EDUCATIONAL PLANNING & COORDINATING COUNCIL
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
3:15 PM
Senate Chambers
COMMITTEE FUNCTION:
1. To assist the Academic Senate in the development of sound educational policies, procedures, and
practices by encouraging thorough discussions of current issues among all of the appropriate parties.
2. To review and assist in the development of Academic Affairs component goals.
3. To coordinate and review educational planning activities throughout the college.
4. To review and forward the Academic Affairs Educational Plan to the Institutional Planning Council.
5. To serve as a multi-constituent clearinghouse for educational matters not otherwise resolved.
Attending: Mary Kay Rudolph; Kimberlee Messina; Anne O'Donnell, Sean Martin,
Anthony Vasquez, Freyja Pereira, Betsy Roberts, Ofelia Arellano, Victor Cummings,
Micca Gray, Johnathan Magliari
1. Minutes: Minutes of the EPCC meeting on May 25th were approved.
2. Discussion: Review of EPCC Charter – Mary Kay Rudolph
Mary Kay reminded everyone of the committee functions as stated on the agenda.
Anne gave a brief history of her experiences on the committee. She appreciates the
ability of the committee to review and recommend policies or direction for discussion
and action to other committees on important academic issues that affect faculty and
students. It is one committee that functions as a think tank. Sean felt the committee
grounded his thinking and expanded his perceptions based on discussions by the
diverse constituency represented by the committee. Kimberlee felt that many issues
that fall to the academic Senate can be discussed with a wider perspective of the
committee. Mary Kay felt the committee could be used to carry forth appropriate
issues to other groups.
3. Discussion: Academic Affairs Reorganization, Phase I – Mary Kay Rudolph
Mary Kay handed out a new organization chart approved by the Board of Trustees in
June. It will have some modifications as the year goes on. The position of Director
Open Learning has been eliminated. She also distributed revised Dean
responsibilities due to the changes in Petaluma and new positions in Santa Rosa.
There are 2 Dean III positions that are being recruited. She urged members to let her
know if we knew of any possible candidates so she could send out announcements.
Terri Frongia is now on reduced work load. Several deans have been shadowing her
in anticipation of her retreat to faculty status in the spring.
4. Discussion: Short Course Clarification – Freyja Pereira
Freyja opened the discussion with the problem of short course instructors assigning
homework due a week after the class ends and not submitting the grades in the 3
day period. Micca stated that she had been told that homework had to be assigned
for students who wanted a letter grade. Mary Kay asked if this was a college
regulation or education code? No one knew. There was much discussion about short
courses. The committee decided this was a multi faceted issue and would discuss it
over the year. Pertinent other constituencies will be invited to discuss the issues with
the committee. The issues that were decided on were:
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Instructors giving homework due after class ends. Is this just practice or legal
requirement? Students need to know if we are going to continue doing this.
Some notification in the schedule seems appropriate.
Finals for short courses. The short courses during fall and spring do not have a
final outside of class time as do the regular length courses. The summer session
is only short courses and do have finals week. Do we need to adjust the class
schedule for short course finals? Most students during the summer don't know
about the finals week. The schedule needs to be adjusted so the final dates are
more obvious.
What is the contract language about turning in final grades? Is it 3 days for short
courses as well as semester length? Is it three business days after the final or
finals week?
Load issues. Many short courses are compressed full length courses. The load is
different depending on the format and length. Mary Kay said it would be the
equivalent of 18 fulltime positions to balance this. It is an issue that the District
and AFA are working on. Compressed calendar may eliminate the issue.
Hopefully the issue will be resolved by the end of the year.
Short course scheduling add/drop dates. The calculations are based on full
length classes, which don't work for the short or late start courses. This needs to
be addressed, especially for late start compact courses. What defines "credit/no
credit” and what level is pass/fail - D or C? It seems to depend on what program
or certificate the student is enrolled in.
Appropriate college pedagogical discussion about short courses. What is
appropriate subject content and what is not? Are we being pressured into quick
decision making without department participation and approval? What should the
process be for approving online and/or short courses? Should there be a check
box or signoff indicating thoughtful consultation and discussion at the department
/dean levels?
5. Discussion: Majors and Certificates – Freyja Pereira
Freyja distributed the approved Board policy for majors and certificates
requirements. Anne noted that maybe it is okay for degrees and certificates to have
different requirements. There are several patterns currently that have different
requirements. There was some discussion about grade requirements as well. Some
patterns such as IGETSU and CSU require B or C or better. Our local degree
requires a D or better. See above about pass/fail requirements.
6. The committee reviewed the pending list and decided to keep the following:
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Program Review, next meeting - Ofelia/Xuan/Kris
Instructors’ Maintenance of records- next meeting - Freyja
Wait list no charge policy - next meeting - Ricardo/Freyja
Intersession changes and implications - Mary Kay
New Math/English requirements - implications for change - Kimberlee
Computer access skills
Short course issues (see above) - ongoing
Committee Reports
staff development and travel budget reductions and implications for programs
teaching methodology in a changing student body – hybrid/online/alternative
modes
o process to determine class sizes/space allocation
Committee Membership for 2006-07
Mary Kay Rudolph, Ofelia Arellano, Betsy Roberts, Victor Cummings, Freyja Pereira, Kimberlee
Messina, Anthony Vasquez, Anne O’Donnell, Micca Gray, Sean Martin
Student Representatives: Johnathan Magliari
Information: KC Greaney