Technology Committee

Minutes January 27, 2026

Attendance:

Laurie Scolari

Voltaire Villanueva

Nannette Regua

Christopher Custer

Janie Garcia

Cynthia Lee

Nadene Torres

Kas Pereira

Saba Ghane

 

Key takeaways

• The Tech Committee is tasked with creating a technology plan for Foothill College by fall 2023, which will inform the district-wide technology plan.
• The committee's primary focus is gathering data from all constituency groups (students, faculty, classified staff, administrators) through surveys and focus groups.
• The committee will align its work with De Anza College's technology plan and the Blueprint for Success goals.
• AI-related issues will be noted but not extensively debated in this committee, as there are other groups (like AI Fellows) addressing those concerns.
• The committee will develop targeted approaches to reach different constituency groups, with special attention to equity considerations.

Discussed topics

Committee Overview and Charge

• Details

  • Laurie: Explained that the committee is part of MIPC (Mission Informed Planning Council) and is charged with creating a technology plan.
  • Voltaire: Introduced himself as the Academic Senate President and faculty tri-chair.
  • Nannette: Introduced herself as the Program Coordinator of the Welcome Center and classified tri-chair.
  • Christopher: Introduced himself as the Executive Assistant in Student Services and committee secretary.

• Conclusion

  • The committee will gather data from all constituency groups to determine technology needs.
  • The plan will align with De Anza College's technology plan and inform the district-wide plan.
  • Implementation of the plan will be handled by the IT department, not this committee.

AI's Relationship to the Committee

• Details

  • Voltaire: Emphasized the need to think about big picture items rather than specific tools like AI. Suggested focusing on how technology supports the Blueprint for Success.
  • Laurie: Clarified that while AI issues may be noted in the plan, the committee won't solve all AI problems or engage in extensive AI debates.

• Conclusion

  • The committee will note AI-related needs that emerge from data collection but won't focus on solving AI issues.
  • AI Fellows and other groups will address specific AI concerns.
  • The committee will maintain a "big picture" perspective on technology needs.

Data Collection Strategies for Students

• Details

  • Saba: Suggested using the Science Learning Institute (SLI) weekly newsletter, which many STEM students read regularly. Also mentioned her role as Tech Ambassador and common student issues (Canvas, ad codes, Outlook email access).
  • Janie: Recommended asking instructors to share surveys and using targeted messaging for different student populations.
  • Nannette: Suggested using incentives like gift cards to increase participation.
  • Saba: Recommended having professors offer extra credit for survey completion.
  • Laurie: Highlighted a systemic issue with email communication as students aren't required to use FHDA email addresses.

• Conclusion

  • Multiple channels will be used: ICC meetings, club representatives, instructor announcements, and targeted emails.
  • Incentives and possibly extra credit will be considered to increase participation.
  • The committee will develop targeted messaging for different student populations.

Data Collection Strategies for Faculty

• Details

  • Voltaire: Suggested using Academic Senate newsletter, town halls, and focus groups. Mentioned the need to consider different teaching modalities.
  • Kas: Recommended using the Canvas dashboard as everyone sees it.
  • Nadene: Suggested attending division meetings to gather specific needs from different divisions.
  • Voltaire: Explained that part-time faculty can be reached through Academic Senate representatives.
  • Nadene: Noted that many part-time faculty don't regularly check their Foothill email, suggesting face-to-face interactions.
  • Kas: Recommended working with department chairs to reach part-time faculty.

• Conclusion

  • Multiple approaches will be used: Academic Senate communications, division meetings, department chairs, and Canvas.
  • Special attention will be given to reaching part-time faculty through personal connections.
  • Questions may be tailored to different faculty groups (e.g., Sunnyvale Center vs. main campus).

Data Collection Strategies for Classified Staff

• Details

  • Nannette: Suggested attending Classified Senate meetings and professional development events.
  • Cynthia: Offered to connect with Vanessa (Classified Senate President) to coordinate survey distribution.
  • Nadene: Emphasized the importance of personal outreach beyond emails.
  • Nannette: Mentioned using departmental meetings and newsletters.

• Conclusion

  • The committee will work with the Classified Senate leadership.
  • Personal outreach will be emphasized alongside email communications.
  • Departmental meetings will be utilized for direct feedback.

Data Collection Strategies for Administrators

• Details

  • Laurie: Suggested using the quarterly all-admin meeting for surveys and focus groups. Recommended separate focus groups for Student Services deans and Instructional deans due to different needs.
  • Nannette: Asked about dean-specific meetings and union involvement.
  • Laurie: Confirmed there are separate meetings for all administrators, Dean's Council, Student Services Deans, and Instructional Deans.

• Conclusion

  • The quarterly all-admin meeting will be used for surveys.
  • Separate focus groups will be held for Student Services and Instructional deans.
  • Union groups will be included in outreach efforts.

Strategic Approach to Data Collection

• Details

  • Voltaire: Suggested using the Blueprint for Success goals to guide data collection strategies, focusing on equity and specific populations.
  • Janie: Recommended tailoring questions for different groups (e.g., Sunnyvale Center vs. main campus).

• Conclusion

  • Data collection will be aligned with Blueprint for Success goals.
  • The committee will be strategic and intentional about which populations to target.
  • Questions may be customized for different groups to gather more relevant data.

Challenges

• Low survey response rates (historically around 30% is considered good)
• Difficulty reaching part-time faculty who don't regularly check their Foothill email
• Ensuring equitable representation from all student populations
• Coordinating across multiple constituency groups and committees
• Students not using FHDA email addresses, creating communication barriers

Action items

• Tri-chairs and Christopher

  • Meet with IR to develop a data collection plan
  • Create a proposal for survey and focus group implementation
  • Develop a budget request for incentives

• Committee members

  • Review the Blueprint for Success document before the next meeting
  • Help distribute surveys through their constituent groups when ready

• Voltaire

  • Help compile a list of faculty committees and meetings where surveys could be distributed

• Laurie

  • Get a list of all committees and meetings from Stacy
  • Compile a list of meetings in her area where surveys could be distributed

• Cynthia

  • Connect with Vanessa (Classified Senate President) about reaching classified staff