Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

Summary Minutes for September 7, 2006

(approved September 21, 2006)

Executive Board: Michael Harkins, President; Tom Dowd, Vice President; Jim Edstrom, Secretary; Linda Campbell, Treasurer; Dave Richmond, Grievance Officer; Julie Fleenor, Past President

I. Call to Order at 12:25 p.m.

II. President’s Report

• Michael noted that Local 1600 is in the process of endorsing candidates in the November elections. He explained how the endorsement process works.
• Michael reported that at the last meeting of the Harper Board of Trustees, Laurie Stone, the Board chair remarked, “The funds devoted to retiree projects are well used.” Michael commended the members of the Academic & Student Affairs Committee for their work in explaining and advocating retiree projects to the Board.
• He noted that faculty who have been promoted have not yet begun receiving their increases due to the fact that the contract has not yet been settled. There was a discussion of this situation.
• Professional development funds were discussed. Faculty can begin submitting requests for these funds even without a new contract.

III. Officers’ Reports

· Tom Dowd reported that a committee composed of himself, Dan Stanford, and Carole Bomba put together a resolution on the school colors to be voted on by the Senate.

· Linda Campbell reported that she is working on reimbursements.

· Dave Richmond reported that he will meet with Judy Thorson to discuss the fact that faculty who are being promoted have not yet begun receiving their increases.

· Jim Edstrom reported on the status of committee appointments.

VI. Old Business

· Dave Richmond reported on negotiations. There was a good turnout at the recent all-faculty meeting. We are currently waiting to hear on setting up meetings with a federal mediator. Faculty are encouraged to contact members of the Negotiations Team with any questions.

· The White Paper was discussed. Michael asked Pat Beach and Carole Bomba to reconvene the team to work on the issue.

· The issue of the school colors was discussed. Linda Campbell moved that the resolution developed by the Senate ad hoc committee under Tom Dowd be approved as follows:

“It is the strong recommendation of the William Rainey Harper College Faculty Senate that the Board of Trustees should not change the school colors. The school colors have historical ties to William Rainey Harper and the University of Chicago and should not be changed to suit the color preferences of the current administration. Before any change is proposed, input from alumni, community members, staff, and students should be considered.”

Patti Ferguson seconded the motion. After discussion, the Senate approved the resolution unanimously.

· The Senate goals were discussed. Michael asked that any suggested changes be sent to Jim Edstrom.

VII. New Business

· Jim Edstrom presented the proposed schedule of Senate meetings for 2006-2007, as follows:

Fall Semester	Spring semester:
August 31	January 25
September 7	February 8
September 21	February 22
October 5	March 8
October 19	March 22
November 2	April 5
November 16	April 19
December 7	May 3

Jim moved that the Senate adopt this schedule; Kathi Nevels seconded. The schedule was approved.

· Michael reported that he is talking to Paul Holdaway concerning the dissemination of the Dean evaluations. Jim will put out a call for an ad hoc committee to work on this issue.

· Kris Piepenburg spoke concerning the HLC findings summary.

· Tom Goetz, the new chair of the Sabbaticals Committee, noted that the committee will put out a call soon for interested faculty to apply for sabbaticals.

· Michael commended the Negotiations Team for their outstanding work.

VIII. Adjournment

Tom Goetz moved to adjourn; Carole Bomba seconded. The motion was approved. The meeting was adjourned at 1:33 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom