I. General
A. Call to Order
Janice Reilly called the meeting to order at 2:40 p.m.
Members Present: Carmela Arnoldt, Karen Chalmers, Joanna Chamberlain, Hazel Davis, Bill Farrar, Amy Goff, Mark Gooding, Alan Haffa, Karen Hardin, Rosemary Kesler, Hank Mancini, Jane Marks, Brian Murphy, Ricardo Provencio, Jim Reed, Janice Reilly, Karen Schmidt, Dennis Shaw, Gail Shay, Linda Smith, Vernon Smith and Barry Vaughan.
Carrie Taylor took the minutes.
B. Approval of Agenda
“Benefits” was added as Item C. under Old Business. Item F, Other, under Information was deleted. Armark Food Service was added as Item F. under Information. 301 Money was added as Item G. under Information. The agenda was approved as amended.
C. Approval of June 26, 2001, Minutes
The June 26, 2001, minutes were approved as written.
D. Approval of July 24, 2001, Informal Meeting Notes
Janice Reilly stated that formal approval on the July 24, 2001, informal
meeting notes
was not needed.
E. Treasurer’s Reports – July 2001 and Year-To-Date
Council reviewed the July 2001 and Year-To-Date Treasurer’s reports. Council discussed dues and membership rebate amounts as well as the legal budget amount. A motion was made and seconded to raise the legal budget amount to $22,000 to cover the cost of the new legal benefit for Faculty Association members. A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously.
F. Committee Reports
1. Meet and Confer
Council was informed that the Meet and Confer Team would meet on Friday, August 17, 2001.
2. Professional Growth
Linda Larson told Council that the new Professional Growth website was ready to be published on the web. Linda said that many changes were taking place and that all of the changes proposed in the Meet and Confer process last year were approved except for the Ph.D+24 proposal. Linda requested that any ideas for the Ph.D.+24 issue for Meet and Confer be sent to her. Linda stated that she is working this year as a faculty in residence in MCLI so that she can implement the many changes in Professional Growth. She said that the Professional Growth steering committee had worked on the Professional Growth Guidelines and have reduced the number of pages to two (2). She said that more information would be on the website. Linda stated that a second round of interviews were being held for the full-time secretary position. Linda stated that an evaluation could be put in place if the FPG representative position in a continuous position. Linda was asked about on-line conferences and workshops. Linda responded that any questions, comments and ideas should be sent via MEMO to her so that as many issues as possible can be addressed this year.
II. Old Business
A. Workforce Violence Committee
Janice Reilly stated that a new faculty representative was needed for the Workforce Violence Committee. She informed Council that Workforce Violence was the topic of that evening’s Governing Board strategic conversation. The Faculty Senate Presidents were asked to inquire if any of their faculty were interested in serving on the committee and to send names of interested faculty to Janice.
B. Intellectual Property Rights
Vernon Smith reported that the Intellectual Property Rights Committee met on August 13, 2001. Vernon reviewed with Council the discussion at the meeting regarding textbooks. Council discussed the history of textbook policies and practices. It was stated that the proposed language that Council was concerned with was backed by state statutes regarding work for hire. A concern was voiced that if all work created was work for hire then the faculty who created intellectual property would own nothing. It was stated that faculty were concerned about there being discretionary power at the campuses and that the policy would not be applied evenly across the District. It was stated that Ocotillo would also be addressing intellectual property issues this year. Vernon stated that Janice Reilly and the Faculty Senate Presidents would be invited to a meeting on October 9, 2001, with the Intellectual Property Rights Committee to discuss issues and concerns about intellectual property rights. A suggestion was made that Mike Napier also attend the meeting. A motion was made and seconded to ask Mike Napier to attend the October 9th meeting. A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously. Council was told that the proposed administrative regulation was on hold now. Vernon Smith stated that a packet of information would be sent to Janice and the Faculty Senate Presidents to review before the meeting. A suggestion was made to find out what the intellectual property policies are at the three state universities as well as at Pima Community College. Council returned to the concerns about textbooks. A question was raised if the intellectual property/textbook would belong to the individual college or to the District. Janice Reilly was asked if this issue could be discussed with the faculty on the campuses. Janice responded that this issue should be discussed with everyone. Janice Reilly asked that the packets for the October 9th meeting be sent out as soon as possible. Vernon Smith stated that he and Rosemary Kesler would work on sending out the packets of information.
C. Benefits
Carmela Arnoldt informed Council that Oscar Hardin had spoken at the
GCC faculty meeting regarding the health benefits situation. He stated
that the District was tapping into the contingency fund to cover the sixteen
percent increase in the health benefits premiums this year and that the
fund will be depleted this year. Council was urged to discuss and
focus on this issue. Council was informed that there have been discussions
regarding removing benefits for family members of employees and only covering
employees’ health insurance in order to cut costs. Janice Reilly
stated that she would ask Regi Munro and Dorothy Sisneros to come and speak
to Council regarding EBAC’s discussions on health issues.
