March 03, 2014 Meeting
Agenda
Academic Senate
Taft College
Monday, March 3, 2014
12:10-1:00pm
Cougar Room
Public Commentary
Approval of Minutes of February 3, 2014
Agenda
1. Standing Committee Updates – 5 minutes
a. Strategic Planning Committee (David Layne)
b. Curriculum & General Education Committee (David Layne)
c. Budget Committee (Sonja Swenson)
d. Academic Development (Kelly Kulzer-Reyes)
2. Resolution recommending Emeritus status for Jeff Ross – 5 minutes (Tony Thompson)
3. Tutoring Services – 20 minutes – (Diane Jones)
4. Access Committee Charter – 10 minutes – (Mark Williams)
5. Brown Act and the Academic Senate – 5 minutes – (Tony Thompson)
President’s Report
Other
Next Meeting – Monday, April 7, 2014
Minutes
Taft College Academic Senate Minutes
Monday, March 3, 2014
Cougar Conference Room
Attendees: President Tony Thompson, Vice President David Layne, Secretary Linda West,
Nancy Artiga,
Kanoe Bandy, Eric Bérubé, Paul Blake, Adam Bledsoe, Kamala Carlson, Joe’ll Chaidez,
Bill Devine,
Tori Furman, Shelley Getty, Greg Golling, Gary Graupman, Jessica Grimes, Dan Hall,
Vicki Jacobi,
Brian Jean, Craig Johnson, Diane Jones, Kelly Kulzer Reyes, Julián Martinez, Mariza
Martinez,
Michelle Oja, Ruby Payne, Robin Polski, Juana Rangel-Escobedo, David Reynolds, Joy
Reynolds,
Denise Romero, Jeff Ross, Rebecca Roth, Sonja Swenson, Susan Vaughan, Stefanie Walsh,
Mark Williams
The meeting was called to order at 12:14 p.m.
Public Commentary
None
Review of February 3, 2014 Senate Minutes
A motion was made by Jeff Ross and seconded by Robin Polski to approve the minutes
as presented. The
motion carried.
Strategic Planning Committee Update David Layne
David Layne reported the Strategic Planning Committee is continuing work on the planning mosaic.
Curriculum & General Education Update David Layne
David Layne reported the committee is currently working to review the makeup of the
committee. He
also stated that he’s been unable to locate an existing charter for the committee
and it appears a new
charter will need to be developed.
Budget Committee Update Sonja Swenson
Sonja Swenson reported that the committee has been spending the majority of time looking
at non-
personnel items.
Academic Development Kelly Kulzer Reyes
Kelly Kulzer Reyes reported the committee is currently looking at how basic skills
initiative funds were
allocated and spent and making sure they’re in alignment.
Resolution Recommending Emeritus Status for Jeff Ross Tony Thompson
Vicki Jacobi received unanimous consent from the Learning Support Division to recommend
Jeff Ross’s
nomination for Faculty Emeritus status. Tony Thompson drafted a resolution from the
Senate
recommending Jeff Ross for Professor Emeritus Status. A copy of the resolution is
included as an
attachment to these minutes.
A motion was made by Diane Jones and seconded by Craig Johnson to approve the resolution
as
presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Tutoring Services Diane Jones
The possibility of contracting for on online tutoring service was presented at the
February Senate
meeting and the consensus was that the Senate needed more information before it could
support that
option. Bill Devine asked if the online tutoring service proposal had gone through
the governance
process and already been approved at some level? Greg Golling stated that it was on
the list of
governance program projects approved and was listed as grant-funded. Kelly Kulzer
Reyes stated that
basic skills grant funds were designated for tutoring, but those funds have already
been allocated for the
part-time SIs. A question was raised about the amount of funds that are available
for tutoring and
whether the source of the funding is from grants and/or the general fund.
The question of how we can improve our current tutoring program was raised. At one
time, the college
had a robust, faculty-driven, peer tutoring program. The college continues to advertise
free tutoring for
all subjects, but that doesn’t appear to be an accurate statement. The number of content
specific tutors
has been reduced significantly. Mark Williams stated that the issue of tutoring has
been the most
confused and conflicted issue since he arrived on campus and he agreed to provide
a report on funding
at the April Senate meeting.
Access Committee Charter Mark Williams
Mark Williams reported there has been some confusion regarding the role of the Access
Committee.
Mark stated he views the role of the committee as a recommending body that will look
at the “big
picture” to ensure all interests are considered in in the creation of new programs
and elimination of
existing programs.
Brown Act and the Academic Senate Tony Thompson
Tony Thompson raised the question of whether or not the Academic Senate and Senate
subcommittees
were subject to the provisions of the Brown Act. If so, there are new requirements
for reporting and
every vote must be recorded. Tony stated he would seek legal advice on this issue.
Tony also stated he
will make sure copies of Senate agendas are posted in public locations prior to Senate
meetings.
Other
Tony reminded the group about the All College meetings scheduled for Tuesday, March
11th and
Wednesday, March 19th in the Cougar Room from 2-4 p.m.
Meeting was adjourned at 1:04 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2014.
Respectfully submitted by
Linda West, Academic Senate Secretary
Attachment
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING EMERITUS STATUS FOR JEFF ROSS
Whereas, Jeff Ross has served Taft College with distinction as a fulltime faculty
member for thirty-eight
years, including, but not limited to, the following areas or assignments:
- Director, Student Support Services (DSP&S)
- Learning/Development Disabilities Specialist
- Curriculum development for students with disabilities
- Chair, Academic Development Committee
- Division Chair, Social Sciences
- Co-Chair, Learning Support Division
- Designed and established the nationally recognized Transition to Independent Living Program for students with intellectual disabilities
- Coordinated the Migrant Education Program and implemented a HSIAC grant
and;
Whereas, Jeff Ross originated and was the primary architect of the Disabled Students
Program and
Services (DSP&S) at Taft College, now commonly referred to as Student Support Services;
and
Whereas, through several professional memberships outside of Taft College, Jeff Ross
has used
knowledge and experiences gained from these organizations to benefit Taft College
students with
Learning and/or Developmental disabilities; and
Whereas, Jeff Ross has received the Dr. John W. Rice Equity and Diversity Award, the
CAPED Lanterman
Award for Outstanding Service to Persons with Disabilities, the Community College
League of California
Creating the Future Award, the California Community College Student Success Award-Transition
to
Independent Living Program, and many others;
Resolved, that the Learning Support Division and the Academic Senate of Taft College,
encourage the
Administration and the Board of Trustees, to support the nomination of Jeff Ross for
a most prestigious
honor – that of Professor Emeritus status at Taft College.