Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

Summary Minutes for October 18, 2007

(Approved November 15, 2007)

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 Senate approved a resolution to send a proposal recommended by the Academic Standards Committee to the Oversight Committee providing for representatives from Academic Standards, Assessment & Testing, and Curriculum to work with the HLC Steering Committee to develop an Institutional Effectiveness Committee and its structure, and that these committees be given release time for this purpose.

 

I.          Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 12:25 PM.

 

II.        President’s Report

Michael reported that the Senate has received communications from the HLC Steering Committee setting up opportunities to meet with the HLC site team.

 

III.       Officers’ Reports

·         Tom Dowd reported that the College Assembly has been meeting with Assembly committees to educate them on appropriate committee processes.

·         Dave Richmond reported that he has been busy dealing with issues having to do with faculty discipline.

·         Linda Campbell reported from the Academic Standards Committee, which discussed the issue of assessment at its last meeting on Friday.  The issue has arisen as the result of calls by the U.S. Secretary of Education for standards to be applied to colleges similar to those set forward by the No Child Left Behind law.  Colleges nationwide are consequently looking to apply standards to themselves.  Harper College is using the 5-column approach to this issue.  Linda reported that the Academic Standards Committee is recommending a proposal be sent to the Oversight Committee which would provide for representatives from Academic Standards, Assessment & Testing, and Curriculum to work with the HLC Steering Committee to develop an Institutional Effectiveness Committee and its structure.  They also recommend that these committees be given release time for this purpose.  Jim Edstrom so moved; Sam Giordano seconded.  After discussion, the motion was approved.

 

IV.       Consent Agenda

The minutes from September 20th, October 4th, and October 11th were examined.  Caryn Levington moved that they be approved; Linda Campbell seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

 

 

V.        Informational

Cathy Albergo reported that the Board Liaison Committee is working to set up another lunch with members of the Board of Trustees.  It is tentatively scheduled for November 26th with Laurie Stone, Bill Kelley, and Robert Breuder.

 

VI.       Old Business

·         The climate study was discussed.  Summaries have been prepared by the Climate Committee and were distributed to Senators.  It was agreed that we will give a copy of the summary to the administration at Monday’s lunch between the Senate Exec and the President’s Council.  There was some discussion as to how and when to send it to the Board of Trustees.

·         Dave Richmond reported that he will go before the Board at its October meeting as a member of the Insurance Committee to present its recommendation that insurance be made available for domestic partners.

·         The tentative HLC on-site visit schedule was distributed.  Of particular interest are the following meetings:

o   Lunch with Chairs & Coordinators—Monday, November 5th, 12:00-1:00 PM in Room A238

o   Meeting with the faculty—Monday, November 5th, 4:00-5:00 PM in J143

o   Lunch with Faculty Senate—Tuesday, November 6th, 12:00-1:00 PM

·         Tom Dowd gave a report from the Contract Promotions Committee.  He noted that the committee has met on its own as well as with Joan Kindle, Marge Skold and Mia Igyarto several times.  Any proposal that they devise will come back to the Senate for approval.

 

VI.       New Business

There was a reminder that there will be an all-faculty meeting on October 29th.  This meeting will be critical as part of the preparation for the HLC visit.

 

VII.     Adjournment

Kathi Nevels moved for adjournment; Kris Piepenburg seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jim Edstrom