FACTC Fall Meeting
ATTENDEES:
Candace Gentry - Pierce Jason Clizer - Columbia Basin
Bill Moore - SBCTC Jim Howe - Lake Washington
Diane Pelletier - Green River Phil Droke – Highline
Randy Givens - Clark Jennifer Wu - North Seattle
Tom Affholter - Spokane Mike Dodge - Olympic
Mark Doerr - Spokane Falls George Neal – South Puget Sound
Michelle Quinn - Seattle Central Diana Knauf - Shoreline
Max Heinzmann - Big Bend Sue Bickley – Yakima
(Please let me know if I have missed anyone.)
Diane talked about how much time registration took and suggested that it be a paid position in the future. Bill suggested that Center for Learning Connections could coordinate but it would probably jack up the registration fee (however, they could also take credit cards). We need to investigate the possibility. The argument for keeping it in house is that we know far more about what we are doing and can answer questions more easily.
George motioned to do TFT IV for next year. Randy and Mike seconded. Tom A. would like to discuss when it occurs because this would influence his vote. What about the first week of November? Mike discussed the importance of continuity from year to year. The problem is late registrations so we could include a late fee. Motion carried unanimously.
Our thanks in advance to all members who are working on the conference but especially to Diane Pelletier, Phil Droke and Jason Clizer.
Secretary Report
Diana Knauf presented the Minutes for the Spring meeting. Mike moved to approve, George seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Diane Pelletier stated that our current balance (pre-conference) is $5729.45. All conference action will be in the February report. This year’s membership fees will be assessed in November.
Tom Affholter has been doing emails and letters, but would like additional suggestions about how to get new representatives. There are 7 schools without representatives at the current time. It was suggested that we contact VPAAs and/or union leaders. Representatives’ participation in the conference will be facilitated by inclusion of conference work on the agenda.
Sue Bickley had no report, but reminds members she will be on sabbatical next quarter. Vice president Tom Affholter will run our Olympia meeting.
Mark Doerr reported that the current issue is done and copies have been included in the conference packet. Now we need to look ahead for the next issue’s topic. The key is promoting the topic to encourage submissions. Topics discussed include - baccalaureate degrees at the community college, E-grading, intelligent design, controversial topics in the classroom, characteristics of effective and constructive administrators, campus culture, governance, the evolution of the relationship between faculty and administrators, the nature of faculty scholarship and community outreach in the community colleges. Additionally topics such as shared governance from a faculty and student perspective – what does it really do? and How prepared are students for college? The media and K-12 folks have promoted the difficulty of WASL so that a fair percentage of the public thinks their kids will be ready for college, but in fact, WASL-passed does not equal college-ready. Does developmental education belong on the community college campus? Is there a place for every student in the community college?
Bill Moore brought several items to our attention by way of handouts and websites. The CTC Bachelor pilot programs are being discussed; system-wide we are low on the availability of BA degrees, not community college access.
The Supplemental budget request has gone in and the State Board will lobby for those items.
Common course numbering – a handout was distributed; table at the back shows the 3 options for the change. Strong support for option 1 and 3. #1 will require a massive outlay for faculty to come together and get it done. #3 will disperse the cost over time. The top 50 courses represent about 40% of our course enrollment, so uniformity will help.
English and Science College Readiness Project – HEC Board is building on the Math Readiness project with this work, the timeline is fast.
Math readiness – a handout with the web address was distributed. Work is to be finalized by December. There are 8 or 9 regional partnerships to work on this, and the Gates foundation is interested in supporting this work.
Washington Learns – This project is sponsored by Governor Gregoire, and focuses on early learning, K-12, and higher education – how does it all fit together?
The WACTC educational project list was distributed. Core items are primarily articulation issues across the system.
Jennifer Wu reported on Blackboard Backpack. Backpack allows a person with a Blackboard account to download the classroom material and use it off-line. A FACTC member suggested that students should be advised of the memory size that is required for downloading a course content. Some concerns were expressed about intellectual property rights.
Evergreen State College and Grays Harbor College offer a special AA degree program to reservation-based native Americans through Washington online. The AA degree uses courses from Grays Harbor, South Puget Sound, South Seattle, North Seattle and Skagit Valley. This 3-year project is funded by a $800,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation.
Meeting adjourned.