - added writing assignments and changed pre-requisite
AJ 4 – tabled until next meeting
AJ 16 - added writing assignments and updated textbook
Ed 205 – change Ed 1 to an advisory, rather than a pre-requisite for this class
Hist 1 - added writing assignments, library information, interpersonal activities and updated
textbook
Poli Sci 1 - updated SLO’s and textbook, ensured DE addendum was present
Poli Sci 7 - updated SLO’s and textbook, ensured DE addendum was present
Psych 37 – updated SLO’s and textbook
Psych 43 – updated pre-requisites
Anthro 111 – This is a new 2-unit class, offered as an online lab. This is needed for all
anthropology majors and should be added to the degree plan as well. Will be offered as a corequisite to
All courses were approved.
BSS Discussion Topic
Event Planning Update: AJ is hosting a workshop 10/23/14 entitled UNARMED: Why Police
Shoot. Dr. Wright is working with The Strategy Center, to organize a rally for students 10/22/14.
This is a national day to protest police brutality. Education is putting together a workshop series,
Power Through Education. The workshops with consist of panels that include: students, faculty,
community leaders, as well as leaders in education. Prof. Powell will be on a panel entitled
American Slavery by Another Name. This will take place 10/25/14, 3:00pm-5:00pm at Rancho
Park library.
Improving Reading and Writing Skills while balancing content coverage – Many instructors have
experienced this issue. Faculty suggests utilizing the workshops offered by the student success
Center as well as online help. Prof Cranon-Charles offered a website essayinfo.com. Dr. Smith
offered to share a powerpoint and article with the department pertaining to this subject. In
addition, multiple instructors give examples of the format, which they prefer, for writing
assignments.
III. Questions/Comments
None
VI. Adjournment
Dr. Howard 3:00pm