Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

 

Harper College Faculty Senate

Summary Minutes for February 17, 2005

(Approved March 3, 2005)

 

Executive Board:  Michael Harkins, President; Paul Guymon, Vice President; Jim Edstrom, Secretary; Dan Loprieno, Treasurer; Sue Overland, Grievance Officer; Julie Fleenor, Past President

 

Actions Taken

  • No actions taken.

 

I.                   Call to Order at 12:25 P.M.

 

II.                            President’s Report

Michael Harkins reported that he delivered a memo to Marge Skold communicating the Faculty Senate’s serious concerns regarding the current proposal for Academic Reorganization, including its impact on students, faculty, and effective teaching/learning.  Moreover, the note indicated that until adequate discussion takes place and numerous questions are answered, the current reorganization proposal should be tabled, and the Senate and faculty are ready to engage in discussions on the subject of reorganization.

 

Michael further reported that he has received the preliminary costs of conducting the climate study as well as draft questions that will be included on the survey.  The ad hoc subcommittee on the climate study will meet on Monday.

 

III.                         Officers’ Reports

Paul Guymon reported that because of a scheduling conflict, he is unable to attend College Assembly meetings this semester and has asked Dave Braunschweig to attend in his place.  He also noted that the chairs and coordinators met yesterday and discussed the reorganization plan in substantial detail.

 

Dave Braunschweig reported that the College Assembly is scheduling two forums this semester on surveillance.

 

Sue reported that the Senate Exec is working with the contract committees to reexamine their datasheets.

 

Dan Loprieno gave the Treasurer’s report.

 

IV.                          Consent Agenda

The minutes from the Senate meetings of November 18 and December 2, 2004, and those from January 27, February 3, and February 10 were examined.  Minor wording changes were made in the minutes from December 2 and February 3.  Paul Guymon moved that the minutes be approved as changed; Caryn Levington seconded.  The minutes were approved.

 

V.                             Informational

·        Chris Poziemski from the Learning Communities Committee reviewed that committee’s proposal to initiate a “Learning Communities Fellows” program that will provide support for the development of learning communities.  Both the Committee and the Deans Council have examined the proposal.  Chris will send a copy to Jim Edstrom for distribution to the Senators.

·        Judy Sallee from the Calendar Committee reviewed the proposed academic calendar for 2007-2008.   Senators will take the calendar back to their constituencies to ask for feedback.  The draft will be placed on the Faculty Senate website.

·        Renate von Keudel reported on the statewide Higher Education Faculty Advisory Council, on which she represents Harper College.  She noted that this 34-member body meets regularly with state legislators in order to keep them informed of the issues facing higher education in Illinois.  Renate described some of these current issues.

 

VI.                          Old Business

·        David Richmond from the ad hoc subcommittee on the climate study reported that they met on Monday with representatives from the firm that will be compiling and conducting the survey.  They discussed the issues that will be covered.  There will be an effort to evaluate the positive and the negative alike.  Every effort will be make to ensure that there will be a quick turnaround time for the processing of the survey.

·        Michael asked for comments from Senators regarding feedback on the academic reorganization plan.  Some of the comments included the following:

q                 The organizational charts are confusing and do not always match Marge’s explanations as to what they mean.

q                 There was little effort to plan reorganization by consensus.

q                 The case has not been conclusively made for an additional layer of administration being added.

q                 There is no evidence of any efforts to add more faculty who are sorely needed in a variety of areas.

q                 The budgetary impact of this reorganization plan is unclear.

q                 It is also unclear what the effect will be upon lines of authority.

·        Jim Edstrom and Paul Guymon reported on the chairs and coordinators meeting.  It was clear that this group is in accord with many of the concerns expressed regarding academic reorganization.

·        Michael noted that there will be another Senate meeting on February 24 to discuss the climate study and reorganization.  It was also requested that there be some discussion of the name that has been selected for the new ERP—“Project Phoenix.”

 

VII.           Adjournment

Caryn Levington moved that the meeting be adjourned; Kathi Hock seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom