ACADEMIC
SENATE
MARCH 24, 2006
Members present: Carla Campillo, Nick Kapp, Christine Roumbanis, Kathleen Feinblum, Fermin Irigoyen, Dennis Eadus, Rick Hough, Chip Chandler, Lynne Douglas, Ray Hernandez, Chuck Leach, Garrett Nicol, Jon Freeman,
Guests: Donna Bestock, John Chavez, Julie Sevastopoulos
The meeting was called to order at 1:15.
Minutes were approved with changes.
Agenda was approved.
PEER EVALUATION
FOR DISTANCE LEARNING - Christine Roumbanis and Julie Sevastopoulous (CSM)
Christine Roumbanis and Julie Sevastopoulous are members of a distance
learning task force subcommittee, working on peer evaluation tool for online
courses. Two evaluation models were presented. Because present models for evaluation
don’t address online courses, the proposed forms serve to evaluate both
"content" and "delivery mode," particular to online courses.
There was agreement that the evaluation forms would also provide material for
accrediting agencies which must have documentation of all faculty duties, including
those which are non-teaching. The AS recommended using only one of the evaluation
models, not two as presented. Preference was given for the draft formatted in
"portrait" style which is structured using Academic Senate "Guidelines
for Good Practice: Technology Mediated Instruction." by Chickering and
Ehrmann. There was a concern as to whether the online evaluation addressed accessibility
issues following Section 508 Standard practices, but it was pointed out that
guideline #7 "Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning" addresses
this concern.
DEDICATED TESTING
CENTER PROPOSAL - Lynne Douglas, DSPS
Lynne Douglas, in coordination with the Educational Facilities Master Plan timeline,
presented a proposal to construct a Dedicated Testing Center where all testing
would take place in one location As of now, testing space is limited to the
Learning Center or the rooms near the DSPS office, and often become so overcrowded,
there are not enough testing areas to serve students, nor be in compliance with
ADA regulations. The Dedicated Testing Center would consolidate all testing
into one location, providing assessment services and services to students who
need to take make-up exams, challenge tests etc., and facilitating the ease
of students testing with accommodations. A motion was approved that AS support
the proposal and that data be collected as to the current number of students
currently using the services. There is also consideration that a survey be conducted
to anticipate faculty use of new center.
SMOKING FORUM -
Fermin Irigoyen
The Smoking Forum was held Wednesday, March 15 at the Gallery Theatre.
The findings suggested there was no clear cut distinction between people who
wanted smoking on campus and those who didn’t. Smokers defended their habit,
saying that smoking was an addiction, and if no smoking area was provided, some
would be motivated to study elsewhere. Decided was that every building entrance
and walk way be smoke-free and that adequate signage was critical in designated
smoking areas. A survey was handed out at the end of the forum. Results of the
survey will be presented to the College Council for discussion.
SCHOLARSHIPS - Carla
Campillo
Traditionally, the AS has always bestowed scholarships of $600 each to two students.
As well, the AS also has $1,387 from the year end party. Classified Council
would like to split that money to create two $700 scholarships for the Classified
Academic Scholarship. The AS would donate $13 to bring the balance to $1,400.
A motion was approved to provide two $700 scholarships, as opposed to one $1,400
scholarship, along with the two $600 scholarships.
OFFICERS REPORT
- COLLEGE COUNCIL - Carla Campillo
College council discussed updates on Accreditation, the Fresh Look Project,
Smoking policy implementation, Educational Planning Project and District Facilities
Master Planning Project and SEEED’s "Diversity Days." The Council
received a briefing on the Community College Balance Initiative and reviewed
the graphs describing Skyline’s governance model.
The two draft governance models were presented, one a Thematic Governance Model and the other a Committee Reporting model. It was felt that the design of the Thematic Governance Model was "too busy" and was suggested that the borders around the committee names be removed. The chart could have lighter colors and the spokes could be thinner. There should be no indentation of the different committees. The words "District Budge Committee" needs to be added next to the "Budget" section.
DISTANCE EDUCATION
- Nick Kapp
The District Academic Senate met with the District Instructional Technology
Council (DITC). Money was given to DITC to develop our distance education program
in order to increase our FTEs. Unfortunately, the course management systems
are very expensive. District Academic Senate is being asked to see if the course
management systems are viable. One way we can cut costs is to make our current
websites better. It will save us money if we consider what we have as a business.
ACCREDITATION -
Ray Hernandez and Donna Bestock
The accreditation is moving forward. Writing teams are moving along with the
intention of completing a rough draft on May 5. The students involved are really
great but there is no student for Writing Team III. The student surveys had
a 98% response rate. The accreditation team is currently working on a comprehensive
employee survey for both classified and faculty and will be ready in the fall.
PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL
- Shari Bookstaff (in absentia)
There is $500 left for a small PFE grant. The turn around time is very
short. Once the current list of PFE recipients is approved by Dr. Morrow, they
will be announced.
TREASURER - Fermin
Irigoyen
The current balance is $1,862.42
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
- Christine Roumbanis
A new policy was approved whereby students can earn multiple degrees
and double count classes for their major(s).
RESEARCH - Jon Freedman
Jon Freedman distributed a Human Subjects Policy which is designed to protect
the rights, well-being and personal privacy of students in the collection of
information and scientific inquiry. It was suggested that any feedback on the
document be emailed to Jon, then additional concerns can be brought up at the
next meeting.
ED POLICY - Garrett
Nicol
The Ed Policy Committee is working on a DSPS appeals form for students who want
to file a non-compliance complaint against an instructor
related to accommodations requests."
The accreditation team is looking at SLOs as it relates to the faculty handbook.
SEEED - John Chavez
(for Jacquie Escobar)
The SEEED Committee is planning a two day event, "Diversity Days"
for next fall which will focus on issues of diversity. The goal is to link the
event with the curriculum and will include various presentations, films, entertainment
and food. SEEED is looking for the Academic Senate to sponsor an activity such
as a book panel discussion, or a keynote speaker or a film. Other suggestions
include selecting a book (s) for all classes to teach. Lynne Douglas would like
to feature a faculty panel whereby they talk of their "different learning
styles." The Academic Senate fully supports sponsoring an event. It was
suggested that SEEED apply for the remaining $500 that is in the President’s
Innovation Fund for this semester.
AFT - Rick Hough
An AFT poster contest is well under way.
A draft of the class size resolution was distributed. The resolution, co-sponsored by the District Academic Senate and the AFT, resolves that those faculty teaching large sections be compensated according to contract, and that large sections be approved by the Curriculum Committee of the school in question.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Feinblum