Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

Summary Minutes for May 4, 2006

(approved  September 21, 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 12:26 p.m.

 

II.                President’s Report

 

  • Michael Harkins welcomed the incoming Senators and officers who assumed their positions with today’s meeting:  Linda Campbell (Treasurer), Diana Cincinello (AELS Senator), Tom Dowd (Vice President), Sam Giordano (HCPS Senator), Seema Kurup (LIB ARTS Senator), Wendy Mertes (Senator at large), Sean Noonan (BUS/SS Senator), and Dave Richmond (Grievance Officer).  He thanked outgoing Senators and officers for their service:  Dave Braunschweig (BUS/SS Senator), Geoff Durian (TMS Senator), Paul Guymon (Vice President), Kathy Hock (HCPS Senator), Sue Overland (Grievance Officer), Kris Piepenburg (LIB ARTS Senator), and Chris Poziemski (AELS Senator).
  • He encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming Senate Spring Luncheon on Friday, May 12th, where faculty will be honored for tenure, promotion, sabbaticals and retirements.
  • Michael announced that he is appointing Xilao Li, Peggy Kazkaz, Patti Ferguson, Sean Noonan and Jacque Mott to the Faculty Unity Committee.
  • He is appointing Carole Bomba, Kim Fournier, Sue Bajt, Ross Olmos and Jacque Mott to the “white paper” committee.
  • He is appointing Sam Giordano and Ross Olmos as Communications Officers.
  • Michael announced that SB 49 was approved on May 3rd by a vote of 58-0.  This bill corrects some unintended consequences of changes to the pension system that were passed in 2005 in SB27.
  • He noted that Marge Skold has asked for faculty to serve on a committee to look at textbook costs.  Michael will have Jim put out a call asking for two faculty to serve on this committee with student and Bookstore representatives.

 

III.             Officers’ Reports

  • Paul Guymon introduced Tom Dowd, the new Senate Vice President.
  • Linda Campbell reported that she is meeting with Dan Loprieno to ensure a smooth transition as she steps into the role of Treasurer.
  • Jim reported on progress in Senate appointments and reappointments to shared governance committees.
  • Dave Richmond reported that he is working with Sue Overland on his transition into the role of Grievance Officer.  Sue will stay as a member of the Grievance Committee; Dave is working to identify others to serve as well.  There are no currently pending grievances.
  •  

IV.              Consent Agenda

  • The minutes from the meetings of April 6th and April 20th were submitted for consideration.  Dave Richmond moved their acceptance; Patti Ferguson seconded.  The minutes were approved.
  • Patti Ferguson reported from the Forms Committee.  There is a new Faculty Handbook on the Web with a few changes in the area of “fair use.”  There was some concern expressed over changes being implemented without input from faculty.
  • Jim reported that the Chairs & Coordinators met with the IPC for an update on SWOTs.  They also reviewed the textbook issue.

 

V.                 Informational

There was a reminder that the Local 1600 annual banquet will take place on May 5th in Chicago.

 

VI.              Old Business

·  There was a discussion on ther release of dean evaluations within the divisions.  The process of releasing them to the deans will be completed soon.  Michael indicated that he would like a consensus on releasing them to the departments.

·  Dave Richmond reported on negotiations.  A number of documents from Perry on the negotiations will be placed on the Senate website.  The Senate team has sent a letter to the administration requesting that negotiations resume on June 13th.

·  Kim Fournier reported on the climate study.  There will be a meeting next week to brainstorm on its use.  The Climate Study Committee worked hard to encourage faculty to attend the Senate’s spring luncheon next week.

 

VII.           New Business

·  Michael introduced the Academic and Student Affairs Committee to the Senate.  Cathy Albergo from that committee reported that the committee has spoken at length with members of the Board of Trustees.  The Trustees are enthusiastic about working with the committee.  The possibility of holding a reception for the Trustees before our spring luncheon was discussed, as was the question of invitations to the luncheon for the Board and the President.  The overall sentiment was to invite only the Board and not Breuder.

·  Faculty are encouraged to spend their professional development funds.

·  Kris Piepenburg announced that he will be the HLC editor.  The first draft should come out at the end of July, and the committee will want feedback by mid-September.

 

VIII.        Adjournment

Patti Ferguson moved to adjourn; Sue Bajt seconded.  The motion was approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom