http://www.grccfaculty.com

February 8, 2008

Call to order:  F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 6:31 a.m., 234 Student Services Center.

Present:  W. Acevedo-Ferrer, N. Alexander, R. Barnhart, J. Berlin, L. Burris, M. Campo, F. Conner, D. Cope, L. Crossman, K. Danko, M. DeVivo, J. Doane, G. Ebels (for G. Zeeff), F. Garbowitz, D. Godfrey, J. Hayes, H. Hoare, D. Huisman, B. Keelean, S. Knoppers, P. Laureto, B. Manker, R. Montes-Sutton, B. Morris, J. Neumann, M. Parsons, R. Ralya, J. Russell, J. Spoelman, A. Saldivar, F. van Hartesveldt, D. Wabeke, T. Walwood, F. Zomer.

Absent:  J. Batten, R. Monaldo, D. Terhune. 

Approval of agenda:  Approved as written, with the change of incorporating the RCC and Grievance reports into the President’s report. 

Approval of Faculty Council minutes from January 25, 2008:  Approved as written.

Approval of Faculty Association minutes from January 28, 2008:  Approved as written, with the following clarification:

1. The contract changes sent last week are corrected to remove the language on ITV/Online pay.  A Memo of Understanding will be created instead.

 
Faculty presentations from the floor:  Those interested in contributing to the Jack Ridl Visiting Writers at Hope College scholarship fund should contact David Klooster, Chair,
Dept. of English, Lubbers Hall, Hope College, Holland, MI  49422-9000.

Secretary’s report:  A note of thanks was received from Kragh Hertel, Sandy Andrew’s husband, for the fruit basket he received following his recent surgery. 

Treasurer’s report:  D. Godfrey distributed the Treasurer’s report (attached) from January, 2008.  Total expenses for the month were $7,450.74.  January 31 checking account balance was $37,363.83 and money market/savings balance was $111,693.41. 

President’s report: 

• RCC report – There was no representative for the January RCC meeting.  W. Acevedo-Ferrer will attend the February meeting.
• Grievance report – There are no current formal grievances.  It is unlikely that the Association will appeal the recent arbitration ruling on the overload cap.  Currently, you can teach 28 contact hours to avoid the splitting of a class.  You can also go to 28.5 only when it results from equated overload. 
• The Faculty Association membership ratified the contract on Monday, January 28, 2008.
• Retro pay for the contract will be paid as soon as possible, but no date is yet determined.  February 8, 2008, did show the new overload and adjunct rates, but other adjustments have not yet been made.  N. Alexander will distribute a pay calculation worksheet. 
• Adjuncts who taught last semester should receive retro pay reflecting the rate increase. 
• If you exceeded dental, vision, C-3, and tuition reimbursements for this year, you should receive pay to reflect those increases. 
• C-3 fund reimbursement is now being processed through your paycheck and is taxable if it is a tangible good.
• Faculty members who had a child who attended GRCC last semester can apply for tuition reimbursement.  A child or a spouse may now use up to four credits per semester at GRCC, and may also apply for the Faculty Children Scholarship.  GRCC tuition can also be deferred until the course has been completed. 
• There is a $12,000 per year professional development fund for Adjuncts to be administered by the Provost; however, no process for distribution has yet been defined.  Adjuncts should keep their receipts and send a request to the Provost’s office if they think it may qualify for professional development. 
• There will be Flexible Spending Account informational meetings on February 26, 28, and 29th.  Open enrollment ends on February 29, 2008. 

Negotiations report: 

• The contract is being edited and, after it is signed, printed and distributed to faculty.
• Job Training, and Lab Techs and Coordinators are going through a salary survey.
• Some MOU’s still have not been signed.  There is no disagreement; just both sides are very busy with all the work.

