ACADEMIC AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE CPC
MINUTES
FOR THE MEETING OF
February 8, 2006
2:15 p.m.
Global Classroom
Attending:
Administration – Nancy Carson, Bobby McNeel, Luis Rosas, Linda Spink
Faculty – Nabeel Barakat, Tricia Wickers for Wendy Hollis, Bruce Lemon, Lauren McKenzie, Susan McMurray, Joyce Parker, Evelyn Portis, Jim Stanbery, Pamela Watkins, Mark Wood, Bradley Young
Absent:
Administration - Charlie Bossler, Bob Richards, Ann Tomlinson
Classified –Hovsep Kotelyan, Traci Liley
Classified Manager - Carla Mussa-Muldoon
Faculty – King Carter, Joy Fisher, Stanley Sandell
Students
Nabeel Barakat chaired the meeting.
I. MINUTES
Minutes of the 1/11/06 meeting were accepted with the following change (Lemon/Young):
II. PROPOSITION A/AA AND FEMA ACTIVITY UPDATE
II. P2. A restroom in PE was torn down, causing employees, who have office
space nearby, to have to be relocated to Mr. Barakat’s office.
II. PROPOSITION A/AA AND FEMA ACTIVITY UPDATE
The Science Building is now completely utilized in the lower level. Theater renovations are not yet fully complete. While there were many room changes this semester, the report that Marian Messina prepared was extremely helpful. Mercy Yanez, Robbie Barker, our counselors, and the Beacon House volunteers have once again made things run smoother on the first few days of classes by staffing an information kiosk in the quad area.
The door between the LAC and the Library is closed today. This door is supposed to be open during the construction period. Jonathon Lee will be reminded that, for safety purposes, the door needs to remain open. A student worker strategically placed by the doorway could reduce the amount of pilfering that seems to take place during the open door periods. There has been a suggestion of a two way turnstile type gate as well. After the construction period, the LAC and Library personnel need to meet again to discuss long term solutions. The entrance door nearest Research must always be open.
Nursing and Music Buildings appear to be drastically improved with new paint and carpet. The Music Recital Hall is still incomplete.
Dr. Frank Chong, Harbor’s accreditation team chairperson, suggested that the visiting committee may look at the Proposition A/AA process to see how shared governance is working on campus. They will want to see how involved everyone has been from the planning stage forward, looking at this as a case study. Anyone is subject to be asked questions about their involvement. Members are asked to pass along this information to others in their divisions.
We are in good shape on governance for master planning, with adequate documentation. We may want to ask to what extent our facilities reflect our educational master plan. For example, the space for the TV studio, is this space in our plans? Is it in Mark Wood’s Humanities Division unit plan or in the cluster plan? When we deal with the rebirth of an old program, it should be reflected in the master plan, forums, and ultimately the program review.
III. PROGRAM REVIEWS
Program Reviews for Behavioral Science, LAC, Library, Humanities, Mathematics, PACE, Physical Education, Social Science and Science & Family & Consumer Studies are now with Ray Van Dinther. Some are already posted on the web under Accreditation, Program Reviews. It isn’t good enough just to post the program reviews on the web. Chairs are reminded of the importance of scheduling divisional meetings, as it is important to have everyone informed and involved. Make sure the faculty understand the theme, are aware of student learning outcomes (SLOs) and the dialog that has taken place in preparation for accreditation. Having copies of the accreditation document available is all important. Jim Stanbery is willing to pay for extra copies and Ann Tomlinson will arrange to have them run off. At a minimum, there needs to be one for each chair and two for the Library. Mark Wood believes that 50 extra copies were already in the printing queue. Chairs are asked to notify Luis Rosas of all division meeting dates.
Getting the word out to the campus about accreditation: A lunch communication time has been scheduled for 2/27/06, as well as two evenings for adjuncts, on 3/1 and 3/2, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There needs to be a letter, sent to faculty homes, giving information about accreditation and asking that everyone open their doors to the accreditation team visitors.
IV. PRIORITIZATION
There is a possibility of Chemistry and Physical Science taking possession of a new larger complex. Mr. McKenzie feels that if the “son of Prop AA” does not become reality, there is no way that Chemistry can return to the LA Building. It could mark the end of the program. You cannot have a program without a building to house it. There is only one fulltime instructor in Chemistry at this time.
Chemistry is essential as a prerequisite for the Biological Sciences and Nursing. We cannot afford not to have a program and facility. In the last ranking, the Chemistry Building came out as a top priority, yet if the Library and PE facilities are funded
From Proposition AA funds, there will not be sufficient monies left to fund the Chemistry Building. Originally, Chemistry was to be in the NE Building. It was pointed out that although $250M has been expended, not one building is up and not one building has been torn down. Child Development was downsized in order to cover the costs of the Chemistry/Physics facility. Technology is still tied up, for a period of near 17 months. The Northeast Academic Building is out to bid. Within six to eight months we’ll know better where we stand when the actual numbers come in. To turn down $9M from the state for the Library would not be a good move politically.
Mr. McKenzie restated that there is only one Chemistry faculty member, and if he were to transfer, this would effectively end the program. The move of the three Chemistry Labs and the stock room to Physics is not working well. They are working in very cramped quarters and vents are inadequate. Could extractor vents be added to the Physics Building? No, Bill Englert has stated that this would not be done. The move to Physics has saved $.5M. Adequate Chemistry facilities should house three labs, at a minimum, and two lecture halls. To plan for growth, there should be two more labs.
While students can go on-line for library resources and the area library, Chemistry students would be leaving to attend classes at alternate schools if they cannot get needed classes here. This would impact other classes and programs. The real question is how long can Chemistry remain in limited, cramped, poorly ventilated facilities? Physics was never designed for Chemistry classes.
Nabeel Barakat suggested that the funds which were redirected from PE to the Library could be given in support of Chemistry. He emphasizes that Adaptive PE still needs to be completed. The issue is really about how to address these decisions. The PE Building is fully designed and will be submitted. We will still consider renovations to PE. It all depends on the money factor.
Motion-The Academic Affairs Cluster of the CPC supports a new Chemistry Physics Building as one of the highest priority buildings. Modern facilities are needed to support the program and essential to the overall mission of the college. (Carson/Watkins/consensus)
V. ADJOURNMENT
Upcoming meetings take place at 2:15 p.m., in the Global Classroom, on:
March 8 and 22
April 26
March 10 and 24