http://www.grccfaculty.com
November 2, 2007

Call to Order: N. Alexander called the meeting to order at 6:30 a.m., 124 ATC.

Present: W. Acevedo-Ferrer, N. Alexander, J. Batten, J. Berlin, C.L. Brown (for R. Barnhart), F. Conner, A. Cook, D. Cope, L. Crossman, K. Danko, M. Devivo, J. Doane, K. Dobreff, B. Foster, 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, J. Russell, J. Spoelman, A. Saldivar, D. Terhune, T. Walwood, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer.

Absent: R. Barnhart, L. Burris, M. Campo, J. Hayes, R. Ralya, F. van Hartesveldt, D. Wabeke.

Approval of Agenda: Approved as written.

Approval of Minutes from October 19, 2007: Minutes of October 19, 2007, are approved as written. Clarifications to the minutes of October 5, 2007, include the following:

• Associate Dean misconduct issue should read that the Associate Dean circumvented the process for a grade complaint by not first discussing the issue with the professor and the department chair; and
• the 800 minute rule includes 800 minutes must be scheduled for each credit, breaks can be taken as long as the 800 minutes are still met, 800 minutes includes exam time, and sick days, inclement weather days, and approved conference leaves do not affect the 800 minutes.

Faculty presentations from the floor: J. Chesla, Mathematics, is retiring at the end of this semester. R. Long is recovering after a fall that severely injured his foot.

Secretary’s report: A note of thanks was received from Linda Bramble for the fruit basket sent during her husband’s illness.

Treasurer’s report: D. Godfrey distributed the Treasurer’s report (attached) from October, 2007. Total expenses for the month were $5,461.05. October 31 checking account balance was $23,163.76 and money market/savings balance was $125,594.11. Year to date expenses total $25,214.96 and revenue totals of $22,411.57 from dues and $930.09 from interest.

Negotiation’s report: J. Spoelman reported the following:

• Negotiations with the mediator are still continuing.
• Some positive movement has been made in regards to the two tier pay system for adjunct faculty. Current proposal would allow for adjuncts who have taught for more than three years to move up to a higher pay scale.
• Administration is suggesting a salary schedule increase of 2%, 1.5%, and 1% over three years, but a freeze on the overload rate and other rates such as longevity. Faculty proposal is 2.6%, 3%, and 3%, which would not exceed the money that has already been budgeted for faculty salary increases. These numbers are in sync with the cost of living and other community college contracts with faculty.
• State mediator has been helpful, but the process has been slow moving.
• In a meeting called by President Olivarez and attended by the two leadership groups involved in negotiations, discussion took place on why it is so difficult to settle negotiations. Issues discussed include financial concerns, and how the leadership is no longer academically focused.
• Both sides are now down to about 15 issues, but it must go down to five or six issues before fact finding process can begin. This process uses comparables and the ability to pay in order to settle negotiations. FOIA requests have started to come in from other community colleges in Michigan, showing that other institutions are settling contracts with numbers we are suggesting. Information also showed that administrators at GRCC are paid higher than most others at comparable community colleges.
• Discussion took place on what faculty members can do to help negotiations move along. Faculty members are reminded that it is illegal to do anything considered a work stoppage.
• Discussion took place on how barriers are created when non-academics are involved in making decisions for the academics.

Grievance report: F. Garbowitz reported the following:

• Grievance 169: A state arbitration hearing was held on October 19, 2007, to settle a grievance on defining the overload cap. Thank you’s were extended to J. Spoelman and N. Alexander for their testimony regarding the history of the overload cap and equated pay. Results are now in the hands of the attorneys who have until mid-December to respond.
• Grievance 171: No meeting date has been scheduled to resolve this issue of new faculty being required to meet prior to the start of the semester.

President’s report: Vice-President N. Alexander reported the following:

• Organizational Development is holding various forums that faculty members are encouraged to attend. Next forum is scheduled for November 28, and details will be provided in GRCC Today.
• The Bookstore Oversight Committee is working on an issue regarding how the bookstore categorizes material on their website. One issue is when a student selects the book online, the bookstore recommendations are automatically selected. Primary issue is that the bookstore should not be recommending anything for a course that is not approved by the professor. This material often includes CD’s and solution manuals, items that a professor may not want their students to have.
• After several recent fire drills, the College will try to spread out scheduled fire drills so as not to affect the same class repeatedly. Drills by the Fire Department and false alarms cannot be controlled.
• Of 13 requested FOIA requests for all full time wages at other Michigan institutions, nine have been returned thus far. This information will be used for negotiations.
• F. van Hartesveldt is open to attend department meetings to answer various questions faculty may have.
• The Nursing Department is close to finalizing a pilot of year-round base load assignment.

Discussion and action items:

• ESP/MEA/MESSA contributions
• A number of emails have been received in support of donating money to support the ESP’s MEA dues. Suggestions included having individual faculty members donate a set amount or have the Faculty Association donate a set amount. Other discussion included ESP asking other groups who benefit from MESSA to donate, the balance of the Association funds, and the logistics of individual donations.
• M. Devivo made a motion that the FA donates $3,500 to the ESP group. B. Keelean seconded. Motion passes.
• Update committee memberships
• Faculty members are encouraged to fill vacant committee spots.

RCC report: A. Cook reported the following from October 2007 RCC meeting:

• The legislature passed bills in October that will raise approximately $1.4 billion, primarily from an increase in income tax and services tax.
• PA107 allows public employers to create pooled health care plans.
• PA110 will place future school employees into a graded scale premium system for the calculation of retiree health care benefits. This will affect school employees hired after June 30, 2008.
• Defined contribution plans were postponed for community colleges after RCC convinced legislators to increase the MIP payments for new hires effective July 1, 2008.
• Current information and changes can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/orsschools.

New Business: Items for the next Faculty Council meeting should be submitted to F. van Hartesveldt.

Next Meeting: Faculty Council meeting, Friday, November 16, 2007, at 6:30 a.m. in 120 ATC.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn B. Morris, seconded M. Devivo. Adjournment at 7:48 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.

GRCC Faculty Association
Treasurer’s Report
October 2007

Checking account balance October 1 ........................................................... $14,152.37
Deposits: Dues .................................................................................................. 14,472.44

Expenses: Donations/Flowers ............................... $ 146.50
Food ............................................................................. 667.80
Grievances ................................................................... 617.80
Insurance ...................................................................... 368.00
Legal ............................................................................. 247.50
Negotiations ................................................................... 24.01
Office: Archivist ....................................... 354.61
     Election .......................................... 70.59
     Printing ......................................... 139.86
     Taxes ........................................ 2,824.38
Total expenses .............................................................................................. $ 5,461.05
Checking Account Balance October 31 ....................................................... $23,163.76

Money Market Balance 10/31/07 ................................................................ $125,594.11

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Revenue & Expenses Year to Date

Revenue: Dues ..................................................................................... $ 22,411.57
     Interest........................................................................................................ 930.09

Expenses: Donations/Flowers/Fruit Baskets ...... $ 386.50
Food ............................................................................ 667.80
Grievances ................................................................. 617.80
Insurance .................................................................... 368.00
Legal .......................................................................... 247.50
Negotiations ................................................................ 34.01
Office: Archivist ......................................................... 354.61
Election ......................................................................... 70.59
Printing ....................................................................... 358.74
Website ........................................................................ 69.95
Officers’ pay ......................................................... 15,239.08
RCC ........................................................................... 106.80
Taxes ....................................................................... 6,693.58
Total expenses ........................................................................................... $ 25,214.96

Submitted November 2, 2007, by Dick Godfrey, Treasurer