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Faculty Association | ||||
MEETING MINUTES |
January 23, 2009
Call to order: F. van Hartesveldt called the meeting to order at 6:34 a.m., 120 ATC.
Present: W. Acevedo-Ferrer, R. Barnhart, J. Hesse, L. Burris, M. Campo, F. Conner, D. Cope, K. Danko, M. DeVivo, J. Doane, L. Faber-Foster (for P. Laureto), D. Folkert, J. Greer, H. Hoare, D. Huisman, S. Knoppers, B. Manker, R. Montes-Sutton, B. Morris, J. Neumann, M. Parsons, R. Ralya, A. Saldivar, J. Spoelman, D. Terhune, F. vanHartesveldt, D. Wabeke, G. Zeeff, F. Zomer.
Absent: N. Alexander, J. Berlin, B. Garlough, A. Lussky, J. Russell.
Approval of agenda: Approved as written with the addition of secretary’s report.
Approval of Faculty Council minutes from January 9, 2009: Approved as written.
Secretary’s report:
- A thank you from Miriam Thompson to the faculty who donated sick days.
- A thank you from Terri Burt for the fruit basket sent after her surgery.
Announcements: Condolences were extended to D. Cope who lost his brother-in-law; and to M. Lessert who lost her mother.
President’s report:
- As a reminder, this is a good time of the year to process tuition reimbursement for your child or spouse if they are attending GRCC. There is no deadline unless the faculty member is the one asking for a tuition waver.
- The Foundation will be meeting January 23, 2009, and they are expected to report they have lost money on investments. This amount is down roughly 17% from June 30, 2008.
- There are eight faculty searches currently underway and six in the works, but no progress made. Two retirements have been announced.
- Recent meetings with the Provost have discussed more transparency and openness within Deans Council. They are expected to go to a web based system soon.
- The Concerned Citizens for GRCC PAC has $726.75.
Committee of the whole – GRCC presidential search
- M. Campo made a motion to go to a committee of the whole to discuss the GRCC presidential candidates. S. Knoppers seconded.
Capitol Services report:
- Ellen Hoekstra from Capitol Services, reported the following:
- The end of the session was chaotic, but a lot was accomplished.
- SB 1450 was a big concern. This bill would have permitted any community college to take all their future hires out of the current school employee retirement system. This was perceived as a bad action that would eventually trickle down to all teachers in the K-12 system as well. The Governor and the House are not in support of this bill. The many letters from citizens were helpful in getting this bill passed. The bill never reached the Senate floor and hopefully will not be reintroduced.
- The current legislature includes 46 out of 110 freshmen members. This equates to not a lot of experience in regards to public pension. At this point, no news is good news.
- HB 6500 on the state pension systems passed. This provides greater positive flexibility in investing in private equities. The goal of the act is to provide diversification.
- A watchful eye is on a ballot proposal that would require all state employees to pay 25% of their health care.
- The state budget is a huge issue. The executive order cuts will likely not affect education.
- The upcoming fiscal year is expecting a reduction in general funds.
- You are encouraged to get to know your new house members.
Grievance report:
- Grievance #179 regarding the college closing on December 19, 2008, too late in the day while classes were still being held. An extension on filing the grievance was filed. A discussion was held with K. Keating and she’d like to meet the faculty affected to find out their concerns and what they would have liked to have happened. The major issues is there is no plan for the last week of classes in December and that many other classes are still being held on various campuses. The resolution is to have the College recognizes that there is more than just one calendar and that closing down the main campus doesn’t always apply to all campuses.
- Grievance #178 regarding the purchase of a second computer and being reimbursed by C3 funds is still in the works. A response is expected from K. Keating. Requests for reimbursement for computer purchases should include rationale for why the computer is needed, although the contract language does not require it.
- The issue of the new hiring of a football coach was tabled.
New Business: Submit items for the next Faculty Council meeting to F. van Hartesveldt.
Next Meeting: Friday, February 6, 2009, at 6:30 a.m., 120 ATC.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn F. Conner, seconded by J. Hesse. Adjourned 8:10 a.m.