III. New Business
A. Payroll Error
Council reviewed the previous meeting’s discussion about erroneous deductions being taken from faculty’s paychecks. Also discussed was the shortage on sick leave given to faculty. Janice Reilly informed Council that all faculty were shorted on sick leave. Those who worked only last year were shorted one and a half hours. Those who have worked in the District the past two years were shorted three hours of sick leave. Janice said that the sick hours should be corrected on the August 24, 2001, paychecks. Janice stated that all faculty need to check their pay slips. The point was made that Council needed to keep an eye on Peoplesoft. A suggestion was made to send out a MEMO to all faculty informing them about the sick leave shortage via the summer report or Peerpoint! Council also discussed the Notices of Assignment/Contracts for faculty and the twelve-month pay issues.
Council was informed about a faculty member who was overpaid and who wanted to know what legal rights she had. Council was told that the District wanted the faculty member to sign a promissory note saying that the overpayment was in fact a loan when if fact the District erroneously overpaid the faculty member. Council advised that the faculty member not sign the promissory note. Council discussed some situations where other faculty members were overpaid.
B. Professional Growth Issues
Janice Reilly reminded Council about the new steering committee for Faculty Professional Growth this year. Janice stated that it would be a one-year committee to help implement the new changes in the Professional Growth process. Linda Larson will chair the committee. Janice Reilly stated that she would be on the committee as well. Janice said that the committee needed one more representative from Council. Council discussed compensation for the FPG committee members. Janice explained the sidebar agreement that stated that committee members would be paid from unused funds rolled over from last year’s Professional Growth monies. Janice informed Council that she has asked for a three-year history of Professional Growth expenditures and that there was some trouble getting the travel amounts. She stated that there was a question about the request for an additional $100,000 that the Meet and Confer Team made last year. Janice said that currently she did not know how much additional funding Professional Growth would get this year.
Discussion turned to focus on the travel funding for Professional Growth and how costs have skyrocketed for travel. Council discussed a suggestion of moving to a District-wide policy for travel in order to account for all travel expenditures. Council discussed how the procedures for distributing travel funds varied among the different colleges. Janice Reilly reminded Council that she needed one more Council member to sit on the steering committee for Professional Growth. Dennis Shaw said he would consider serving and will get back to Janice with his answer. Dennis suggested that travel funds be lumped together and given to faculty to spend however they needed it for either travel and/or registration fees, etc.
C. State AAUP
Janice Reilly reminded Council that the AZ AAUP Conference bylaws had been sent to them via MEMO. Council discussed the AZ AAUP election process in the bylaws and the amount of dues paid to AZ AAUP. A motion was made and seconded to withdraw from the AZ AAUP. Council was informed that the next election for President and Treasurer of the AZ AAUP could be as early as January 1, 2002. A point was made that if elections were held and Maricopa faculty were elected, then Council could move its agenda forward via the AZ AAUP group. Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of membership in the AZ AAUP State Conference. The motion to terminate membership in the AZ AAUP was withdrawn. Janice Reilly stated that she would check with the two faculty who had stated that they would run for President and Treasurer to see if they are still interested. Janice asked the Faculty Senate Presidents to talk to their faculty about this issue. Janice Reilly stated that she would bring back this issue for action at the next Council meeting.
D. FAC Representation
Janice Reilly stated that two representatives were needed for the Financial Advisory Council (FAC). Karen Hardin informed Council of the time commitment and work of FAC. Karen stated that it would be advantageous to have four faculty representatives on FAC to work on the subcommittees and to have a better voice on the committee. The point was made that having all four of the FAC representatives come to give the faculty viewpoint on the budget process was needed for Council. Janice Reilly stated that she would like the FAC representatives and the Meet and Confer Team to meet and establish good communication lines so that the FAC representatives know what the Meet and Confer Team is pursuing in terms of salaries and benefits. Council again discussed the time commitment and Janice asked the Faculty Senate Presidents to find interested faculty to serve on FAC.
IV. Information
A. Common Pages Update
Joanna Chamberlain reminded Council that a question regarding the “W” grade had been raised at the last Council meeting. Joanna stated that there had been no changes in the grading descriptions and that she will ask that the typo in the catalogs be corrected.
Joanna Chamberlain stated that a second item for the Common Pages dealt with academic renewal. She asked if there had been any questions on the campuses about this issue. Council reviewed the proposal that read that after a five-year separation from a college, a returning student could petition for academic renewal and could have any “D”, “F”, and “Y” grades omitted from his/her cumulative GPA. Council discussed the drafted proposal. Concerns were expressed of this policy being used to erase only the bad grades and boost the GPA. Another concern raised was how other schools especially professional schools to which students would be transferring would perceive this policy. A suggestion was made that if the previous bad grades were omitted from the GPA, then the previous good grades should not be calculated into the GPA either, and thus only credit should be given to courses passed (No GPA). Council discussed this issue further. Janice Reilly asked Joanna Chamberlain to relay Council’s discussion to the Common Pages Committee. Janice Reilly asked Council members to relay any further concerns and comments to Joanna Chamberlain via MEMO.
