LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2000 – 2001 Faculty Senate

APPROVED Minutes of the October 25, 2000 Meeting

Bob Hochstein, Chair

Warren Imada, Vice Chair

Jack Pond, Secretary

SENATORS PRESENT: L. Andres, P. Frary, J. Goodman, J. Hara, S. Hayasaka, B. Hochstein, C. Hochstein, F. Iha, W. Imada, G. Levy, P. Lococo, S. Lum, M. Minasian, P. Neils, F. Osell, D. Pascual, J. Pond, M. Reese, R. Tanimoto, D. Thomson, R. Toyama.

SENATORS EXCUSED: F. Iha.

GUESTS: Dale Hood, Lisa Hayashi, Barbara Saromines-Ganne, Patricia Domingo, Andy Rossi, Stacey Thomas, Shelley Ota, Reuben Chong, and Lea Templer of the Accreditation Visiting Team.

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order with a quorum at 3:15 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the October 10 meeting were read and approved with minor corrections.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Chairman Hochstein reported on the FacSen Chairs meeting in Hilo. At this meeting, Community College faculty stressed their desire to have a clearly defined way to participate in the process of establishing criteria, procedures and policies for the new UHM Focus Areas and Foundations requirements. Talks will continue. The biennium budget was also discussed as was the repair and maintenance budget. Currently, the UH Autonomy bill is receiving much University energy. After the election, faculty salaries will become the focus.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Motion 00-52 (Pond/Hayasaka): To suspend the agenda to hear a report from the Program Review Committee.

PASSED – Unanimously

Business Technology Division Chair Shelley Ota reported on their division’s prerequisite study. The Business Division was the first to drop prerequisites for many of its courses in the fall of 1998 after a large drop in enrollment in BE courses (which coincided with the start-up of COMPASS testing). The study consisted of a faculty survey, a grade distribution study (with and without prerequisites), and a student survey. From the student survey it appeared that the majority would agree with the prerequisites. It should be noted, however, that the survey was conducted in a semester in which prerequisites were in effect, and it can be assumed that most of the students surveyed met the prerequisites. From the faculty survey (given without knowing whether students met the prerequisites for a course or not), it appeared that faculty felt prerequisites did not make that much difference in teaching or in student learning. Most also felt there were many variables other than English and math skills that determine student success. From the grade distribution study, it was not possible to demonstrate an advantage in having prerequisites or in not having them. The division plans to revise and continue its study. The Senate thanked Ms. Ota for division’s research efforts and her clear report.

Senator Pond asked what model would be used to carry out the college-wide prerequisite study. Andy Rossi replied that there are many variables, and one that will weigh heavily in the study is the faculty perception of the usefulness of prerequisites.

Motion 00-53 (Reese/Imada): To adjourn the Senate meeting to attend the Accreditation Open Meeting and agree to meet next Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000.

PASSED – Y=12; N=7; Ab=1

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:00.

NEXT MEETING: The Senate will meet next Wednesday, November 1, 2000

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Jack Pond, Secretary