March 10, 2025

I. Call to Order

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Welcome

Erik Woodbury welcomed everyone to the meeting. Next week will be the last Senate meeting for the quarter.

Erik reminded representatives to complete their report out.

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Approval of Agenda and Minutes from March 3rd, 2025.

Cynthia Kaufman moved, Alicia Mullens seconded to approve both minutes and agenda. No objection.

Agenda and minutes approved by unanimous consent.

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Public Comment 

Erik Woodbury passed around the wallet-sized “If You See ICE on Campus” cards that are available through the Communications Office and the division offices.

Women History Month

Ishmael Tarikh: Octavia Butler, African-American science fiction writer.

Alicia Mullens: Eunice Foot, the first scientist to confirm rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels could contribute to global warming. She was a signatory to the Declaration of Sentiments and one of the editors of the proceedings of the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, the first gathering to address women's rights as its sole focus.

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II. Consent Calendar

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Consent Calendar: (Attachment)

Hiring Committee

Physical Education and Track & Field and Cross-Country Head Coach

Tenure Review Committee Updates

Jennifer Quevedo, Jason Bram, Biology replaced Rana Marinas

Amy Rejent, Elsa Jimenez-Samoyoa, Biology replaced Jason Bram 

Mary Pape moved to approve the consent calendar, Rusty Johnson seconded. No objection. Hiring committee and tenure review committee replacement approved.

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III. Needs and Confirmation

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District and College Needs (Attachment)

Ongoing Needs

• Faculty to serve as At Large members on Tenure Review committees
• EO Representatives

Both will be important for the hiring committees being formed as well as the tenure review committees that will be formed in the spring.

Use “Request to Serve” link on AS website

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Confirmations: (Attachment)

Hiring Committee, Vice President of Instruction

Need 3 faculty representatives

5 Volunteers: Kim Palmore, Erik Woodbury, Sukhjit Singh, Shagun Kaur,  Veronica Acevedo Avila

The Executive Committee voting members selected three faculty representatives from the five volunteers by rank choice voting.

Voting Result:

The faculty representatives for the VPI Hiring Committee were confirmed as Veronica Avila Acevedo, Shagun Kaur, and Erik Woodbury

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IV. New & Continuing Business

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Quick Notes:

President Communication on Supporting Students and Employees

The communication sent in an email last Wednesday was a response to concerns raised in the last Senate meeting regarding the DEI town hall. The email came out quickly with many details showing much effort, genuine care and attentive listening.

Erik Woodbury asked for feedback, comments, thoughts, and reaction to the president’s email last Wednesday.
The language of support was emphatic towards students as it should be. There was an ask for an equally clear unequivocal statement of support for every employee, staff, administrators, and faculty, especially those under attack by the current administration. Some advocated more vocal support for vulnerable communities like undocumented, LGBTG+, etc

Someone suggested having the president to come speak to the Senate on this subject.

Thoughts and ideas on gaps or lacks in college or support services

How to communicate campus news to students and staff. Many are unaware of what is happening on campus.

District support for those in caregiving situations where they are sandwiched between caring for their elderly as well as their children.

Challenges with disseminating information, creating a sense of community.

Some institutions provide structural care for the caregiver. The RISE program that started at Johns Hopkins is all about caring for the caregivers. Those programs focus on compassion for one another that  promotes a better workplace environment, less animosity, and boosts morale to retain their employees.

Concerns about lack of campus job opportunities for students, especially international students who could only work on campus. In the past the bookstore and the cafeteria were places where students could always get a job to work on campus. It's hard for students in general to find jobs right now.

The district gets funding for AB 540, DACA/undocumented and perhaps some of this funding could be used for scholarships and fellowships to support students. 

There were suggestions for spaces to communicate information and listing opportunities such as the DASG Discord.

Erik Woodbury encouraged everyone to share with him additional ideas for support services and communication.

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Resolution Endorsing proposed Board Resolution Declaring FHDA a Sanctuary District (2nd read)

The Senate resumed its discussion on endorsing the resolution to declare FHDA a sanctuary district.

Veronica Acevedo Avila, DALA representative read a statement from DALA.

DALA, The De Anza Latinx Association, works directly and indirectly in multiple capacities with undocumented students. Given both state legislation, specifically SB 54 and California State Assembly 21 as well as our community college system policy, CCC policy demonstrates continual support of our undocumented populations. And given DALA has received strong student support for this resolution, emphasis on strong student support here The association fully supports the FHDA Sanctuary District Resolution. 

Tim Shively reported that this resolution that was agendized as an action item at the board meeting this evening was no longer on the agenda. He found this an appalling disingenuous abuse of board policy and board practice. He encouraged the Senate to pass this resolution to carry a strong message to the board.

Cynthia Kaufman shared the various shared governance groups at De Anza and Foothill that have either voted formally to endorse the resolution or have shown unanimous support for it. 

Barbara Dahlke expressed her dilemma as a Senate representative who may have opposite views as their constituents. The majority of people in her division were against voting for the sanctuary resolution for fear about federal funding for financial aid, specifically for EOPS and veterans.

Erik reminded representatives that people were speaking for their constituents, not their personal opinion. Therefore, do not criticize anyone for their views.

Several felt that The negative consequence of utilizing the word like sanctuary doesn't outweigh the potential benefits of making a statement to students to make them feel safe.

The sanctuary initiative was actually an ask from students two years ago. That was brought to the chancellor in May of 2023. This came after the whole border patrol came to the career fair incident where students were severely impacted. Several people pointed out the constant inconsistency in communications.

Shaila Ramos-García shared the following link to a survey they have conducted. 

FHDA Support of Sanctuary District Survey: https://forms.gle/t5z8cA2EQ2JB6xwg7

Ishmael mentioned a press release from the city attorney of San Francisco that's dated February 28, 2025. There are 16 cities and counties that are joining the lawsuit protecting sanctuary jurisdictions from illegal federal overreach.

Jamie Pelusi shared the link to the Santa Clara County and San Francisco press release regarding the coalition lawsuit -> https://news.santaclaracounty.gov/santa-clara-county-and-san-francisco-lead-coalition-lawsuit-protecting-cities-and-counties-against

Karen Chow mentioned a statewide chancellor's office memo dated November 15, 2024 that was directed to all the California community colleges chief executive officers.

The title of the memo is “Regarding Legal Advisory 24-11-15, California and its community colleges remain sanctuary jurisdictions.” https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/Files/General-Counsel/legal-advisory-24-11-15-california-sanctuary-jurisdiction-a11y.pdf?la=en&hash=6DC0B3352E8341FFF9DB6EEFBF929582CF817039

Erik Woodbury remind people that the Community College Chancellor's office on February 27th of this year reaffirmed that California is a sanctuary state

Motion

Cynthia Kaufman moved to re-introduce her motion to approve the resolution that was tabled last week for decision this week.

Amendment

Alicia Mullens moved to approve the resolution by acclamation,  Veronica Acevedo seconded. No objection. All yay. Resolution approved by acclamation.

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Discussion of Equity Rubric

Document proposed for approval
Includes Rubric on Page 2 and supporting information following.

Reference: Equity Rubric presentation

Felisa Vilaubi went over and explained the Equity Rubric document for the Senate to approve. They have streamlined the document for clarity and transparency based on the feedback and concerns from the Senate.

Page 1 is the cover page.

Page 2 has the actual rubric for event planners to use. The rest is a handbook to help users engage with the rubric. There is more information and explanation on each one of the 10 markers in the rubric. That is followed by acronyms and definitions. Then, the equity framework at De Anza with the justification for utilizing and making decisions with the equity rubric. That includes the legal justification for decisions to include or exclude groups at campus events.

Most updated Legal Advisory: https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/docs/legal-advisory/2025-02-27advisory-update-sanctuary-jurisdiction-a11y.pdf?la=en&hash=B2F5B1F5500FFFA9ED94B23E56068828A874CA0D

Again, the user only needs page 2 to engage with the Equity Rubric. Much of the other information was suggested by legal counsel. The Equity Rubric can support the decision to exclude a group from an event, (e.g., Border Patrol invited to Career Fair in the past)

Motion

James Tallent moved to approve, Mary Pape seconded.

They will be giving this rubric a trial run for the Career Fair on May 7 to see how it works. They will implement it and will make changes and updates as needed.

Adriana Garcia appreciated the support, the teamwork, and the critical engagement with the document that strived to create a collective sense of belonging while prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable and disproportionately impacted students. 

Barbara Dahlke complimented the committee for including not only DEI, but DEIB, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. There's a need on campus for everyone to feel like they belong. And this goes a long way towards that.

Call for a vote

Raise hand in person, green check mark online.

23 votes in favor. The motion to approve carried unanimously.

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Good of the Order

Barbara Dahlke asked about the AI discussion. A large portion of next week's senate meeting (which is the last of the quarter) will center on a discussion of AI.

Lydia Hearn: Open House 4/26, 10-2

De Anza will be hosting an open house for new students, their families, and the community at large.

They will continue to have village tents to offer information, advice, and guidance about the departments and programs. 

They will also introduce students to the college through “showcases.” These are interactive, fun sessions of either 25 minutes or 50 minutes that demonstrate what students can look forward to in their classes. Whether it involves playing a game of pickleball, engaging in a fascinating chemistry experiment, expressing oneself through writing a poem, viewing student-created films, etc. 

Volunteers are needed for both covering tents and participating in Area Showcases.

Anyone willing to volunteer to offer a showcase, work in a village tent, or both, please fill out the form at the following link. 

Click on this link to volunteer

Cynthia Kaufman encouraged everyone to show up to support the sanctuary resolution at the board meeting.

Please review all report outs

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Adjournment

Shagun Kaur motioned, Alicia Mullens seconded, to adjourn, no objection.

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Attendance

In person

Erik Woodbury, Patty Guitron, So Kam Lee

Veronica Avila Acevedo, Viviana Alcazar, *Sam Bliss, Barbara Dahlke, Umar Douglas, Kevin Glapion, Lauren Gordon, Julie Hughes, Rusty Johnson, Cynthia Kaufman, Shagun Kaur, Lisa Mesh, Alicia Mullens, Mary Pape, Christian Rodriguez, Jayanti Roy,  James Tallent, Ishmael Tarikh, Lianna Wong

Online

*Deborah Armstrong, Mary Donahue, Mark Landefeld, Sherwin Mendoza, *Victor Pham, Ravjeet Singh

Absent

 James Adams, James Capurso, Mark Hamer, Lakshmikanta "LK" Sengupta, Sukhjit Bob Singh, Leah Smith, 

*Non-voting members