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2008 Mileage Reimbursement At the December 11, 2007 meeting, the Board of Directors approved a new mileage reimbursement rate of 50.5 cents per mile effective Kudos An article titled “Ending the Violence in Kenya,” written by COM Social Science Professor Walter Turner, and Nunu Kidane, was featured on the front page of the January 16, 2008 issue of The San Francisco Bayview, a San Francisco based African American newspaper. Nunu Kidane is the Coordinator of the Priority Africa Network which is based in Oakland, California, and is an advocacy organization for African affairs and issues. Professor Turner also attended the World Social Forum in Kenya in January 2007, and is scheduled to be a panel discussant on Contemporary Africa at the Global Day of Action Program for the 2008 World Social Forum. The program, which is sponsored by the San Francisco based Global Commons Foundation, will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008, at New College, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. FAQ: Faculty hires, canceling classes, grievances, etc. How many full-time faculty members have been hired in the past two years? Seven full-time faculty members have been hired since the 04/05 academic year. Since 2005, when WASC put the college on warning, a history of declining enrollment combined with the absence of program review and the lack of data on course enrollment, retention, and completion rates, has obfuscated the rationalization for new full time hires. Another factor to consider is that the State chancellor’s office Full Time Equivalent Faculty Obligation (FTEF) requires that COM have 72.9 FTEF. However, COM is currently at 115+ FTEF. In the interim, units and some classes have been maintained by faculty teaching overload or by adjunct faculty. Why are transfer and other classes being cancelled? The UPM collective bargaining contract stipulates class size minimums of 20 students for most classes. Courses that are not critical to a certificate, degree, program, or the completion of transfer requirements have been cut when enrollments fall below 13. In most cases, these classes have been overloads and not part of the baseline guarantee for a full-time faculty member (15 units). Recent class cancellations have been offset by adding new classes that are in greater demand. As of today, class additions total 28.5 units. There may be additional classes added since we have two weeks to go before the add/drop period ends. As of January 23, class cancellations for Spring 2008 totaled 32.5 units (3.5 units because an instructor could not be found, 7.5 units in basic skills math and English, 21.5 units in transfer—none in PE transfer courses, 5 units in basic skills math, and 1.5 units in adaptive PE). Most cancellations occurred on or after January 18, 2008, to allow sufficient time for classes to grow. Who decides to cancel a class? Deans consult with department chairs and faculty in making the administrative decision to cancel classes. We have heard of several instances of a faculty member announcing to a class with low enrollment will be cut without first being so advised by the dean. All faculty are reminded that the decision to cancel a class must be made by an authorized administrator and may not be administratively delegated to faculty. If an individual faculty member believes a class should be cut, that faculty member may speak with the dean (or vice president) who will make the final decision. Why has there been no effort to resolve personal issues without filing a grievance? The collective bargaining contract outlines a process for disagreements, including informal and formal methods. This does not mean that there is no effort on the part of the District to resolve issues. Communication has been taking place but when a disagreement occurs, then the course of action is outlined in the contract. The District is interested in resolving issues before grievances are filed. COM is not unique; most California community college districts have a percentage of disagreements that result in grievances. Why has the administration created a 17% reserve? The Board of Trustees, by law (ED Code), is the only entity that can set reserve levels. Current reserve levels for 07/08 are 7.6%. The Board set a goal of 17% with no time line. Is the administration responsible for the institution going on probation? As of this writing, COM is on warning and we have not heard from WASC regarding any change in status. Under the current administration, four out of five of WASC’s recommendations have been successfully addressed. The outstanding recommendation requires that COM implement program review. COM has ignored this recommendation for over two decades and has been out of compliance with WASC standards for over a decade. Title V includes program review as part of 10 plus 1 and requires faculty leadership and participation. Is the District’s Chief Negotiator overpaid? The current Chief Negotiator serves as both the district’s legal counsel and chief negotiator. Costs for the Chief Negotiator are reimbursable by the state through the mandated cost process. The position is paid an hourly fee. Why is the District offering zero compensation at the bargaining table? Negotiations for UPM and SEIU are still in process. CSEA negotiations have not yet begun. Support Needed Two beloved long-time COM employees, Mary and Jean Felix Galzagorry, recently had a fire in their Novato home. Mary works as a custodian in the LRC building and Jean Felix works as a custodian in Dickson hall. For those who would like to help, Margaret Elliot from COMF has started a support fund to help them with their expenses in this time of need. To contribute, take your check directly to the COMF office in Fusselman Hall, or send it to COMF via campus mail. Best wishes to Mary and Jean Felix. COM Athletics Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Baseball Apple Education Savings Program Apple and College of Marin now make it easy for students, faculty and staff to save on the latest Mac computers and more with Apple education discounts. Apple Education Savings Program benefits:
Visit: www.apple.com/edu/marin or call 1-800-MY-APPLE International Film Festival The COM Department of Modern Languages presents the First Annual College of Marin International Film Festival, featuring films that represent the foreign languages taught at the College. Each film will be introduced by an individual who teaches that language. The following features, which are FREE and open to the Marin County community, will be shown on Fridays at 7 p.m. in Olney Hall 96. For additional information, call (415) 485-9348 (x7348).
Performing Arts Department Schedule Carla Zilbersmith will be performing at Anna’s Jazz Island at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 15, located at 2120 Allston Way in Berkeley. For more information call (510) 841-JAZZ. Carla will be singing songs from two about to be released CDs. Music A Performing Arts Department combined production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be offered on February 29, March 1, 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 8 p.m. and March 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre. This production will be directed by James Dunn, with musical direction by Tara Flandreau and choreography by Sandra Tanner. It is set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn and will be performed by the COM Orchestra. Tickets are $18 for general and $15 for students, seniors, COM staff, and alumni. For reserved seating, please call the box office at (415) 485-9385. Have a great week! Frances L. White, Ph.D.
President's Monday Briefing webpage Technical Contact: Nicole Cruz, Admin Assist., 415-485-9510 Content Responsible: Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Dir. of Communications & Community Relations, 415-485-9528 |
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