Donna Rodriguez
The Motion to Censure the Vice President of Academic Affairs failed with 5-23 votes and one opposition during the Academic Senate meeting on Monday.
The Office of the VP of Academic Affairs cancelled six classes for the Spring 2010 semester and didn’t consult with the English Department’s chair.
In the 2010 Spring Schedule of Classes there are 1,504 classes and only six were cancelled. “Six is not a big deal even though my department disagrees with me”, said Professor of English Richard Follett.
The Office of the VP President of Academic Affairs cancelled the classes of singled out individual faculty but the Senate found out it wasn’t true according to Follett.
The English Department asked for the Motion to Censure but failed. Five votes agreed to the motion while 23 votes disagreed and only one was an opposition vote.
In this case the word censure means disapproval versus the word censor which means to cut out. Censure basically means “done something wrong get a slap on the wrist”, said Follett.
Another issue that was discussed in the Academic Senate was brought by Traci Drelen, assistant professor of child development and a member of the work environment committee (WEC). She has concerns about the safety of the students and faculty that cross the Brahma Drive and Pierce Lane.
“The main concern is that the students or faculty can be hurt”, said Drelen.
The area of concern is where the Brahma Drive on the Winnetka Avenue entrance meets with the Pierce Lane that is behind the Student Services building.
When the faculty stops to turn from Pierce Lane they aren’t able to because of cars driving through the Brahma Drive go too quickly.
There is also an issue with the palm trees that obstruct the view of the drivers so they aren’t able to see a car crossing their way.
Anther concern is for the safety of students who cross up the hill towards Shepard Stadium. There are no crosswalks and the cars don’t slow down.
The Pierce College president and the WEC are aware of this problem and are discussing some plans to keep the faculty and students safe.
The WEC wants to put up a stop sign and a crosswalk on Brahma Drive and Pierce Lane so it’s not too dangerous for students and faculty to cross. Drelen also suggested a three-way stop but Traffic Authority said it will backup ongoing traffic according to Drelen.
Drelen brought the discussion to the Senate so they are conscious of the issue. “They are looking for support in groups”, said President of the Academic Senate Tom Rosdahl.
In other news they will be hiring 22 new full-time faculty for Fall 2010. There will be eight people retiring this year and will be replaced. In 2009 there were 29 new faculty that was hired according to Rosdahl.
The Academic Senate also approved Beth Abels, instructor of arts, in the hiring committee for Art and Amara Aguilar, instructor of media arts, in the hiring committee for Distance Ed. Coordinator.
It was also said that the demolition of the Cafeteria will be in January 2011 and there will be mobile kitchens available. The completion of the segment that is in construction in The Mall will be in August.