http://www.grccfaculty.com

August 11, 2008

Call to order:  F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. in 512 Main.

Present:  S. Abid (for M. DeVivo), N. Alexander, S. Andrews (for Physical Sciences), R. Barnhart, J. Berlin, F. Conner, A. Cook, D. Cope, K. Danko, K. Dobreff, L. Foster (for P. Laureto), D. Godfrey, J. Hayes, H. Hoare, S. Knoppers, R. Montes-Sutton, J. Neumann, M. Parsons, R. Ralya, J. Spoelman, A. Saldivar, D. Terhune, F. van Hartesveldt, D. Wabeke, G. Zeeff. 

Absent:  W. Acevedo-Ferrer, L. Burris, M. Campo, L. Crossman, D. Huisman, B. Manker, J. Russell, T. Walwood, F. Zomer.

Approval of agenda:  Approved as written. 

Approval of Faculty Association minutes from June 16, 2008:  Approved as written. 

Faculty presentations from the floor: 

• C. Grin is undergoing an experimental treatment for melanoma.  Notes can be sent to her address at 5294 Lower Shore Drive, Harbor Springs, MI, 49470.  Additionally, a blog has been started at carolyngrin.blogspot.com and email at olivergrin@mac.com.
• Dave Fearnow recently unexpectedly passed away a year to the date after he retired.

President’s report: 

• The presidential search is down to three candidates:  Laurence Spraggs of New York, Olin Joynton of Alpena, and Gordon May of Oakland. 
• Faculty may attend a forum with the candidates in the Science Building Auditorium on the following dates and time:
• L. Spraggs, August 12 from 10 to 11 a.m.
• O. Joynton, August 19 from 10 to 11 a.m.
• G. May, August 20 from 10 to 11 a.m.
• Although it was requested, the Board of Trustees (BOT) did not arrange for private meetings between the candidates and the Faculty Council/AGC presidential search committee.  Instead, they responded with the open forum for faculty with the candidates.
• The Faculty Council and AGC representatives who will interview the candidates at the faculty forums are N. Alexander and F. Conner from Faculty Council, and S. Abid and S. Andrews from AGC.  L. Faber-Foster and S. Abid also are serving on the BOT search committee. 
• The faculty committee has developed four topics to ask candidates about including academics, community college leadership, experience with faculty unions, and teaching. 
• Discussion took place about the types of questions, how they will be asked, and the amount of time allotted per question. 
• Questions arose about how the candidates may view the faculty if few faculty members attend the forums.  If that happens, the committee will explain the attendance to the candidates.
• Comments were made that we should send a powerful message to the candidates that the faculty members at this institution are united and involved. 
• Comments were made that the BOT’s process seems really set up and rushed.
• Further discussion took place on how questions should be asked.  Suggestions were made to ask about exact scenarios as well as general questions, not allowing the candidate to throw the questions back to the committee, prioritizing questions, and imposing time limits.
• After the forums, the committee will evaluate and make a recommendation to the BOT.  Even though it is not believed that the BOT would hire a person the faculty does not support, it is up to the BOT to do what they want with our recommendation.
• At the forums attendees will be invited to submit their thoughts about the candidates.   
• The time table for hiring the president is unknown.  The BOT will likely visit the finalists’ campuses in late September. 
• Discussion took place on allowing the faculty committee or representatives to visit the candidates’ current or past campuses in order to learn more information about them.  The purpose would be to talk with academic and faculty leaders.             
• F. Conner made a motion to allow F. van Hartesveldt to send up to three people to visit a campus of the candidate.  D. Cope seconded.  No discussion and motion passed, all in favor. 

 
Next Meeting:  To be announced.    

Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn J. Hayes, R. Barnhart seconded.  Adjournment at 8:47 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.