Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

 

Summary Minutes for October 6, 2005

(approved  November 17, 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

  • The Senate approved a letter written to Joe Accardi and Diana Sharp concerning the misrepresentation that the Academic Standards Committee endorsed the offering of degrees via distance learning. 
  • The Senate approved a survey of faculty concerning the reorganization process.
  • The Senate approved a letter addressed to Marge Skold and Joan Kindle regarding the administration’s efforts to schedule classes without consulting chairs and coordinators.
  • The Senate endorsed the following statement on hiring practices:  “Long-established hiring practice at Harper College allows faculty or administrative search/hiring committees to recommend one or more finalists to administrative supervisors or to recommend none at all.  It is the Faculty Senate’s position that, for faculty members serving on such a committee, any administrative directive to recommend any predetermined number of finalists should be regarded as a request, not a requirement.”
  • The Senate voted to move ahead with the process of dean evaluations begun last year.
  • The Senate voted unanimously to thank and support Michael Harkins for his comments at the most recent Board meeting.

 

I.                   Call to Order at 12:26 P.M.

 

II.                            President’s Report

Michael reported that he has requested an audit of the insurance fund to determine what monies remain to be distributed from the insurance grievance of a few years ago.

 

Michael also spoke to the followup of the Dean evaluations.  He suggested that two Senators meet with each Dean to discuss his/her evaluation.

 

Michael welcomed Phil Burdick, Angela Bowling and Cheryl Kisunzu to the meeting to discuss Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s new BlueAdvantage HMO, which is intended to provide more medical provider options and could potentially save money for the college.  Michael noted that we would like to see more information on the program before we are agreeable to go ahead.  Phil, Angela and Cheryl presented a draft letter from the Insurance Committee intended to be sent out to Harper employees.  Senators made a number of suggestions for changes.  Michael asked that the Senate have some time to look the letter over, and he suggested that comments be sent to Phil.  Phil, Angela and Cheryl left at this point.

 

Michael asked Kris Piepenburg to go over a draft letter written to Joe Accardi and Diana Sharp concerning the misrepresentation that the Academic Standards Committee endorsed the offering of degrees via distance learning.  Dave Braunschweig moved that the letter be accepted and endorsed as written; Sue Bajt seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

Carole Bomba noted growing international concern over potential epidemics of avian flu, and she suggested that Harper College devote some attention to its local implications.

 

III. Officers’ Reports

 

Paul reported that the next College Assembly meeting will take place today in Room A315.  He explained that is currently a controversy over the administration’s commitment to provide a recording secretary for that body, which is enshrined in its committee data sheet.  The Assembly has been working without a recording secretary for 1˝ years.  The Senate Exec has composed a letter to Breuder stressing the importance of the administration living up to that commitment.

 

Paul also noted that the Senate’s task force on the implications of academic reorganization has begun meeting.  Thus far the only effect that they have discerned is that the movement of AELS faculty to Liberal Arts could reduce AELS’s representation in the Senate from one Senator to two.  It does not, however, add an additional Senator for Liberal Arts.  The task force will also be looking at the implications for representation within shared governance.

 

In the interests of time, Jim Edstrom moved that the Senate move immediately to “Old Business.”  Sue Bajt seconded, and the motion was approved.

 

VI. Old Business

 

The Reorganization Survey was discussed.  Dave Braunschweig reported that Marge Skold finally responded to Frequently Asked Questions that the Academic Reorganization Advisory Team submitted to her in the spring.  He handed out copies of those responses.  In light of those answers, it was felt that the Senate should go ahead with its survey of faculty to determine how they feel about the reorganization survey; Carole Bomba so moved, and Pat Beach seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

Rich Johnson presented a draft letter addressed to Marge Skold and Joan Kindle regarding the administration’s efforts to schedule classes without consulting chairs and coordinators.  After some discussion, Rich Johnson moved that the Senate endorse and send the letter; Andrew Wilson seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

Andrew handed out a draft statement on administrative and faculty hiring.  The final, new paragraph of this statement reads:  “Long-established hiring practice at Harper College allows faculty or administrative search/hiring committees to recommend one or more finalists to administrative supervisors or to recommend none at all.  It is the Faculty Senate’s position that, for faculty members serving on such a committee, any administrative directive to recommend any predetermined number of finalists should be regarded as a request, not a requirement.”  Jim Edstrom moved to endorse the statement; Pat Beach seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

The evaluations of Deans and Vice Presidents were discused.  Pat Beach moved that the Senate move ahead with these evaluations; Paul Guymon seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

It was reported that the Negotiations Team has begun holding meetings.

 

College forms were discussed.  It was related that a number of form documents have been changed by the administration without consultation, raising contractual implications.  After discussion, it was agreed that a committee will be formed to look into this issue.  Jim will send out a call for anyone interested in serving to volunteer.

 

VII.           New Business

Breuder’s recent contract extension was discussed.  There was concern that the Board took this action without consulting with anyone else either in the community at large or within Harper.  Jim Edstrom moved that the Senate thank and support Michael Harkins for his comments expressing these concerns at the Board meeting in question; Pat Beach seconded.  The motion was approved unanimously.  There was discussion of the need to increase engagement with the Board.  Pat Beach moved that the Senate invite Board Chair Laurie Stone to the next Senate meeting on October 20th; Kurt Neumann seconded.  The motion was approved unanimously.  A letter to this effect will be sent out over Michael Harkins’s signature.

 

VIII.          Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom