Monroe Community College Faculty Senate
May 20, 2004
PRESENT: G. Anderson, T. Archie, I. Benz, P. Bishop, F. Burger, S. Cable, S. Callan, L. Chrzan-Williams (Vice-President), D. Cox (President), K. Doyle, K. Farrell, C. Gilbert, E. Grissing, M. Harris, A. Hughes, K. Humphrey, J. Kaufman, T. Keys, E. Laidlaw, D. Leach, A. Leopard, M. Marino, M. Mendez-Rizzo, J. McCauley, M. McKinzie, S. Murphy, P. Peterson, J. Smith, E. Stewart, M. Timmons, T. Tugel (Secretary), H. Wheeler, W. Willard,
ABSENT: M. Bower, W. Brewer, D. Brown, T. Digiacomo, J. Ekis, M. Filozof, R. Kuempel,,
M. Pastorella, S. Ruckert, P. Sarantis, L. Silvers, G. Toth, H. Wynn-Preische
STUDENT REP: A. Sharp
GUESTS: E. Baker, S. Blacklaw, D. Cecero, S. Dwyer, A. Felicetti, M. Fox, J. Glocker,
F. Rinehart, C. Rogalski
Meeting called to order: 3:34 pm
1. Guest Speakers:
A. Bob Wiesner, Director, Public Safety – Public Safety Web Site
B. Wiesner thanked the Senate for the opportunity to share several new things within Public Safety. He noted Leah Dwyer’s efforts in making the Public Safety website more user friendly. Numerous links to information for MCC employees can be found on the site’s homepage. One link of interest is to campus reports mandated by the Jeanne Clery Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. These security reports are filed annually and contain information regarding campus security and personal safety on MCC’s campuses and surrounding properties. A link to the U.S. Department of Education’s website will show MCC’s crime statistics along with those of other colleges and universities. Other links include MCC’s policies regarding sexual offenses, drug and alcohol prevention and maintaining a drug-free workplace.
B. Wiesner discussed MCC’s Emergency Management Plan, developed to handle emergency and disaster situations on campus as well as coordinate the College’s responses with other public safety agencies in Monroe County. Because the Brighton campus has the capacity to generate its own power, it is an integral component in the county’s emergency plan. The “Emergency Planning” link provides access to an “Executive Overview” of the College’s plan, specific guidelines outlining employee responses to emergency situations for both the Brighton and Damon City campuses, and a presentation on “Employee Awareness Training”.
With the construction of residence halls and campus center, additional and updated security cameras have been added. A card access system has been initiated for residence halls and the current “card swipe” method of access to restricted parking areas on campus will be replaced with one that is easier to use.
In response to a question asking if the crime statistics reported for Damon were restricted to the two floors of the Sibley Building occupied by the campus, B. Wiesner noted reports mandate statistics be reported in three categories which do include statistics for public property surrounding the campus. These statistics are gathered with the help of local police reports.
M. McKinzie provided anecdotal information regarding the increased disruption to classes resulting from student gatherings in the hallways outside classrooms, especially in Building 9. B. Wiesner noted additional security has been placed in some areas of campus to prevent student loitering, especially in areas that serve as emergency exits. It is hoped with construction completed and the re-opening of the Brick Lounge, these problems will occur less frequently. B. Wiesner encourages faculty to communicate their concerns to Public Safety so they can be addressed.
B. Janet Glocker, Vice President, of Academic Services – Renaissance Center Update
J. Glocker shared with the Senate what is currently known about MCC’s involvement with the proposed downtown Renaissance Center. Unfortunately, at this time there are neither hard facts nor specific data available. For a number of years, MCC has been interested in relocating the Damon City campus from its current site, which is a leased facility, to one that is owned by the College. In order to accomplish this, MCC must secure funding within both the County and State budgets. Last summer, the concept of a downtown Renaissance Center became a topic of discussion, and an opportunity for MCC to leverage its own source of funds with those of others. Specifically, monies tied to the construction of a new transit terminal and perhaps a performing arts center. Currently, we are assured that funding is available for MCC to relocate its downtown campus. Whether or not it is part of the Renaissance Center project is dependent upon other parties securing funding.
Regardless, MCC must plan for the future directions its downtown campus will take. Currently, DCC’s “theme” for its program offerings, is one of public service. Keeping this theme, the College envisions additional “thematic” programs as possibilities. Emerging technology would be a theme if the Engineering Technology programs were located downtown. A “cultural” theme would be involved if a new performing arts center were built. The addition of a downtown casino could bring a “hospitality” theme. Perhaps we would develop a casino-training program similar to that developed by Niagara Community College. Perhaps casino training would be non-credit and similar to that of the New Jersey/Atlantic City training. Consequently, this fall, the Senate and academic departments will be asked to consider program combinations suitable for a downtown site given the information we have; these considerations and recommendations will come to Janet Glocker. When final decisions are made regarding the downtown site, MCC’s piece of the planning will be well underway. Some of the planning efforts may fall by the wayside as the overall project takes shape and square footage available is known.
