October 5, 2026

Approval of Agenda, Previous Meeting Minutes, and Consent Calendar

• Michele Fritz asked whether part-time faculty are eligible to serve as the ASCCC OER liaison, noting that a potential applicant had expressed interest.

• Bob Singh moved to approve the minutes and Consent Calendar. Barbara Dahlke seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Votes were as follows: 

Name	Agenda	Minutes	Consent Calendar
Mark Hamer	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yuri Chang	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sukhjit Singh	Yes	Yes	Yes
Veronica Acevedo Avila	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ravjeet Singh	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mary Pape	Yes	Yes	Yes
Barbara Dahlke	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yolanda Johnson	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rusty Johnson	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mary Donahue	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dave Capitolo	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lauren Gordon	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wil Firmender	Yes	Yes	Yes
Noemi Teppang	Yes	Yes	Yes
Denica Kelly	Yes	Yes	Yes
Michele Fritz	Yes	Yes	Yes
Doli Bambhania	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gayatri Pal	Yes	Yes	Yes
Angelica Esquivel Moreno	Yes	Yes	Yes
Margarita Hawthorn	Yes	Yes	Yes
Umar Douglas	Abstain	Abstain	Abstain
Christian Rodriguez	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mark Landefeld	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kevin Glapion	Yes	Yes	Yes

Public Comment

A La Voz representative asked whether questions regarding the budget should be held until the budget presentation. Erik Woodbury confirmed that questions would be addressed during the later budget discussion.

Report Out Form

The Report Out Form was reviewed as a mechanism for Senate representatives to share academic and professional matters, events, and updates from their divisions and areas with the broader campus community. Representatives may enter “Nothing to report” when there are no updates. A read-only public link is available for sharing with constituents.

There was some reported difficulty in accessing the form using a Foothill-De Anza email account and it was noted that specific permissions may need to be adjusted. E Woodbury agreed to troubleshoot the access issue.

Needs and Confirmations

The Senate discussed current committee needs and vacancies:

• Tenure Committees: No at-large faculty members had signed up to serve.

• Technology Committee

• Global Studies Task Force

Budget Update – President Chris De La Rosa

Chris De La Rosa presented a shortened version of the budget presentation previously shared with the Board. The presentation focused on helping the Senate understand the district's financial context and transition to a basic aid funding model. The following topics were discussed: 

• Student-Centered Funding Formula and Hold Harmless: C De La Rosa reviewed the transition beginning in 2018–19 from a funding model primarily based on enrollment to the Student-Centered Funding Formula (SCFF). The formula incorporated enrollment, financial aid, and student success metrics. The district remained in “hold harmless” status during the transition, meaning the district continued receiving funding at a protected level despite changes in the amount it would otherwise have received under the new formula. The presentation noted that more than half of California community college districts were also in hold harmless status during portions of this transition. The district used enrollment growth as a strategy during the transition period. The District Enrollment Management Committee later directed resources toward increasing course offerings at De Anza and Foothill in an effort to close the hold harmless gap.

• 2025–26 Deficit and Basic Aid: The district subsequently learned that it qualified as a basic aid district. Because the change occurred too late in the 2025–26 fiscal year, the district was unable to make corresponding adjustments during that year. The district ended 2025–26 with a reported $7.67 million deficit. Stability funds were used to complete the fiscal year, and the district did not have carry-forward funds remaining. The presentation identified2 increased insurance premiums, salaries, increase in costs, and employee benefits among the factors contributing to increased expenses.

• Community-Supported District Revenue: C De La Rosa explained that basic aid/community-supported districts receive a significant portion of revenue from property taxes rather than monthly state apportionments. Property tax revenue is received primarily during four months of the year: November, December, March, and April. The presentation compared revenue per full-time equivalent student across community-supported districts. The district's revenue per FTE was discussed in comparison with districts such as Marin, MiraCosta, and South Orange. C De La Rosa explained that revenue per student is affected by both property tax revenue and the number of students served.

• Mark Landefeld asked about commercial property owners (such as large tech corporations) and the district's property tax revenue. C De La Rosa explained that when property tax assessments are appealed, the disputed revenue may be placed on hold.

• Enrollment Trends: The presentation reviewed historical enrollment trends for De Anza and Foothill. District enrollment has declined significantly over the past decade, with changing demographics, state policy changes affecting course repeatability, and population changes in Santa Clara County identified as contributing factors.

• 2026–27 Financial Outlook: For 2026–27, the district is using stability funds to address a projected $3.5 million deficit, which will reduce the district's fund balance. De Anza has no carry-forward funds. The presentation reviewed major expenditure categories, including certificated salaries, classified salaries, and employee benefits.

• Non-Resident Enrollment: Non-resident enrollment was reported to have declined by 11.2% in the previous year, with an additional 8% decline projected for the current year. Non-resident enrollment remains an important source of district revenue and represents approximately 9% of total district revenue.

• New Funding Environment: De La Rosa summarized several characteristics of the district's current funding environment:

• Enrollment is no longer the primary driver of district revenue.

• Property tax revenue is a major source of district revenue.

• State COLA has a different impact under the basic aid model.

• Non-resident enrollment remains a vulnerable revenue source.

• Operating expenses need to be adjusted to reflect increased costs.

• One-time transitional funding and stability funds are being used to reduce the immediate impact on instruction.

