Ventura College Academic Senate
Thursday, October 2, 2008

I.	Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 1:32 pm.
The following Council members were present:  Terry Morris, Angelica Gonzales, Kammy Algiers, Robbie Haines, Ann Bittl, Cari Lange, Jennifer Garcia, Paula Munoz, Mark Pauley, Lisa Anderson, Nancy Mitchell, Warren Lew (Treasurer), Deborah Pollack (Vice-President), Peter Sezzi (President). 
The following guests were also present: Jonathan Lightman (Executive Director, FACCC), John Wagner (President, AFT 1828) and Connie Jenkins (Chief Negotiator, AFT 1828).
II.	Approval of minutes.
Mark Pauley moved and Terry Morris seconded the approval of the minutes of the September 18th meeting. Motion passed with one abstention (Gonzales).
III.	Invited Guests.
At 1:35 pm, after the approval of the minutes, Sezzi asked if there was consent to suspend the rules and move to item IV. a. and IV. b., to allow the invited guests to speak before the Senate resumed its business.  There was immediate consensus to proceed.
a.	Jonathan Lightman, Executive Director of FACCC (Faculty Association of California Community Colleges) gave a 20 minute presentation followed by a five (5) minute question and answer period. Lightman discussed the recently approved state budget, Assembly Bill 1389 and its possible impacts for community colleges, and professional development opportunities provided by FACCC for faculty. 
b.	Due to a time conflict, Executive Vice-President Ramiro Sanchez was unable to meet with the Academic Senate as agendized. Sezzi will confirm his available for a future Senate meeting. 
c.	John Wagner and Connie Jenkins, AFT 1828 President and Chief Negotiator, respectively, gave a 20 minute presentation that included questions and answers about the new 67% rule that allows part-timers to take on 2/3rds of a full-time load, (or up to 10 units per semester) and how this may affect assignment and the new requirement of full-time classroom faculty to document an average of five (5) hours per week per semester of Instruction-Related Student Support Activities.
IV.	Action Items.
After the invited guests had finished their presentation, Sezzi discussed the timeline for the nomination and election of Academic Senate Officers for the 2009-2011 term. Nomination forms will distributed to all faculty electronically this evening and must be signed and turned in to Sezzi’s mailbox in the Administration Building no later than 3pm on Wednesday, October 15. The election will be held in November, with the exact date determined by the Senate Elections Subcommittee. Sezzi noted that he has asked Steve Turner to serve on the Senate Elections Subcommittee. Robbie Haines and Lisa Anderson also agreed to serve on this Subcommittee.
V.	Study Session.
Due to the absence of EVP Sanchez (see IV.b. above), this topic will be moved to a future Senate meeting.
VI.	Closed Session.
There was no closed session. Sezzi discussed how the Brown Act governs both what we and the Broad of Trustees can agendize and discuss in a closed session. 

VII.	President’s Report.
a.	Administrative Council report
There is a lack of information to report from Admin Council as yesterday’s meeting was a farewell affair for Tom Kimberling and last week’s session was closed session items only. 
b.	Consultation Council report
Sezzi reported that this upcoming Friday is the next Consultation Council. He reported out that the last Consultation Council focused on looking at the District’s Educational Master Plan.
c.	DCAS/DCSL/DCHR/DTRW
As of the last DCAS meeting, there was no state budget available so the meeting focused on possible scenarios for our budget based on forecasting. The October DCAS meeting scheduled for the end of the month has been cancelled. Sezzi asked on behalf of DCHR if there is interest in having District Human Resources place into the inactive file in ORAP part-time pool applicants who clearly do not meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Discussion followed. Sezzi reminded the Council that only part-time positions would be affected because many times—especially during a last minute or late hiring process—a significant amount of precious screening committee member time is spent reviewing applicants who do not meet MQs. Council members agreed to report this DCHR proposal back to their departments and divisions and the Senate will make a decision at our next meeting.  DCSL is currently reviewing academic procedures that will implement Board policy. The procedures are derived from the Community College League of California. Sezzi remarked that he will share the procedures with anyone who wants to see them. DTRW will have an extraordinary meeting on Oct 9 to review pressing issues, such as the new English and Math graduation requirements.
d.	Ventura College Educational Master Plan Advisory Committee. 
This committee has not met recently but will report to the Council. The consultants have completed the qualitative interviews.
e.	Academic Senate Secretary vacancy.
The position remains available. Any person interested in the position for either this current Fall semester or next Spring should speak with a current Senate Exec member.
VIII.	Vice-President’s Report.
a.	Idea gathering report-out. 
Pollack distributed the ranked list of Council Members concerns that was tallied from the yellow cards she passed out at the first Senate meeting.  The main concern of the assembly is professional development.  The Senate’s officers plan to incorporate this issue and other concerns noted by Council members into the Council’s agenda as the academic year progresses.  
IX.	Treasurer’s Report.
a.	Senate Faculty Appreciation Dinner.
Lew discussed Senate finances. He elaborated on the expenses associated with the Senate Faculty Appreciation Dinner. Discussion focused on benefits and detractions of the need, cost and desire to maintain this tradition or to use the funds usually expended at this function for other purposes to support faculty. Council members agreed to discuss with their colleagues the idea of continuing this tradition or to repurpose the funds traditionally used at this event for another faculty-centered purpose and to report back at a future Senate meeting. 
X.	Committee reports
a.	Curriculum Committee report
Sezzi briefly mentioned the IDS tutoring course approved at the last Curriculum Committee meeting. He also thanked the Council members for their and diligence in submitting their course updates and revisions to Jeff Fergusson and Paulette Johnson. Since the last Senate meeting, a significant amount of course outlines of record were turned in.
b.	Professional Development Committee report.
Garcia and Gonzales reminded Council members that the Professional Development Committee’s deadline for proposals is tomorrow, Oct 4.
c.	Equivalence / Eminence Task Force report.
The task force has met and will present its findings before the Senate at our next meeting.
d.	Sabbatical Leave Committee report.
Council members were encouraged to remind fellow faculty interested in sabbaticals who meet the criteria to talk with Sabbatical Leave Committee chairman Bob Arce.
XI.	Items for information.
a.	Accreditation Training (Sept 26 @ MC).
Bea Herrera, Alexander Kolesnik, Sandy Melton and Sezzi attended the accreditation training session held at Moorpark College last Friday. As previously noted, Pollack was unable to attend.  Sezzi reported that Kolesnik, Melton, Pollack and Sezzi all expressed interest in serving as possible accreditation standard co-chairs for our self-study report that must be written next year. Herrera remarked that she is interested in serving but with a sabbatical this Spring is unsure if she has the time needed to serve in this capacity. 
b.	Other.
Sezzi distributed a handout that explained the charge and composition of the Staffing Priorities Subcommittee as detailed in the Academic Senate By-Laws. Sezzi indicated that he has asked Mayo De La Rocha, past chairman of this committee, for a list of the composition of this committee for the past four years. A brief discussion followed.

Ann Bittl noted that her art exhibit entitled “A Fascination with the Exotique: Exploring Non-Western Art” will open next Thursday, Oct 9, in Gallery 2. She extended to all faculty and staff a 15% discount on purchases made at the exhibit.  
XII.	Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 3:31 pm.