CHAPARRAL

It is my hope that through this column I can keep the college informed of the major initiatives of the Senate. I also hope to do some occasional thought pieces, perhaps about our tradition of shared governance and about our administrative transition.

     At the end of last academic year and the beginning of this year, a slew of reports have come in on which the Senate is taking action. In addition, the Senate has responded to other developments through motions. I summarize these actions below.

Report on Faculty Diversity

     This report provides recommendations to establish greater equity and diversity among academic administration and full-time faculty through recruitment, outreach, and retention. The Governance Review Committee is advising the Senate on the process by which a new Faculty Diversity governance committee can be created or whether an existing governance committee can implement these recommendations.

Report on Matriculation of Noncredit Students to Credit Programs

     This report explores ways to increase the number of students transitioning from noncredit to credit programs. At present, the Governance Review Committee is also studying the creation of a subcommittee under the Matriculation Committee. This subcommittee would be the primary means for implementing the report’s
recommendations.

Report on the Flex Calendar Program

     This report makes recommendations on modifying the flex calendar program by proposing that Institute Day and commencement be mandatory flex days, by allowing some participation on governance committees to count for flex, by relaxing the rule on the verification process for individually planned research, etc. This report was referred to the Staff Development Committee for comment and will be returned to the Senate for action.

Report on Faculty Web Information

     This report anticipates the redesign of the college’s website and makes recommendations on what kind of information should be on faculty web pages, from basic contact and biographical information to the possibility of optional information drawn from faculty evaluations. The latter was conceived as an alternative to such websites as Rate Your Professor.

Report on Strengthening Division Chair Selection and Training

     The goal of this report was to provide new chairs with training and other resources. The report recommends a division chair-elect procedure to enhance the transition into the position. It also discusses possible methods for evaluating division chairs.

     For the specific recommendations of these reports, see the Senate website (www.glendale.edu/senate/) and click on “Task Force Information.”

Board policy motions

     The district is revising and updating Board policies in preparation for the accreditation process. Some 35-40 policies have been presented to the Board thus far. Our existing Board policies can be found at www.glendale.edu/policies&regulations/index.htm along with our administrative regulations. The new or revised Board policies can be found at www.glendale.edu/boardoftrustees. Check out the “Meeting Schedule and Agenda” link to view the agenda packets which include these policy proposals. If you want to view agendas from the previous academic year, click on “Meeting Schedule Archive.”

     The Senate has responded to these policies with two motions recommending changes to language on the Superintendent/President’s role (BP 8415) and on Board duties and responsibilities (BP 8200). Both motions aimed at linking these responsibilities to our shared governance system. The Senate has requested another motion on Local Participation in Decision-Making (BP 8510), which addresses the Board relationship with faculty, classified and student organizations, be tabled so that language similarly incorporating our present  governance system can be brought forward.

     Other Board policies addressing instructional issues are also expected this fall, and the Senate will monitor these and give input where appropriate.

Syllabus disability statement motion

     The Senate and Academic Affairs passed a motion to require faculty members to include the following statement in their syllabi: “All students with disabilities requiring accommodation are responsible for making arrangements through the Center for Students with Disabilities.” This will be taken to the college Executive Committee so that administrative regulations can be modified.

     Remember that the Senate meets the first and third Thursdays of the month (less frequently in the winter session) at 1:15 in Los Robles 105. Please contact your division senator or one of the at-large senators or myself if you have concerns or input about the above items or any other academic and professional matters. You can find me in the Governance Office (AD 249) every day and can also contact me at x5394 or at senpres@glendale.edu.

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