Harper College Faculty Senate

 

Professional … pragmatic … principled … progressive

 

Executive Board:  Tom Dowd, President; Sean Noonan, Vice President; Anne Abasolo, Secretary; Linda Campbell, Treasurer; Dave Richmond, Grievance Officer; Michael Harkins, Past President

Minutes

Meeting of April 9, 2009

 

Present: Andy Kidwell, Dave Braunschweig, Jim Edstrom, Carole Bomba, Lynn Altfeld, Chad Taylor, Kim Fournier, Patti Ferguson, Sam Giordano, Kathi Nevels, Wendy Mertes, Sunil Koswatta, Tom Dowd, Sean Noonan, Linda Campbell, Dave Richmond, Anne Abasolo

Absent: Caryn Levington, Pat Hamlen, Sue Bajt, John Garcia, Sue Overland, Kris Piepenburg, Michael Harkins

Guests: Colleen Tomanek

 

I.                   Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President Tom Dowd at 12:23 PM. 

 

II.                Officers’ Reports

President’s Report

Several members of the Senate Leadership attended the IFT/AFT Leadership Conference on March 28th.  Tom Dowd shared that Governor Quinn will be coming to campus on Monday, April 13th.   Dave Richmond, Tom Dowd, Margie Sedano (President of the Pro-Tech Union) and Perry Buckley (President of Local 1600) are invited to a dinner Governor Quinn will be attending.  They are hoping to discuss the issue of pensions.

Vice President Sean Noonan reminded the Senate that the deadline for the newsletter is approaching.

 

III.             Consent Agenda

The minutes of March 12, 2009 were reviewed.  Carole Bomba motioned to accept them; Andy Kidwell seconded.  The minutes were approved with minor changes.

 

IV.             Old Business

§  Achieving the Dream update

The Board of Trustees approved the Achieving the Dream initiative at the March 19th Board Meeting.  A second memo was sent to Dr. Pickleman stating details he is in agreement with.  Dr. Pickleman then forwarded the memo to Dr. Ender.

A few faculty will be selected to be part of the core Achieving the Dream team at Harper and will be going to Austin, Texas in June for a workshop.

 

 

 

§  Dual Credit

First attempt at discussion was tabled until everyone pertaining to the discussion was present.  Jim Edstrom motioned, Patty Ferguson seconded; motion approved. 

Dual Credit issue was discussed as the last agenda item. Discussion ensued over Dual Credit issues.  It was stated that the Dual Credit Committee has not been dissolved.  Sunil Koswatta suggested that the committee continue.     

 

V.                New Business

§  Election Results

Secretary Anne Abasolo reported the election results for 2009-2010 as follows:

Divisional Senators:

AE/LS Lynn Altfeld; BUS/SS Bobby Summers replacing Sue Bajt; HC Barbara Anderson replacing Carole Bomba; LIB ARTS John Garcia; RFL Kim Fournier; STU DEV Kathi Nevels; MS Chad Taylor; WHP Sue Overland

Senator at Large:

Dave Braunschweig BUS/SS; Leslye Hess HC and Greg Clemons LIB ARTS replacing Caryn Levington and Kris Piepenberg

Tenure Committee:

Andy Kidwell MS; LaVonya Williams STU DEV; Veronica Mormino BUS/SS

Institutional Promotions Committee:

Kathy Zuo AE/LS; Kelly Hamontree HC; Renee Zellner WHP;

Due to a tie in votes there is no winner to represent the MS Division.  A revote will be held. 

 

§  Transition Team

Dave Richmond shared that a committee has been put in place to help Dr. Ender transition to the college.  Members of the team include Tom Dowd, Dave Richmond, Sheila Quirk, Maria Coons, Cheryl Kisunzu and Kathy Brod.

 

§  Springfield Update

After attending the Leadership Conference, Dave Richmond reported that Governor Quinn’s proposed budget includes increased funding to community colleges.  However, the Governor is also proposing that for those who pay into SURS currently at 8% will have an increase to 10% with no corresponding increase in benefits.  The Faculty Senate was urged to call and write their Senators and Congressmen to state their concerns.  Dave and Tom will also address these concerns at Lobby Day in Springfield.

 

§  Professional Responsibility Statement

Dr. Skold asked Tom Dowd if the Senate would be interested in supporting a Professional Responsibility Statement.  Linda Campbell shared a draft of that statement.  Linda also informed the Senate that there are currently five documents that discuss faculty behavior.  However, there is one new section not in the five other documents titled “Response”.  Discussion ensued as to where this statement will be placed and why it is needed.  Jim Edstrom motioned to table this issue till a later date and Patti Ferguson seconded; motion approved.

 

§  Green Subcommittee

Not addressed.  Moved to the April 23rd meeting.

 

Tom Dowd moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:37pm, Kathi Nevels seconded.  The motion was approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Anne Abasolo