Thursday, December 15, 2016

Senate meeting, December 15, 2016: WHEN HOPE IS A PLAN

When Hope is a Plan
 
Academic Senate Rep Council
Thursday, December 15, 2016
 
Agenda:
 
Public comments:
Henry (who subbed for Brittany but looked nothing like her) and I drew attention to the OCC instructor issue (she is being harassed by video-taping right-wingers) 
Henry read the OCC (senate?) statement; Kurt helped out
There was a good discussion; everyone expressed concern, support. We looked for a work-around of the absence of an agenda item for this meeting. There seemed to be consensus that the senate should do something of the kind requested. We put off further discussion until the item concerning college fora (one is planned for Flex Week, Spring).
 
Kathy forewent her exec report
Same for Bob, etc.
 
BP and AR review
The “review” committee met, etc.
I asked about 3950 – unmanned aircraft systems. We buzzed each other about that. The item was strafed from the approval list (this time), I think. Some real issues. 
 
AR 3502 Campus Safety
AR 3801 
Hazardous Waste Removal
BP/AR 
3950 Unmanned Aircraft Systems
BP 4101.1 
Faculty Salary Classification Changes and Initial Classification Placement
BP 4203 
Sick Leave for Educational Administrators and Classified Management Personnel
BP/AR 
5515 Transfer Center
BP 5520 
Shower Facilities for Homeless Students
AR 5615 
Student Records Compliance with FERPA
AR 6106 Course Approval (Stand Alone Credit Courses)
 
We approved the rest.
 
HIRING POLICIES. Kathy mentioned that she is working on new revisions of the various HIRING policies. She’s seeks input. I noted that some of us in the School of Humanities would like to make some changes to the faculty hiring policy. Kathy indicated that anyone interested can just send her their inputtery via email (asenate@ivc.edu).
 
Item 14: President’s forum
Apparently, focus on academic freedom and 1st amendment issues contemplated for event during flex week, spring.
Re Academic Freedom, I mentioned Dennis White’s notorious 2003 directive to faculty: thou shalt not discuss the Iraq War in the classroom unless thou acquireth prior approval from His Nibs’s office. The directive was, I said, never rescinded. Kathy remembered it differently. She’ll seek “clarity” from the President’s office.
 
The OCC issue re the instructor who was videoed in class opining negatively about the President Elect (it went viral, she’s been harassed by the usual suspects ever since) was raised. Some of us clamored for support of the instructor, the OCC senate statement, etc.
First motion: support OCC senate statement
Approved (We’ll send word to the OCC senate)
We noted that this should be done quickly or not at all. Evidently, it will be done quickly.
Second motion: Kathy seemed to want a broader statement, one less tied to the specifics of the OCC case. In the end, we voted to have Kathy/cabinet come up with statement by Saturday morning. Senators will have an opportunity to approve/disapprove BY MONDAY. Approved 21/0/0.
 
We discussed nominees for offices for the upcoming Senate elections.
 
Chair of Academic Affairs: both Brett and Dan (our Dan D, “Double D”) have been nominated. The group voted sans discussion.
 
Dan: 12
Brett: 6
 
So Dan will be our new (and much more focused) Academic Affairs chair. THANKS DAN.
 
18.
Cheryl Delson and a fellow named Massimo Mitolo were both nominated for (I forget what). Here’s how that vote turned out:
 
Delson: 11
Mitolo: 7
 
21. It was time to approve/disapprove various search committees for new hires.
 
Geography - Yes
Political Science - Yes
Biology – [put off for now]
English – yes (unanimous)
Digital Media Art –
Moved to send this back, owing to a lack of non-department representation (aside from the chair, Dean Joe). 18/2/1
 
(Item 15)
Davit arrived to give his budget update and, um, audit update
As per usual, projections show that, in coming years, costs will go up but revenue will not, unless we take steps. Right now, we’re relying on various one-time funds. Not clear if or how those will be replaced.
We had a decent discussion. It is possible that the Governor’s Budget (in January) will include a “baseline adjustment,” which could yield us millions. We’re hoping for that. That seems to be our “plan.”
Davit noted that, meanwhile, there are lots of resource requests from faculty/programs. We’ll go forward with that process, despite projected shortfall.
I asked about international students (see line on non-resident tuition: projections: going up)
I asked about weekend college (it’s in place now).
Evidently, owing to our BASIC AID gravy train (whereby we are funded by a portion of local property taxes, forgoing state apportionment), we are not allowed to layoff anybody (cuz, I guess, we’re swimmin’ in dough). Ties are hands (darn). We can eliminate programs, but that’s not a popular move.
Everyone seemed to agree.
And that was about it.
 
—SENATOR ROY

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