January 24th, 2001

Present: H. Ahmed, M. V. Ahmed, S. Brauch, V. Bruno, D. Davidson, M. Del Solar, L. Desvigne, J. Devine, K. Ferron, J. Gao, E. Johmann, J. G. Ianni, J. Iglesias, M. K. Islam, T. Litvay-Sardou, N. Lytle, J. Lynch, J. Maldonado, E. Murray, K. Monsur, R. Octaviano, A. Pappas, M. Perez, A. Rakowicz, E. Rivas, M. Riggs, S. Sanchirico, L. Sardell, M. Shahid.

Absent: S. Amoako, S. Barthelemy, C. Baldonedo, M. Glick, F. Hago, C. Macheski, G. Romero, V. Taranto

Excused: L. Byk, P. Dillon, T. Julien, M. Perez, G. Richmond

Guests: Lily Shohat

Chairperson Lynch called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.

Approval of Minutes
Don Davidson moved to approve the minutes of the November 29, 2000 meeting as presented.
The minutes were approved unanimously with the following corrections:
R. Octaviano was omitted not listed as excused.
J. Iglesias was excused and not listed.
Page 2, First paragraph, Line 3: the word "be" was omitted.
Page 3, 7th paragraph, first line "equipment" was replaced by "software."
Page 4, Paragraph 2 – Add: The Executive Committee will explore this matter with Student Life.

Curriculum Committee Report
L. Shohat presented the revised curricula for the AA/BA Program in Liberal Arts/Education with Queens College. Queens College revised their curriculum and L. Shohat and J. Hyland attended two retreats in order to coordinate their revisions and ensure that this joint education program reflected all the changes. Revisions of this program have to be submitted by April 1st and changes must be submitted to 80th Street by February 1st. The Acting President of Queens College supported this joint program. The Childhood Education Curriculum reflects the need for teachers to have a higher concentration in Liberal Arts Courses since elementary school teachers need a broad knowledge of Science, Mathematics, English, etc. while the Junior High School and High School teachers' curriculum reflects a higher concentration in the students' specific area of interest. The two programs have similar English and Social Science requirements. A waiver is requested because this major needs to have 64 credits.
L. Sardell asked about students who opt to go to other colleges. L. Shohat replied that the College would be contacting St. John's University as well as other colleges to facilitate transfer requirements.

L. Desvigne wanted to know if the two programs will have the same Hegis Code. L. Shohat informed us that the State will decide if the two programs will have the same code.

E. Murray questioned the status of the students currently enrolled in the Education Program and how this will affect them. L. Shohat responded that this would affect the 2004 certification-licensing exam. Students attending before Fall 2001 will follow the old curriculum. The purpose of these changes is to strengthen students' knowledge so that they pass their licensing exams.

A motion was made to approve the revised curriculum as presented. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Chairperson’s Report
Chairperson Lynch thanked Maria Riggs for her work with the minutes and Don Davidson for his sharing “A Review of the Governance Plan of LaGuardia Community College Report from Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Governance 1994.” J. Lynch suggested that the Senate form an ad hoc committee on the Governance Plan today. He also noted that the Committee on Committees had 5 members present and had to choose a chair after today’s meeting. He also requested that members of the Senate remain after the meeting to have an informal discussion on the Middle States questionnaire .
J. Lynch was asked by a student to remind the Senate that the first performance of the play, "Lysistrata" is tonight in the Little Theatre with additional performances throughout the weekend at a cost of $3.00. At an Irish-Queens meeting at the College, the Mayor of Limerick made a presentation about Limerick. The President's Cabinet had an impressive event on Diversity and Pluralism with Rosemary Talmadge, Assistant to the President, leading the discussion. Perhaps the Senate can sponsor this event at one of our meetings.

D. Davidson mentioned that our next meeting will take place during the finals period. Students and faculty may not be able to attend. J. Lynch mentioned there were important curricula items for this meeting and it had to be held.

Anthony Pappas expressed concern that the Senate was not involved in the selection of the Senate’s representative on the Search Committee for the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. T. Litvay-Sardou announced that the Search Committee members are appointed by the President according to the Board of Trustees. J. Ianni commented that the Governance Plan states vaguely that the Senate should be "consulted" in the establishment of search committees. A. Pappas believes that he, as Vice President of the Senate, should have been selected as the Senate's representative.

D. Davidson moved to affirm the selection of J. Lynch to represent the Senate on the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Search Committee.
J. Ianni seconded this motion, and it was approved.

New Business
A. Pappas, as the Chair of the Students Advisory Council, said that he and all club presidents were informed that posting on walls and painted surfaces of the College was forbidden. The rule is that there should be no posting on painted surfaces, glass or brick except during student elections. Students feel that the Sexual Harassment posters are posted throughout the campus while the clubs are limited to their postings. Students feel that this rule needs clarification. Club presidents feel they would have higher attendance if they could announce their meetings to the College community by posting on unpainted walls rather than only have access to bulletin boards.
J. Ianni motioned that the Campus Affairs Committee issue a preliminary report to the Senate at its meeting scheduled for April 25, 2001.

The motion was passed unanimously.

J. Ianni inquired if the Governance Plan should be discussed at this time. D. Davidson suggested that we come back to the next meeting prepared to discuss this issue and place it higher on the agenda rather than form a sub-committee at this point. A. Pappas felt that if people are interested in this they should join a sub-committee today. D. Davidson informed the Senate that the 1994 document was approved by the entire College community including faculty, staff and students but was not approved by President Bowen.

It was decided that a sub-committee will be formed at the next Senate meeting and that the Executive Committee of the Senate would prepare some focus questions pertaining to the 1994 proposed revisions to the Governance Plan.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:

Maria Riggs