GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING
September 22, 2006
Call to Order: F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 6:31 a.m. 120 ATC.
Present: Wanda Acevedo-Ferrer, Nickie Alexander, Rick Barnhart, Jennifer Batten, Lyttron Burris, Mike Campo, Jim Chesla, Frank Conner, Anita Cook, Larry Crossman, Katie Danko, Mike Devivo (for Carolyn Grin), John Doane, Beth Foster, Fred Garbowitz, Dick Godfrey, Tim Hoving, Brian Keelean, Robert Long, Robert Monaldo, Brian Morris, Jeff Neumann, Melissa Parsons, Ron Ralya, Jonathon Russell, Mark Saur, Jeff Spoelman, Joel Swets, Fred van Hartesveldt, Doug Wabeke, Troy Walwood, George Zeeff, Fred Zomer (for Kathleen Owens).
Absent: Jim Hayes, Bernie Manker, Doug Wabeke.
Approval of Agenda: Agenda approved with the addition of an Ethics Committee report.
Recognition of New Representatives:
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes approved with the following clarifications:
· On September 8, 2006 minutes, Grievance #165, the date for the 3rd party neutral hearing was September 18, 2006.
· Minutes from May 5, 2006, should read as longevity training rather than longevity pay.
· Clarification was made on allowing students to sit in on a class if they are not on the class list. Students are only allowed to sit in on the first session.
Faculty Presentations from the Floor:
· F. van Hartesveldt made the following announcements:
o A thank you note was sent to the Negotiating Team for their efforts obtaining retroactive release pay.
o A thank you note was sent for the accretion of the Lab Coordinators and Technicians stating they are glad to be members of the Faculty Association.
o A faculty member suggested the Faculty Association formally thank Peter and Pat Cook for their donation to the College. Discussion took place about recognizing all donors. Topic will be placed on the council agenda for the next meeting.
Negotiations Report:
· J. Spoelman reported that JCC will meet on September 22, 2006.
· JCC plans to use its time to clarify contract language. Discussion took place about the possibility of settling the new contract before the end of the academic year.
· The accretion meeting scheduled for September 22, 2006, was cancelled. The Administration is finalizing a written proposal.
· Suggestions of items for negotiations should be sent to F. van Hartesveldt or a member of the Negotiating Team. A survey to determine important issues in the contract will be sent to all faculty members. Recent suggestions and issues include:
o Using the Specialist category as it relates to pay schedules.
o Revising how Department Heads are selected.
o Payment for Independent Study.
o Job creep concerns, especially from increasing technology.
o Base load assignments that may include the summer semester.
Grievance Report:
· #165 regarding sabbatical issues: A 3rd party neutral hearing was held on September 18, 2006. Items resolved include the following:
o If a faculty member is taking a half year sabbatical, he or she will receive full pay, ten sick days, and full contribution to the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP).
o If a faculty member is taking a full year sabbatical, he or she will receive half pay, no sick days, and half of the contribution from the College to the ORP.
o Discussion took place regarding overload selection while on a sabbatical, including AGC’s policy on this issue. No agreement was made during the 3rd party neutral hearing. This issue will be discussed with AGC and go back to discussion.
o Discussion took place about losing a half year of service toward retirement while on a sabbatical.
· Other possible grievances: Overload cap as it relates to telecourses and mandated lunch hours for counselors.
President’s Report
· Committee memberships – M. Sesselman will be the 3rd representative on the Faculty Evaluation Team.
· MESSA premiums will begin in November. For MESSA members, a pre-tax premium election form must be submitted to Payroll no later than October 13, 2006.
· Faculty numbers for Fall, 2006 – 246 full time faculty and 453 adjunct faculty.
· F. van Hartesveldt has scheduled meetings for new full-time faculty for September 29, 2006 and for department heads/program directors for October 13, 2006.
· Adjunct titles – College policy prohibits adjunct faculty from using the title of Professor. It was pointed out that the administration has not enforced the policy.
· A new student worker has started for the semester.
· Board of Trustees meeting on September 18, 2006. A 2.8% increase in state aid was projected, resulting in approximately $459,000. Report was presented on how community colleges contribute to the local economy.
· Foundation news – Currently, $5.4 million has been pledged for the Open Door Campaign, which is scheduled to end October 17, 2006.
Discussion and Action Items:
· Negotiating team chair: M. Saur made a motion to elect J. Spoelman as Negotiating Team chair. Seconded by M. Campo. J. Spoelman was unanimously elected.
· College communication: Discussion continued regarding poor communication between LRTS and faculty on their technology needs. Issues include classroom improvements and classroom utilization. The discussion included that LRTS has been helpful in quickly fixing technology issues and investing money into classrooms.
· Recognition clause: Discussion took place around revising the Recognition Clause that defines who should be part of the Faculty Association. Ideas included that the Association should include only teaching faculty, all college groups, any employee who has direct student contact, and individuals who provide instruction. Other discussion included close consideration of who the Faculty Association is so the voice is not lost, resource competition with the other bargaining groups, and the costs of accretion. Item will be placed on agenda for further discussion.
· Overload cap: Ideas and discussion are taking place about modifying the overload cap, although nothing has changed.
· Website update: K. Danko reported the many tools that are available on http://www.grccfaculty.com. These include the contract, commonly used forms, and information about the faculty association representatives.
· Ethics committee: N. Alexander reported that the Ethics Committee is beginning to define a process to handle ethical issues.
RCC Report
· R. Foster reported events from the September 18, 2006 RCC meeting.
· Retirement information website is http://www.michigan.gov/ors/.
· Senate bill 1017, to permit spousal options to retirees who marry or re-marry following retirement, passed. Medical benefits are not included, but may be purchased.
· Other bills introduced include the topics of permitting a buy-in for BASIC plan members who want to become MIP members; clarification of the retirement benefits in divorce cases; requirement of pharmacies to post a drug retail price list on the Internet; and enabling local governments to implement boding for unfunded liabilities.
New Business:
· Items for the next Faculty Council meeting should be submitted to F. van Hartesveldt.
Next Meeting:
· Friday, October 6, 2006 at 6:30 a.m., 120 ATC.
Adjournment:
· Motion to adjourn, J. Russell; second B. Morris. Adjournment at 8:03 a.m.
Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary