Harper College Faculty Senate

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

Summary Minutes for April 17, 2008

(Approved May 15, 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

· No actions taken.

I.          Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Tom Dowd at 12:25 PM. 

II.        President’s Report

Tom asked Wendy Mertes and Jacque Mott to present a report formulated by a subcommittee of chairs and coordinators on the issue of increasing enrollment in career programs.  The goal of this subcommittee (on which Paul Guymon also served with Wendy and Jacque) was to develop strategies to clarify marketing and recruitment strategies for increasing career program enrollment.  They identified three particular problems to be addressed:

1.         Harper has institutional-level marketing while accountability for enrollment is at the program level.

2.         Many career programs are losing enrollment from adult students and students of color.

3.         The lack of a printed course schedule deters adult students who lack access to computers.

The subcommittee proposed a two-pronged strategy to address these issues:

1.         Individual systematic approach with a marketing specialist assigned to each career program.

2.         Group approach in which all career coordinators focus upon a single promotional methodology with a marketing specialist.

III.       Officers’ Reports

Dave Richmond reported that work on the new Senate office will soon be in process.  He moved that the Senate go to closed session to discuss other issues; Jim Edstrom seconded.  The motion was approved.  Upon completion of the discussion, Jim moved to end the closed session; Linda Campbell seconded.  The motion was approved.

IV.       Consent Agenda

The minutes from the meeting of April 3^rd were examined.  After some minor revisions, Sam Giordano moved that they be approved; Sue Bajt seconded.  The minutes were approved.

V.        Informational

· It was noted that the Communications Committee will hold open forums on April 29^th at 12:30 PM and May 1^st at 3:00 PM in Room Z123 to gather feedback from faculty.

· The volleyball game between faculty and administrators will take place on April 25^th at 12:00 noon.

· The Spring Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, May 16^th.

VI.       Old Business

The upcoming Senate Retreat was discussed.  It was agreed to only invite the Senators to this session.  We will schedule similar sessions in the fall for chairs & coordinators and for committee chairs.  So far June 13^th looks like the best date for everyone.

VII.     New Business

· International travel was discussed.  Breuder has indicated that staff who travel internationally will have to put up some of their own money; Harper will not pay for everything.  The Exec will discuss the issue with the President’s Council at their monthly lunch on Monday.

· Jacque Mott noted that changes are being made to international programs.  She will send further information to Tom Dowd and Dave Richmond.

· The issue of college catalog retirement was discussed.  Kathi Nevels presented possible changes to the policy.  The Senate will continue to consider this issue.

· The Senate’s position on faculty search committees and the number of finalists they recommend for hire was discussed.  It was reemphasized that these faculty search committees should send through only one name per position.

· The draft revision of the Tenure Committee’s data sheet was reviewed and discussed.  It will considered at the next Senate meeting.

· Dave Braunschweig presented further information on the Luminis system that will soon be implemented.

VIII.    Adjournment

Linda Campbell moved to adjourn; Sue Bajt seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Edstrom