B. FEC Retreat
Council was informed that the Council retreat would be on August 21, 2001, in the Governing Board Room at the District Office. The topic of the retreat would be on the hiring process and the marketing and advertising for positions. The purpose of the retreat would be to formulate a plan to take to the Board and Administration regarding the hiring process and practices. Barry Vaughan stated that the perception is that hiring takes place in April when it should really be in the fall. Barry was asked about the FIPP and the hiring of minorities. Barry responded that the hiring process needs to be earlier in the year so that minorities are not already committed to positions elsewhere before Maricopa even advertises for positions. Janice Reilly stated that the purpose of the retreat was to focus on the various issues regarding hiring and then to get together with the Board and CEC to discuss implementing a more effective hiring process. She reminded Council that Dr. Gaskin had said that he wanted an earlier timeline too.
C. Right To Work Issue
Council was informed that there was a growing frustration in the feeling that faculty can only react to actions taken by the Governing Board and the administration. It was stated that the demographics of Arizona’s population had changed, and it could be possible to change the state Right to Work law. Council received copies of the Arizona Right to Work law and discussed the law. Alan Haffa explained to Council that a petition drive was needed to get enough signatures for a ballot referendum. Alan continued that the petition drive would be a lot of work and that Council could work with the AFL-CIO and the Arizona Federation of Teachers on this issue. Council was reminded of the upcoming bond election.
Council discussed the need for a list of possible actions/responses when it is displeased with actions taken by the Governing Board and/or the administration. Council discussed the use of media to gain attention to faculty issues.
D. Consultant/Lobbyist
Alan Haffa stated that he had called several lobbyists and will inform Council when he receives information about the cost and the work that a lobbyist could do for Council. Council discussed the 2002 Governing Board elections and campaign finance law.
E. Student Information System
Janice Reilly informed Council that a new student services system called SIS from Peoplesoft. Janice stated that she would send more information to Council regarding the new system. Many concerns were expressed about implementing a new system from Peoplesoft since there were so many problems with the Peoplesoft system itself as well as past experiences with other attempts at new student information systems.
F. Armark Food Service
A concern was voiced regarding the Armark Food Service at one of the campuses. Council was asked if there were concerns at other campuses also. Council discussed the concerns at several campuses regarding the food quality, the lack of variety of food choices, the cleanliness of the cafeterias, the negative influence on the working environment and the remodeling of the cafeterias. A suggestion was made to ask the District’s Armark representative to come to Council and address Council’s concerns. Another concern was raised that the District just signed a ten-year contract with Armark. Janice Reilly asked Alan Haffa to gather more information on this issue and report his findings to Council.
G. 301 Money
Dennis Shaw asked where the 301 money was being used. Rosemary Kesler responded that the money has been used for 31 new faculty lines. Rosemary stated that the campuses could have submitted proposals for the money also. Those proposals were reviewed by a committee that was established to determine where the 301 money went. The point was made the Council should asked for an accounting of the 301 money given to the District. Council discussed the Proposition 301 law.
V. Significant Happenings/Presidents’ Reports
CGCC
At CGCC, the number of students is growing. There are eleven
new faculty this year.
EMCC
EMCC has eight new faculty.
GWCC
GWCC is starting over with the presidential search. Dr. Gaskin
and Dr. Randolph met with the committee regarding the first search.
The members of the search committee will remain the same with the Dean
of Instruction joining the committee.
GCC
Dr. Gaskin gave GCC $5000 for the College-Wide Academic Achievement
Committee.
MCC
All is well at MCC.
PC
The presidential search committee at PC is currently evaluating applications.
Some people at PC are unhappy with the food service changes at PC.
PVCC
PVCC has nine new faculty some of whom are replacing other faculty.
There are eighty-eight faculty now. PVCC has held learning weeks
by offering conferences and workshops to help all faculty focus on PVCC
as a learning-centered college. The PVCC President and Dean of Instruction
as well as the faculty are also focusing on the learning-centered college
as a new and different approach to instruction. One suggestion was
to change the title of the Dean of Instruction to the Dean of Learning.
RIO
Rio continues to grow. Rio has new faculty and one FIPP intern.
Rio is having instructional dialogs about the college, its history, instructional
approaches with guest speakers from different areas of the college.
SCC
New changes are taking place in the SCC fitness center in conjunction
with Scottsdale Health Care. The new Dean is learning the ropes at
SCC.
SMCC
The new SMCC President officially started on July 1st, though he was
on campus inJune on his own time. The faculty are excited to have
the new SMCC President. SMCC has five new faculty.
Rosemary Kesler reported that she and Janice Reilly attended the Governing Board retreat. Council discussed the issues presented at the retreat.
VI. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:25pm.
* * Next meeting, August 28, 2001, will be a Business Meeting * *