May 15, 2023

Attendance

Minutes

I. Call to Order

Approval of Agenda and Minutes from May 8, 2023

Alicia Mullens moved, Ravjeet Singh seconded to approve both minutes and agenda. No objection.  Agenda and minutes approved by unanimous consent.

Public Comment 

• Alicia Mullens shared a concern from one of her constituents regarding the individual success reports for Winter 2023. In the report, withdrawal is counted as non-success. This will give instructors less incentive to add students late since these students tend to drop or fail. The non-success rating could negatively affect instructor/program performance.  Some schools consider withdrawal as neutral.  Mary Donahue pointed out that some swim students intentionally drop or fail the class to take it again. Several instructors had more questions and concerns.  Mark Landefeld raised an issue with the “D” grade; the catalog says it is a passing grade but It is counted as non-success. In a P/NP class, a “D” counts for credit, but counts as “non-success” .  There was interest to put this item on a future agenda for discussion.

• Mary Donahue asked about the possibility of linking faculty names to their faculty website. This would encourage everyone to create and update their website. It could increase interest and improve enrollment.

• Rajveet Singh asked about the college policy on the use of ChatGPT and AI software for faculty to put on their syllabus.  There is no Academic Senate policy and no official college statement. There was a request in the winter quarter for a faculty response on ChatGPT. However, there was interest in forming a subcommittee to do this work.  Faculty should consult the college policy on academic dishonesty.  There are examples in the Policies section from Dawn Lee’s session on ChatGPT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uyR8r4gG14C4kfJ__q6ZgxwSTlGvEj-MQn-3PsaRuzE/edit?usp=share_link.  Also, look at the model course syllabus: https://deanza.instructure.com/courses/16183

II. Needs and Confirmations 

Tenure Review Committee for Viviana Alcazar (IIS)

• Dean: Debbie Lee
• Hua-fu Liu
• Carmen Lizardi-Folley
• At large: Ilan Glassman (Music)

Tenure Review Committee for Katelyn Endow (ESL)

• Dean: Kristin Skager
• Maria Marin
• Christine Chai
• At large: Carol Cini (History)

Shagun Kaur moved to confirm both committees, Jayanti Roy seconded. No objections. Approved by unanimous consent.

Vice President of Instruction (VPI) Search Committee - three (3) faculty reps needed.

Done by rank choice voting.  Voting done electronically during the meeting.

Ishmael Tarikh selected as the part time member, Karen Chow and Felisa Vilaubi selected as the at-large members.

FA work group to design training for the new J1s.

Need one (1) or two (2) members of Academic Senate to join this group.  The committee will complete its work by the end of the spring quarter. Tenure committees will start using the new J1 in the fall. 

Shagun Kaur moved to approve Jayanti Roy and Salvador Guerrero to serve in this work group.  Ravjeet Singh seconded.  No objection. Unanimous approval.

Resource Allocation and Program Planning (RAPP) -  five (5) faculty reps needed for 2023-2024.  

Alicia Mullens moved to table this item until the next meeting, Jayanti Roy seconded. No objection.

III. Continuing Business

Ideas to help us make quorum in 2023-2024 (continued from May 1, 2023)

Move meeting times to Mondays 12:30-2:30pm? Or 1:30-3:30? - Use ranked choice voting at future meeting to decide.  The reason for moving the time earlier to to accommodate people who have problem with traffic.  12:30 to 2:30 pm will be impossible for coaches. It will be hard to get rep from PE.  Moving the time earlier will conflict with the peak scheduling time for language arts. The same is true for PSME.

Voting members must attend within the District?  Idea that voting members can attend online, but only if they are within the District boundaries and count towards quorum.

Proxy, delegates, or splitting roles? Substitute in event of an emergency.  Shagun Kaur was deeply uncomfortable with people just coming in as proxy. They need to be part of the dialogue and debate. The pitfall of proxy voting is not having that dialogue.  What is the definition of proxy voting?   How to identify the delegates and split seats?  Cheryl Jaeger Balm suggested every division may have 2 members but 1 vote; therefore, only 1 need attend each meeting.  Shagun was deeply uncomfortable with this proposal as well.  Dawn Lee suggested to have pre approved delegates at the beginning of the year or quarter.  Glynn Wallis said there is no universal way to appease everyone.   Mary Donahue said there is a problem with 2 reps and only 1 vote; the 2 members may have different ideas on the 1 vote.  If there is only one vote, why have 2 reps?  Some larger divisions may like to keep their 2 votes.  Shagun reminded everyone that any changes will require changes in the constitution and bylaws

Resolution Toward Racial Healing at De Anza College (second read)

Discussion and vote on the language of the 4th whereas.  Felisa Vilaubi moved to approve the 4th whereas as it is currently written with the edit to delete [the idea of fair and equal treatment of all], Tim Harper seconded.

"WHEREAS, the De Anza Academic Senate recognizes that we live and work in a society founded on white supremacy, and that our College and the individuals who work and learn here are not immune to the colonialist shadow and lasting post-slavery trauma in this nation; and " 

There was much discussion on the language and the message in the statement. Some people found it misleading, troubling, and uncomfortable.

Call for a vote:  Yes 9, No 13, Abstain 1 - Motion failed

Shagun Kaur moved to remove this whereas from the overall resolution, and respectfully request the affinity group members help draft language that better reflects our values and life experience. Mary Donahue seconded.

Yes 10, No 6, Abstain 6. Motion passed.

Resolution of Solidarity with the Jewish Community (first read)

Erik Woodbury motioned to table until next meeting, Alicia Mullens seconded. No objection.

IV. New Business

Flex Report

Last year at this time the Academic Senate had a great discussion and made a list of professional development activities to be organized through the Academic Senate. Some of them have been implemented. 

The college will need to send a Flex Report to the State on activities proposed for next year, 2023-2024. Cheryl Jaeger Balm has created an Office 365 form for members to comment, vote, and finalize the list by this Friday. Thomas Ray will compile, write, and submit the report by the end of May.
Erik Woodbury moved to extend the meeting by up to 10 minutes, to 4:30 pm; Mary Donahue seconded. No objection.

FHDA District Academic Senate and the 2023-2024 District Academic Senate President

District Academic Senate (DAS) serves as the voice of the Academic Senates of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.  The two colleges take turns appointing the president for the DAS each year. There has been discussion in the DAS regarding the effectiveness of the one-year term. It is De Anza’s turn to appoint the 2023-2024 DAS Senate President. Cheryl Jaeger Balm presented a proposal to appoint Foothill faculty member Kathryn Maurer, who is the current president to continue in that role.

Alicia Mullens moved to appoint Kathryn Maurer to be the District Academic Senate President, Mary Donahue seconded.  Appointed by consensus.

Office of Professional Development End of Year Report

Dawn Lee gave the end of the year report on the professional development activities that included an account of the conference and travel fund disbursement and balance ($53,000 for the remainder of the year.) She gave a special shoutout to the conference fund committee. 

Dawn will be leaving her position as Director of Professional Development at De Anza. Her last day at De Anza will be May 22.  She has provided in the automatic reply to her email, with information on:

• Conference and Travel Funds
• Conference and Travel Funds Reimbursement 
• Information updated on PGA credit with videos on how to apply for PGA
• PAA
• New Faculty Hire Orientation
• Instructional Strategies, Curriculum Design, Canvas Design help
• Faculty Self-Care Resources

IV. Other Items

Resolution Honoring Dawn Lee with Senator Emeritus Status

Alicia Mullens shared her personal appreciation for Dawn Lee.

“Dawn Lee Tu came onboard just one quarter after I started here, but you sure could have fooled me… she seamlessly jumped in creating a warm and inviting space for new faculty (even though she was one herself), offered tremendous workshops, and made my integration into the De Anza college team so much smoother.

"While I was navigating my first few terms at De Anza, Dawn just jumped in and instantly made a positive impact. I’ve seen her diligently offer wisdom, thoughtful advice, and when needed, stern words of warning in shared governance committees. Her bravery to stand up for us and our students has been invaluable. But on a personal note, she’s done so much more!”

Alicia moved to approve the resolution with acclamation, Mary Donahue seconded. Resolution approved with much enthusiasm.

There were many expression of appreciation from members in chat.

Dawn responded with her heartfelt appreciation. She felt honored and privileged to have served the faculty at De Anza. She has worked at many universities and colleges here in the Bay area, and by far the most talented, the most amazing instructors she ever worked with are here at De Anza. She recognized and wanted people to be proud of their work. She said, “It has been an honor for me to do this work with you all, and to be with you in your journey here at De Anza."

Good of the Order

Erik Woodbury encouraged and challenged everyone to identify and reach out personally to candidates for the president and vice president positions. Bring these super talented people to build a strong senate for the next year and the future.

Adjournment

Erik Woodbury motioned, Jayanti Roy seconded, to adjourn, no objection.