Ventura College Academic Senate
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Campus Center Conference Room

I.	Call to Order
This meeting was called to order at 1:40 p.m. The following senate members were present:

Algiers, Kammy – Math & Sciences
Corbett, P. Scott – Social Sciences & Humanities 
Guillen, Guadalupe – Student Services
Lall, Sumita - Communication & Learning Resources
Lange, Cari – Senate Secretary
Morris, Terry – Health, Physical Education & Athletics
Munoz, Paula – Student Services
Pauley, Mark- Senate Treasurer
Pollack, Deborah - Senate Vice-president
Sezzi, Peter – Senate President

	The following guests were present:
	Martin, Rebecca - Associated Student Body Representative  
		Martin was pleased to announce that this year's ASB election had the highest voter turn out in Ventura College history.

II.	Approval of minutes
a.	Motion to approve last meeting’s minutes was made by Pauley, and seconded by Lange. Motion was approved 6-0-3 with Algiers, Corbett, and Pollack abstaining.

III.	Announcements
a.	Ventura College Academic Senate Awards
		Senators were reminded that nominations to recognize fellow faculty were still being accepted through May 3, 2010. The Senate Executive Counsel will review and tally the nominations during the first week of May. Award recipients  will be announced at the DATE? awards luncheon. 
 
b.	Senate accomplishments: 2009-10
	Peter's list goes here.

IV.	Study Session
a.	Textbook Adoptions – Right and Responsibilities
		The following resolution was developed by the Senate affirming faculty rights and academic freedom in the adoption of educational material:  Insert text here

V.	Action Items
a.	Resolution on Faculty Right and Responsibilities of Textbook Adoption (First Reading)*
		Motion to approve the above  Resolution on Faculty Right and Responsibilities of Textbook Adoption was made by Munoz and seconded by Algiers. The motion unanimously carried .

b.	AP 4231 – Grade Changes (First Reading)*
		This academic policy addresses the statute of limit for a student initiated petitioned grade change. It states that within three years from completion of the course, the student may petition a recorded grade if there is found to be mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence. This is consistent with Title V and our current registrar practices. This AP does not pertain to instructor initiated grade changes, which may be carried out at any point in time.  
		Senate members clarified the language of the document to specify that the determination of the final grade continues to rest solely with the instructor of record unless there are compelling extenuating circumstances. With this alteration Corbett motioned to approve AP 4231 and Munoz seconded. All approved. 
		
c.	AP 4250 – Probation (First Reading)*
		After reviewing the language and the application of Academic Policy 4250, the Senate agreed that this item needs to be discussed at the next Senate meeting when additional information will be available.  

d.	AP 4255 – Disqualification and Dismissal (First Reading)*
		Motion to approve AP 4255 regarding the disqualification and dismissal of students was made by Pollack and seconded by Guillen. Motion unanimously passed.

e.	AP 4260 – Prerequisites and Co-requisites (First Reading)*
		AP 4260 addresses the establishing, reviewing, and challenging of prerequisites, co-requisites, advisories on recommendation preparation, and certain limitations on enrollment in a manner consistent with law and good practice. Motion to approve this Academic Procedure was made by Pauley and seconded by Corbett. The motion was approved     8-0-1 with Lange abstaining. 

f.	AP 4610 – Instructional Service Agreements (First Reading)*
	After reviewing Academic Policy 4610, the Senate agreed that this item needs to be discussed in greater detail at the next Senate meeting.  

VI.	President’s Report
a.	Report – “Ventura College Academic Senate Survey of Faculty Academic/Professional Life”
		Sezzi shared the results of the “Ventura College Academic Senate Survey of Faculty Academic/Professional Life”. He included both a brief three-page executive document style analysis of the results as well as the actual 12 pages worth survey graphs and responses. Sezzi noted that, interestingly, over 120 started and close to 110 faculty completed the survey, which is a surprisingly high amount.
		Corbett motioned that since the survey coveys powerful data about our current campus climate, the Academic Senate should share the results as a formal document with the faculty, administrators, board members, and accreditation team. Aligers seconded this motion. Motion unanimously carried.

b.	Administrative Council report
		Sezzi reported that each campus now has their own local IT manager.  He, sadly, also reported that campus proficiency awards are being questioned by the Chancellor and the Board. Sezzi feels this is a blatant  misstep towards the micromanagement of the faculty driven process of curriculum development. Sezzi is hoping that the Chancellor and the Board will address and approve necessary curriculum at the next Board of Trustees Meeting. 

c.	DCHR, DCSL, DTRW, DCAS, DAWC
i.	DCHR
1.	Update on AP 7120-C –Recruitment and Hiring of P/T Faculty
		As per approval at the last Senate meeting, the Department Chairs made modifications to this document, and most of their alterations were approved.

2.	Update on BP 7205  -- Code of Ethics
		Upon reviewing the latest version of the VCCCD's employee code of ethics, the Ventura College Academic Senate is in agreement that the version we developed, molded and modified is the code of ethics we are willing to tolerate. We will not accept the code of ethics in it's current, albeit more palatable than the DCHR original, form. 

3.	Equal Employment Opportunity Plan Handbook
		Upon review of the updated version of the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan Handbook for VCCCD, Senate members are in agreement that the advisory committee composition need to include more faculty members and that it should be the responsibility of the Academic Senate to appoint interested faculty members to serve on this advisory committee.

ii.	DCSL
1.	Update on AP 4100 –Graduation Requirements for Degrees & Certificates
		Sezzi was pleased to report that AP 4100, Graduation Requirements for Degrees & Certificates was finally approved.

2.	Update on Enrollment Priorities
		Sezzi was further relieved to announce that the exploration of modifying our existing enrollment priorities system has not been pushed forward. 
 
VII.	Information/Discussion Items
a.	Graduation Reminder  – Wednesday, May 19 (information)
		Sezzi encouraged Senate members to recruit faculty members to participate in graduation day activities to show support for our graduating students. 
 
b.	CCCAssess Project (information)
		Sezzi will forward this information to Department Chairs regarding the opportunity to serve on a State wide committee convening to develop a standardized  assessment test for use by any interested California state college.

c.	Academic Senate Spring Plenary Session resolutions report out (information)
		Sezzi announced that the resolution on minimum qualifications for faculty did not pass. I don't know if this was good or bad...my wires got crossed.

d.	Senate Goals for 2010-2011 (discussion)
		The Academic Senate affirmed that it is the right and responsibility of the new 2010-11 Senate body to develop their own goals.

e.	Technical Assistance Visit (discussion)
		The Academic Senate further affirmed that it is the right and responsibility of the incoming Senate body to determine the need or desire to have a Technical Assistance Visit preceding accreditation. 

VIII.	Campus Committee reports
a.	Core College Design Team reports
		There was nothing to report out.

b.	Accreditation Team report
		There was nothing to report out.

IX.	Adjournment
	This meeting was adjourned at 3:17 p.m.

*First and Second Reading requested