Textbook Task Force

Meeting Minutes 11/2/05   Approved: 11/30/05

 

Visitors:  Karen Jolly, Donna Meads.                                Meeting @ SY CC-247, 3-5pm.

Student Members:                    Faculty Members:                            Other Members:

Rhonda Smythe (Co-Chair)     Michael Sonnleitner (Co-Chair)        Diane Mulligan  

Leah Gibson                            Scott Quinn                                       Joyce Morrison 

Colin Fleming                           Maribel Pinas-Espigule                 Gaylon Erickson  

Jeffrey Andika                          Ed DeGrauw                                     Sheila Afran-Manns

* Absent (in bold face type above)

Greetings by Karen Jolly (Chair, Educational Advisor Council), who discussed the purpose of the Textbook Task Force & wished us well.

Self Introductions by all present, who were asked to share their name, position at PCC, something they really like about what they do, and something unual about themselves.

Discussion of Proposed Agenda (Sonnleitner);  Motion to approve (Leah); all agreed.

I.   Discuss Process:  Facilitation;  Decision-making;  Minutes (Sonnleitner)

   A.  Leah Gibson volunteered to take Meeting Minutes.  (format modified by Sonnleitner)

   B.  Rhonda Smythe & Michael Sonnleitner, as Co-Chairs, will faciliatate meetings,

        though all are encouraged to contribute towards facilitating discussions & decisions.

   C.  Decision-Making Process that was agreed to:  Modified Consensus.

       1)  Consensus is said to be achieved when a facilitator clearly states what seems to

           be the common agreement emerging from the discussion, and no one so seriously

           disagrees with this as to "block" the decision from being made.

        2)  Those not desiring to "block" a decision, may go on record as a "stand aside"

            (abstaining from the decision, providing reasons for doing so if they wish).

        3)  After discussing an issue, if attempts to produce a consensus fail three times,

            a majority vote (50%+1) of those present may be used to produce a decision.

        4)  All decisions require that 2/3rds of the TTF be present, including at lease two

            members from each membership group, including: students, faculty, and others.

   D.  Scott Quinn suggested that we leave the decision-making process open for future

        discussion, in case the process doesn't agree with us.         

II.  Discuss Cost Issues (Mulligan)

   A.  Last spring a yearly student satisfaction survey revealed that textbook costs had replaced

       parking as the #1 issue of concern to students.  On a scale of 1-7 (7 being highest concern),

       textbook costs were a 6.31 in Importance, while ranking only a 3.16 in Satisfaction -- resulting

       in a huge gap which clearly needed some response:  resulting in the EAC creating the TTF.

   B.  Discussion of handouts given at Fall Inservice, with several hypothetical examples of how

       much sample students pay for books.  Costs ranged between about $350. to $550.

   C.  Additional discussion followed, relating to: 1) the issue of International Editions, including

       HR 3567: David Wu's proposed legislation in this area, and 2) the issue of the PCC book-

       store markup of 23%: with Joyce Morrison explaining this with a helpful piechart/handout.  

III. Survey Suggestions (Sonnleitner)

   A.   An attempt was made to review about 20 suggested ideas (in response to textbook costs)

       thus far received via SAC and individual input.  A quick perusal of those relating to two levels:

       1) Macro, and 2) PCC Institutional, resulted in a flurry of discussion generating a number of

       new ideas including that of developing Electronic Coursepacks (suggested by Donna Meads)

       in which materials could be cleared for use via a proposed copyright office associated with

       the Library, with copyrights fees being distributed among the students using the packets.

   B.   With time running short, Scott Quinn urged TTF members to email suggestions to co-chairs

       to add to ideas for consideration at the next TTF meeting.  At that meeting we will take care

       to spend time considering ideas in the 3) SAC/Individual Instructor level of response.    

IV. Identify Areas For Research (Sonnleitner): soliciting volunteers to report back to us.

   A.  Credit Card Idea (Smythe)

   B.  Wu's Legislation (Fleming)

   C.  Online Resources/Textbooks (Quinn)

   D.  Ideas for the Deans of Students Meeting (Mulligan)

V.  Clarify Future Meeting Times & Locations:  agreed on same time, same place on Wednesday, November 30th! & take to time then to discuss future monthly options.

VI. Announcements: none.

VII. Evaluate This Meeting:  little time to do so. 

   A.  Agreed to have refreshments at next meeting (Sonnleitner volunteered)

Adjourned @ 4:50pm