FACTC MEETING
Thursday, 2/26
ATTENDEES:
Steve Byman Lower Columbia Jason Clizer Columbia Basin
Doug Clark Bellevue Bill Moore State Board
Tim Keely Tacoma Jennifer Wu North
Joe Safdie Lake Washington Diana Knauf Shoreline
Chuck Weedin Yakima Mark Doerr Spokane Falls
George Neal South Puget Sound (host)
Diane Pelletier Green River Mike Dodge Olympic
Michele Quinn Seattle Central Randy Givens Clark
Diane explained that it cost $1201.09 to do the conference this past fall and we brought in $650. Given that we have income of $3,000/year, it seems reasonable. To consider doing it again.
Tools for Teaching Two/too is scheduled for XXXXX at Lake Washington Technical College. We discussed different formats and possible topics such as games to use in the classroom. It was decided to identify an array of tools and/or approaches: simulations, games, problem-based learning, etc. It was also suggested that we provide time for a discipline-based session,
All representatives need to think of ideas and possible presenters. As they occur to you, get them to a steering committee member. Ask your campus what would draw people, think of those on your campus who are dynamic instructors with inventive teaching strategies. Consider asking your Teaching and Learning coordinators and/or Profession Development officers for ideas.
STEERING COMMITTEE: The following individuals will meet and report back with tentative arrangements at our spring meeting: Joe, Diane, Diana. It is hoped that Randy N. and Sue B. will also be interested. Mark will also help with promotion etc. Joe will contact members to set up a meeting in early Spring quarter.
The Course Articulation Project was commissioned by the presidents in November with a focus is on articulation among two year colleges only. A system-wide work group (consisting of representatives from many constituencies) is conducting a feasibility study which will be presented to the Presidents in late May.
This study is in response to current proposed legislation that mentions this kind of articulation between 2 and 4-years. Sally provided a draft problem statement which highlights the need to make the students’ experiences smoother. Students are tending to go to more than one two-year institution, so uniformity in course numbering might help. The group has also created some guiding principles, which Sally also distributed to the group. This will assist staff who now spend time finding commonalities and differences as students move through the system. It may also combat some of the faculty issues around advising. Ultimate goals are efficiency, ease of use, fairness to students, and clarity.
The group is currently researching what other states do (ex. California’s Crosswalk and North Carolina’s common catalogue). Once this research is done, the group will meet to pick a slate of possible options as part of the feasibility study. That study will go out to the entire system during Spring quarter, and then the final version will go to the Presidents’ Council in May. Sally requested a FACTC representative to work with the group, and several expressed interest. Those willing to participate should contact Bill who can pass the names on to Sally.
Issues brought up by the group: degree requirements (distributions are different), the validity of classes over time (do we still accept a class taken 5 years ago, for ex.), reconciling course numbering with outside accreditation standards., and providing flexibility within programs that have similar content but may “chunk it” differently.
Mark received feedback on the initial list of topics from about 30 faculty although interest varied according to campus: Running Start and lingering student law issues (Spokane Falls), workload (Shoreline, Clark), academic freedom (#2 at Clark). Bill mentioned that the typical open door mission is being questioned these days. An open door theme would allow for discussion of Running Start, ESL/ABE, those students who change from workforce to academic transfer, etc.
A Day in the Life was another suggested theme. This might invite those who seem to work well outside the system and still succeed. It might also allow us to begin to recognize and value the incredible diversity of our own faculty; we all do such different things all in the name of teaching. Is committee work a waste of time, or a necessary evil? It could also incorporate discussions of some of the open door issues mentioned above. It might also invite essays on “Is this what my job is all about?” or “Whose job is this anyway/really?” Of course, it was also asked, “What are THEY doing, if we are doing all this?”
ATTENDEES:
Steve Byman Lower Columbia Jason Clizer Columbia Basin
Doug Clark Bellevue Jim Hamm Big Bend
Tim Keely Tacoma Tom Affholter Spokane
Joe Safdie Lake Washington Lori Wisdom-Whitley Everett
Chuck Weedin Yakima Randy Nelson South
Michele Quinn Seattle Central Jennifer Wu North
Randy Givens Clark Catherine Crain Cascadia
Mark Doerr Spokane Falls Diana Knauf Shoreline
George Neal South Puget Sound Leon Khalsa Pierce
Diane Pelletier Green River Bill Moore State Board
Mike Dodge Olympic
INTRODUCTIONS: We welcomed Jim and Catherine as new representatives.
Approval of the October minutes is postponed until they are complete. Representatives are asked to review them (they are attached), and to signify approval and/or changes by email to Diana. You are also asked to do the same with the minutes of the current meeting.
The update on the Statewide Digital Library Resources Proposal has now received approval from multiple groups and is now being considered by each institution in light of their XXX requests. Representatives are asked to request that faculty members let administrators know the value of this project and to request funding for the 2005-2007 biennial budget. Further information is attached with these minutes.
Diane distributed a report highlighting expenses and dues paid. All schools excepting the following have paid for the 2003-2004 year: Edmonds, Bates, Clover Park and Whatcom.
Our bank account was changed to accommodate increased activity on the account, and to avoid associated fees.
If you know of individuals at those schools who do not pay dues and/or have a representative, please contact them, or send contact information to Randy. As the Spring meeting is at Columbia Basin (5/13 and 5/14), we would like someone from Walla Walla to come as we will be so close.
Mark reviewed what was discussed on Thursday. Please do so as well. He also mentioned that a Spokane paper has asked to use some of his material from the FACTC Focus in an Editorial. He wanted to let the group know that this might occur.
George, I was out of the room when the speaker was introduced, so please give me the name.
XXXXX discussed the history of the SPSCC campus and current renovations, as well as new building. She also reviewed new programs such as upside down articulation agreements with The Evergreen State College.
Brian used past stories, current case law and state policy to highlight current ethics issues. He distributed a manual written in “real language” with a focus on the underlying ethical principles. The manual includes a section on Frequently Asked Questions, and some of the ethics code. Ethical decisions usually involve two competing goods rather than good vs. evil (truth vs. loyalty, individual versus community, short-term vs. long-term, justice vs. mercy, public vs. private interests).
Five basic principles were discussed and illustrated: objectivity, selflessness in regards to the position, stewardship, transparency, and integrity. Brian elaborated on each with examples. Discussion focused on the prohibition of faculty selling textbooks for personal gain, internet use, writing and reviewing for publishers when you are involved in textbook selection.
You are welcome to submit questions directly to the Ethics Board.
Bill updated us on course articulation, transfer-related projects, Bridge projects, certification of professional-technical faculty, WAOL and Career Pathways. We also covered recent legislative activities and educational reform. The Certificate of Mastery is going forward, as is the current WASL study (if they take it in 10th grade, and then come to us after two years, are they ready?).
Big Ideas Project: A handout on such activities Some groups are currently working on phase 2 of the project. A handout on their activities was provided. History will be 3/23 and composition is April 29that Sleeping Lady.
May Assessment conference, see link on purple page.
Joe, Jennifer and Jason presented a possible design for a site that is more interactive and less static. Jason agreed to monitor the discussion board, while Jennifer updates with minutes and membership. Joe puts up the Newsletter. Where to host it is still a concern. We could get our own domain name and find a host that costs about $10 a month. Most of these can accommodate a discussion board. Tom also has everything from last year, so it was decided that the four would meet to try to hammer out what we would do.
It was moved to purchase a domain name and contract for the hosting of our website for the next year.
WAOL ONLINE CONFERENCE, 5/26th in Spokane. We created a statement about English proficiency for online courses for the website. The conference information will be forwarded to FACTC representatives by e-mail, please forward to your campus.
Steering committee: Joe, Diane, Diana. The conference will be combined with our Fall meeting, with the meeting for all of Thursday. It will be helpful to coordinate and advertise at the New Faculty Seminar in the Fall. We would also like members to identify at least one person from your campus who is a dynamic speaker with an engaging topic.
We also discussed a discipline-specific session similar to or based on the Great Ideas project. Tim moved that FACTC cover the travel expenses for those on the planning committee, Steve seconded. Passed unanimously.
NEWSLETTER
Joe brought an example but mentioned that most of us access it electronically. Joe noted that campus reports reflect what he is sent. Joe asked if we still find it worthwhile, and we discussed that reception is positive.
Mark will send out a copy of the mission statement for us to review at the next meeting and to keep us mindful of our charge.
FOCUS topics:
Running Start is a hot topic on several campuses where particular classes seem to be overloaded with these students. There might be some discussion of how to handle some of the problems that Running Start generates. If we have some questions about it, Sally at the State Board is the State Running Start Coordinator. Get questions to Mark and he can forward them to Bill to give to Sally. We would also like to see people share ideas for how they handle some of the problems.
Other issues : sex offenders on campus and what happens when they are in class with Running Start students. Bill commented that high school principals were concerned about RS students being asked out by older students and students falling through the cracks.
Mark asked about the current Focus. We discussed that some of the statistics were of great interest to faculty. Mark suggested that we could do this each issue. It was a popular issue, and people were reading and talking about it. What is the average age of retirement and typical pay given years of service, etc.
What is our to do list?
Is there such a thing as a NOT to do list.
How do I use my time? What do I not do?
Mark will get an RFP out soon.
Meeting adjourned.