This
meeting was not terribly eventful. I’ll keep this short.
Diana
H, our Curriculum guru, made a pitch for Wendy Gabriella for that State
Assembly Seat in her neck of the woods. Tracy F briefly supported that, as did
I. “She needs money; she’s attempting to defeat people who tend to drag their
knuckles,” I said.
We
were reminded that some programs are undergoing “program review,” and some due
dates are rapidly approaching. I think Dec. 13 was one of those.
As
you know, there is an ongoing effort to review and revise board policies
(etc.). Kathy S directed our attention to AR6125, which concerns field trips
and such. Instructors who use field trips (student travel) should be aware of
the proposed revision and come to the next meeting prepared to argue whatever.
The
group approved recent revisions (none of substance) in the Planning and
Decision-making manual.
Our
own Dan D was approved to serve on the Budget Committee (I think that was it).
Kathy
made a strong pitch for faculty participation in these important committees.
Faculty seem to be the only persons who are free to speak their minds at these
committee meetings, so it is important that they be present. WE’VE GOT
WATCHDOGGING TO DO. Your service on such committees (beyond your committee
obligation) can be used for flex credit.
There
was a discussion of a room shortage problem re students taking tests. The
spaces now used are inadequate. We’ve been using room in the library. Kathy
agreed that she would pursue this matter with Linda F (VP for SS). “A permanent
solution needs to be found,” said one counselor.
We
discussed “Senior Day.” How can we improve it? I asked if we could at least
have a “moratorium on bouncy houses.” In the past, you see, Senior Day seems to
have involved such attractions as In-n-Out Burger trucks, bouncy houses, and
worse.
Some
stared at me with incredulity. I insisted that, yes, we’ve had bouncy houses.
Somebody
way to my left said, “What’s wrong with bouncy houses?”
I
tried to answer but I got interrupted. Just as well. I didn’t want to identify
that fellow as a Philistine in public.
Evidently,
if “topless day” brings in students, then there will be topless day.
Somebody
informed us that IVC’s Senior Day is the favorite among local college “Days.”
Oh good.
Diana
yammered a bit about some new regulations. It seems that we need to develop a
policy about something, I know not what, ‘cuz I can’t read my notes. I wouldn’t
worry about it.
Roopa M (maven of Ac Affairs) spoke about our review of the faculty hiring priority
list process. Also, we need to come up with a policy for School reorganization,
just in case that ever gets problematic. There’s still work being done re the
“wait list system.” Roopa reported that Dan and Summer’s recent IVC2IVC event
was “absolutely wonderful.” She wants to ask them to come back, do it again.
Something like that. Soon, there will be an event concerning “classical street
painting.” Classical? Yep.
Kathy
S (Senate Prez) reminded us of her promise long ago. She said that, after the
Accred scramble, she’d return to the issue of Early College. You’ll recall that
the senate has held that program in low regard. It was originally foisted upon
us by the President, over our objections. Efforts (supposedly) have been made
to respond to early criticisms. So, now, we’re working on a survey to find out
what faculty think, nowadays, of the Early College Program.
Somebody
said something about basic aid requests being due Dec. 6.
Kathy
provided a report re budget issues. Bob U and Kathy have urged the Budget Group
to shift away from resource requests to ongoing and programmatic features.
Everyone seemed to like that. Money should automatically be set aside for
technology, etc. We’re trying to organize and coordinate diverse requests.
We’re
trying to plan for the unplanned, said Bob.
OK,
that’s about it.
--R
