MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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FACULTY SENATE
March 17, 2005
PRESENT: I. Benz, C. Boettrich, F. Burger, S. Callan, B. Connell, L. Chrzan-Williams (Vice-President), D. Cox (President), K. Doyle, S. El Rayess, S. Fess, S. Forsyth, T. Gilbert,
E. Grissing, R. Hamell, A. Hughes, N. Karolinski, P. Keyes, D. Leach, A. Leopard, M. Marino,
J. McCauley, J. McKenna, S. Murphy, J. Nelson, P. Peterson, M. Rizzo, S. Ruckert, D. Shaw,
E Stewart, M. Timmons, T. Tugel (Secretary), P. Wakem, H. Wheeler, W. Willard, H. Wynn-Preische
ABSENT: P. Bishop, S. Cable, T. Digiacomo, J. Ekis, K. Humphrey, D. Mueller, N. Murage,
M. Pastorella, J. Smith, B. Smithgall, J. Thompson, V. Toth,
GUESTS: C. Adams, E. Basnayake, B. Camory, D. Carter D. Cecero, K. Collins, L. Dyer, B. Edelbach, S. Giliberti
1. Meeting called to order: 3:35 p.m.
2. Guest Speakers
David Schottler, Assistant Vice President Facilities: Campus Roadways
Several facilities projects will be occurring on and around the Brighton campus over the next several years. As a result of a traffic study commission by professional engineers, work will be done to improve both traffic flow and safety on and around the campus. Campus improvements, estimated at one million dollars, have been put into the capital program with the funding evenly split between the county and state. The engineering design will begin in 2007 with the bulk of the work to be done in 2008. The project will establish an internal circulation pattern between parking lots in front of the campus, eliminating the need for cars to use the perimeter road to travel between parking lots. If funding permits, additional lots will be added to the current “green” area on either side of the loop in front of Building One. However, some lawn may be reclaimed from the relocation to the new lots of some of the parking spaces currently on the existing loop. The entrance and exits to the parking lots will be moved so they are not aligned with the entrance/exit roads to the main campus. Finally, the perimeter road in front of the campus will be widened to include separate right and left turn lanes, and the entrance/exits to the campus will also be widened.
The state’s portion of the construction will focus on roadways around the campus. East Henrietta Road will be widened to accommodate double right and double left turn lanes. A Department of Transportation traffic study suggests several improvements to alleviate congestion around the campus. A new off ramp from I-390 south to Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road will be constructed, perhaps beginning as early as Fall 2005. Dependent upon state funding, additional improvements have been suggested for the off-on ramps from E. Henrietta Road to I-390.
A question on where and how parking gates to the interconnected lots would be used was raised. L. Dyer explained gates will be used between adjacent lots where parking is restricted. Restricted parking is available for many student leaders and visitors in addition to faculty/staff. A transition from the use of swipe cards to “prox” cards for the parking gates is planned for this spring. To operate the gate a Prox card needs only to be waved in front of a sensor (i.e. in close proximity).
Faculty raised concerns about the dangerous situation where the southern entrance to campus from E. Henrietta Road is aligned with the entrance to student parking lots. A number of interim measures were asked about and D. Schottler explained any measure designed to prohibit traffic must be balanced with those that keep it flowing. Consultants have advised against the use of 3-way stops because the congestion created negates the improved safety. Three-way stops create confusion regarding which car goes first when several are at the intersection, and the 3-way stop at the residence halls is evidence of this. Public safety is working on finding more effective ways to enforce traffic laws and improve safety. Putting in speed bumps would create problems with the snowplows. The time required to study and design changes to the student parking lot entrance and exits would involve about the same time as the current project.
The Brighton-Henrietta Townline entrance will be part of a study with the new off ramp from
I-390 south. Designs to improve this entrance/exit, if necessary, will be based on traffic patterns that develop as the new I-390 exit is used.
The left turn lane onto 390 north from E. Henrietta will be addressed in the DOT plan.
To address the safety of individuals traveling by bike or on foot, the Southern Corridor Project will include sidewalk improvements on both sides of E. Henrietta Road, as well as landscaping. It is difficult to predict how much of the front lawn will be lost with this project, but a “healthy” amount is expected to remain. Currently, there are no sidewalks planned for the perimeter road, which is used by many walkers and joggers, but a note will be made to consider the addition of sidewalks to the design.
D. Schottler asked for questions regarding other facilities on campus.
Clocks: Facilities is working towards a coordinated clock system and faculty are requested to forward room numbers where clock problems exist to D. Schottler.
Elevators: 75 – 80 % of the problems with elevators are due to abuse. Facilities is conscious of these problems and tries to address them as soon as possible. In the past six- seven years work has been done behind the scenes to improve the safety, performance and appearance of campus elevators.
Trash pickup/recycling: In the past, trash and material from blue bins was mixed when removed from offices and classroom. Facilities has made efforts to correct this, however if material in the blue bin is contaminated, it becomes garbage and will be put in with the trash. Facilities has instituted an expanded recycling program and is educating workers as well as the college community by advertising recyclable materials on the blue bins themselves. Other bins to collect plastic bottles and cans have been placed in vending areas. These efforts have resulted in more recycled material leaving the campus than in the past.
Jay Nelson – Civility Committee Update
The Civility Committee, initiated by Vice Presidents Glocker and Salvadore, completed its work and forwarded their report to the Vice Presidents on December 21. Because the committee’s goal was to develop a something applicable to the entire MCC community, the statement is intentionally broad and lists core values applicable for students, faculty, staff and administrators. It is the committee’s recommendation that specific activities be employed to address each of the core values within the statement. These include the distribution of a proposal to students, containing fundamental ideas for civil behavior. Recommendations for increased awareness of the civility statement could include tee shirts for clubs and organizations, marketing the statement in campus publications, as well as professional and student development activities. To date, the committee has not received specific feedback regarding the report.
3. Announcements: D. Cox
a. A faculty volunteer has been selected to sit on the Hospitality Committee for the Renaissance Square. The Engineering Technology Committee already has a number of faculty members so Senate representation is not necessary. Calls for faculty representation will be forthcoming as other Renaissance Square committees are formed.
b. The Senate is asking for volunteers to serve on a short-lived ad hoc committee examining a student’s Academic Bill of Rights that is receiving attention from college campuses nationwide. The Faculty Council of Community Colleges has expressed concerns the bill may conflict with the standards expressed by the AAUP, which SUNY colleges already abide by. The ad hoc committee is asked to examine other state’s responses to this issue and provide feedback for Louis Silvers to take to the FCCC.
c. A second ad hoc committee of the Senate will be studying a means to help college employees get to know new hires. Specifically, the committee will consider the logistics of developing a visual (e.g. pictorial) directory of college employees.
4. Student Announcements
Dan Carter, Vice President, Student Government Association (Brighton Campus)
Representatives will be attending the SUNY Student Assembly Conference as leadership conferences. MCC representatives will also attend conferences held in Reno, Nevada and Washington D.C. Preliminary results from the campus food survey have been gathered. A two day blood drive will be held and SGA is planning to join the “Adopt a Highway” program. The Campus Activity Board’s Vegas night raised $1,500.00 and sponsored a Drag Show on March 4. Andrea Barrett, author of Servants of the Map will visit campus on March 18 as part of the city’s “If All of Rochester Reads the Same Book”.
Stephen Giliberti Elections Coordinator, Student Events and Governance Association (Damon Campus)
SEGA’s goals include improving communication and awareness of how programs contribute to learning outside the classroom. Students have heard about child abuse from a Child Protective Services’ representative and also attended the State of the City address by Mayor Johnson. HIV awareness week will include lectures, films and testing. Other SEGA sponsored activities include a mural design contest and the annual spring fling in May.
5. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the February 17, 2005 meeting were approved.
