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October 3, 2008

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

Present:  W. Acevedo-Ferrer, R. Barnhart, J. Hesse, J. Berlin, L. Burris, M. Campo, A. Cook, K. Danko, M. DeVivo, J. Doane, B. Garlough, J. Greer, H. Hoare, D. Huisman, S. Knoppers, A. Lussky, B. Manker, R. Montes-Sutton, P. Mumaw (for R. Ralya), J. Neumann, M. Parsons, J. Russell, A. Saldivar, D. Wabeke, F. vanHartesveldt, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer.

Absent:  N. Alexander, F. Conner, D. Cope, L. Crossman, K. Dobreff, D. Folkert, P. Laureto, J. Spoelman, D. Terhune.

Approval of agenda:  Approved as written.

Approval of Faculty Council minutes from September 19, 2008:  D. Huisman was present.
 
Faculty presentations from the floor:

• J. Spoelman’s wife is recovering from surgery, limiting his availability to meet.
• N. Alexander is responding well to therapy after a stroke.  Her family is sending updates.  J. Chesla is temporarily taking over her duties as department head.  Her association duties are being covered as they arise.

Secretary’s report:

• A thank you was received from G. Rotier for the fruit basket sent after a hospital stay.

Grievance report:

• Grievance 173 regarding an IIPD denial:  The grievance has been denied and we are currently waiting for the basis for the denial.  Some applicants received the grant, but the grievant was denied.  The faculty member is seeking a distribution of the amount that would have been awarded if the grant was split among all applicants. 
• Grievance 175 regarding time sheets:  The Administration has proposed a resolution, but the grievants rejected the offer and may appeal to the next level in the grievance process.
• Grievance 177 regarding a retired faculty member not being allowed to choose more hours during overload selection:  The grievant wants relief which would grant additional contact hours in the summer.  Administration wants to negotiate contract language through this grievance, rather than later through the negotiation teams, that would provide a broader resolution. 

President’s report:

• Faculty members should encourage their students to register their complaints with faculty before going to the administration.  If a complaint goes to administration it may be addressed as a personnel issue and possibly result in discipline.  This is especially important for adjunct faculty because they have no guarantee of future employment.
• Faculty members are again reminded to check payroll advices.  There is a pay calculation worksheet at the Association website.
• L. Burris is working this semester on the Association’s grievance history.  D. Huisman has agreed to start on a history project for the Association next semester.
• The Scholarship committee was encouraged to meet.
• The Finance committee will start an outside audit that is due every five years.  R. Barnhart and J. Spoelman are assisting the outside auditor on the process.
• The college’s presidential search committee continues the process for hiring a new GRCC president.  More faculty members are on the committee during this round. 

Discussion items:

• RCC and loss of Capitol Services: 
• F. van Hartesveldt will email the new RCC reports to the Faculty Council.  RCC lobbies for retirement issues as they pertain to school employees.  Capitol Services used to provide a nice monthly report summarizing and highlighting events of interest to us, but RCC no longer retains Capitol Services.  The new information from RCC is hard to comprehend because there is a lot of it and because issues particular to retirement and education aren’t highlighted and summarized.
• Because of the loss of Capitol Services, it is suggested that we do not stay as a member of RCC.  The fee is about $1,000 per year, but it is difficult to see the benefits now.
• Options were discussed including the possibility of talking with other institutions to see what they are doing or hiring a lobbyist on our own.  F. van Hartesveldt will get more information.
• Faculty Outreach:
• A faculty member suggested that the Faculty Association do more to connect with outlying K-12 districts.  This agenda suggestion last year in the context of the millage, but we haven’t had time to address it.
• Discussion included whether outreach is the Association’s responsibility, the Administration’s, or the AGC’s.  It was also suggested that it is a departmental issue, and some departments have outreach programs or have held events in the past.

New Business:  Submit items for the next Faculty Council meeting to F. van Hartesveldt.

Next Meeting:  Friday, October 31, at 6:30 a.m., ATC
             
Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn J. Hesse, seconded by W. Acevedo-Ferrer.  Adjourned 7:26 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.