Ventura College Academic Senate
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Campus Center Conference Room

I.	Meeting called to order at 1:33 p.m. The following Senate members were present:

Algiers, Kammy—Math and Sciences
Arquilevich, Gabe—English and Learning Resources
Beynon, Sharon—English and Learning Resources
Fiumerodo, Gigi—Math and Sciences
Forde, Richard—Math and Sciences
Gardner, Ty—Math and Sciences
Guillen, Guadalupe—Student Services
Haines, Robbie—Senate Secretary
Hendricks, Bill—Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
Lange, Cari—Senate Vice President
Mitchell, Nancy—Career and Technical Education
Morris, Terry—PE /Athletics, Communication Studies, Foreign Languages and ESL
Muñoz, Paula—Student Services
Parker, Jennifer—Career and Technical Education
Pauley, Mark—Senate Treasurer, Curriculum Co-chair
Penuela, Alan—Career and Technical Education
Sezzi, Peter—Senate President

The following guests were present:
Anderson, Mike—Career and Technical Education
Arevalo, Gloria—Articulation Officer
Cabral, Robert—Academic Senate President, OC
Dwyer, Riley—Academic Senate President, MC
Gaither Lowenstein –  District Educational Consultant
Garcia, Jenna—English and Learning Resources
Hardy, Jaclyn—English and Learning Resources
Herrera, Bea—Student Services
Mules, Ronald, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
Sanchez, Ramiro—EVP, Student Learning
Scott, Kathy—Dean, Institutional Effectiveness, English and Learning Resources.
Stacey Sloan Graham—PE /Athletics, Communication Studies, Foreign Languages and ESL
Tovar, Antonio—Vice President, ASVC

II.	Public Comments
Sezzi passed out article on Gaither Lowenstein, the external consultant hired by the Chancellor to chair DCSL and DTRW. Q: Is having an external consultant chair these committees typical practice? Sezzi: No, an outside person chairing these committees is not the norm and is counter to the established practice set forth in our participatory governance manual.

III.	Approval of minutes
Pauley moved to approve minutes, Hendricks seconded, minutes approved with Algiers abstaining.

IV.	Goal Setting for 2010-2011
Lange passed out note cards and solicited Senators’ opinions for this year’s goals. These goals will be tabulated and presented at a future Senate meeting.

V.	Study Sessions
a.	SLOs—praise, problems and transitions  
Discussion of SLOOG–SLOOC transition. Gardner discussed several issues related to SLOs, including: cleaning up forms is a good goal, will require some computer programming; and how to replace Scott Corbett and Gardner as SLO facilitators after the Spring semester. Sezzi also noted to the Senate that there are not enough faculty on SLOOC and that Corbett/Gardner are present as non-voting members. Algiers: can we move the meetings to a time when more people are available? Sezzi noted that he will shortly be sending out a campus-wide email advertising vacancies/times on all campus committees but he will highlight SLOOC on this correspondence. Discussion then centered on the efficacy of using in-house faculty vs. hiring a consultant to carry on SLOOC process. Sezzi requested senators go back to divisions/departments and request participation on SLOOC as SLOs are truly the domain of faculty.

b.	VCCCD Board Policy Objectives
Sezzi summarized the details of the Board’s nine-hour late June annual planning meeting. Some objectives seem odious: common course numbering, streamlining curriculum, etc. Sezzi expressed some concern about Board direction, reminded those present that faculty’s role is to create curriculum, Board only approves it. Study session at our next Senate meeting will focus on the Board policy objectives. Sezzi will continue to invite Board members to Senate meetings, 1/month starting in October. 

c.	Defining “Student Success”
Sezzi solicited Senators’ personal definitions of student success. Lange suggested extending this activity to entire faculty as there is great value in knowing the faculty’s definition of this concept. It was agreed by consent that Sezzi will develop and send out a survey for all faculty on this topic.

VI.	Action Items
a.	District & College Committee Appointments
The faculty listed below were presented to the Senate as candidates for the following committees:

DCSL: Angelica Gonzales
DTRW: Mark Pauley and Peter H. Sezzi
Student Grievance Hearing / Student Discipline Committees: Kammy Algiers, Gary Anglin, Albert Chen, Tania DeClerck, Ralph James, Cari Lange, Lydia Matthews-Morales, Nancy Mitchell.
District-wide Sabbatical Leave Committee: Stacy Sloan-Graham
 
Algiers moved to approve these, Arquilevich seconded, motion carried.