Members asked about bargaining as a CA Community College re: pay for software and other services and asked if there are other models of colleges who have also gone through this change. A reporter from La Voz asked whether administrative reductions would be considered. C De La Rosa indicated that the district would continue examining its options and that strategic enrollment would be part of the broader district conversation. Upcoming District Town Hall: C Dela Rose encouraged members to participate in the District Town Hall on Monday, October 12, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. The town hall will address strategic enrollment and the district's changing funding environment.

Districtwide AI Policy Update 

Overview and Timeline 

Marina Aminy provided an update on the development of a districtwide AI policy. M Aminy explained that the position is grant-funded and includes responsibility for AI policy work. The AI policy process began with district town halls in February 2026. A summer task force consisting of faculty, classified staff, and administrators from De Anza and Foothill reviewed existing policies and developed a values-based/human centered approach to AI policy.

Aminy presented several resources supporting the policy-development process, including:

• AI Activities Tracker

• Meeting notes

• FHDA AI Policy Draft

• Policy Crosswalk

• Feedback Form

The draft policy is intended to build upon existing district policies rather than create an entirely separate framework. Topics include academic integrity, accessibility, security, and other areas affected by AI. Some issues, such as academic freedom, will be guided by Academic Senate. 

AI Policy Discussion

S Kaur asked whether the task force had developed a policy draft that Senate members could review. M Aminy confirmed that a draft is available and explained that the proposed policy reinforces or supplements existing policies. Doli Bambhania asked about the relationship between the proposed district policy and local policies concerning academic integrity and learning. M Aminy explained that Dolores Davidson is working separately on academic freedom and that the task force did not intend to dictate detailed syllabus language or individual classroom practices. S Kaur asked about district policies concerning plagiarism and academic integrity. Aminy explained that the task force discussed the balance between providing guidance and allowing faculty and the Senate to maintain flexibility. E Woodbury expressed support for a districtwide approach and noted that having different AI policies at De Anza and Foothill could create confusion. D Bambhania similarly noted that while faculty flexibility is important, students may have difficulty navigating different expectations across the colleges. M Donahue asked whether the Policy Crosswalk could be provided in a format that allows text to be copied for use in reports. M Aminy offered to provide the document in another format.

The Senate was encouraged to review the draft policy and provide feedback through the available feedback form. M Aminy will continue consultation with shared governance groups before the policy proceeds to the Board of Trustees.

Quick News and President's Updates

E Woodbury provided several updates:

• ASCCC Fall Plenary: The Senate can sponsor one faculty member from De Anza to attend the ASCCC Fall Plenary in Redwood City. Interested faculty were encouraged to contact the Senate officers by the end of the week.

• Senate Student Awards: The scholarship award announcement is scheduled for October 16. Faculty were reminded about the nomination process and upcoming review timeline.

• AI Ambassador Appointments: Updates regarding AI Ambassador appointments were shared.
• Course Success Reports: Faculty were reminded that course success reports have been distributed and that if interested, IR is able to present on the reports. 

Presidential Hiring Committee

The Senate continued discussion regarding faculty representation on the Presidential Hiring Committee. Some members had previously expressed concerns about the timeline at the prior meeting. After consulting with Human Resources, the nomination period has been extended to allow additional discussion and participation. The committee will have five faculty seats, including a designated part-time faculty seat. The Senate also discussed a preference for a Faculty Association (FA) representative. Members have an open discussion about the qualities and experiences that would be valuable for faculty representatives, including:

• Budget and basic aid funding experience

• Hiring and committee experience

• Administrative experience

• Representation from diverse disciplines and areas of the college

• Student services and non-instructional perspectives

• Understanding of the Bay Area's cost of living and community context

• Forward-looking and visionary leadership

• Ability to evaluate evidence and competing perspectives

• Willingness to question established practices

• Collaboration and alignment with the college's mission and values

B Singh emphasized the importance of selecting representatives who can evaluate candidates based on the future needs of the institution, including changing technology, funding models, grants, and partnerships with employers. S Kaur emphasized the importance of understanding the Bay Area, the district's budget, basic aid funding, and the realities facing faculty, staff, and students. Kaur also emphasized collaboration and alignment with the college's mission and values. Members discussed whether specific disciplinary representation, including CTE, should be explicitly designated. The discussion emphasized balancing broad representation with the need to avoid overly narrow selection criteria. The Senate broadly agreed that an FA seat should be included. E Woodbury explained that FA has historically had representation on the committee and that in general, these faculty representatives would represent the broader faculty body rather than a single discipline. E Woodbury also confirmed we will keep a part-time faculty seat, with compensation for the part-time representative.

Veronica Acevedo Avila and Mary Pape raised concerns about making the selection criteria too specific and narrowing the candidate pool. The Senate discussed potentially using a sequential voting process to encourage diversity in the final selection. B Singh asked about the nomination deadline. The deadline was extended through Thursday at noon. Officers will prepare the ballot and communicate the selection criteria to the Senate. The Senate also discussed holding a future conversation regarding the qualities and priorities faculty would like to see in the next college president.

E Woodbury reminds members that there will be reps from ASCCC coming October 19 to do a Brown Act training. 

Good of the Order

• D Bambhania announced the upcoming Diwali celebration on November 4.

• Barbara Dahlke reminded the Senate that Transfer Day will take place on Thursday, October 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Quad.

Meeting adjourned at 4:29PM.