Our primary role must be as a conduit for faculty opinion to administration and vice versa. Discussion followed on goals established by the Faculty Board of Directors with input from all members and the president. The growing presence of the under prepared student was discussed. The need to teach these students was emphasized with plans to improve our retention, our record and our morale. There is a need to include Department Chairs and adjuncts with existing programs for a unified front to meet the problem.
Round tables present an opportunity to interact with all levels at the college.
Students should also be represented in such discussions. New models are needed at the college, models that are more inclusive, more ad hoc, more amorphous and more effective. Strategic conversations which prioritize issues and channels ruthlessly into important matters. Retreats with up to 150 people are held with intense conversation on a single matter. Valencia needs to invent a way for all the parts of the college to work as partners on important matters.