LASC Behavioral & Social Science Department
Meeting Minutes
November 19, 2014
Present:
Next meeting:
I.
E. Braggs, T. Howard, K. Wright, A. Corneal, W. Powel, M. Walker, S.
Umoja, B. Foy, T. Truitt, L, Robert, M. Jones, J. Soto, M. Smith, R. Saafir,
L. Apenahier, S. Lee, J. Scott-Stafford, M. Martinez, A. Tovdin, N. Berry,
M. Johnson
December 18, 2014 4:00pm SSEC 309
Welcome
Dr. Howard
II. Agenda Items
Robert AXA – spoke with group regarding retirement and pension options.
Cary artwithimpact.org – non-profit based in SF. Mission is to use power of short films to connect
young people with mental illness. Organization focus is to reduce stigma and early intervention.
Offers 2 hour event, gives promo items, facilitator, sample extra credit assignments. Monthly
contest for short term film submission related to mental health. Winner receives $1,000.
cary@artwithimapact.org 415-420-4932
ACCJC Midterm Report – Campus passed probation. ACCJC will be back in 2016. Volunteers
are needed for committee. If you’re not able to chair a committee, please at least give your
opinion. Contact Rose Calderon for volunteer information.
BSS Standard Policies – would it be beneficial to standardize policies pertaining to: assignments,
attendance, etc. Prof. Soto locks the door on other campuses, when he’s here he cannot lock the
door. Dr. Smith stated that the sheriff dept. said the doors are on a timer, and cannot lock doors
manually. Dr. Wright stated that attendance cannot be part of a grade. Many instructors use
points for participation, rather than attendance. Dr. Umoja does not penalize students for their
attendance. He has students with all ability levels and their attendance is not always a success
factor. Prof. Truitt has a similar situation. A student is late daily, but has one of the highest grades
in the class. Prof. Berry implemented a policy that students not in class by 9:35am cannot come
to class. Dr. Apenahier feels that these types of policies should be based on individual opinion.
Prof. Corneal gives vocabulary test, and collects homework first 15 minutes of class, and does
not except late work.
Student Success Strategies – Please see attached.
BSS Collection of Books – Please see attached. Utilize office hours in the area where books are
housed. The collection must be protected and preserved. There would need an exclusive
area/space/room for the collection.
BSS Critical Social Thought Book Club – Instructors could offer extra credit for their students
participation. This would help students with critical thinking and reading skills. The club would
meet 4-5 times, and discuss one book per semester. Faculty would facilitate club meetings. Dr.
Umoja reads books, written by prisoners. He edits them and returns to the inmates. Prof. Powell
has been reading on historical topics. Thinks it would be good to have an interdisciplinary
reading.
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Curriculum
o AJ 5 – took out pre-requisite of AJ 3
o AJ 63 – textbook update and SLO
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AJ 83 - textbook update and SLO
His 2 - SLO
His 5 - SLO
His 11- SLO
His 12- SLO
His 37- SLO
His 41- SLO
His 42- SLO
His 52- SLO
Poli Sci 19- textbook update
Soc 1- submitted hybrid applications
Soc 2- submitted hybrid applications
Soc 7 – textbook update
Soc 11-submitted hybrid applications
Soc 45- textbook update
III. Questions/Comments
If any classwork has to be completed online (for a class), the class must be classified as hybrid.
Instructor’s must be present during final exam class time.
We have a new articulation officer. Hopefully, she will be trained soon.
JC’s will offer Bachelor degrees. Department would like to be kept abreast of information, as it
becomes available.
New library will be open in spring.
155 new adjunct positions will be opening in spring. Workshops available at LAVC & LACC
workshops. Full-time faculty needed to help with interview process.
VI. Adjournment
Dr. Howard 3:00pm