The Senate asked the following questions:
· If MCC is part of a Renaissance Center, will it have its own building or be part of a larger one shared with others? Will the campus be larger than the current one? J. Glocker noted the Transit Center will be housed underground. Above that will be the Damon Campus as well as a separate performing arts center. The building housing DCC would be owned and controlled by the College She did not have specific numbers on the building’s square footage, but it would offer more usable space (both in actual area and in design) than found at the current site.
· If funding for a performing arts center does not come through, would DCC remain in its current location? J. Glocker noted since capital funds have a limited period for their use, MCC would want to utilize these while they are available. MCC’s and the Transit Center’s funding has been secured. Performing Arts funding is not secured. MCC is committed to a downtown campus that we own.
2. Announcements (D. Cox)
· The Faculty Senate now has a mailbox located in the mailroom of building 1.
· There has been a good response to the call for volunteers to serve on the ad-hoc promotion committee. The Executive Committee is still taking names of those interested. The committee will be formed this spring but will begin its work in the fall.
3. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the April 22, 2004 meeting were approved.
4. Action Items
Curriculum. The following curriculum proposals were brought to the Senate for a vote and
passed unanimously:
PR9F Criminal Justice-Police Science AAS
PR11S LA&S-Biology Advisement Sequence AS
PR12S VCT: Photography/Television AAS
PR10 Business: International Business AS
PR13S Business: International Business AS
PR 14: Information Technology AS
NP1S Child Care Practitioners Advisement Sequence AS
Additionally, Jim Coffey shared the rationale for the proposed Child Care Practitioners Advisement Sequence. This program addresses a dire need in the community to support the professional development of child care providers. Currently, training opportunities mandated for the approximately 4,000 registered and licensed child care practitioners in Monroe are unsatisfactory. Recognizing the direct relationship between education and quality of care provided by practitioners, New York State offers tuition for all courses leading to a college degree (all levels) in early childhood or a related field for matriculated, eligible childcare providers. In addition to the child care practitioners, there are several hundred teaching assistants in local school districts as well as Early Head Start teachers who are facing increased academic requirements in the next several years that specifically include associate degrees in early childhood or a related field.
B. Academic Calendar: Change in resolution 1.5.1(3)
Resolution 1.5.1 lists eight criteria to be considered when constructing the academic calendar. The current resolution 1.5.1(3) reads as follows: Have a “break” in instruction of at least one day in October (Columbus Day), when possible, and another “break” in November (Thanksgiving).
In an effort to eliminate the frustration encountered in trying to meet this criterion, the Academic Policies Committee proposes the resolution be revised to read: Have a “break” in instruction of at least one day during the Fall Semester.
J. McCauley asked if the committee knew of other community colleges that provided a break in October, and if so, how did they accomplish this when MCC could not? E. Laidlaw reported six community colleges do have a post Labor Day start and finish the semester by December 24, however the number of instruction days these calendars incorporated was not known. She also noted the committee found that approximately 44% of faculty and 20% of the students have school aged children that have Columbus Day as a designated holiday.
The resolution passed. (24 Yes; 2 No)
5. Standing Committee Reports
Academic Policies (E. Laidlaw):
The committee is finishing its study of required information for Course Information Sheets in the hopes of reconciling the Vice President’s suggestions with elements required by Senate resolutions.
Next fall the committee will collaborate with the Senate’s Professional Development committee to offer a series of communications and/or events focusing on academic honesty.
Curriculum (H. Wheeler):
The committee has given final approval to 9 new courses, 27 course revisions, 2 course deactivations and 7 program revisions. Currently, there are proposals for six program revisions and one course revision posted for faculty review.
NEG (S. Cable):
Louis Silvers was elected as MCC’s representative to the Faculty Council of Community Colleges and begin his term in September.
NEG is in the process of completing elections for 18 senate seats. An increase in faculty within Business Administration led to the creation of one new senate seat. Four of the elections were contested. The result of the election in English/Philosophy is pending and two areas, Nursing and Athletics/Student Center, have no candidates.
The Committee continues to work on its charge from the Executive Committee regarding Senate Membership. Although the work has progressed slowly, submission of a final report to the Executive Committee is planned for later this month.
Planning (T. Keys):
The committee is reviewing the College’s draft document for SUNY’s Mission Review.
Professional Development (Anne Hughes):
The Senate was reminded of the June 11 workshop. Currently, 121 individuals have reserved their place.
SCAA (J. McCauley):
SCAA is undertaking a parallel search for the Dean of Student Services at DCC. Since one member will be unable to participate during June, Terry Keys, a past member of SCAA will join the committee.
6. Old Business
There was no old business.
7. New Business
The next Senate meeting will be held on June 10th at 3:00 p.m. in Monroe A. New Senators will be introduced and all faculty meeting will immediately follow. The floor will be opened for faculty to voice issues and concerns they wish the Senate to work on in the upcoming year. The Executive Committee recognized the format might be prohibitive to some faculty. Therefore, to protect anonymity, faculty may submit issues and concerns to the Executive Committee prior to June 10th, however the floor will be opened to those wishing to comment during the meeting.
Vice President Glocker thanked faculty for reducing the number of files saved on the M:/ drive and remarked the implementation date for May has been postponed to early June. An announcement will appear in the Tribune with the exact date.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Cox Terri Tugel
President Secretary
Minutes approved at the June 10, 2004 Faculty Senate meeting.
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06/14/2004 |