Cosumnes River College Academic Senate Minutes December 14, 2019

The meeting was called to order at 12:04pm Present: Cori Burns Juana Esty Matt Falloon Brian Noel Thien Huong-Ninh Cheri Fortin Teresa Aldredge Ben Wingard Rhonda Farley Sandra Carter Linda Hoang Jenna Francisco Julie Oliver Jason Patterson Greg Beyrer Georgine Hodgkinson Ron Breitenbach Rick Schubert Jason Newman Rachel Aptekar Martin Flynn Terri Patten Armbrust

Approval of the Agenda: Approved by consensus Announcements:  Hodgkinson describes PD Institute offerings next semester. See upcoming email announcement.

Approval of the Minutes:

 Minutes of Nov 30th meeting approved with addition of written transcript of Greg Beyrer’s video segment added. Introductions of Faculty Present Public Comment: Eddie Fagan made a public comment statement.

President’s Report-None

DECISION ITEMS Decision Item 1: Senate Executive Office Replacement Appointment As a result of the immediate resignation of Secretary Donnisha Lugo by email just prior to the meeting, and the resignation of Constance Carter announced at the start of the meeting to be effective Dec. 20, this item was tabled for future action.

Decision Item 2: Pathways Major Course Sequencing (2nd Reading)

Proposed Approval Process for Clarifying the Path.

Rick Schubert, Philosophy, and Lead faculty for Clarifying the Path, starts discussion.

Schubert explains challenge of finding a neutral third party for Pathways implementation. He attempted to convince the Curriculum Committee to assist but workload concerns arose. Agreement was reached with Curriculum to revisit the committee’s charge and scope to ascertain if it can serve as a neutral third party.

Brian Noel, Automotive, and Chair of Curriculum, concurs with Schubert’s observations

Fagin states that the due date for program mapping is too soon for faculty input. Discipline and classroom faculty need to be involved in all aspects of Program Mapping.

Schubert asserts that program faculty make the determination for Program Mapping. He announces creation of the Program Sequencing Resolution Committee (PSRC) to solve disputes among faculty regarding Pathways. Power-point presentation ensues on the PSRC.

Fagin asserts that ECON stats class and PSYCH stats class are not given the same status as Math stats class for Articulation. Who will ultimately decide?

Fortin makes motion for 5-minute time extension for discussion; second was received. Motion passes.

Fortin asks how do small departments of two full time faculty in dispute over Program Mapping resolve issues? Should we go off campus to other Los Rios departments for input?

Schubert states that we have discussed this issue in Pathways as a potential challenge. We don’t need the PSRC if program faculty can reach agreement. Faculty are free to consult with other faculty in Los Rios.

Fortin asserts that program faculty must decide issues for their own programs.

Frazee states that we should keep discipline faculty in charge of sequencing of courses in program mapping for Pathways, and not the administration or non-discipline or “outside” faculty.

Aldredge asks who are “outside” faculty? What is their role in the process?

Schubert makes motion to extend time for discussion. Two no votes: Greg Beyer and Brian Noel. Motion carries.

Schubert states that we want to keep things as flexible as possible for faculty. However, we can’t task faculty from other colleges for our Pathways mapping. He hopes that outside influence is helpful, but faculty must decide. If program faculty can’t agree, we need a means of resolution, as we have with the PSRC.

Fortin states that we need program specialists to sit in the PSRC because the nuances of our programs are very specific.

Schubert asserts that faculty who disagree with any aspects of program mapping should state their case before the PSRC.

Fortin asks why don’t we use the IBA process that guides our entire system of dispute resolution?

Noel makes motion to vote to approve the PSRC as presented. Aldredge seconds. Aldredge calls for roll call vote of attendees based on sign-in sheet.

Rick Schubert: Y Jennifer Francisco: A Rhonda Farley: Y John Seamons: N Ben Wingard: Y Brian Noel: Y Greg Beyrer: Y Mathew Falloon: A Linda Hoang: A Cori Burns: Y Rachel Aptekar: A Thien-Huong Ninh: A Terry Patten Armbrust: A Jason Patterson: Y Ron Breitenbach: Y Georgine Hodgkinson: Y Sandra Carter: N Teresa Aldredge: Y Juana Esty: Y Cheri Fortin: N Martin Flynn: N Jason Newman: Y

Vote carries: Y=12, N=4, A=6

Schubert asks senators to send to leadership of Clarifying the Path any concerns in the future.

S. Carter points out that the faculty feel disempowered by Pathways because we don’t feel fully consulted in the process.

DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion Item 1: District Hiring Manual Revision

Update and discussion for feedback on proposed changes:

Oliver states that at last DAS meeting, Victoria Rosario and Melanie Richardson presented some recent edits. The goal is to make hiring more equitable and to have the manual approved early next semester. We need more clarification, however, of certain aspects of the manual before approval. Sac City has been discussing this issue for a month now. We need to provide feedback so that the LRCCD Board of Trustees can approve the document by February.

