November 29th, 2000

Present: H. Ahmed, M. V. Ahmed, C. Baldonedo, S. Barthelemy, V. Bruno, D. Davidson, M. Del Solar, L. Desvigne, J. Devine, P. Dillon, K. Ferron, J. Gao, M. Glick, F. Hago, E. Johmann, J. G. Ianni, T. Julien, M. K. Islam, T. Litvay-Sardou, J. Lynch, C. Macheski, J. Maldonado, E. Murray, K. Monsur, A. Pappas, M. Perez, G. Richmond, E. Rivas, M. Riggs, G. Romero, S. Sanchirico, L. Sardell, M. Shahid, Victor Taranto

Absent: S. Amoako, S. Brauch

Guests: B. Brooks, N. Gross, R. Henry, and G. Meyer

Excused: I. Korkis, R. Octaviano, J. Iglesias

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

I. Approval of Minutes

J. Ianni made a motion that the minutes of the October 25th meeting be approved with corrections from the September 27th meeting printed in the minutes of the November 29 meeting as follows:

On page 2 section 4 of the September 27 meeting, Continuation of Committee Reports, the first sentence was corrected as follows: "After a continuation of the discussion on the Koolsbergen Committee Report, a motion was made to request a statement of principle from its authors which would be received prior to the next meeting and to prohibit action on the report at the next meeting unless such a statement was received and distributed prior to the meeting."
Senator Sanchirico pointed out the incorrect spelling of "Koolsbergen" as "Koolsberger" four lines from the bottom of the first page of the September 27 minutes.

Corrections to the October 25 minutes:

a.) J. G. Ianni should be included as present.

b.) In section 2, Old Business - The Koolsbergen Committee Reports, the verb "vote" in the statement of the motion should be replaced by the words "take action".

a.) In the attendance list, "A. Ahmed" should be "H. Ahmed".
The motion was approved unanimously.

II. Report from the Chairperson

Chairperson Lynch welcomed and introduced the following new Senate members: Karlene Ferron (Student Alternate Senator), Elyse Johmann - Grants Office, Terence Julien - Social Science, Gladys Romero - Administrative Services, Manny Perez - Counseling.
Chairperson Lynch reported on the Executive Committee's meeting with the President. It was cordial and explored important issues. President Mellow stated that she appreciated the work of the Senators and that she reaffirmed the unique position the LaGuardia Senate has in comparison to other college senates. Its wider representation gives it an opportunity to offer more complex and inclusive solutions to problems affecting the College as a whole. President Mellow and the Committee discussed the role of the Senate concerning Middle States, the representation of the Senate on the search committees for the new Vice Presidents and the creative ways in which the Senate can impact the College.

Chairperson Lynch invited E. Rivas to discuss Senate representation on the search committees. E. Rivas reported that although the President encourages the two interim Vice Presidents of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to apply, the search will be open and national in scope. Both positions will be advertised in February, with the search conducted in March and announcing the finalists in May. The President would like to have the two Vice Presidents hired this summer so they will be acclimated before the fall semester. She would like the Senate to host open forums to moderate interviews of the candidates by the College community.

III. Old Business
A. Elections
i. Senate Secretary

D. Davidson motioned that M. Riggs serve on the Senate as Secretary and as a member of the Executive Committee (Ex Officio). She would have a voice but no vote in both positions.
The motion was unanimously approved.

ii. Committee on Committees

Election for the Committee on Committees - The committee shall be comprised of seven members, including a minimum of 2 students elected by plurality vote after nomination from the floor.
The following seven members were nominated, and since there were only 7 nominations, they were elected unanimously:
S. Sanchirico, C. Baldonedo, T. Litvay-Sardou, E. Johmann, R. Octaviano, M. DelSolar and F. Hago.

B. The Koolsbergen Committee Report

J. Ianni suggested that the Senate could form a Committee within the Senate as per recommendation number 4, to review the Governance Plan. He mentioned that there is no urgency for a vote, disenfranchising or enfranchising, because the issue of representation will not affect the Senate until October 2001.

D. Davidson commented that in 1978 new amendments were included. In the mid-1990's the Senate approved a new Governance Plan, but President Bowen issued a pocket veto. Don has a copy of the 1990's document and suggested that it be presented to the new President.

M. Glick wanted copies for all Senators prior to submitting it to the President. J. Ianni wanted to know if everyone or a formal sub-committee of Senate should review the recommendations. E. Murray wanted to have time to present the Governance Plan to her constituency prior to making any decisions.

It was decided that all Senators will have a copy of the 1990's governance plan prior to our next meeting and that we will decide at the next meeting whether or not to form a sub committee. D. Davidson will furnish each member of Senate with a copy of this document by January 10, 2001 that it may be reviewed prior to the January 24th meeting.

J. Ianni made a motion that D. Davidson will provide all members of the Senate with copies of the revised Governance Plan that were approved approximately 1995 by January 10th and at the next meeting, the Senate will consider how to proceed with the Koolsbergen Report.
This motion was unanimously approved.

IV. New Business
i. Curriculum Committee

C. Macheski discussed the process to have new curriculum approved. B. Brooks introduced Digital Photography I and II for approval and Dr. G. Meyer presented a Letter of Intent for new courses for approval as well as program/curriculum revisions.

Bruce Brooks discussed the attributes of digital photography emphasizing the greater breadth on the computer and the ability for manipulation of the images. He expressed a need for these two new courses because most commercial photography currently utilizes Adobe PhotoShop. The advantage of this technology includes texture, manipulative photography where it is impossible to detect that the finished product was modified.

Digital Photography I stresses input. The course introduces students to capturing digital images, the use of digital cameras, scanners using software such as Adobe PhotoShop and Quark Express and interface with the Macintosh.

Digital Photography II stresses output of digital images including photographic prints.

The students do not have to buy digital cameras; the department already has cameras for students' use including Olympus and Nikon cameras and a very expensive high-resolution camera. No film is used instead smart media cards must be procured by the students.
The department has all the equipment necessary for these courses including a Mac Lab with G3's.

R. Octaviano asked if this is a replacement course. Bruce assured us that this is a new course in addition to other photography courses and that these courses may be included eventually as new option for photography and Fine Arts majors. He also mentioned that older and more professional Continuing Education students are very interested in these courses.

S. Sanchirico wanted to know if the new software mentioned in the college catalogue would be too specific since technology is changing so rapidly.
B. Brooks replied that actually it is vague and that currently they were using PhotoShop VI.
The class size would be a maximum of 21 because that would be a controllable number of students. Students will need smart disk card, CD writers, Zip Disk, and eventually "writable" DVD's as well as paper for printing the finished products. Actually, this class is less expensive than the average class using textbooks. The cost for the students will be from $30.00 to $60.00. A manual that could be used for both courses is also required.
D. Davidson motioned to approve the course. It was unanimously approved.

Dr. G. Meyer presented a draft of a Letter of Intent for an A.A.S. Degree in New Media Technology. Currently there are students creating Web designs for web site for both non-profit and profit companies in html and JavaScript.

New Media Technology's target population is students who display an aptitude for programming as well as artistic/creative students. Web designing utilizes technical skills such as PhotoShop and using web site graphics and programming such as JavaScript, Visual Basics, Oracle Database and Web Database. These courses do not transfer to four-year colleges. They are A.A.S. career courses. Half will go through Curriculum Committee in January and the other half in February. BMCC has an interdisciplinary program that is not the same as the program at LaGuardia Community College. He anticipates use of the current equipment but needs additional software for these classes. Funding should be provided by currently outstanding grant proposals that look promising.
D. Davidson made a motion to approve the Letter of Intent.
It was unanimously approved.

C. Macheski pointed out that the changes in CIS electives for the MSA curriculum needed to be approved. CIS 230 - Operating Systems had a high failure rate and needs to be replaced. CIS 260, CIS 160 and CIS 109 were newly requested classes.
D. Davidson motioned for the approval of program revisions.
It was unanimously approved.

iii. New Business - Meeting Attendance

S. Sanchirico was concerned that students sign in and leave the Senate meeting - they arrive late and leave early. It was pointed out that students are involved in clubs at that some clubs can't continue to be in existence unless a minimum number of students attend the meetings.
C. Baldonedo thought that perhaps students could receive credit for attending Senate meetings at their club meetings. The Executive Committee will explore this matter with Student Life.

E. Murray suggested that rather than have a social event during the February meeting a Town Meeting `would be appropriate.

C. Baldonedo announced that a memorial for Celeste Ridgeway was in progress and started at 3:30 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria Riggs