Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

Summary Minutes for October 19, 2006

(Approved November 16, 2006)

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

 

Actions Taken

  • The Academic and Student Affairs Committee will become the Board Liaison Committee, with a charge to maintain open communications with the Board.
  • The Negotiations Team was thanked for their hard and successful work.
  • The Unity Committee was thanked for their contributions to the negotiations process.
  • Michael Harkins was thanked for his leadership during the negotiations process.

 

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

 

II.        President’s Report

·        Michael welcomed everyone to the first Senate meeting since contract negotiations were completed.  The faculty approved the contract by a vote of 164-27, and the Board of Trustees will vote on it at their next meeting.

·        Information sessions on the implications of the contract from the perspective of Human Resources will be scheduled.

·        Senate committee appointments are continuing to be worked on.

·        Michael has been meeting with various faculty concerning curriculum issues.

·        The Executive Board of Local 1600 will be meeting on Friday.  Michael will propose forming a committee on union activism.

·        Michael has been working with other local community college Senates on issues of common concern.

·        Michael would like the Senate to explore the concept of a Faculty Senate foundation.  He will ask Greg Herriges to look into the issue.

·        He is continuing to receive calls about payroll issues.

·        The adjuncts are still in mediation.  They have asked Michael to speak on their behalf, but it was agreed that this would not be appropriate.

 

III.       Officers’ Reports

·        The Senate went into closed session during the officers’ reports.

 

IV.       Consent Agenda

A.        Committee Reports

· Patti Ferguson from the Unity Committee reminded everyone of the potluck today at 4:00 PM in the Faculty Dining Room.

· Jim Edstrom, Carole Bomba, Sean Noonan and others are continuing to work on the white paper.

 

V.        Old Business

· Dave Richmond expressed some final thoughts concerning negotiations.  He noted that Perry Buckley will come to the next Board of Trustees meeting to thank the Board for their work on negotiations.  It was suggested that faculty be asked to come to that meeting as well.  There was some discussion about how we will approach negotiations next time.

· Kris Piepenburg reviewed HLC.  They are still looking for responses to the draft document, which may be submitted until November 3rd.  The resulting draft will be posted on November 6.

· Michael is still working on the payroll issue.

 

VI.       New Business

· Cathy Albergo and Dave Braunschweig reported from the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.  They suggested that the committee name be changed to the Board Liaison Committee and asked that their charge to maintain open communications with the Board be confirmed.  Jim Edstrom so moved; Kathi Nevels seconded.  The motion was approved.

· Tom Dowd moved to thank the Negotiations Team for their hard and successful work.  Jim Edstrom seconded.  The motion was approved.

· Jim Edstrom moved to thank the Unity Committee for their contributions to the negotiations process.  Kathi Nevels seconded, and the motion was approved.

· Kris Piepenburg moved to thank Michael for his leadership during the negotiations process; Jim Edstrom seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

VII.     Adjournment

Jim Edstrom moved to adjourn; Patti Ferguson seconded.  The motion was approved, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:35 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom