Meeting Minutes
February 22, 2018
Admin 109, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Present: Karen Chow, Precious Gerardo, Pam Grey, Karen Hunter, Michelle Lebleu-Burns, Brian Murphy, Anita Muthyala-Kandula, Jim Nguyen, Edmundo Norte, Toño Ramirez, Lorrie Ranck, Marisa Spatafore, Danielle Wells (notes)
Chow and Murphy opened the meeting with a welcome.
Approval of Minutes
There were no corrections. The minutes of January 18, 2018, were approved.
Approve a Special College Council Meeting
Murphy requested that College Council approve a special meeting for Thursday, March 1. This meeting is to review and approve the accreditation Follow-Up Report. Murphy spoke about the need to review and approve the document in order for the board of trustees to receive the report at its meeting of May 5. The special meeting was approved.
Guided Pathways Update
Chow presented the “Why Guided Pathways at De Anza?” document draft and the goals and benefits of Guided Pathways for students.
From the “Why Guided Pathways at De Anza?” Chow discussed the inquiry phase, internal dialogues that already exist, and what is working well and less well with internal dialogues. Chow learned from the Guided Pathways workshop that De Anza is able to stay in the inquiry phase the entire 18 months. Chow then discussed the design phase in which the objective is to capture more specifically the goals for De Anza students, organize curriculum regrouping, and determining what pathways should be available to students. Chow said that ideally, the Guided Pathways process would present a unique opportunity for students, faculty, and administrators to gather, listen to presentations, and discuss ways to create a successful educational experience tailored to each De Anza student.
Murphy noted the importance of turning the abstract thought of “guided pathways” into something productive, substantive and positive. Murphy challenged the council to devise a plan that continuously engages students in the Guided Pathways’ process throughout the year to optimize the utility of their experience. Murphy emphasized that it is important to ascertain what is working for our successful students in order to apply their successful principles on a larger scale. Ramirez underscored the need to convey to faculty and staff that this is an opportunity to create real goals and positively affect a large population of students. Chow suggested the college aim to increase student participation and reach out to DASB for student involvement and support. She asked Spatafore to involve a member of the Communications team on the Guided Pathways core team.
Murphy cautioned against creating pathways that limit the ability of students to explore their interests and find their passion while at De Anza. Murphy stressed the need for reflection, and not to have the only understanding of Guided Pathways to be efficiency.
Hunter emphasized the need to ensure that local requirements do not limit student success. Spatafore noted, for example, it is no longer a requirement for a student to attend De Anza full-time in order to receive priority enrollment. LeBleu-Burns said that institutional barriers should be eradicated. Chow said faculty should be willing to do so. Ramirez proposed way to dialogue with faculty.
PBT Update
Murphy discussed the governor’s budget and how it will affect the district and college budget reductions over the next three years. The allocation of resources remains the same it has long been between De Anza and Foothill: 60 and 40 percent, respectively. Murphy pointed out the newly proposed state budget model would be problematic for many colleges. The three PBTs are working on budget reductions and are aiming to present their proposed reductions by April.
Nguyen displayed an IPBT worksheet for instructional areas and shared the guiding principles that will help them with their budget cut recommendations. They are looking at cost savings and identifying practices that can help Instruction become more efficient and save money. They are looking at trends, program growth or shrinkage, and various other data points. Nguyen said there are a number of questions they need answers to and clarity on in order to inform their budget cut decisions.
Murphy discussed retirements and resignations, and potential savings around those. Each position will be reviewed and decided on whether to fill on a case-by-case basis. Hunter shared Kevin McElroy’s explanation of Foothill-De Anza’s potential as a basic aid district and that it would not be either likely or beneficial. Murphy said the college would likely lose one-third of its student population if it were basic aid.
Open Items & Quick News
- Ranck shared that former counselor and SSRS faculty director is the new dean of Equity and Engagement. She had been serving in an interim role.
- Norte noted that EAC is discussing a response protocol for certain urgent situations.
- Murphy reiterated that Rob Mieso is serving as interim vice president of Student Services.
- Murphy discussed the conversation he and others have had with students concerned about the recent report of a hate crime on campus. He noted that not all information can be disclosed, and that confidentiality must be maintained. He noted that nationally, hate crimes and rhetoric have demonstrably increased over the past year. He said the college should ask how well it prepares students for the deep divide the nation faces.
- Chow said that state statistics on LGBTQI students will be released soon and Newell will soon share. Chow urged the consideration of intersectionality and its effects on students.
- Murphy noted the significance of Florida students urging gun control.