http://www.grccfaculty.com

June 16, 2008

Call to order:  F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. in 120 ATC.

Present:  S. Abid (guest), W. Acevedo-Ferrer, N. Alexander, R. Barnhart, J. Berlin, M. Campo, F. Conner, L. Crossman, K. Danko, M. DeVivo, L. Foster (guest), D. Godfrey, J. Hayes, H. Hoare, D. Huisman, B. Keelean, S. Knoppers, P. Kunst (for Melissa Parsons), J. Neumann, R. Ralya, J. Russell, J. Spoelman, A. Saldivar, D. Terhune, F. van Hartesveldt, D. Wabeke, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer. 

Absent:  L. Burris, D. Cope, J. Doane, K. Dobreff, B. Foster, P. Laureto, B. Manker, R. Montes-Sutton, T. Walwood.

Approval of agenda:  Approved as written. 

Approval of Faculty Association minutes from May 2, 2008:  Approved as written. 

Faculty presentations from the floor: 

• M. Rango’s brother recently passed away.
• D. Palmer sent a request for notes of condolences to be sent to M. Swets after the loss of his brother Adrian.
• M. Thompson anticipates being off on long term disability and requests donated leave days.
• Flora Buckout, retired nursing faculty, recently passed away.
• Leonard Anderson, retired business faculty, recently passed away.

President’s report: 

• F. van Hartesveldt will start the process of recording the history of the Faculty Association. 
• Adjunct faculty have requested over $19,000 from the adjunct faculty for professional development funds.  The Provost is working on distributing the $12,000 fund for 2007 - 2008. 
• Flexible spending accounts for dependent care are now allowed for adjunct faculty.  Interested adjuncts should contact payroll for information.
• A third party neutral hearing for Grievance 172 was held.  In the past, adjunct faculty who worked more than half time and filed for GRCC tuition reimbursement received a prorated benefit.  Now, they are eligible for the full benefit. 
• A second hearing for Grievance 174 will be held.  A faculty member who mixed vacation with work was denied professional development reimbursement for the work portion of expenses.
• An adjunct faculty member will not be rehired after not reporting to work for four days. 
• Copies of the printed contract have been provided to full-time faculty and are available for adjunct faculty.

Discussion item:

1. GRCC Presidential Search
• Faculty Council members at the last meeting suggested a number of actions, including:
• Interviewing candidates ourselves.
• Visiting the institutions of the candidates.
• Attending BOT meetings.
• Working with the AGC.

• Discussion included the following:
• A concerted effort with leaders of the AGC would be valuable.
• Positives would result from screening candidates and visiting their colleges.
• There is a lot of discussion to increase the number of faculty on the BOT’s committee, but there is no indication the number will change.  Statements have included that the BOT’s decision rushes the process and disrespects faculty and the College.
• We cannot screen applications because we do not have access to them.
• Once we know who the candidates are, we can interview them and visit their campuses.  Information may be shared with the BOT and candidates endorsed. 
• Presidential qualities discussed included the following:
• An academic leader with a strong liberal arts background. 
• A respectful person.
• Community college leadership experience.
• College classroom teaching experience. 
• Experience with working with labor organizations.
• Other discussion included the following:
• BOT wants a new president ASAP.  One issue with that is that quality candidates may not be able to leave their positions that soon. 
• F. Conner made a motion that we authorize a four person committee to screen and evaluate the final candidates and make a formal recommendation to the BOT.  M. DeVivo seconded.  Discussion included the following:
• F. van Hartesveldt will inform the BOT about the committee. 
• Committee membership should be from Council and AGC leadership. 
• The committee will create a list of qualities we are looking for in a president.
• Depending on the timeline and location of candidates, this may include travel expenses over $500.    
• The committee will determine the process.
• Motion passes. 
• Further discussion included asking the BOT to involve us in their process and finding out when the candidates will be on campus. 
• Suggestion that we formally make some statement regarding the salary President Olivarez is receiving on his departure.  Discussion included the following:
• Many faculty members have commented that the amount is high.
• The amount was contracted long ago and a faculty statement can’t undo it.
• President Olivarez has been a good leader with great collaboration and, because of the publicity over his departure salary, his send off has been in part negative. 
• The bigger issue is what salary the next president will receive.

 

Next Meeting:  To be scheduled.    

Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn M. DeVivo, B. Keelean seconded.  Adjournment at 9:18 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.