http://www.grccfaculty.com
October 19, 2007 

Call to Order:  F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 6:31 a.m., Multipurpose Room, Student Center. 

Present:  R. Barnhart, J. Berlin, L. Burris, M. Campo, F. Conner, A. Cook, D. Cope, L. Crossman, K. Danko, M. Devivo, J. Doane, K. Dobreff, F. Garbowitz, D. Godfrey, H. Hoare, D. Huisman, B. Keelean, S. Knoppers, P. Laureto, B. Manker, R. Monaldo, R. Montes-Sutton, J. Neumann, M. Parsons, L. Pierson (for W. Acevedo-Ferrer), R. Ralya, D. Terhune, F. van Hartesveldt, D. Wabeke, T. Walwood, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer. 

Absent:  N. Alexander, J. Batten, B. Foster, J. Hayes, J. Russell, J. Spoelman, A. Saldivar. 

Approval of Agenda:  Approved as written with the addition of the ESP request for a donation. 

Approval of Minutes from October 5, 2007:  Approved as written. 

Recognition of substitute representatives:  L. Pierson for W. Acevedo-Ferrer. 

Secretary’s report:

• A note was received from Sherry Rhoden thanking faculty members who donated sick days during her illness.  She states “our faculty are extremely generous and I am very grateful.” 

Negotiation’s report:  F. van Hartesveldt, J. Doane, and R. Montes-Sutton reported the following:

• Recent meeting with mediator focused on the financial package.  An issue arose regarding the accuracy of the financial numbers the Administration shared with the mediator.  Given the correct numbers, it may be that both sides are closer economically than it originally appeared.  Relationships are strained.
• The G.R. Press recently published an article on Administrative salary increases, causing a bit more stress during negotiations.  Administrative salaries as reported are again erroneous.
• While no new language has been signed, a new MOU was signed to continue old MOUs.
• Both sides have dropped some issues and so the negotiations list is getting shorter.  Yet, the differences that still exist are major differences.
• Next mediation meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 22, 2007.  Focus of meeting will include lab technicians and tutors.
• There is no financial incentive for the Administration to settle the contract and no guarantee of retroactive pay.
• JCC meetings will continue.  Differences are primarily financial and list of issues must get shorter before the mediator can certify issues over to fact finding.  There is no timeline.
• The administrative decision not to increase tuition for Winter 08 may have some bearing on negotiations.  This was decided in part because state funding increased 1%.
• FOIA requests are currently out to approximately a dozen other institutions asking for salary information that can be used for salary comparisons. 

Grievance report:  F. Garbowitz and L. Burris reported the following:

• Grievance 169 – Arbitration is scheduled today.  The faculty member was denied work beyond 26 contact hours.  In the past, many faculty members have exceeded that.
• Grievance 171 – Meetings are scheduled for the end of October.  New faculty members were required to attend meetings prior to the start of the academic year.
• Possible grievance by a faculty member doing work as a program director without appropriate compensation was pulled at the request of the faculty member.
• Work continues on a resolution for an adjunct faculty member who was not paid for doing work requested by the Administration.

President’s report: 

• The Constitution and Code of Ethics are now posted on http://www.grccfaculty.com.
• A. Cook has returned from vacation and continues work as the Association Archivist.
• Recent legislation passed does not affect current faculty.  However, it does affect future hires, and the State legislature can change retiree benefits of faculty members in MPSERS.
• Results of the payroll department survey will be used to determine how to better inform employees about benefits.  One idea is to hold continuous workshops.  It is suggested that workshops be held at various times as not to conflict with faculty classroom schedules.
• Recent BOT meeting contained the following information:  fall enrollment report was issued, the general fund was increase by one half million; and exempt employees and the Meet and Confer group received a 1.5% salary increase, increases to dental and vision, and a combined dental and vision plan.  These increases are retroactive to July.
• The Association’s political action committee fund has a balance of $723.66.
• E. James, G. Schenk, and R. Verburg BOT terms expire in 2009.  Faculty members are encouraged to contract F. van Hartesveldt with names of interested candidates.
• The College is working on a handbook for those getting close to retirement.
• F. van Hartesveldt stepped down from the RLSLT team. 

Discussion and action items:

1. Disallow administrative staff from teaching?

·         Discussion took place on the prospect of disallowing administrators from teaching.  Information included the following:  Administrative staff teach at the discretion of F. van Hartesveldt; approximately 20 are currently teaching including one Associate Dean, an employee in Human Resources, and the rest other administrative staff; some departments are in favor of disallowing administrative staff from teaching in response to an Associate Dean’s violation of AGC policies and lack of negotiations moving forward; positives of administrators teaching include allowing them to see and understand teaching and GRCC; not allowing them to teach could not happen until December and be effective Winter 08; the Association President has never disallowed administrative staff from teaching but has verified that classes offered to administrative staff have been offered through the overload process; the administrative staff teaching are not involved with negotiations.

2. Ed2Go

·         Ed2Go courses are non-credit online classes offered through Thompson Inc. and advertised with GRCC’s logo.  Initial concern was that these courses were taking away GRCC students and faculty work.  GRCC offers 383 Ed2Go classes with enrollment through GRCC of 244 students, 43 of those were admitted to GRCC before enrolling in Ed2Go classes, and three of the 244 enrolled after enrolling in an Ed2Go course.  While this venture is a money maker for GRCC, the courses clearly do not meet GRCC academic standards.  Another issue with Ed2Go is that they are not online as advertised, but rather correspondence classes similar to telecourses.  Other area colleges, universities, and K-12 schools also offer Ed2Go classes. 

RCC report:  A. Cook will attend RCC meetings while B. Foster is on vacation. 

New Business:  Submit items for the next Faculty Council meeting to F. van Hartesveldt. 

Next Meeting:  Faculty Council meeting, Friday, November 2, 2007, at 6:30 a.m. in 122 or 124 ATC. 

Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn M. DeVivo, seconded R. Barnhart.  Adjournment at 8:06 a.m. 

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.