There is still a need for one (1) faculty member for DCSL. Gloria Arevalo has expressed interest in serving on DCSL but the participatory governance manual states that there must be both one instructional and one student services faculty member on this body. Sezzi will ask for another instructional faculty member to serve on DCSL but if no one steps forward, Sezzi will ask the Senate to appoint Gloria to that body (and ask DCSL to suspend the rules to allow her to serve). The Senate was reminded that DTRW reviews curriculum before it gets to Board, collegial, error-checking, no authority) while DCSL reviews all academic policy/procedure matters other than curricular matters. Sezzi will e-mail to recruit for this vacancy and Senate will decide at our next meeting.

The committee composition of the Faculty Staffing Priorities Committee was discussed. Members on this committee (other than the Senate Exec) all serve two year appointments but there is also no term limits on serving on this committee. This year there are three open slots (1 General Education, 1 Student Services, 1 CTE) and all three incumbents of these slots are interested in serving again. Discussion centered on either re-appointing the current members or to open these slots or recruit new faculty. It was decided that Sezzi will e-mail to recruit, Senate will decide at our next meeting. 

The breakdown of the Senate-appointed 15 faculty voting members of the College Planning Council (CPC) was discussed.  At the time of the Senate meeting there were six (6) faculty members interested in the six (6) open General Education slots on the CPC. However, when looking at the 15 total faculty slots on the CPC it was noticed that there was only one (1) faculty member from the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities division present on the committee. After a brief discussion, it was decided that Sezzi would ask if there was anyone from the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities division who was willing to serve on the CPC.

The faculty listed below were presented to the Senate as candidates for the CPC:

Student Services:	Marian Carrasco-Nungaray and Paula Muñoz
General Education:	Will Cowen, Jenna Garcia, Ty Gardner, Karen Harrison, Dan Kumpf
	GE Alternates:	Tania DeClerck and Alex Kolesnik

Haines moved to approve these, Muñoz seconded, motion carried.  

Lastly, for the two CTE faculty slots on the CPC, there are four faculty names interested in serving. Haines moved to appoint Sandy Melton and Ken Drake if Chuck Rockwood and Ralph Fernandez decline, appoint Chuck Rockwood and Ralph Fernandez if they agree to serve, put this item on next meeting’s agenda if more than two volunteers. Muñoz seconded, motion carried.  

b.	Accreditation Follow-Up Report (Second Reading)
The Senate will discuss this at our next meeting. 

c.	Ventura College Integrated Planning, Program Review & Resource Allocation Model Handbook (Third Reading)

Sezzi and Kathy Scott cleaned this up a little bit over summer, changes pointed out and discussed. Questions were asked about the reference to “rubrics” mentioned in the document. Sezzi will get clarification. Pauley moved to approve, Lange seconded. Discussion ensued—should we take this back to our Divisions? Lange retracts second, motion fails for lack of second. Senators will take back to Divisions and vote next meeting. 

