By Julio Sanchez
Although several notions and resolutions were approved on Tuesday’s senate meeting, the impact over the lack of consultation from the California Community State Chancellor was the most discussed topic.
Academic senates throughout the states are growing concerns over how the state initiatives are being implemented and are also seeing California Community State Chancellor Eloy Oakley fail to fulfill the California Community College mission.
Eloy Ortiz Oakley was appointed as chancellor for the California Community Colleges in December 19, 2016 by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.
Some Colleges like the Glendale Community College and the San Diego Mesa College Academic Senate, which has voted for no confidence since the topic was first presented to the senate back in April 9 of this year, are more than ready to see a change in who should be State Chancellor.
On Thursday, May 3, Glendale Community College passed a notion that covers concerns about proposed funding formulas, the proposed fully online community college and the implementation of AB 705.
According to California Community Colleges Assessment and Placement, AB 705 allows students to enter and complete transfer-level coursework, in English and math within a one-year timeframe and use, in the placement of students into English and math courses, one or more of the following: high school coursework, high school grades and high school grade point average.
“Even the administrators and the college presidents couldn’t settle on a [funding] formula because every simulation you run with, the different percentages just wipes out some districts,” said Curriculum Committee Chair, Steve Wardinski. “There are certain districts that would make tons of money and there are districts that would basically go bankrupt almost immediately.”
Another concern that was heavily discussed during the meeting was based around the parameter that Vice President Ruben Arenas shared on the scheduling parameter that prohibits full-time faculty from teaching online for more than 40 percent of their load.
The ELAC Academic Senate found the parameter unreasonable by limiting department chairs from scheduling the proper instructors for online classes. This led them to recommend that the college administration revise its parameter allowing instructors who have proven to maintain academic and professional obligations such as meeting with students and participating on committees.
Unfortunately, California Community College Chancellor, Eloy Oakley has yet to engage in the process of collegial consultation by excluding faculty leadership groups from meetings addressing policy matters resulting in inadequate funding resolutions.
“My feeling is that whatever is in the air, some good some bad, wouldn’t it go without saying that we can do this without consultation,” said Chair of Chairs, Sherrie Davey.
Not only was the majority, or all of the people, at the senate meeting in agreement with voting for no confidence for State Chancellor Oakley but they’re more than keen on speeding up the process of making sure students reach their educational goals even if that means getting rid of Oakley who’s lack of transparency is harming the California Community College system.
Although no major decision was officially made at the senate meeting concerning the movement to vote on no confidence on State Chancellor Oakley, Academic Senate President Jeffrey Hernandez ensures that in the next senate meeting before the semester ends there will surely be a vote.
“It’s an informed decision,” said President Hernandez. “Let’s take that time and be thoughtful… Come back and feel more comfortable with whatever happens. And that’s all.”