Executive Summary

Executive Summary Minutes,

Harbor College Academic Senate

Regular Meeting,

1:00, Thursday, November 20, 2008

Approval of Minutes

Ms. J. Smith stated that she would provide official confirmation in her president's report that the Essential Skills Action Plan had been approved by the Senate Executive Committee as authorized by the Senate.

Administrative Report

Mr. Rosas gave the Senate further background on how impressed the Gates Foundation has apparently been with its efforts at Harbor College and on promising contacts from the Packard Foundation. Representatives of the Japanese Consulate visited this week to investigate possible support for our Japanese language programs.

Mr. Rosas also alerted the Senate to the possibility of using Prop. J funds to purchase the former Honda dealership property on Pacific Coast Highway. Ms. Tull suggested purchase of the hotel nearby to provide 'store front' college access and for international student dorms.

Mr. Young provided supplementary information on the statewide 'shakeout drill'. Concern was expressed about safety issues. He and Mr. Oakes will call a special joint meeting of the Facilities and Work Environment Committees to focus on these issues. Ms. Fasteau raised the issue of operative responsibility for campus security on Saturdays.

ASO Report

Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Rios stated that the ASO will provide specifics about study hall dates and hours for faculty participation.

ITEMS/MOTIONS FOR ACTION NOVEMBER 20

Diversity Fund Proposal

Ms. Watkins drew the Senate's attention to the Academic Policy and Planning Committee minutes in the meeting packet, in which it was proposed that control of the Diversity Fund should be turned over to the Staff Development Committee, with actions requiring a sign-off by the compliance offer. Ms. McMurray requested suggestions from senators with thoughts about fund uses relative to gays and lesbians.

Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee Recommendations

Ms. Joiner drew the attention of the Senate to the duly noticed priorities listing contained in the meeting packet, explaining how the list was derived from balloting by committee members according to the established process. It was noted that there was no request for a culinary arts position and that a number of other positions may not have been filed for due to the budget crisis and hiring freeze and the expectation that no positions would be filled in any case, while at the same time it has now turned out that the district has fallen short of the total number of full-time positions the state requires it to provide for, so positions on the list might in fact be filled. Unanimous consent to adopt the report as noticed.

Curriculum Approvals

Unanimous consent to approve both proposed courses as noticed:

[from i-net]

ITEMS/MOTIONS FOR FUTURE ACTION

Adjunct Eligibility for Ancillary Time

Mr. Oakes invited all faculty under whom adjunct faculty are performing duties beyond those required for the teaching of their assigned classes to file formal requests under the contract for ancillary time for those instructors, notifying the Senate that grievances will be filed where legitimate requests are denied.

COMMENTS ON DISTRIBUTED REPORTS/NOTICES/COMMITTEE MINUTES

President's Report