February 2, 2021

IPBT meeting – February 2, 2021

Tri-chairs: Christina G. Espinosa-Pieb, Mary Pape, Heidi King

Administrative reps: Sam Bliss, Randy Bryant, Alicia Cortez, Christina Espinosa-Pieb, Anita Muthyala-Kandula, Lorrie Ranck, Thomas Ray

Classified reps: Christiana Kaleialii, Heidi King, Lorna Maynard

Faculty reps: Salvador Guerrero, Terrence Mullens, Mary Pape, Daniel Solomon, Erik Woodbury

Student reps: Grace Lim, Arushi Sharma, Luiza Eloy

Affinity Group Representatives:

Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators (BFSA): Melinda Hughes, Pauline Wethington

The Asian Pacific American Staff Association (APASA): Christine Chai, Khoa Nguyen

De Anza Latinx Association (DALA): Eric Mendoza, Felisa Vilaubi

Absent: Thomas Bailey, Esha Dadbhawala (DASB), Mayra Cruz, DuJuan Green,

Guests: Diana Alves de Lima, Karen Chow, Lisa Markus, Dawn Lee Tu, Sarah Wallace, Vins Chacko, Edmundo Norte, Rick Maynard, Daniel Smith, Susan Ho, Francesca Caparas, Lisa Ly, Moaty Fayek, Scott Olsen

Notes of January 19, 2021 were approved by consensus with a correction to attendance.

DASB: Report given by Arushi Sharma. The Fund 41 (General Fund) and Fund 46 (Student Rep Fee Fund) budgets have been finalized and posted on the website and will be voted upon at the next DASB meeting. Proposal to Constitution to change name from De Anza Student Body (DASB) to De Anza Student Government (DASG) passed. This, as in other changes to the DASB Constitution, will be voted on by all students. Resolution for Smoking Areas to be closed making De Anza a smoke-free campus was passed by DASB. This resolution will now travel through the Shared Governance process.

Year of Reflection Questions:

Original draft by Karen Chow, Mallory Newell, and Mary Pape with input from Mayra Cruz and Alicia Cortez.

The task today is to vet the questions by asking ourselves:

• Do you feel the answers could help close the equity gap in your department/program/area?
• Do you feel the question applies to all employees in your department/program/area?
• Do you feel the question can help guide hiring decisions for your department/program/area?
• Do you feel this question can help establish criteria for financial allocations?

Terrence Mullens pointed out that these reflection questions are geared to larger departments. A rich discussion would be difficult for smaller departments. Smaller departments/program areas might be combined. Terrence also noted that inter-dispensary groups would be appropriate.

Alicia Cortez began the discussion of the Five overarching questions. She tied the questions to work that has been going on. We use quantitative data, but how does qualitative data guide our decision making? Dr DeGruy’s opening day presentation pointed to pervasive inequities but what are the inequities on Campus? We need to be ready for our students. Guided Pathways is working on a framework for this, but it is also a question to be answered by each employee. Christina pointed out chat from Rick Maynard suggesting looking at any department that has a low equity gap, <5% (Auto Tech and DMT already at 1%).

Salvadore pointed to his experience that the number of Black/African American student enrolled in the higher mathematics classes is very low.

Khoa stated that we tend to do random acts of equity which sometimes exasperate the problem. What needs to happen is that we recruit more from the Black/African American population.

Pauline Wethington reminded all that the reason for starting MPS program was to raise the enrollment of Black and Brown students in mathematics. Pauline stated that we have not achieved the goal; the campus is still inequitable when it comes to underrepresented populations. We still have not changed our hiring practices so that Black and Brown students see themselves in the math faculty.

Melinda shared her story. At Historical Black Colleges and Universities students succeed. She herself did not succeed in an upper division class at a predominantly white college, but in the same class, same book she succeeded at a HBCU. She charged faculty, classified professionals and administrators to make all students feel welcome. It is about heart, it is about caring, and it is about emoting the belief of “yes, you will succeed”.  

Edmundo pointed out how much energy and time faculty are putting in. To make the institution ready for our students we need to support faculty in substantial ways such as reducing class size. The political scene now is such that we should make new demands. Reduction of class size is being discussed among managers.

This need for more support extends to classified professionals, custodians, and administrators.

Arushi express concern that we need to act and not just talk about doing something to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Christina agreed.

Based on today’s rich discussion, it seems these are good questions although Erik Woodbury felt guidance was needed.

Participatory Governance Workshop with CCLC President Larry Galizio and ASCCC President Dolores Davison presented by College Council on 1/28/2021.

This discussion is tabled to our next meeting.