Binnae Bridwell
Pierce College’s Academic Senate met Sept. 24 to discuss reports from the last senate meeting and possible actions to take place. Possible reduction in student fees, a proposal on the plus/minus grading model and electing a new Educational Technology Committee member.
The idea to lower student enrollment fees from $20 per unit to $15 was presented in the college administration report given by Pierce College President Robert Garber.
“Enrollment is strong,” said Garber. The numbers of students (head count) enrolled for credit class are 19,600 and non-credit classes are 20,643 according to the Academic Senate agenda. The increase from student enrollment could be the key in determining the reduction of enrollment fees. Students last fall paid $26 per unit; the highest fees have ever been for the community colleges in California. The district will know the results after the Feb. 5 ballot.
Transferring to the Cal State universities or UC campuses could become even more competitive. One of the longer discussions talked about in the meeting was about plus/minus grading. The idea is going to be presented to all the departments of the college to see if this could be effective. Instructors can use the grading model as appropriate when determining a students overall grade. At the Cal State and UC institutions, for prerequisite classes a C- grade is the same as not passing the class, therefore the prerequisite is not fulfilled and moving on is not possible. The language department unanimously voted in favor for the model. There is an advantage for transferring grades without plus/minus for Pierce students now; no summer school. The Academic Senate will meet again in two weeks to take a vote to determine if the idea should move forward to the District Academic Senate or if grading will remain the same.
Bob Foster ran for the replacement position on the Educational Technology Committee and won. Foster is the new probationary instructor of business, he was competing against Ken Sharp, professor of electronics and Richard Skidmore, professor of business and the Job Center director. The committee deals with distance education and technology in classrooms. Foster has experience with implementing technology into the curriculum at Canoga Park High School, where he has taught for nine years. He has also taught online classes for three years at Sarasota Junior College. The next Academic Senate meeting will be at 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 8 in the College Services Building.