Discussion and action items:

1. Update committee memberships: 
1. Nominating committee:  J. Hesse and K. Owens have agreed to serve again this year.  A third person is needed.
2. Scholarship committee:  D. Cope, R. Ralya, M. Parsons, and D. Wabeke will serve on this committee.  A. Bowen has been asked for a report of scholarships, and he replied that it is being worked on.  It is still hard to get information on what scholarships are available and what has been distributed to students.
3. Bookstore Oversight committee.  J. Neumann will serve on this committee instead of J. Hess. Thanks were extended to J. Hess for her service.
2. Bookstore concerns:
1. Bookstore concerns were shared, including that the bookstore recommends books and materials not required, course packs are not available at the beginning of the semester, checkmarks on optional material default to yes when students order online, the ISBN is not given online, some books are not available at all, wrong books are sometimes listed, and faculty are not notified of vender problems.
2. The contract between the College and Follett was reviewed. 

• Faculty members do not have any contractual obligation to have students purchase books from the bookstore. 
• The College makes a six figure amount annually from the bookstore. 
• Follett, by contract, contributes annually to a scholarship fund. 
• Follett will employ competent and sufficient personnel to provide adequate and satisfactory services.  Any objectionable employee can be dismissed or transferred.
• Follett will offer all faculty and staff a 15% discount excluding textbooks and special order items, with a minimum purchase of $1.00. 
• Follett will notify faculty of new editions, and when supplies run out, as soon as they are aware.  The faculty member will inform Follett on the corrective action.
• Follett will maintain a selection of books until 50% of the class is completed.
• Adoption of books for summer and fall classes must be made by March 15.  Book changes for winter semester must be placed by October 15. 

3. The issue of financial aid money being released to Follett is a concern.  Very often, students must use the bookstore to get books because they have financial aid.  However, they can use that money for other purchases at the bookstore that may not be class-related.  This is an issue of ethics; also, how can the college legally release financial aid money to an outside company?
4. Financial aid refund checks take much longer than necessary.  Students may need this money to purchase a book from another location.
5. AGC is also working on issues with the bookstore, including offering e-books directly from the publisher.
6. Discussion took place on things faculty members can do to influence the way Follett operates.  This includes referring students to other places to purchase books and developing stronger relationships with other sellers.

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

Next Meeting:  Next Meeting:  Council meeting on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. at 234 Student Services Center (i.e. the Multi-Purpose Room).

Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn M. Devivo, seconded B. Morris.  Adjournment at 7:58 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.

GRCC Faculty Association
Treasurer’s Report
January 2008

Checking account balance January 1............................................................ $27,169.61
Deposits:         Dues........................................................................................ 17,644.96

Expenses:        Donations/Flowers................................. $  56.08
                        Food    ..................................................... 352.98
                        Grievances............................................ 1,826.00
                        Legal   .................................................. 1,650.00
                        Negotiations…………………………...1,941.63
                        Office:
                                    Archivist...................................... 459.98
                                    Printing……………………………..6.95
                                    Supplies…………………………...19.18
                        Taxes…………………………………..1,137.94
Total expenses  .............................................................................................. $ 7,450.74
Checking Account Balance January 31........................................................ $37,363.83

Money Market Balance 1/31/08.................................................................. $111,693.41
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Revenue & Expenses Year to Date

Revenue:         Dues..................................................................................... $ 68,936.22       Interest                                    2,129.39

Expenses:        Donations/Flowers/Fruit Baskets...... $     642.08
                        Food...................................................... 2,420.51
                        Grievances............................................ 2,896.56
                        Insurance.................................................. 368.00
                        Legal..................................................... 4,207.50
                        Negotiations.......................................... 7,381.55
                        Office: Archivist................................... 2,141.60
                                    Election.......................................... 70.59
                                    Postage……………………………45.10
                                    Printing........................................ 365.69
                                    Supplies…………………………..59.73
                                    Website.......................................... 69.65
                        Officers’ pay....................................... 33,018.00
                        Public relations………………………..3,500.00
                        RCC    ..................................................... 181.50
                        Taxes   ................................................ 15,170.58
Total expenses             ................................................................................ $  72,538.64

Submitted February 8, 2008, by Dick Godfrey, Treasurer