FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING
Call to Order: F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to
order at
Present: Nickie Alexander, Jennifer Batten, C. Lee
Brown, Marie Burns, Lyttron Burris, Mike Campo, Jim Chesla, Frank Connor, Anita
Cook, Larry Crossman, Katie Danko, Beth Foster, Carolyn Grin, Dick Godfrey, Dan
Hearn, Julie Hess, Amy Kerkstra, Bernie Manker, Bob Monaldo, Brian Morris, Jeff
Neumann, Kathleen Owens, Wayne Rodgers, Jonathon Russell, Mark Saur, Jeff
Spoelman, Joel Swets, Fred van Hartesveldt, Douglas Wabeke, George Zeeff
Absent: Robert Long, Stacey Heisler,
Visitors: John Cowles, John Doane, Fred Garbowitz
Agenda: Today’s agenda was approved with the
addition of RCC Update.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the
Faculty Presentations from the Floor. F. van Hartesveldt announced the January 20 childbirth by Heather (Todd) Lashuay in Child Development.
Secretary’s Report. L. Brown read thank-you messages from Sherry Rhoden for flowers sent upon the death of her father, from Bob Garlough for a gift basket following his recent work-related injury, and from Eleanor Scheifele for flowers sent in response to her illness.
RCC Update. B. Foster reported that she was among approximately 40 RCC members who visited the offices of 30 legislators and their aides on Wednesday, March 15, Day at the Capitol 2005. Members informed legislators of major issues for the RCC and were very supportive of the event.
Grievance Report. F. Garbowitz indicated that he is awaiting administration’s availability for follow-up meetings regarding outstanding grievances at Level 2 and Level 3. He also highlighted his experience at the Law and Higher Education Conference attended in behalf of the Association.
President’s Report. F. van Hartesveldt gave the following
summaries and updates:
·
Evaluation
of Administrators. Faculty who asked
to evaluate administrators should have received the forms by now. The deadline is
· College Budget. A message from Bob Partridge (Financial Services) indicates the governor’s budget proposal includes an executive order deduct. The amount for GRCC is $290,000. B. Partridge commented that this “will cut into any anticipated surplus we had hoped for.”
· Academic Senate. The Senate is creating a textbook policy review committee. F. van Hartesveldt anticipates the policy will be consistent with academic freedom, but suggested that faculty involved in the process monitor it.
·
Campus
Security. The administration’s
security update has been sent to faculty. The future use of video camera
monitoring is being discussed. Several reps
expressed concern that card-access to buildings and facilities would discourage
student and faculty use. Those with
concerns were encouraged to voice them to Cindy Kennell, Campus Security.
·
Board of
· Internal Committees. 1) Ethics Committee may be addressing the selling of textbooks by faculty. Reps are asked to encourage department members to consider serving on the Ethics Committee. 2) Faculty members are working with administrators to write a conflict of interest policy that will conform to AAUP guidelines and will maintain non-adversarial language. 3) Scholarship Committee is still in the process of scheduling a meeting. 4) Student Allocation Committee is awaiting input from Student Government. 5) Administration requests faculty assist in planning the GRCC 90th birthday finale. Interested faculty should contact Vicki Hudson.
New College Structure. The Academic Leadership Teams will meet
Discussion/Action
Sick-Day Donations. The administration agrees that faculty may donate sick days to Eleanor Scheifele immediately. Forms for doing so have been sent to faculty. F. van Hartesveldt committed the Association to negotiate contract language for future such issues. In response to the suggestion of establishing a fund for cash donations to Eleanor Scheifele, F. van Hartesveldt indicated the topic would be included in the March council meeting agenda. Contact information for Eleanor is available upon request from F. van Hartesveldt.
Department Head Elections. In the upcoming department head elections, Council reps are obligated to serve and ensure elections run smoothly and according to contract. Elections are scheduled in Biological Sciences, Math, Social Science, and Wellness departments.
Faculty Credentials/Qualifications. The provost and deans have assigned departments the task of determining the credentials and qualifications for department faculty. March 31 is the deadline for the final product which will be used for auditing credentials at the end of this semester. Pros and cons were offered for broad qualifications versus narrow qualifications and the implications for new hires. Occupational reps expressed concern that degrees for certain occupational areas are often non-existent. Discussion was suspended for continuation at the next Council meeting.
Council Meeting
Location. F. van Hartesveldt
summarized concerns raised about the current food service arrangement (i.e.
billing for fixed headcount, menu repetition) and asked reps to prepare for
discussing next year’s meeting location at the March Council meeting. N. Alexander
has been asked to talk with the vendor about adjustments for the remaining
meetings this year.
NEW BUSINESS
Topics for the next Council meeting agenda should be forwarded to F. van Hartesveldt.
Next
Meeting.
Adjournment. Motion to adjourn, A. Cook; second, D. Hearn. The meeting was adjourned at
Submitted by C. Lee Brown, Secretary