The October meeting of the SOCCCD BOT: live and direct!

     (Be sure to read Tere's Board Meeting Highlights.)
     6:13 - It's a bit of a madhouse here at the Ronald Reagan Corral and Dude Ranch in lovely Mission Viejo. For some reason, the RR meeting room is occupied (perhaps by the trustees?), or so says the sign, and we're all being made to wait outside in the hallway or the exterior of the building, in the grass and concrete, like dang blame varmints. Just outside, I see plenty of folks from the faculty union in their lurid green shirts. Plus there's a good complement of the usual suspects: VPIs, et al. Like tumblin' tumbleweed.
     As I sashayed onto campus, it was like a scene from The Birds, what with hundreds of squawking birds circling overhead. Don't know what that's about. They kept squawking and circling at least while I was out there, but they didn't attack anyone. Not yet. Sign of the end times maybe? More later. [Update: a friend who lives in the area informs me that a large flock of crows routinely gathers and circles in that part of Mission Viejo.]
     6:17 - looks like the board is evaluating the performance of a raft of administrators tonight in closed session (that session is supposed to end by 6:15). The list includes IVC's notorious VPI. I fully expect that tyrannical fellow to be given a blue ribbon tonight by this clueless board. No doubt, later tonight, they'll give the abysmal IVC Prez, Glenn Roquemore, that bully magnet, a prize too. He'll be tapped for "good leadership," and then my head will pop.
     6:19 - The sea of green still hovers behind me, but it's gotten no fatter.
     I do believe that the district's Techno guy, Bob B, just moseyed on by, looking like he's lost 50 pounds. Sheesh. Lookin' good though. Bat Masterson.
     I'm spottin' some red CSEA shirts too (I think that's what they are). People sure can yap. It's deafening in here.

* * *

     6:38 - Yes folks, we're still in the hallway (or outside), waiting for the trustees to finish evaluating administrators in closed session. Maybe there's significant disagreement about somebody, who knows. No sign of the trustees yet.

     It's hot and loud here in the hallway. Ronnie Reagan's ugly green bust is five feet in front of me. Evidently, it was produced by one "Woodrow Butterfield" and donated by the late Tom Fuentes. I seem to recall something interesting about Butterfield. I'll look 'im up.

     Sure enough. Back in July of 2011, I reported the following:

[Woodrow] Butterfield, who owned a statue place, dumped lots of acid on adjacent public land. He repeatedly blew off demands that he clean it up. Ultimately, he paid a $17,000 fine and was placed on probation

     Old Tom had all sorts of pals like Woodrow. Rat bastards, liars, cheats, good ol' boys. Of course, old Tom himself got his start with one of the nastiest and most ruthless politicians in the history of OC Politics: that innovator of dirty tricks and campaign mailers, OC Supervisor Ronald Caspers. Caspers and his right-hand man (Fred Harber) were known to be open for business, routinely negotiating the old quid pro quo in secret places (e.g., dingies in the Sea of Cortez). The DA was all over that scullduggery when Caspers disappeared mysteriously off of his yacht off Baja in 1974, putting a sudden end to the DA's investigation. Reagan attempted to appoint Tom (Harber, too, went down with Caspers' yacht, and Tom was next in line) as Caspers' replacement, but that went south because of pesky residency requirements. That news sent Tom into a downward spiral and straight to priest school in the Bay area. But that didn't take either. Pretty soon, Tom was back in OC, "consulting" for industry, making big bucks in mysterious ways (essentially, he lobbied for private firms; he wined and dined public officials in order to acquire public contracts; total abject sleazitude).
     6:48 - They've just opened those doors! —Nope. False alarm. (They let Saddleback Prez Burnett through the doors but no one else.)
     6:55 - The din has quieted, but we're still out here like tumbleweeds and varmints. Get along, li'l dogey.
     7:00 - They just let us into the room, but still there's no sign of Trustees. Does this mean they made us stand out there all this time for no reason? Hmmm. Now, we're just sittin' out here chewin' our cud as the sun goes down. Yeah, our time ain't worth a dang!
     7:15 - Still nothin'. I see twenty or thirty green shirts in the back of the room. The Techno crew is setting up and joking around like they do. People are in a pretty good mood considering. But crowds can turn in a flash. Things could get ugly (not).
     I'm left here with only my imagination. Maybe Nancy Padberg rolled her eyes once too often and Marcia finally shouted, "Gee willikers, Nancy, that's impolite!" —at which point Nancy finally had it and took a swing at Marcia but missed and hit Jim Wright's glass chin instead. Jim then shouted "Nurse! Nurse!" and when none of 'em came to his rescue, he said, "that's the last time I'll carry water for those dang blame..." —But then Bill Jay emited an enormous snort, and choked himself into consciousness while Tim Jemal steadied Nancy from her pugilistic exertions and Dave Lang counted beans and sadly caressed an old photo of Tom F, the one great love of his life.
     Sheesh, the trustees are now officially 66 minutes late.
     7:22 - aha, they are emerging! Nancy seems to be disappearing into her suit. Prendergast seems chirpy, as does Jemal. But maybe they're puttin' lipstick on a pig.
     7:25 - could start soon. Burnett just came over and told some folks we'll "do it next time." I think that means that some presentations won't be given tonight. Marcia and Bill and Jim just arrived. They seem to be in good moods, but who knows. Nancy's disappeared again. Maybe sunk further into her suit. Nope, here she is.

* * *

     Here we go:
     7:28 - Prendergast opens the meeting.
     Marcia reads actions: on a 7-0 vote, acted to not renew (contract of) ivc academic administrator. (Likely David G, Dean of Fine Arts and Business Sciences. The other two IVC academic admins were Justice and Greiner.) Prendergast huddles with Poertner about why they're not reading something else out. More buzzing up there. Seeming confusion.
     Bugay speaks: MOU with FA about faculty chair compensation. That too occurred during closed session. "That" says Marcia, correcting her ommission.
    Bill Jay does the invocation -- moment of silence for recent deaths somewhere
    Public comments: (Please adhere to two minutes, says Board Prez Prendergast, who seems to be getting the hang of this gig.)
    Claire C: because of late start, half of our number left. Still, many green shirts remain. Claire discusses "our part time faculty," who work at low pay and only paid for their time in the classroom. Don't have adequate time for classes, feedback, office hours, professional development, etc. There's an increased awareness of their plight in the country. We need to begin to rectify the situation. (Applause)
    Loma Hopkins: reading on behalf of IVC part-instructor who is teaching tonight. Wendy E: we're not compensated for work outside classroom. The more work, the less we are paid, a paradox. (Applause)
    Kurt Meyer: prof of English at IVC. My 18th Wed anniversary. My wife remembers what it was like being married to an adjunct. We struggled. Refers to low pay, the need to teach half a dozen classes. Had to work at Ralphs. This district does not pay for all the hours part-timers work (outside the classroom). Hard pill to swallow. Why aren't you paid for work grading, answering emails, etc.? Nowadays, $62 an hour for part-timers at highest rate. Not good. (Applause)
     Mike J: I teach full-time at another campus. This year, there was a need for another econ instructor at Saddleback, so I filled in because I was mentored by an adjunct here. You need to pay adjuncts for office hours, preparation for classes, etc. You need to listen to these stories. They are true. You are paying them much too little. (Applause)
     Barbara: I'm full-time faculty member. Reads for Part-timer: part-time faculty do the work fulltime do for their classes, but they're not paid for they're out-of-class work. Move to equitable compensation. This district should lead the way toward equity. Etc. (Applause)
     Paula Jacobs: will read something for part-timer. They are uncomfortable speaking up for obvious reasons: treatment of part-timers is very poor, morale is worse. Says Paula, most of our classes are taught by part-time faculty now. Wasn't always so. Etc. (Applause)
 
Recognitions:
     Commendations: Nope, put off until next meeting.

Board reports:
     Bill Jay: no board report "as of this evening"
     Tim Jemal: a good month, lots of activities at the colleges, district. State-of-the college breakfast at Saddleback College. Well done. Attended OC Tech alliance awards, showcasing technology, innovactions in our county. Excellent event. South OC economic coalition on Friday night, attended with Marcia. Good event.
     Marcia Milchiker: I've got 27,000 items! (Prendergast looks askance.) I attended many events. Why am I wearing orange? Yes, I attended the Solar Decathalon at IVC last Friday. Incredible event. IVC, SC, Chapman and UCI have a joint team. Presidents spoke, discussed project. Casa del Sol-team orange. One of 20 teams chosen. Competition in October 2015. Our students will work with students from the other colleges, building a solar powered house--competing with Yale, Stanford. We've got a shot!
     Nancy Padberg: abbreviated report. I've done lots of work for the college last few weeks. I really do enjoy it. (She seems to be missing a step or two, fails to indicate what she attended, etc.). Thank you. (Nancy is recovering from some health issues.)
     Prendergast: yadda, yadda, yadda. Homecoming game, etc.
     Jim Wright: attended a few events. State-of-college breakfast. 150 guests there. Politicians there, well-attended, well-done. Calif. dept of vet affairs conference, IVC hosted, did an oustanding job. OC is home to nearly 2 million veterans. Many vets get very little guidance. "All they told me was goodbye," said a vet there. Disturbing. Attended football games, homecoming.
     Dave Lang: in the interest of time, no report.
     Student Trustee Carrillo: natch, has much to say. He explains why he's wearing a medal. Something about debate tourneys. Reads names of various winners in these tourneys. 21 IVC students competed. They got 25 medals. He reads all the winners (to Prendergast's chagrin; the meeting is running an hour late). His litany seems interminable. 30 community colleges and 4 universities. They all deserve a clap, he orders. (People comply.)

     Chancellor Poertner: I'll defer my comments until the next meeting.
     IVC Prez Roquemore: I'll be quick. Solar Decathlon has been covered (and yet he yammers about it anyway). Thanks various people. A great event, evidently.
     SC Prez Burnett: homecoming, yadda yadda yadda. Blah, blah, blah. The Solar Decathlon one of the finest college events I've ever been to. Thanks Glenn, et al. "Made us proud." We had a main water break at Saddleback. 3 staff instrumental in dealing with that crisis. We have a transfer fair coming. Condolences: high school students lost in car accident in Irvine. Students in our area.
     ASIVC: blah, blah ,blah

No board requests for reports

Puts off board report for Marcia M (until next meeting)

Consent calendar: anything to pull beyond 5.7? No. VC Fitz wants to read a correction, 5.2 (Model UN). Seems minor. They vote: unanimous.

5.7: Resolution: We have to pass a res declaring an "emergency situation." Have to do this to avoid advertising for vendors (?) for emergency work. Lang: could you elaborate on actual costs of cleanup? Brandye D comes up to speak: main broke in parking lot; 4 days of repair. had to dig fairly deeply, undermined nearby building. Don't know what the costs will be yet. Lang: blah blah blah. Wright: is the water main underneath the building? Not smart, that. I think the answer is "yes." Brandye, alluding this trashing of trustees/staff of the past, jokes about future boards discussing (i.e., trashing) our present moves. Laughter. Fitz: insurance claim submitted for this.
They vote to approve resolution: unanimous approval

General action items:

6.1 IVC 2014 Student Equity Plan Report
(Beware: dog and pony)
     Linda F and another woman (Lisa Wang?, research analyst) come up. This is the final report.
Blah, blah, blah -- and I do mean that. Targetted populations, disproportionate impact, modified budget, and so on. (Utterly mind numbing verbiage.) Introduces Lisa:
     Lisa: identified areas where students were disproportionally "impacted." Proportionality index, etc. Veteran students--could be serving more than we are. Shows graphs and such. Shows plan. Indicates areas we can "delve into" to improve matters. Pretty jargony, almost unintelligible. Sheesh. BSI ESL completion. group 35 years old and older: not well represented. "Disproportionally impacted" is the idiotic language. (Good grief.) Blah blah blah. BSI English Completion. Students who are 40-49. Another "impacted" group. African-American students "impacted." Fifth group: Degree and Certificate completion ages 25-29. Sixth "indicator": hispanic students. (Why don't they just speak English? Why all the BS?)
     Linda F starts to yammer. Almost a year-long process. Recently, allocations given to the district, but not yet to the colleges. (She's sending me into a coma.)
     Other questions? (Have there been any questions?)
     Lang: item for action tonight. But there's no expected outcomes for goals and activities. Not a complete plan that I can vote on. Linda F: we're in the process of figuring that out. The state was aware that we were given a short time-frame. They've changed the date twice on us. Now due January. We're working toward completing plans. Lang: this is incomplete. Can't vote on this tonight. I'd vote no if you want me to vote tonight. Come back with this info. Linda: we'll attempt to do that. We're trying to "have conversations" to move forward on this, blah blah blah. "Having conversations" seems to be code for -- well you're guess is as good as mine.
     Jemal: I'm struck by: we're underserving our veterans. Many of us attended veterans services center event a year ago. I was under impression that we're serving that group. But now we hear they are "severely underrepresented" at the college! WTF
     Linda: Our veteran students have to "self identify" to us. (Her aversion to plain English is awesome, inveterate.) If they don't, we don't know who they are. A difficult transition for them. Building a resource center is a foundation for serving them. We plan to do "outreaching" so the veterans will feel comfortable "identifying themselves to us." Jemal seems unimpressed.
Motion to table: passes unanimously (student abstention)

6.2 IVC grant acceptance. Motion to accept grant. Lang: noticed a sizeable matching funds. Bulk of that, $850K... Glenn says can't answer; asks VPI Craig Justice to come up and explain. Lang again: matching in kind funds. Bulk of that is contracated services and other expenses: what does that consist of? Justice: we'll have to research that. Don't have that info. Don't have a detailed list tonight. Fitz: we need to approve tonight. Lang: I'm not interested in holding this up, but let's get the information. "Workplace training providers"... Individuals already on staff providing services already. (Justice confers with Werle) "We can get that for you."
Vote: unanimous.

6.3. Paying for absent trustee. Always unanimous. (No, Jay fumbles. Abstains second time.)

6.4 fullltime faculty hiring. One correction from Bugay. Motion to approve. Unanimous vote. Wright then says, "I've got a question." Nope, never mind.

6.5 Academic personnel actions. No changes. Motion to approve. Unanimous.

6.6 Classified personnel actions. Bugay: minor change of date. Motion to approve. Student trustee: Michal Chan. He's an ex officer for ASIVC. Will this be a concern for the future? (His worry seems to add up to nada.)

6.7 Ethics training for trustees, annual event. Poertner: each year, the Grand Jury studies political agencies in the county of Orange. This year, community colleges were on the list. made recommendations for OC CCs. Most districts are doing the same thing. One recommendation is to have biennial Ethics training. The original legislation did not apply to CCs. But seems like a good idea anyway. Two ways to do this. Can hire an attorney to come give presentation (yeah, when I think "ethics," I think "attorneys"). Second: online training that the C Fair Polical Practices Commission has online. Might as well do that. The other recommendation had to do with reports of travel expenditures. Recommendation to do that once a year. Blah blah blah. Will post this on website for public viewing after this. Lang: isn't there a third option beyond those two? Ethics training is provided by CC league and other organizations. Isn't that viable? Why restrict this to FPPC online? Poertner: not a bad option. CCLC does this. Vote: unanimous. Jay fumbles again. Back to main motion: unanimous.

REPORTS:

7.1 SC and IVC speakers. No questions
7.2 Basic aid report
7.3 Monthly facilities..
7.4 montly financial
7.5 trust fund
7.6 Quarterly financial status report

8.0 Reports from admin and governance groups.

Mostly, they forgo reports. IVC Senate notes will have state senate conference at IVC.
Blah blah blah
I'm outta here