LAS POSITAS COLLEGE
College Council
October 18, 2007
MINUTES
Present:
Christine Acacio, Lee Bateman, Greg Daubenmire, Frances De Nisco, Noah Fischer, Jim
Gioia, Laurel Jones, Bob Kratochvil, Pam Luster, Jane McCoy, Kayla Moreland, Todd
Steffan
1. Review Minutes from September 20, 2007
The Committee reviewed the minutes from the Council meeting on September 20th.
Motion:
To approve the minutes from September 20, 2007.
MSC:
Jane McCoy/Christine Acacio
Vote:
Unanimous
President Kratochvil noted that, once approved, the minutes will be posted on the Intranet. Vice
President Jones has been working with the staff to get all of the up to date committee documents
(going back to 2003) online using the Contribute software. Jeff Sperry is creating a digital
archive to house materials in preparation for the Accreditation visit.
2. Compressed Calendar
Vice President Jones distributed copies of the letter that will be sent out to the campus community
regarding the compressed calendar. Chancellor Kinnamon has asked both Colleges to explore
this, and the Vice Presidents of Academic Services are meeting with key groups. A draft form of
this letter has already been shared with various constituency groups. At the November Town
Meeting, Ron Travenick – Vice President of Student Development, Ohlone College – will present
the concept of compressed calendar and talk about their experiences implementing it at Ohlone.
Soon we will begin holding focus groups to garner feedback from all areas and address concerns
(pedagogical, service levels, etc…). Then we will identify 2-3 other colleges who have adopted a
compressed calendar, and assemble a visit team to travel there, meet with representatives, and ask
questions from the focus groups. As stated on page two of the letter to the campus community,
“compressed calendar is at best a two-year process”, and this is something that will be looked into
thoroughly and not rushed. Noah Fischer shared that this had been discussed at the ASLPC
meeting, and there was concern about the impact on students and their full-time status (for
financial aid, medical insurance). Vice President Luster assured him that students will have the
opportunity to express all of their concerns, and that “full-time” is defined by the College – so
students shouldn’t be affected adversely in that way.
3. Accreditation
Our Accreditation team will meet again tomorrow. The Wiki site is up and running, and it houses
the Standards, archive library, writing template, and timeline for response and review. Maureen
O’Herin, Accreditation Chair, sent out a letter inviting faculty and staff to participate on each of
the four Standard teams. We need to have additional people sign for several of the Standards,
especially classified staff. The December Town Meeting will be a “celebration” of the
Accreditation process.
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4. Foundation Grants
Ted Kaye handed out copies of the memo outlining the LPC Foundation Grants Policy &
Availability. This went out to faculty and staff in their mailboxes last week. Dr. Kaye explained
that the Foundation now has a more clear and systematic funding policy, with two cycles each
year (Fall and Spring). For the 2007-08 academic year, more than $100,000 has been allocated
for student support, and almost $62,000 has been earmarked for faculty, staff, and other grants.
The application is available on the Intranet “Forms” page, and the deadline is November 15. The
Foundation is approaching the $1,000,000 mark for funds taken in during the last four years.
5. Other
Jane McCoy (Faculty Association) – The FA and Distance Education Committee are having
trouble getting feedback from the District regarding online evaluations. It is difficult to complete
the process and negotiate without the technical information. On October 31, the FA will conduct
a faculty workshop on reading paychecks and load sheets.
Jim Gioia (PBC) – The Committee is set to review Faculty Position Requests in November, and
the Classified Position Requests at their December meeting. Instructional Equipment will be
considered at the beginning of Spring semester. There was initially some concern that there
wouldn’t be enough time to place orders by the purchasing deadline, but he has worked with
Natasha Mosset (Business Office) to streamline the process.
Noah Fischer (ASLPC) – The ASLPC had a bylaw review, and will work on setting up time to go
to the Divisions and talk with faculty.
Kayla Moreland (ASLPC) – Some of the officers will be attending an upcoming conference, and
some will also be traveling to Sacramento to meet with legislators.
Frances De Nisco (Classified Senate) – Plans have been formalized for Classified Flex Day on
October 26. The morning will include a discussion of the purpose/role of Classified Senate on
campus and retirement information. After lunch (provided by Zuk Financial) there will be a
presentation from Blue Star Moms, followed by pumpkin carving.
President Kratochvil updated the Committee on facilities projects and the Presidential Search. In
about two weeks, construction will begin on the Aquatics Center. The soil around the MultiDisciplinary Building was contaminated by the contractor, and the landscaping issues are being
resolved. The MDB walkway to Building 2100 has been incorporated into the Campus
Boulevard, and will probably get underway in January. Jane McCoy added that there are still
issues with the MDB (wall clocks, window shades, heavy doors, use of the tutorial/study room).
November 7 and 8 have been put forward as dates for the Presidential Candidate Forums. Jane
McCoy stated that those two days are problematic for a number of reasons: Town Meeting is held
on the afternoon of November 7, and almost all full-time faculty teach in the morning. The
afternoon would work better for most faculty, and it sends a bad message to schedule the Forums
when most faculty can’t attend. Vice President Luster added that in the mornings, classified staff
are engaged with students. President Kratochvil proposed that – given the time constraints and
the need to have the greatest level of participation – the Forums be held on the afternoon of
Thursday, November 8, and on the morning of Friday, November 9. The Committee agreed, and
President Kratochvil will forward the recommendation to Chancellor Kinnamon.
Next Meeting:
Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 2:30 pm
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