Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

 

Summary Minutes for February 16, 2006

(approved  March  16, 2006)

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

 

I.          Call to Order at 12:20 P.M.

 

II.        President’s Report

  • Michael congratulated Dave Richmond on the recent birth of his son Nathaniel..
  • Michael asked for a motion to amend the agenda to go directly to item 2 under “New Business.”  Dave Braunschweig so moved; Sue Bajt seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

VII.     New Business

  • Joe Accardi reported on the status of trials with online student opinionnaires.  A pilot project took place last spring with volunteers.  The members of the task force overseeing the process has been pleased with the results so far, and they plan to run another pilot presently.  To date the opinionnaires have been used only for online courses.
  • Michael introduced Mike Barzacchini from Marketing to provide information on new procedures for copying that will soon be implemented.  In this new system, staff will use both their ID cards and PINs to access photocopiers.  They are not looking to impose copy limits at this time; the working group overseeing the project, however, would like faculty input, and Mike asked for faculty representatives to serve on this group.  Joe Accardi, Mike Barzacchini, Dave McShane, Pat Jen and Colleen Murphy left the meeting at this point.  Michael Harkins indicated that we will put out a call for faculty to serve on this committee.  Some concerns were expressed over any effects of the new photocopying protocols on pedagogy, and so we will need to have significant representation.  Jim Edstrom will work with Mike Barzacchini on the details.

 

At this point the Senate returned to the President’s report.

 

II.        President’s Report (continued)

  • Michael reported that a meeting is being scheduled with Breuder to discuss ongoing issues from the recent controversial art exhibit.
  • Michael reported on some recent committee meetings he had attended.
  • He noted that Dr. Eric Kaufman will be coming to speak to the Senate concerning managed education.
  • Michael encouraged faculty to contribute to Senate scholarships.

 

III.       Officers’ Reports

  • Paul Guymon reported on College Assembly issues.  The Assembly has forwarded a proposal on diversity training for committee members.  Paul also reported on the current status of Harper faculty membership in Local 1600.

 

V.        Informational

  • Lobby Day is March 15th in Springfield.
  • The ICCB has passed a resolution opposing legislation enabling four-year degrees from community colleges.

 

VI.       Old Business

  • The College’s strategic plan was discussed.  Dianne Batzkall from the Senate committee dealing with the issue outlined some of the changes that have been proposed.  Kim Fournier has drafted a new document that directly relates to teaching and learning that will be part of the plan.  Kathi Nevels moved and Pat Beach seconded a motion that the Senate accept this report and authorize Dianne’s subcommittee to move forward with it.  After some discussion, the motion was approved.
  • Dave Richmond from the negotiations team reported that Perry Buckley has met with Breuder to discuss ground rules.  Breuder will be talking to the Board soon concerning their directions.  The goal is to start negotiations in March.

VII.     New Business (part 2)

  • Andrew Wilson reported that faculty wishing to participate in the ICISP Canterbury Christ Church University Visiting Faculty Program are now being required to request sabbaticals.  This has not previously been the case; the requirement was added by Marge Skold.  Concerns were expressed that this would restrict faculty’s ability to take sabbaticals.  The Sabbaticals Committee will consider the issue and bring recommendations to the next Senate meeting.

IV.       Consent Agenda

The minutes from the Senate meeting of February 2nd were examined.  Paul Guymon moved and Mary Gawienowski seconded a motion to approve them.  The minutes were approved.

 

VIII.    Adjournment

Dave Richmond moved to adjourn; Carole Bomba seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom