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January 25, 2008

Call to order:  F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 6:32 a.m., 120 ATC.

Present:  N. Alexander, R. Barnhart, J. Batten, L. Burris, M. Campo, F. Conner, 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, J. Spoelman, F. van Hartesveldt, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer.

Absent:  N. Alexander, J. Berlin, J. Hayes, J. Russell, A. Saldivar, D. Terhune, D. Wabeke, T. Walwood.

Approval of agenda:  Approved as written.

Approval of Faculty Association minutes from January 8, 2008:  Approved as written.

Approval of Faculty Council minutes from January 11, 2008:  M. DeVivo was present, not C. Grin.

Faculty presentations from the floor: 

• L. Robert, English, is retiring. 

President’s report: 

• On occasion, your pay is shortened due to an error in payroll.  Payroll normally tells faculty that it will be corrected on the next paycheck.  However, if you do not want to wait, ask for a check to be cut immediately. 
• RCC is asking faculty for another letter writing campaign to support retiree health care benefits.  Changes in retiree health care benefits can be legislated, and they are eroding.
• A provision in the new contract gives adjunct faculty (as a group, not individually) a $12,000 fund per year for professional development.  This money will be administered by the Provost’s office.
• A favorable response has been received from adjunct regarding the new contract.

Negotiations report:  J. Spoelman reported the following:

• There is a possibility the contract might fall apart because as of this morning, Administration has not signed a table agreement on the entire contract.  A table agreement is expected by noon today, but, if no agreement is made, there will not be a contract vote on Monday.
• Tentative agreements do exist on the financial issues, but not on all language issues.  If it does fall apart, the Fact Finding process is still open. 
• A ratification vote will be held at 7 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2007.  Proxy votes have been distributed this week to those who requested them.  Faculty members are reminded that they can only carry one proxy vote.  The call for ratification will be made no later than 7:30 a.m., and voting will last as long as the tellers are present.  A 10% quorum is needed in order for the vote to count. 
• A bylaw change must be made in order for a faculty member to carry more than one proxy vote, and for the vote to be held electronically.  Faculty members are reminded that they can go outside their own department to find someone to carry a proxy ballot for them.  An online vote carries the risk that faculty will vote without hearing the full discussion.
• There is some concern expressed over the overload pay freeze.  Overload rate is being capped below the maximum cap of the adjuncts.  Discussion took place about the rationale for freezing the overload rate. 

Discussion and action items:

1. Update committee memberships:
1. A new list of committee membership was distributed.  Bylaws dictate that vacancies in standing committees must be filled. 
2. A third seat must be filled on the Nominating committee.  A slate of officers must be presented in April.  The purpose of this team is to determine who is interested in running for an officer of the Faculty Association in the 2008 elections.
3. Allocation Review committee is inactive.  The student government expressed last year they were not interested in having faculty overview the money allocated to student groups.   
4. Scholarship committee is inactive.  The faculty have been trying to jumpstart this committee for four years, with no luck.  The purpose of the committee is to oversee the allocation of scholarships from the financial aid office.  Interested parties are to contact F. van Hartesveldt.
5. The Emeritus Faculty Award committee is appointed.  The members are Tom Worthington, Dick Foster, and Lee Brown.
2. Negotiations discussion:
1. Discussion took place on the process for appointing faculty representatives on CLC and AGC.  The issue is that the Administration appoints representatives for the faculty and stated they are our reps.  However, if they are not appointed by the faculty, how can they be our reps?
2. Discord has increased between faculty and administration.  Academics are no longer running the College.  Discussion took place on the faculty role in resolving this.
3. Discussion took place on what can be done to prevent future tough negotiations.
3. Bookstore concerns:
1. Bookstore issues still exist for many faculty members.  The bookstore is still recommending that students buy unneeded materials despite being asked to make changes.
2. Some faculty members were told they cannot direct their students to outside places to buy required books.  The bookstore contract will be reviewed to determine what obligation faculty have to support the bookstore. 
3. Another issue is how excess financial aid money is turned over to the bookstore.  Students can spend the money there before receiving a check.  The bookstore appears to be making money off of financial aid because students can make purchases can of things not related to their courses.
4. Students can apply for emergency loans from financial aid.
5. J. Hess is the Faculty Association liaison to the bookstore.  She will be asked to attend the next Faculty Council meeting.  Council Representatives are encouraged to discuss bookstore concerns with their department.

Grievance report:

• Grievance 169 related to the overload cap:  This was lost at arbitration.  The full decision has yet to be received. 

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

Next Meeting:  Association meeting on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 7 a.m. at the Music Building auditorium (Room 200); Council meeting on Friday, February 8, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. at 234 Student Services Center (i.e. the Multi-Purpose Room).

Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn F. Conner, seconded M. DeVivo.  Adjournment at 7:44 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.