6. Standing Committee Reports
Academic Policies – B. Connell
The ad hoc committee studying orientation voted unanimously that a pre-college orientation should not be made mandatory. The committee did suggest a number of alternative strategies to provide new students with pertinent information. These include the development of an orientation video for inclusion on the MCC webpage and a CD/DVD mailed to registered students with the orientation brochure. Additionally, modified orientation sessions and Saturday orientations could be offered during the first few weeks of the semester. Finally, the committee suggests the use of a scantron based survey to collect data regarding of students’ perceptions of pre-college orientation.
The Academic Policies Committee became aware of a form extending the withdrawal date for students with extenuating circumstances. A student does have a one-time option of requesting this form; however the withdrawal cannot be completed without the professor’s approval. Because the professor must agree to the withdrawal, the committee did not see a need to pursue the issue any further.
Curriculum: H. Wheeler
The Curriculum Committee has given final approval to two new courses:
BIO/CHE 136: Introductory Forensic Science
CRC 119: Introduction to Dreamweaver MX
The committee has also approved the deactivation of eleven retailing courses, all part of a program that was deactivated in September 2003. The committee denied the approval of TRS 104: College Study Techniques: Reading in the Content Area based on the Academic Policies Committee lack of support for mandatory placement as specified by the proposal.
The Executive Committee has also approved a Resolution change:
(2) Program/Advisement Sequence Revisions
Programs/Advisement Sequence Revisions are the modification of any existing certificate or degree program. Program/Advisement Sequence Revisions will follow the academic process as specified in 2.1.1(1) through (9).
(a) Editorial changes such as a change in title and/or catalog description without changing the program content will be submitted to the Dean of Curriculum and Program Development through the Division Dean. Such changes will not follow the Academic Process but will be reviewed and approved by the Curriculum Committee chair who will report such changes to the Committee.
The resolution allows for the expedition of editorial changes only while still requiring approval by the Chair of the Curriculum Committee. Last year, the State Education Department requested a word be omitted from a program title. Although nothing else regarding the proposal was changed, the proposal had to go through the posting period and Senate approval process a second time, causing unnecessary delays. This resolution is similar to the existing resolution for editorial changes in courses, with an additional step—Curriculum chair approval.
The committee has place several proposal on hold, awaiting further information and a number of proposals are posted for faculty review.
NEG: D. Cox
The call for officer nominations was published in the Tribune on March 8 with March 22 the deadline for submission of nominations to NEG committee member, Sue Murphy.
The call for nominations for the Faculty Senate Representative to the MCC Association Board will be published in the Tribune next week. The position was announced as being open to non-teaching faculty only. However, MCC Association Board bylaws require that only one of the representatives must be teaching faculty. Since the continuing representative is teaching faculty representative, the expiring term is open to both teaching and non-teaching faculty.
The call for nominations for senators will be sent out via e-mail to the affect departments and offices next week. There are twelve Senate terms expiring on August 31.
NEG and the Executive Committee continue to work on proposed amendments to the bylaws
pertaining to voting membership. There will be open hearings at Brighton and Damon campuses during the last week in April with voting the first week of May. Watch the Tribune for announcements. The proposed changes will be publicized in advance of the hearings so interested persons can examine them prior to the hearing.
Planning: D. Cox
The committee has completed its review of strategic grant applications and will be meeting with the President to discuss their recommendations.
Professional Development: A. Hughes
The committee reviewed applications for leave and will begin interviewing candidates.
“From Havoc to Harvard: Relating to Students of the 21st Century” will be the topic for the June Professional Development, held in conjunction with Kate Schiefen and the Department of Technical Education. The date has been changed to Tuesday, June 14, 8:30 a.m.-noon.
SCAA - J. McCauley
SCAA is in the process of developing interview questions and a rating grid for the Associate Dean of Technical Education search. The committee will participate in a parallel search for the position of Director of Research. SCAA will be looking at a proposed change in the structure of directors in the Student Center. Information regarding nominations and elections for Chairs should be received by departments soon, if not already.
7. Old Business
There was no old business.
8. New Business
There was no new business.
Meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Cox Terri Tugel
President Secretary
Minutes approved at the April 14, 2005 Faculty Senate meeting.
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04/18/2005 |