November 18, 1998

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Bldg. 22 Rm. 205

Senate Members in Attendance:

Phil Sell, Helen Burn, Angi Caster, Jack Harton, Lea Ann Pratt, Moira Fulton, Barbara Hunter, Ruth Windhover, Eric Baer, Robin Buchan, Keith Paton, Michael Allen, Vickie Ropp, Patricia Haggerty, Toni Caster

Observers:

Bob Hughes, Tim Morrison, Phil Droke, Hui Ming Huo, Santana Villa, Aaron Johnsen, Bernie Hayward

The meeting was called to order, by the Chair, Phil Sell, at 2:30 p.m.

Minutes of the October 1998 meeting were approved as read. Helen Burn moved; Eric seconded. Motion passed.

The agenda was approved.

IV. Reports:

A. Chair: Phil Sell

Phil reported that:

(1)He met with the Council on Councils and was elected chair which seems to be traditional.

The Council on Councils reviewed policy changes that had been submitted by various groups. Two of those changes, Withdrawal Policy and Academic Standards, are on our agenda today. Others went to appropriate groups for action. Phil noted that the system is as obscure as he thought it was. Let’s push to get the process streamlined.

(2)He discussed with Dr. Command the need to find a representative for FACTC and the need to have them be responsible to the Senate.

(3)He also talked to Jim Sorenson about the Scholastic Review committee and whether it was appropriate for it to be responsible to the Senate, or should it be more so to Student Services or to the Vice President of Students. Senate really doesn’t have an impact with it.

(4)At the December meeting, there will be a new proposed constitution.

(5)A motion form has been developed to use in Faculty Senate meetings. A motion form was distributed to each Senate member.

(6)Helen Burn has resigned her position as Chair Elect due to her change in assignment as the Math Department Coordinator, effective in January 1999. Phil noted that we need to have an election to replace her.

(7)He met with Bob Hughes, Jack Bermingham, and Bob Eley in regards to the Senate’s role in curriculum and the Senate’s role is paramount. Concerns expressed were in regards to the Senate’s expertise and future membership and their role in curriculum development and specific criteria identification.

(8)The Administration’s representative on the Senate is Toni Castro. Phil introduced and welcomed Toni to the Senate.

B. President: Ed Command

Dr. Command was not in attendance due to another commitment. A written report was distributed.

C. Senators-at-Large:

Angi reported that she met with Jim Sorenson and that all activity committees will be staffed by the Senate. One committee, Outreach Activity Committee, will be omitted due to lack of need. Outreach reports to Jim and there is no longer a need for this committee.

Jack reported that he has been working with Moira on staffing the committees. He noted that all committees are staffed, except for two openings.

There was discussion on staffing the PRR committee. Discussion included the possibility of staffing this committee on an as needed basis with Faculty Senate members. It was mentioned that this may be inefficient and that it may open up the Senate to impropriety. No decision was reached.

Jack stated that faculty had approached him expressing concerns and dismay about things that are developing on campus of which they are not being informed.

D. HCEA:

Ruth stated that HCEA is concluding the one on one interviews with faculty. She noted that they are currently working with administration to provide bargaining training for more than just the bargaining committee members.

E. FACTC:

No report

F. ASHCC:

Santana reported that a committee is being formed to address the smoking issue on campus.

G. Curriculum Committee

Tim Morrison reported that the committee had been convened. He noted that they have a full plate to continue working on from last year; processing proposed AA degree changes from the CO2020 report and other changes that have come up. Last year he stated that the committee had a single issue, the Diversity and Globalism requirement; this year the committee is planning to look at a package of things not just one single issue. We will collect information and inform faculty of the changes. The committee will be reintroducing the CO2020 report into the college and breaking it down in to workable units. The committee hopes to be done by the end of this academic year. They foresee faculty forums as a part of this. Tim stated that the key is lots of communication. There are going to have to be groups on campus who own or champion the issues and take leadership roles for making the changes.

It was noted that the CO2020 report is available on the Faculty Senate webpage, along with other relevant information.

A. Withdrawal Policies:

Copies of the Withdrawal Policies were distributed before the meeting. The Council on Councils wanted rewording on paragraph (2) to include online classes. Phil noted that it is back to us to decide whether we want to accept or reject their recommended changes.

Discussion on the Withdrawal Policy followed. It was decided that additional research needs to be completed before a decision can be made. This item was tabled until the December meeting. Robin moved; and Helen seconded the motion. Motion to table passed.

B. Academic Standards

Copies of the Academic Standards were distributed before the meeting. These academic standards went to Instructional Cabinet and are coming back to us now with a recommended change.

Discussion on the Academic Standards followed. Questions were raised about the legality of the standards, how they would be enforced with the different types of students (e.g. Distance Education students), and should students be allowed to graduate while on suspended status.

This item was tabled until the December meeting at which time it will be brought back reworded. Angi moved; Helen seconded the motion. Motion to table passed.

C. FACTC Representative

Phil stated that we currently need a representative for FACTC. The individual should report to the Senate and that the Senate should have the authority to appoint this person. He gave a quick description of FACTC and noted that Margorie Morton was the representative for several years and has since retired.

Helen noted that it would be advantageous to have more involvement and control by having the person be responsible to the Faculty Senate. Ruth expressed concern that this body was not very good about pushing our statewide agenda. She noted that HCEA is concerned about having a strong representative from Highline Community College.

Helen Burn made a motion which was seconded by Angi Caster and then voted on and passed. The motion:

Faculty Senate will take responsibility for electing a FACTC representative. Said representative will be a Faculty Senate member and will serve a one-year term.

The representative will be elected at the next meeting. Phil asked if anyone was interested in being the representative. He stated that he will attend the December meeting as our representative.

D.  Scholastic Review Committee

Phil noted that there is not much need for this committee to report to the Senate. The Senate appoints all the members and Toni Castro serves as the Administration representative. There are three possible openings. It was decided for efficiency reasons to have the committee be responsible to the Vice President for Students and have the Senate continue appointing the members to serve on the committee.

Roles of New Cultural, Global & Gender Studies Department and Diversity Requirement Committee

Invited guest speakers—Bob Hughes and Phil Droke

Bob gave a history of the committee and how it came into existence. After Faculty Senate passed the motion to change the degree requirement, it went forward to Instructional Cabinet. Instructional Cabinet voted to create a committee to identify the criteria and to decide how the requirement should be implemented. The committee is made of representatives from each of the divisions, thus representing faculty at large interests. The committee’s charge is to set the screening criteria to determine the courses that fit this requirement as set by Faculty Senate. Bob noted that committee meeting minutes will be published widely. There will be faculty forums and open discussions held to get input.

Phil Droke gave a description of the department and its charge. He noted that the committee came out of the strategic initiatives for the college diversity and globalism. Phil stated that department is currently struggling with their mission and the criteria for courses within their area. He noted that eight courses will be offered during the spring quarter; these courses will be crosslisted as CGG courses.

Phil Sell asked how the committee and the department differ. Bob responded that the criteria is different. Certain courses may fit one but not the other. The committee is looking for content specific expertise and training. Phil Droke noted that as the CG&G Department comes up with criteria, it will be communicated to the faculty.

There was discussion on the need for better communication to keep all involved with the process informed. It was agreed by all to be more conscientious in this in the future.

Phil Sell thanked Bob and Phil for taking the time to come to our meeting and share the information about the CG&G Department and the Diversity Requirement Committee.

The Faculty Senate meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Lea Ann Pratt, Faculty Senate Secretary

11/30/98