Ventura College Academic Senate
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Campus Center Conference Room

I.	Call to Order
	This meeting was called to order at 1:37 p.m. The following senate members were present:
	
	Anderson, Lisa – Math & Sciences
	Chen, Albert - Social Sciences & Humanities
	Gardner, Ty - Math & Sciences
	Haines, Robbie - Math & Sciences
	Lange, Cari – Senate Secretary
	Mitchell, Nancy – Career and Technical Education
	Morris, Terry – Health, Physical Education & Athletics
	Munoz, Paula – Student Services
	Pauley, Mark- Senate Treasurer/ Curriculum Co-chair
	Pourmoghim, Salomeh - Communication & Learning Resources
	Reynolds, Andrea - Social Sciences & Humanities
	Schoenrock, Kathryn - Communication & Learning Resources
	Sezzi, Peter – Senate President

	The following guests were present:
	Leonard, Kathleen - Associated Student Body President
	Parker, Jennifer – Child Development
	Redlich, Tobi – Health Education
	Ruiz, Joe - Associated Student Body Representative  

II.	Approval of minutes
a.	Motion to approve the minutes from September 2, 2010 was made by Morris and seconded by Haines. Motioned carried 10-0-1, with Reynolds abstaining and Anderson not present for the vote. 

III.	Acknowledgement of Guests
	Sezzi welcomed guests.

IV.	Report Out on Goal Setting for 2010-2011
	Sezzi distributed the complied list of the 2010-2011 Academic Senate Issues. Ideas were submitted last meeting from the senate members.  The complied list primarily reflected the Senator’s concerns with maintaining academic freedom and shared governance, conserving solid communication between faculty, administration, and the District Board of Trustees, and emphasizing faculty professional development.  
	Sezzi announced that as a response to these ideas, he invited Board Member Steve Blum to the next Academic Senate meeting. Blum accepted the invitation, and will be present at the meeting on Oct. 7, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. to address the Academic Senate’s questions and concerns. As with all Academic Senate meetings, guests are welcome to attend.

V.	Action Items
a.	DCHR:  Local Equivalency Procedure (First and Second Reading Requested)
	Sezzi reviewed the DCHR’s Local Equivalency Procedure, which is part of the state mandated audit to review personnel files to ensure that all instructors meet minimum qualifications for their discipline. Sezzi modified the document to state that names shall be redacted from all forms prior to the local equivalency committee receiving them. Senators were in agreement that this was a necessary modification.
	Sezzi asked the senate to confirm that we are in favor of the equivalency process being handled at a local level rather than at the district level. Senators were also in agreement that the procedure was best handled by Ventura College discipline faculty,  and relying on faculty from other disciplines only when there are not tenured or full-time faculty within the given discipline in question. 
	Munoz expressed concern that a two person committee may not be adequate, as there may be disagreement between the members, and if a consensus is required to grant  equivalency, then there may be no way to appeal the process in such situations. While this situation is possible, Sezzi cautioned the Senate about voting in an appeals process as he feels this could potentially undermine the authority of the local discipline faculty and give administration a venue to overturn or challenge an equivalency granted through this process. 
	Gardner suggested that in cases where the local committee is split on their decision, then the equivalency review should be passed on to a district level equivalency committee of discipline faculty. All senate members were in agreement on this.
	Guests brought up the concern though, that in some cases, discipline faculty may not be available, and sister disciplines may simply not be aware of certain commonly accepted equivalencies. Sezzi suggested that any faculty receiving a letter asking them to clarify their eligibility should contact him right away. As facilitator, Sezzi is knowledgeable of the process and will help guide members through it. He will also be in attendance at all local equivalency committee meetings, ensuring that the process is unbiased and equally applied across disciplines. He believes that these steps will eliminate the potential need for such appeals. 
	Sezzi confirmed that once equivalency has been granted by a local committee, it cannot be rescinded. Sezzi suggested that the equivalency decisions should be memorialized in list form by both the local Academic Senate and the AFT. 
	After much discussion the Council agreed with the amended draft by consent.
	
b.	District & College Committee Appointments
	Sezzi has not gotten any names for the remaining three seats on the Staffing Priorities Committee, therefore he will send out a campus wide email to solicit volunteers. 

VI.	President’s Report
a.	Board of Trustees Meetings 
	Sezzi was pleased to announce that the Chancellor's Award for Excellence was awarded to our very own History Professor Dr.  P. Scott Corbett. This marks the second year in a row that the award has been given to faculty from Ventura College.
i.	Board Planning Objectives
	The Board’s Planning Objectives are available for viewing on the MyVCCCD portal. Sezzi suggested that directing questions about the document to Board of Trustees member Steve Blum at the next Academic Senate meeting would be appropriate.
b.	Administrative Council report
	Textbook adoptions are now handled completely online. Susan Royer is available to help faculty with the process if necessary. Early textbook adoption ensures lower prices for our students.  Students are now able to buy their textbooks online from our campus bookstore and the used book buy back period has been supplemented with a daily buy back program. 
	It was announced that deans should encourage faculty to have their Student Learning Objectives up-to-date and in place for the October Accreditation Team visit. 

VII.	Information/Discussion Items
a.	Senate Dues Drive in late September / early October
	The Senate will conduct its annual dues drive later this month. All were encouraged to use the auto payroll deduction method to contribute. 

VIII.	Campus Committee reports
a.	Curriculum Committee report
	Pauley reminded us that there is an October 1 deadline for updating all “Priority 1” courses flagged by the Curriculum Committee. “Priority 1” courses that not updated by the deadline will not be scheduled for the Fall 2011 semester!
	For those that need to update their courses, Curricunet training is now available twice a week. Contact Mark Pauley or Paulette Johnson to schedule. 

b.	One Book, One Campus reports
	Sezzi reminded us to be on the look out for announcements regarding events for the One Book, One Campus offering. 

IX.	Adjournment
	This meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m.