Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

Summary Minutes for March 6, 2008

(Approved March 20, 2008)

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 voted to accept the administration’s offer to create a new office space for the Senate.

· The Senate voted to form a committee to examine a proposal from the President’s Council to include up to 30 questions from our climate study in future campuswide surveys.  This would save the Senate substantial expenses, and we would have access to the raw data.

I.          Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Tom Dowd at 12:28 PM. 

II.        President’s Report

Tom reported that Michael is currently covering a class during today’s Senate meeting.  Michael had brought our chapter’s ballots downtown to 1600 for tallying.

III.       Officers’ Reports

· Jim reported on the results of the Senate elections.  They were as follows:

Senate officers

President:                    Tom Dowd

Vice President:             Sean Noonan

Grievance Officer:       Dave Richmond

Treasurer:                    Linda Campbell

Secretary:                    Anne Abasolo

Senators

BUS/SS:                       Pat Hamlen

CTP:                            Sam Giordano

LIB ARTS:                    Patti Ferguson

MS:                              Andy Kidwell

At large:                       Michelé Robinson, Sunil Koswatta, and Jim Edstrom

Institutional Promotions Committee:

LIB ARTS:                    Joan Fiske

RFL:                             Bill Pankey

Tenure Committee:

At large:           Carole Bomba and Kathy Hanahan

Jim noted that the CTP division will need to hold a separate election for a representative to the Institutional Promotions Committee.

· Dave Richmond reported that the custodians have approached the Senate with concerns over changes to their work schedules.  The administration is looking to implement English-language proficiency and physical stamina tests that will be used to determine to which shifts custodians will be assigned—daytime or night-time.  The Senate Exec will look into this.

· Linda reported that Payroll is continuing to investigate the possibility of payroll deductions for Senate amenities.

IV.       Consent Agenda

· The minutes from the meetings of January 24, February 7, and February 21 were examined.  Sue Bajt moved that they be accepted; Carol Bomba seconded.  The minutes were approved.

· Linda Campbell reported that we are still waiting for a reimbursement check from Local 1600.

· Linda Campbell reported on the issue of catalog retirement.  The Academic Standards Committee will be discussing the issue tomorrow.  They will also discuss the fact that there is no standard process in place for eliminating programs.

V.        Old Business

· The issue of the administration’s offer to create a new office space for the Senate was discussed.  Jim Edstrom moved to accept the offer; Caryn Levington seconded.  The motion was approved.

· The climate study was discussed.  The Senate Exec reported that the President’s Council has proposed to include up to 30 questions from our climate study in future campuswide surveys.  This would save the Senate substantial expenses, and we would have access to the raw data.  Dave Braunschweig moved to form a committee to examine the proposal; Carol Bomba seconded.  The motion was approved.

· The issue of office security was discussed.  Tom reviewed a list of recent thefts and burglaries provided by the Harper College Police.

VI.       New Business

· Dave Richmond reported that some questions have arisen with respect to the discontinuation of the Horticulture program and the RIFFing of Joyce Grattoni.  He reviewed the history of this situation dating back a year.

· Tom Dowd reported that the Board of Trustees had a closed session on the subject of extending our contract.  The issue may be on the agenda for their March meeting.

· It was asked whether Perry Buckley has yet written the message of support for the Exec’s work in defending faculty in grievance issues.  Dave reported that Perry is still working on the issue.

Adjournment

Dave Richmond moved for adjournment; Carol Bomba seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom