Minutes of January 22, 2018

Bristol Community College
Faculty & Professional Staff Senate Meeting
Minutes of Monday, October 23, 2017
Room L 101 3:15 pm

Senators in attendance:   C. Almeida, S. Alves, D. Avedikian,  J. Barry, D. Behuniak,   J. Bjornson,  J. Boulay,  L. Delano-Botelho, J. Emond,  K. Fassbender, M. Geary, K. Hiller,  M. Hyde, J. Jodoin-Krauzyk, A. Marden, L. Neubert, K. Plante,  D. Quenga, M. Sipala, R. Rebello,  R.  Weisberger, K. Woldegiorgis

Absences: G. Hamel, J. Dekkers , P. Robillard, J. Corven
Excused Absences: R. Rak
Guests: 7 Guests attended this meeting
Meeting called to order:  3:15 pm  
Minutes:  Approved minutes from 10/10/17 meeting

Welcome:
J. Boulay welcomed Senators & Guests

April Bellafiore Announcements regarding distance learning classes:

·         Discussed process re: how a course usually taught as face-to-face becomes an online course

o   Faculty-driven process:  Faculty will speak to their Divisional dean and then April Bellafiore

o   If there is a need and/or a capacity course will be considered

o   Once it is approved and signed off by Divisional Dean, form will move to Academic Affairs for approval

o   Faculty will receive stipend for their work:  This amount has been determined by MCCC contract for Distance Education

o   There is no need for CWCC approval if this is a course already being currently taught

o   Also, department approval is not necessary to move from a face-to-face course to an online course

o   If a faculty wishes to develop a hybrid course, this would require a conversation with their Divisional Dean

§  Hybrid courses are defined as 50% or more instruction on line.

o   There are no specific criteria for students to register for an online course.

Communications and IT Demo new web site:

·         The new changes will update the look as well as the functionality of the BCC website

·         The team is currently working with faculty, students and alum of BCC for feedback

·         Reminded Senate that this is a work in process and what they were viewing is not the finished product

·         Expectations are that the new Website will be “fully responsive” (e.g., no moving curser) and will shrink to fit phones.

·         Expected date to go live is January 2018

·         Addressed question regarding the difficulty searching for items on current BCC website and whether this will change

o   Informed that the search box will be controlled by “Google”:  “Google” will learn by what people most commonly search on the site

o   Suggestion by Senate member:  Consider having directions regarding how to find/search for items on web site

·         Team is looking for student testimonials or stories to share online.  If faculty have someone in mind, could they please refer them to communications?

·         Also, if faculty have specific ideas or if they are interested in helping to edit, please contact communications or IT.

Student Purge Data:

·         Question arose as to why BCC completes the purge

·         Discussed that students find the purge process confusing

·         Is there any data to explore whether students sign up again for classes if they have been purged?

·         Jenn B. will reach out to Kathy G. and Steve K. for information regarding how and why

·         Suggested that it would be beneficial to have this topic discussed at a large forum similar to the “Withdrawal Policy” forum

By Law Revisions:  No concerns at this time
Senate will vote scheduled for 11/20/2017. 

Senate Committees:

o   Nominations Committee:

§   Mike Geary CHAIR

·         Kelli Hiller

·         Debbie Quenga

o   Text Book: 

§  Dana Behuniak CHAIR

·         Alyssa Frezza

·         Julie Jodoin-Krauzyk

·         Lisa Delano-Botelho

o   Census:

o               Kathy Plante CHAIR

·         Kellie Fassbender

·         Dana Behuniak

o   Grandchamp: 

§  Steve Alves CHAIR

·         Jim Pelletier

·         Dana Behuniak

·         Ron Weisberger

Division Updates:
            DIV II: 

·         History Department concerned with number of courses cancelled. 

·         Future concern that this may cause tension between adjunct and full time faculty.

·         Expressed desire to have all academic are meeting discussion regarding course cancellations

DIV IV:

·         Nursing students at BCC have a 97% Passing rate on their nursing exams.

DIV V: 

·         Changes to the Accuplacer will happen in January of 2019.  This change is coming from the Board of Higher Ed.

·         Questions regarding this should be addressed to Kristen Rezendes in the testing.

Meeting Adjourned: 4:20 pm

Respectfully Submitted:  Lisa Delano-Botelho, BCC Faculty & Professional Staff Senate Secretary