VII.	Introduction of Guest: Gaither Lowenstein, District Consultant/Co-chair of DCSL, DTRW
Lowenstein introduced himself, states that he’ll be chairing these committees, offers to answer questions. Sezzi: How did the curriculum process work at his previous colleges? Lowenstein: Described: alpha school had veto power, changed to district committee of 3 chairs from 3 colleges. Doesn’t think we need district-wide committee, autonomy for each college is important. Herrera: What was your role as a consultant chairing committees that are traditionally chaired by faculty? What about management co-chair? Are you a hatchet man? How will you support faculty/students, advocate for us? Lowenstein: I’d be co-chair with a faculty co-chair. Admin co-chair was previously an EVP or President, I’d do this so they could focus on accreditation issues. I have a “hatchet man” record, but that is not what I want to do here—I would not have accepted the assignment if it were. I’ll make sure procedures are compliant and kosher with and involve participation of faculty. I’ll make myself as available as possible to hear feedback, work with Senate Presidents and Curriculum chairs. Muñoz: Does your philosophy on campus autonomy extend to other committees?
Lowenstein: Yes, the two committees I’ll be on, I recommend giving each college as much flexibility as possible. Three distinct org cultures in this district. I have not been given the charge of enforcing district-wide policies on unwilling campuses. Sezzi: You’ll be here for one semester or one year? Lowenstein: one year. I’ve not been given any marching orders, I don’t want to enforce decisions made outside normal processes, I want to maintain atmosphere of openness and communication. Talk to Academic Senate Presidents from Modesto and Norco Colleges. Sezzi: Issues raised at DCSL meetings disappear into black holes; have you read previous minutes? We worked 2 years on program discontinuance, what happened to all that work? Lowenstein: Yes, I’ve read them. I’m working to merge two drafts of procedure so that DCSL draft can be starting point. Faculty draft won’t be ignored, but is lacking in some areas so I hope to strengthen it. There’s still time for faculty to have approval of process, still a forum for suggesting terminal programs not be discontinued. I have ear of Chancellor; it might be good to have me here. District has a legal obligation to get back to faculty about their program discontinuance recommendation. Sezzi: Have you been charged with working with District recommendations? Lowenstein: No. I work for the colleges. If you have questions for me, things you want me to research, let me know. Herrera: What does law say about districts trumping faculty? Lowenstein: Board/Chancellor can’t do that by fiat, up to Senates/Curriculum Committees to do that. Unlike curriculum, mutual agreement necessary on processes for Program review, budget, etc.

VIII.	President’s Report
a.	Summer Board of Trustees Meetings/Subcommittee reports
Sezzi discussed change to curriculum approval process discussed at Board Policy Subcommittee Meeting in mid-May. Radical changes proposed with no discussion, no warning, not on meeting’s agenda. Troublesome. 

b.	Administrative Council report
No update to report as Admin Council did not meet during the summer.

c.	DCAS
The structural deficit funding model was discussed at this morning’s meeting; fuller discussion at the next Senate Meeting.

IX.	Information/Discussion Items
a.	Senate Dues Drive 
Senate dues drive will be in September or October, information will be placed in mailboxes in late September. Congratulations are in order: Senate raised enough money last year to give us endowed scholarship of over $20,000. This will fund two $500 scholarships in perpetuity. 

b.	Senate Meeting Location
Sezzi tried to reserve meeting room in MCW, not available until Spring. The Senate greeted the move of our meeting location with grateful relief.

X.	Senate Subcommittee reports
a.	Curriculum Committee
Pauley: Update courses that need it and that are on the update list! Deadline discussed. Courses due for update but not updated will not be offered. VC’s new articulation officer discussed changes to transfer schools’ curricula, invited questions.

b.	One Book, One Campus Committee
Sezzi: Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers is a book that can be applied to all courses and that can easily be divided up so as not to make it necessary to have all classes read the entire book. Multiple copies are available in the library for students and an audio book and copies in Spanish will be there soon. 

c.	Faculty Professional Development Committee
Fiumerodo: Application for travel funds deadline tomorrow, meeting next week. $13,000 in pool for whole year. It was mentioned that we are now using MUCH more of our funds since this pooling system was put in place.

d.	Learning Communities Committee – Update
Sezzi and others attended conference, very good experience. We already do many of their recommended best practices. Wouldn’t cost a lot to implement here but, in Sezzi’s opinion, a coordinator needed to oversee and organize the multiple efforts going on in this area. The Learning Communities committee meets for the first time this semester on Tuesday 20 September 2011.

e.	Other Senate Committees
No reports.

XI.	Campus Committee reports
a.	College Planning Council – Program Review update
VC Planning Parameter form handed out, not discussed. Largely catalog cleanup.

b.	Other Campus Committees
No reports.

XII.	Other Discussion
Discussion of VC being a transfer college vs. a community college; would this necessitate a change to our Mission Statement? Does District really need to spend money required to rent DAC? Sezzi will pursue that again. Sezzi proposes a future study session for re-evaluation of Mission Statement in changing times.

XIII.	Meeting adjourned at 3:39 p.m.