http://www.grccfaculty.com
November 30, 2007
 

Call to Order:  F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 6:30 a.m., Multipurpose Room, SCC.

Present:  W. Acevedo-Ferrer, N. Alexander, R. Barnhart J. Batten, J. Berlin, L. Burris, M. Campo, D. Cope, L. Crossman, J. Doane, K. Danko, B. Foster, F. Garbowitz, D. Godfrey, C. Grin, S. Heisler (R. Ralya), H. Hoare, D. Huisman, B. Keelean, S. Knoppers, B. Morris, R. Monaldo, R. Montes-Sutton, J. Neumann, M. Parsons, J. Russell, A. Saldivar, J. Spoelman, F. van Hartesveldt, D. Wabeke, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer.

Absent:  F. Conner, J. Hayes, P. Laureto, D. Terhune, T. Walwood.

Approval of Agenda:  Approved as written.

 Approval of Minutes from November 16, 2007:  Approved with the following clarifications:

• Approval of minutes date should read November 2, 2007.
• N. Alexander clarified the following: 
• The language regarding the new 52-week counselors position states that the  "Administration wants a 52 week counseling position for the same amount of compensation as the current counselors."  It should read that the "Administration wants 52-week counseling positions to work 40-hour weeks instead of the current 35 hours."  They have agreed to an increased pay schedule for the new positions.

 Faculty Presentations from the floor:

• D. Stout and M. McClure sent a letter of thanks from the ESP group for the Association donation to offset their MEA dues. 
• An apology was received from the Collegiate reporter who recorded interviews with F. van Hartesveldt without consent. 

 Secretary’s Report:

• A thank you note was received from G. Zeeff for the fruit basket he received during his recent foot surgery.
• A thank you note was received from R. Long for the flowers sent and the kindness extended to him during his recent hospitalization.

 President’s report: 

• T. Worthington, D. Foster, and L. Brown will serve on the Emeritus faculty nomination committee. 
• RCC has asked for faculty not to sign petitions against legislators who have been targeted for recall. 
• The Wayne County Detectives Association sent a letter asking for support in challenging the Federal Government Offset Law and the Windfall Elimination Provision law.  If passed, these laws would limit pension benefits nationwide.
• Lab Coordinators and Techs pick at Level 3 of the overload process. 
• Faculty Association office work to digitalize paper documents has slowed due to a recent computer virus.  A. Cook will be gone much of January and February and it is likely a student worker will not be retained during that period.
• S. Rhoden has thanked the Association for their willingness to collect cash donations to help offset her disability, but at this time has declined the offer.  Disability pay has kicked in earlier than wanted, so donated sick days were not used.  The LTD insurer determined the start date earlier than wanted because under the LTD contract definition she was an “active employee” over the summer even though she wasn’t teaching.
• Investigation continues of a faculty member not receiving email during a heated email discussion in regards to flyers printed by the Student Congress.  IT has responded that email not being delivered happens all the time.  However, no other faculty members have reported problems of faculty to faculty email delivery.  IT also stated they do not have the capability to hold emails, which is not true.  Primary issue is there is no check on IT.
• Nursing department continues working on details of the year-round base-load pilot.
• November BOT meeting included the announcement of retirement from D. Pruis and G. Burbridge in December, 2008, and two presentations from faculty members.  Scheduled closed session was cancelled, leading faculty to think that they are not taking about negotiations.
• A Press editorial was printed on November 27, 2008, on the campus salary surge.  Focus was that college presidents, with several references to President Olivarez, are paid too much during tough economic times. 
• W-2 information was recently received for the exempt group.  Biggest increases for President Olivarez were between 2003 and 2004. 

 Negotiations report:  J. Spoelman reported the following:

• Occasional discussions have been focused on language, and not economics. 
• Table Agreements have been signed for the following:
• MOU to continue MOU’s for Overload Selection, Faculty Association Release Time, and FLMA Use of Sick Days.
• MOU on Administrative Investigation procedures. 
• MOU on Grievance procedures. 
• Primary changes allow the use of a third party neutral instead of grieving to the BOT, with developing an alternative means of communicating with the BOT.  Restrictions have been placed on the Administrations ability to discipline on things unrelated to discipline.  If the Administration is going to discipline, they must follow seven provisions for just cause.
• Future focus will be related to economics.  There has been very little progress.
• Administration continues to offer 2%, 1.5%, and 1% increase, but that only applies to the base salary schedules.  Pay for things such as longevity training and service, overload rate, and coach’s pay would be frozen at current rate for three years.  Administration is also proposing an increase in MESSA premiums.  They also want a here-after clause for new hires through which longevity training pay would be given only for the year the training was taken and the longevity pay rate would be lower.
• The Association negotiating team is asking for 2.6%, 3%, and 3% increases on all economics.  These numbers are on the low side of what other community college faculty members have recently settled for.
• Cost of living has recently changed to 3.5%.
• Agreements have been made on C-3 funds and a 1% increase for those who have ORP.
• It is unlikely that negotiations will be completed by the end of the year.

 Discussion and action items:

1. What we could do; when we could do it (committee of the whole?)

·         The next BOT meeting is December 17, 2008.  The next learning day is January 8, 2008. 

·         G. Grin moves that the meeting on this agenda item continue as a committee of the whole.  M. Campo seconds.  All approve. 

 RCC report:  B. Foster reported the following:

·         Budget issues are still a concern, and RCC continues to focus on retiree healthcare benefits.

·         Changes to current MPSER’s healthcare include shifting more of the cost to retirees.

·         A full report of the number of concessions made can be found at http://house.michigan.gov/committees.asp.

·         Departments who have new hires next year should try to get them in the system prior to July 1.  This will benefit their future retirement if they are members prior to July 1, 2008.

·         Additional RCC news is available at http://www.michiganrcc.org/news.html.

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

Next Meeting:  The Faculty Council meeting scheduled for Friday, December 14, 2007 is CANCELED.  The Faculty Association will meet on Friday, December 14, 2007 at the Wrestling Room in the Ford Fieldhouse at 7:00 a.m.

Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn C. Grin, seconded H. Hoare.  Adjournment at 8:08 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.