Donna Rodriguez
Mike Van Dyke, a candidate, was elected to the Classified Hiring Committee during the Academic Senate meeting on Monday.
The senate members were given ballots and voted on Van Dyke to be part of the Hiring Committee.
During his speech for the chance to be on the committee Van Dyke said that he has had 16 years of industry experience and also that he is well known to the selecting and hiring process.
Van Dyke would be able to make recommendations to the president on hiring staff for Pierce College.
The Senate also had a discussion on international students not being able to complete their required units in order to stay in the country.
International students have found it difficult to enroll and pass the units they need in order to stay in the country for their education.
“To get a visa from their country international students need to agree to enroll and complete a certain number of units per year” said Kathy Oborn, professional development coordinator.
According to Oborn even if students fall short on their units for the first semester they can still complete their units the second semester during the course of the year.
Another issue they talked about was student enrollment that has upset teachers. Students have been able to get add slips to classes that aren’t open.
Diane Levine, vice president of academic senate, said that “students are able to enroll into classes up until school starts.”
Each department sets the limit on how many students can add the class. The limit is not only set by “how many seats” are available but also if there is enough equipment for each student said Levine.
Students have been able to receive add slips, as well as, a list of classes that give students the idea that it’s an open class when in fact there is no more room or equipment for students.
This particular topic was discussed in the senate in September according to Levine. They thought the issue was resolved but more teachers are still having problems with students enrolling into their full classes.
The members of the senate will discuss how to stop the Admissions and Records Office from giving adds slips to students after the deadline.