http://www.grccfaculty.com

October 31, 2008

Call to order:  F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 6:34 a.m., 120 ATC.

Present:  J. Berlin, J. Boelens (for H. Hoare), C. Lee Brown (for R. Barnhart), L. Burris, M. Campo, F. Conner, A. Cook, D. Cope, L. Crossman, M. DeVivo, K. Danko, J. Doane, D. Folkert, B. Foster, B. Garlough, J. Greer, J. Hesse, D. Huisman, P. Laureto, B. Manker, R. Montes-Sutton, B. Morris, J. Neumann, M. Parsons, R. Ralya, J. Russell, A. Saldivar, E. Stuart (for S. Knoppers), D. Terhune, F. vanHartesveldt, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer.   

Absent:  W. Acevedo-Ferrer, N. Alexander, A. Lussky, J. Spoelman, D. Wabeke. 

Approval of agenda:  Approved as written.

Approval of Faculty Council minutes from October 3, 2008:  Approved as written. 
 
Faculty presentations from the floor:

• C. Grin, retired Social Science instructor, emailed with good news that her cancer is in remission.  She can be contacted at carolyngrin@gmail.com. 
• L. Crossman has announced his retirement at the end of the semester.  He has served for many years on Faculty Council.
• Requests for flowers or fruit baskets should go to K. Danko or F. van Hartesveldt.  An online form is available at:  http://www.grccfaculty.com/flower.htm
• N. Alexander is responding well to therapy, but is not seeing visitors yet.  She is very thankful to all the well wishes from GRCC.  A surprise phone call came at 7:08 from her to thank everyone for the gifts and letters she has received.
• N. Banks sent a thank-you card for the fruit basket sent after the birth of a child.

Negotiation’s report:

• A memo of understanding was reached regarding faculty donation of paid leave benefits.  The new language allows for donations from faculty to faculty for any leave that qualifies for FMLA, including maternity leave if the doctor does not approve a return to work.  Faculty members should donate personal days before sick days. 
• A compensation study has been completed for the Tech groups.  The first study was done by an Employers Association, but no agreement was reached between the Association and the Administration.  A second study will be completed, although the timeline is unknown. 
• A workshop is scheduled for November 12 for interest based bargaining.

Grievance report:

• Grievance 175 regarding required timesheets for a group of faculty members.  A favorable agreement has been reached.
• Grievance 173 regarding IIPD denial.  A third party neutral hearing is scheduled.
• Grievance 177 regarding selection of overload for a retired faculty member.  A third party neutral hearing is scheduled.
• Grievance 178 regarding denial of C3 funds for the purchase of a computer.  Talks continue. 

President’s report:

• An outside audit of the Faculty Association books will begin on November 17.  The cost is $3700.  J. Spoelman has suggested some internal checks that would include a third person on the Finance committee.  This person would check monthly online bank statements.
• A temporary full time faculty member has been notified of a layoff because of low enrollment.
• Faculty numbers for Fall 2008 include 752 total faculty, 264 FT (up 15), 488 adjunct, 14 administrators teaching, 231 FT with overload and 33 with no overload, highest load of 28.5 hours, 17 faculty with 28 hours, 23 with 27 hours, 9 with 26 hours, and 14 with 23 to 25 hours.  FT teach 58% of all contact hours.  Highest adjunct load is 17.95, but that is an agreed-upon exception to the contract.  Five faculty members have announced retirement this year.
• The Adjunct Advisory committee is working on recognition of adjuncts for length of service and for an annual teaching award.  Discussion is taking place on how this event and awards will be handled.  M. DeVivo made a motion to support public recognition of adjunct faculty at an institution wide meeting in the fall, winter, or spring semester.  D. Cope seconded.  Discussion took place on the logistics.  Motion passed. 
• The Foundation Board recently discussed, among other things, the effects of negative investment returns on scholarships. The number of scholarships offered has not been affected, but the amount of each scholarship has been reduced.  Investments will continue to be monitored.  Also, there is a new program in which donors and scholarship recipients meet. 
• The October BOT meeting included the following:
• A recent audit reported college financials “clean.” 
• Interim President Mulder recently received a raise.
• The application deadline for the college president has passed.
• The College contribution to the Foundation has decreased as the Foundation continues to separate from the College. 
• The AGC will be voting in November on the Faculty Code of Ethics.  Faculty Association officers support the new code because it states that the review of ethics complaints will be done only by faculty, and the review process will be developed by faculty on the AGC and the Association.  However, there are still some concerns. 

Discussion items:

• The RCC strongly opposes SB1450, which would allow community college boards to not place new hires into MPSERS.  RCC encourages us to contact our state senators and representatives.  F. Connor made a motion that we oppose this.  M. DeVivo seconded.  Motion passed. 
• RCC and loss of Capitol Services:  Since RCC no longer retains Capitol Services, it may not be beneficial to remain in RCC.  The membership is dwindling and finances are a major problem.  It is possible for us to retain Capitol Services to provide quarterly reports, without lobbying services, for $2,000 annually.  M. DeVivo made a motion that we take Capitol Services for $2,000.  Motion passes. 
• Calendar committee:  It was suggested that we set up a group to discuss calendar issues.  This item will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. 

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

Next Meeting:  Friday, November 14, at 6:30 a.m., SCC
             
Adjournment:  Motion to adjourn J. Hesse, seconded by A. Saldivar.  Adjourned 8:08 a.m.

Submitted by K. Danko, Secretary.