Beth introduced and welcomed Kate Clark, President – Statewide Academic Senate. Kate thanked Beth and shared that Julie Adams, Executive Director of the Statewide Academic Senate, had also planned to be here today, but due to some airline security problems on her flight, she would be unable to attend. Kate announced that she was attending the meeting today in order to present a Resolution to Renee Tuller for her work on the Executive Committee for the state senate. The presentation was a surprise to Renee. Kate read the Resolution to Renee and the group in attendance. Beth shared that the refreshments at today’s meeting were compliments of the Statewide Academic Senate in Renee’s honor.

Beth gave a brief history for the reason of Chancellor Suarez’s attendance during this meeting. The "Resolution of Concerns" that had previously been presented to the Chancellor was briefly reviewed. She also introduced Governing Board President, Wendell Cutting, and thanked him for attending. Chancellor Suarez was introduced and welcomed to the meeting. Beth first checked with Dr. Suarez to see if he had any questions for the senate, then she proceeded to ask questions. Dr. Suarez interrupted and stated that he would like to make several observations first, and he then distributed a copy of the Grossmont-Cuyamca Community College District’s 2003 Governance Flow Chart. He stated the importance of having outstanding faculty and his commitment to continue to try to work with the faculty and try to facilitate how we can best provide services to all of our students and community. Dr. Suarez stated that he was aware of the concerns and that all issues work through a shared governance process in this District. He reviewed the committee structure and stated the process is working very well. If not, he requested the process be reviewed to see what can be done to improve it. He emphasized his open door policy and that he continues to meet with people across the campus community. He agreed that there have been some very serious concerns and insisted on making a couple other observations. He said that everyone needs to understand that within this District we have two independent accredited colleges that have different leadership groups that participate in a very effective manner through this process. He stated he takes very seriously the observations that the Academic Senate has made and that he is committed to try to identify what we could do to resolve some of these difficult concerns. The Chancellor stated that he feels he has already demonstrated his willingness to work with this college through Dr. Martinez’ Office.

Beth stated the first question for the Chancellor. She asked the Chancellor about the Grossmont College Academic Senate’s five resolutions that have received no response from the chancellor or the board. Dr. Suarez stated he did not recall all five, but he knows there have been a number of resolutions. Dr. Suarez stated he was aware that the Senate Officers had tried to get a resolution presented to the board but there were questions on process. He shared with them that the process is a very simple. There are two ways; one is that the senate leadership can address the board members during public session at board meetings, and the second way is to submit the resolution to his office and it will go through the shared governance process, i.e. that it comes from the college and then goes through the Districtwide Executive Council. Dr. Suarez stated that is how he treats every resolution and that is how he will continue to treat them.

The question was again asked as to why he, the Chancellor, had not responded to any of the resolutions and will he respond in writing to this sixth senate resolution. The Chancellor stated he has observed that none of the resolutions have been presented to his office. The Senate has taken upon themselves to present to the board in neither manner he has described and have simply handed them out without any discussion with him. This last one was intended for the board and the board received it and decided to do nothing about it. The Chancellor was asked again if he would respond to the last resolution in writing and he stated he was not sure what the question was referring to. Dr. Suarez stated he has not read it and he recalled that earlier board decisions affect some of the issues. He will be happy to review it and get back to Beth next week.

A Senator stated that the Chancellor should be an advocate and represent both college’s interests to the board, showing the value of each college’s concerns. The Chancellor agreed and stated that he does represent the whole District and he will always advocate for the district.

The next person asked why the chancellor did not review the resolutions prior to coming to meet with the Grossmont faculty. The Chancellor stated that even though they have not all been presented to him, he is aware of the last two.

It was stated that the controversy and anger that is occurring between the District and the Grossmont Academic Senate is not productive. Faculty salaries, FTES and differences in distribution of resources between Grossmont and Cuyamaca were compared. He stated he has worked hard communicating this information to everyone in a variety of ways, i.e. workshops. The District has gone through a difficult time during the past two years and has survived. Faculty described the importance of criteria and process, and the District funding formula was reviewed.

Prop R was discussed as well as the planned growth of Cuyamaca and identifying sources for the funds to cover the cost increases.

A question was asked regarding Step & Column. Mel Amov stated this would be something the United Faculty would deal with not the Academic Senate. The Chancellor’s fight for equalization in the state was noted.

Dr. Suarez stated that there will be a committee to review the existing funding formula starting in January 2005.

The discussion of growth, course availability and students being turned away was cut short due to lack of time.