Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive
Summary Minutes for
(approved
|
Executive
Board: Michael Harkins, President;
Paul Guymon, Vice President; Jim Edstrom, Secretary; Dan Loprieno, Treasurer;
Sue Overland, Grievance Officer; Julie Fleenor, Past President |
Michael
called upon Dianne Batzkall to discuss the College’s strategic plan. Dianne explained that there is an opportunity
for the Faculty Senate to add goals to the plan and to support the faculty in
the planning process. She asked the
Senate to endorse a list of faculty issues to include in the plan. Dave Richmond moved that the issue be
referred to the Chairs & Coordinators; Patti Ferguson seconded. After discussion, the motion was approved.
Michael
reminded the Senate that there will be two holiday events sponsored by the
Senate. One will be a holiday gathering
to which the entire campus will be invited on Monday, December 5th
from
Michael
also reported that:
·
The processing of
the reorganization survey data has been completed.
·
The dean
evaluations are coming in steadily.
·
He attended the
Illinois Community College Constituency Conference last weekend.
·
He is looking to
appoint a committee to explore creating a Faculty Senate foundation.
·
He is appointing
a Forms Committee to keep an eye on changes made to forms.
III. Officers’ Reports
Paul
reported that the College Assembly has received a PAR from the Student Life
Committee concerning signage. He also
noted that the Assembly voted by a slim margin of 7-6 to support terminating
the position of Recording Secretary.
Jim
reported that the Oversight Committee has discussed the issue of the Recording
Secretary as well. At that meeting,
Michael and Jim told Oversight that the Senate stands behind keeping the Recording
Secretary. The ProTechs have the same
position.
Sue
reported on the summer overload issue.
IV. Consent
Agenda
The
minutes from the meetings of September 22nd, October 6th,
October 20th and November 3rd were examined. Paul Guymon moved that they be approved;
Andrew Wilson seconded. The minutes were
approved.
V. Informational
Michael
reported that he will speak again before the Board of Trustees to thank Laurie
Stone for meeting with the Senate and to encourage the rest of the Board to do
the same.
VI. Old
Business
The
Vice President evaluations are being worked on.
More faculty are being sought to assist with the process.
Dave
Richmond provided an update on negotiations.
The negotiations team is meeting at least once a week and is currently
going over surveys and identifying issues that will need research.
The
holiday gatherings were again discussed.
Michael asked all Senators to attend.
It was suggested that Michael send out a personal invitation to all
faculty to come to these events.
Dave
Braunschweig presented a draft statement to the Senate concerning the issue of
positive/negative pay. The
administration is currently exploring the possibility of having all staff fill
out an electronic timesheet for each pay period; currently, faculty and other
staff only fill out a timesheet if they have used sick time or other forms of
leave. The draft statement argues that
the Senate see “no benefit to changing the current structure and feel that this
proposed change could result in an overload of paperwork and monitoring.” Dave Richmond moved that the Senate approve
this statement; Andrew Wilson seconded.
The motion was approved unanimously and will be sent to the administration.
Kris
Piepenburg presented a draft response to the memo received from Marge Skold,
Diana Sharp and Joe Accardi concerning the “Request for Institutional Change to
Allow Offering Degree Programs Through Distance Learning Modalities.” The draft response continues to argue that
the memo from Marge Skold et al still
contains misrepresentations concerning the Academic Standards Committee’s
actions on the issue. Paul Guymon moved
that the statement be approved by the Senate and sent; Sue Bajt seconded. The motion was approved.
VII. New
Business
Linda Campbell reported
that the Deans Council is working on standardizing the procedures for hiring
faculty. They advocate having two
faculty from within the department and two from outside on a given search
committee. After discussion, it was
decided to invite Marge Skold to a Senate meeting to discuss the issue; a
special meeting will be held for the purpose, if necessary. It was noted that Tryg Thoreson should be
notified, given his work on the issue of searches and hiring.
The issue of summer pay
was discussed. Patti Ferguson reported
that the administration wants to pay faculty for courses taught immediately
after the Spring semester at the regular overload rate rather than the summer
rate. Patti has taught such classes for
years and has always received the summer rate.
Pat Beach spoke about
problems concerning the lack of basic and appropriate support services during
weekend hours. There are times when even
garbage removal is not provided, creating potential public safety and health
problems. Pat will work on a document on
this issue that the Senate can endorse and will also work with the Chairs &
Coordinators.
VIII. Adjournment
Pat
Beach moved for adjournment; Mary Gawienowski seconded. The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Edstrom