Fortin asserts that the manual does not address certain issues, such as the lack of attention by Deans to the creation of adjunct pools for hiring. Too many Deans still use emergency hires instead of carefully planned pools. It took her department nine months to hire adjuncts.

Hodgkinson notes that the Deans control the hiring process too closely and use the emergency hiring process too often.

Frazee states that the Manual places too much emphasis on the inclusion of protected groups on the hiring panel and for selection of candidates instead of a more equitable process. The revisions support outcome differences over other equitable means to achieve diversity.

Schubert expresses a related concern. One section of the manual provides for a rejection of the pool by HR based on lack of ethnic diversity in the candidates selected for initial interview. But in the field of philosophy, 90% of philosophers are white men. The manual in its current form does not take into consideration this reality for some academic disciplines that results in constant rejections of the pool.

Muranaka argues that discipline expertise on the panel is being replaced with ethnic diversity as primary factor in decision making, making diversity more important than expertise. Manual has too many “must do” aspects that remove flexibility and discipline expertise from the panel.

Fortin states that faculty should be chair of these hiring committees and not Deans. And the chair and equity rep. should confer with the entire hiring team rather than meet in secret.

Oliver states that we are out of time. Motion for extra time proposed and seconded. Motion passes. 5-minute extension of discussion.

Schubert states that we need to increase the size of the pipeline to improve ethnic diversity.

Fortin states that the adjunct pool issue should be figured out before DAS approves the manual.

Oliver mentions that the manual is on the DAS agenda for this Tuesday from 3-5 pm in the DO main conference room. Anyone can attend to provide feedback.

Discussion Item 2: Foundations of Academic Success Charge and Revisions/Changes (Francisco)

Consideration of changes in combining and revising the committee structure to include Staying on the Path work.

Jennifer Francisco, chair, discusses the revised committee charge and removal of the basic skills action plan.

Schubert asks about why do we retain the tri-chair model?

Francisco states it was the VPSS’s idea, Tadeal Emiru.

Sandra Carter, Eddie Fagin, and James Frazee concur that this tri chair model erodes the faculty voice and purview over academic and professional matters. Concerns are expressed over committee appointments and role of student and classified appointees.

Rhonda Farley supports the changes to integrate instructional and student services. This new committee charge reflects the need for these two aspects of our college to work together.

Fortin raises the idea that we need a faculty member from the GE sector to represent a GE constituency.

Francisco will bring back the document with new changes as a first reading at next Senate.

Discussion Item 3: Affordable Learning Materials (Wingard)

Discussion on creating a proposal for a committee to support utilization of zero/no cost books and other learning materials.

Wingard, librarian, makes visual presentation on this subject. At last CRC Senate, ARC librarian Dan Crump presented on this topic. He is on a district committee working on the issue.

Wingard points out that 37% of students are below poverty line and 52% are low income. Student spends $1,200 a year on texts. Textbook costs rising faster than consumer price index.

S. Carter asks how much does financial aid cover for texts?

Wingard states that financial aid is course-specific.

Naomi Bohm states that she examined website of no cost texts and could not find one that was adequate.

Schubert asks if courses with no cost texts will be designated in catalog with a symbol soon.

Wingard states that you should talk to your Dean about the designation.

Carter emphasizes the predatory textbook companies preying on our students.

Wingard states that it is an issue across the District and a statewide concern as well.

Hodgkinson states that she supports the issue and calls for a workgroup to study it.

REPORTS: Senate Subcommittee Reports—

 Honors Still waiting for approval of TAP status.  Sustainability Earth Week planning started.  Social Responsibility

SRC Fall 2018 Film Series The committee completed the showing of seven, multi-themed films, with themes including gun violence, racism and language use. The last film was shown on Wednesday, Dec. 12. All seven film showings were well attended and fostered engaging discussions. Many students referenced these films and the content addressed in their school writing projects, presentations and classroom comments.

SRC Spring 2019 Film Series The committee is currently selecting the films for the Spring 2019 Film Series. The theme of the film series coordinates with the existing annual campus events topic of the use of peace & non-violence to bring about a better world. The topic slogan may be ‘Toward Peace, Happiness & Well-Being’. The SRC will show one film to supplement each of the following annual campus events: Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Earth Day, Day of UnSilence, ONE Book and WEAVE. The committee is currently submitting film titles.

Hawk Spot and SRC Coordination Jordon Cervantes spoke to the committee regarding the purpose, process and services offered by CRC Hawk Spot. The SRC is planning to assist and coordinate SRC activities with the Hawk Spot. Members will be volunteering hours in the Hawk Spot to ensure more open hours of service with staff for the Hawk Spot.

Activist Tool Kit Events The committee is planning the invite a speaker that will focus the presentation/workshop on the basics of activism, the definition, the behavior, the goals and results of activism. The committee mentioned several potential presenters.

Activist Tool Kit Icon on Website With the help of Derrick Santiago and Christine Ocrant, the SRC was able to offer a specific place on the SRC website with a distinctive icon that will be devoted to the presentations and activities that the Activist Tool Kit carries out. Past films, materials and posters will be downloaded and stored in the iconic “tool kit’ symbol for further access in the future.

 Elections Committee The AS Elections Committee met on Wednesday December 12, 2018. Present at the meeting were Sandra Carter, Jason Patterson, Ben Wingard, Gail Dartez, and Julie Oliver (Chair). The technical consultant for the committee, Greg Beyrer, was unable to attend in person but sent his thoughts via email prior to the meeting.

The following items were discussed at the meeting: A. Spring 2019 Elections Process * The committee reviewed the email and nomination forms which will be used to announce the start of the nomination process. The email and forms will be sent approximately Thursday January 31st with a deadline for nomination petitions to be received by Thursday February 14th. A number of reminder emails will be sent between the initial email and the due date. * Using the spring faculty rosters, the faculty census to determine any needed reapportioning will be completed early in the week of January 28th. * Nominations will be verified by the committee and emails announcing any needed elections will be sent approximately Thursday February 21st or Friday February 22nd. If no nominations are received for any executive position (President, Vice President, or Secretary) nominations will be taken from the floor at the AS meeting on Friday February 22nd. * After the nomination process any adjunct or area Senate vacancies will be appointed by the newly elected AS President after the last scheduled AS meeting in May when those seats are officially vacant. * Based on advice from the AS Elections Committee Technical Consultant, Greg Beyrer, any needed elections will be conducted using an anonymous survey through Canvas. * Long-Term Temporary (LTT) faculty will be eligible to vote in any executive position and any adjunct senator elections. [LTTs are omitted in the AS Constitution & Bylaws.] * The AS Elections Committee will meet again early in the spring semester to continue working on the details of the nomination and election process, but will continue to communicate via email between now and then B. Recall Process * The AS Elections Committee Chair received a petition for the recall of Academic Senate President Shannon Mills signed by 39 faculty on Tuesday November 27th. Upon receipt of the petitions all the signers were emailed to confirm their signature on the petition, and the Academic Senate body was informed via email. * With the AS President Shannon Mills announcing her resignation effective December 20th at the Friday November 30th AS meeting, the 39 signers of the recall petition were again emailed and asked if they (A) still wanted the recall petition to move forward, or (B) were satisfied with the resignation and no longer wanted the recall petition to move forward. The response to this question dropped the interest in the recall below the 20% threshold needed, so the recall was no longer viable. C. Revision of Constitution & Bylaws * There is a great need to clarify areas of the Constitution & Bylaws in terms of the nomination, election, and recall processes, for instance the omission of LTTs.

* The AS Elections Committee recommends the appointment of a Constitution & Bylaws revision work group at the first AS meeting on Friday February 8th to address these concerns.

Participatory Governance Committees

 Cultural Competence and Equity—none  Curriculum—none  DEIT

We are excited about the prospect of welcoming students whose home colleges are Cabrillo College, De Anza College, and Foothill College into our fully online classes in spring 2019.

We are concerned about the risk of student confusion regarding "Los Rios Online" and how it differs from the California Virtual Campus - Online Education Initiative.

 Health, Safety and Facilities

The Health & Safety committee will be sending out e-mail communications next semester regarding safety trainings on campus, as required by OSHA. The trainings will include fire drills, evacuation drills, and other safety trainings as part of our annual requirement.

Also, please send any health and/or safety concerns regarding your work environment to the faculty chair, Cori Burns, so that they may get placed on our agenda to address.

 Institutional Effectiveness—none  Student Success and Support Programs and Matriculation

Over the past few weeks, the work of the SSSP committee has focused primarily on efforts to rewrite the committee charge.

The first reading took place at the Nov. meeting.

The second reading will take place at the next meeting on January 23, 2019.

The committee vote regarding the new charge will occur at the February 27, 2019. Assuming the vote is in the affirmative, the charge be shared with the classified and academic senates.

The next DMSSC is Monday, December 17, 2018.

 Professional Development

The PD Committee is busy with program planning for Spring 2019. Expect a PD Institute Registration invitation next week. The Spring 2019 PD Institute on Wednesday January 16, 2019, is focused on GE Themes and participation is critical so please attend if you are able! The Spring 2019 Flex schedule, Convocation program, OneBook program and Teaching Circle program are all in final stages of review and will be circulated campus wide soon.

LRCFT Report-

 Our union donated $200 for sock and scarf drive for CRC students.  Our union voted $1,000 for the Camp Fire recovery.  Our union helped organize the Hunger Awareness Week and donations at CRC.  Our union sent out a safety survey for faculty and will report findings in Spring.  Our union continues to dialog with the Los Rios chancellor on collegial consultation.  Our union continues to sponsor DACA training and outreach throughout the District.  Our union will host a job fair in Spring for new positions at the local Indian casinos.  Our union will take part in the MLK and BLM marches in January. Please join!  Our union continues to negotiate with the District regarding the Los Rios online consortium, the Pathways program, and the Reading Dept. transition.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00pm Next meeting: February 8, 2019 Minutes submitted by Jason Newman, HSS Senator and Faculty Union President, CRC