Business Meeting
I. General
A. Call to Order
Willie Minor called the meeting to order at 2:40 p.m.
Members Present: Jeff Andelora, Freddie Anttila, Judy Boschult, Tom Butler, Laura Cannon, Joanna Chamberlain, Hazel Davis, Gay Garesche, Karen Hardin, Rosemary Kesler, Larry Miller, Willie Minor, John Nelson, Joe Ortiz, Jim Reed, Mark Richard, Dennis Shaw, Vernon Smith, Sandra Stuebner, Larry Williams and Cori Wright.
Minutes were taken by Carrie Taylor.
B. Approval of Agenda
Jim Reed requested an Executive Session after the regular meeting adjourns. Joe Ortiz added Letter for Faculty Inclusion in Administrative Screening Committees as Item B. under New Business. The agenda was approved as amended.
C. Approval of the February 8, 2000 Minutes
Gay Garesche requested changes in the Minutes, Legislative Committee Report, Dual Enrollment and GCC Matter sections of the minutes. Council discussed and approved most of the requested changes. Laura Cannon and Vernon Smith requested changes in the Dual Enrollment section of the minutes. Council approved the requested changes. The minutes were approved as amended.
D. Committee Reports
1. Professional Growth
Willie Minor informed Council that he received data from Reinhold Kiermayr regarding how much reassigned time each Professional Growth Representative is currently receiving from his or her college. He reviewed the data with Council. Willie Minor stated that the most that Council can do at this time is give the information to the colleges which are not giving reassigned time in an attempt to persuade them to give reassigned time to their Professional Growth representatives. Willie Minor was asked if the South Mountain representatives were given three hours of reassigned time per year or per semester. Cori Wright responded that the South Mountain representatives are currently given three hours per semester per person of reassigned time. Council discussed the different amounts of reassigned time currently given from each college. Council also discussed how to report the data from the report. The data on the report showed that, currently: SMCC and PVCC representatives are given three hours of reassigned time per person per semester for a total of twelve hours of reassigned time at each college; CGCC, MCC, Rio and SCC representatives are given three hours of reassigned time per person per year for a total of six hours of reassigned time at each college; and EMCC, GWCC, GCC and PC representatives are not given any reassigned time. Janice Comer stated that the Professional Growth Committee Chairman is given reassigned time from the District. She informed Council that last year, she had made a motion to ask the Deans of Instruction to give reassigned time to the Professional Growth representatives, and that last year, a proposal for reassigned time to be put into the RFP was submitted to the Meet and Confer process. Willie Minor closed the discussion stating that what was in the RFP was minimal and that more data on this issue would be forthcoming.
2. Meet and Confer
Janice Comer stated that Council had a summary of the Board's Meet and Confer proposals in their Council folders. She shared with Council the discussion at the recent Meet and confer meeting with the Board Team. Janice Comer informed Council that Mike Napier, Pete Kushibab, and Ruth Unks had participated in the discussion of the indemnification proposal. She stated that the Board Team did not give counterproposals for the faculty proposals yet.
Next, Janice Comer reviewed the summary of each of the Board proposals with Council. Council discussed ideas for counterproposals for each Board proposal. Janice Comer informed Council that any comments or input for counterproposals to the Board proposals can be e-mailed to her directly.
Janice Comer was asked for the status of the salary and Professional Growth funding proposals given to the Board on December 10, 1999. Janice comer responded that she was informed that only the faculty submitted a proposal on December 10th and that the Board was waiting for proposals from the other employee groups. Janice Comer continued that she had asked when the Board might respond to the salary and Professional Growth funding proposals. She stated that Phil Randolph told her that the proposal was "in motion." Janice Comer stated that there are other proposals with money attached that are being discussed in the Meet and Confer process.
Janice Comer was asked who she thought was really proposing the Board proposals. The response was that some of the proposals are coming from Human Resources and some are coming from the Deans of Instruction. Tom Butler asked of what importance were the proposals to the Chancellor and the Governing Board. Janice Comer stated that she was glad that the Board had submitted a few proposals so that the faculty was not the only side asking for changes. Larry Williams shared which proposals were important to the Board Team.
Next, Gay Garesche distributed copies of a proposal for changes in the grievance process. She reviewed the language of the proposal with Council. Council discussed the proposal. Gay Garesche was asked for clarification of what the original language was after the word grievant in the proposal. She responded that the original language was in the RFP. Willie Minor stated that Council needs to review the language carefully and bring the proposal back to the next Council meeting.
3. EBAC
Rosemary Kesler informed Council of the discussions at the last EBAC meeting. She stated that the Diversity group had asked that language regarding religious holidays be place in the Common Policies manual. She said that there was no active Common Policies committee and that no changes have been put into the Common Policies manual for ten years. She asked Council for a decision on what statement they want her to take back to the EBAC Committee from the faculty. Larry Williams stated that this issue would expand EBAC's role, which is what the faculty do not want. He continued that this issue was not one for EBAC and suggested that the faculty take the initiative to activate the Common Policies Committee in order to deal with the religious holidays issue. Council discussed that the language should go through the Meet and Confer process and then into the RFP, and what the laws are about religious holidays. Laura Cannon suggested that the diversity committee should offer a rationale for the proposal. Rosemary Kesler responded that the original rationale for the proposal from the Diversity Committee was that the District has stated religious holidays in its calendar, but that is not the case. It was suggested that Rosemary Kesler request that the Chair of EBAC tell the Diversity Committee that the religious holiday proposal is not within the scope of the EBAC Committee. Another suggestion was offered to have Rosemary Kesler tell EBAC that the Common Policies Committee needs to be convened. Council was reminded that the faculty, MAT and PSA support EBAC in its present role and did not support expanding EBAC's role. The point was made that the District's mission statement says that the District does not discriminate against race, religion, etc., and thus, there should be no need for the proposal. Council discussed how to proceed to activate the Common Policies Committee.
Rosemary Kesler informed Council of the Action Item before the Governing Board during its meeting later in the evening. The Action Item recommended that the Governing Board conclude its consideration and discussion of last fall's two EBAC Action items. Council discussed the confusing language of the current Action Item. Willie Minor made the point that the last sentence stated the intention of the Action Item, which was that EBAC maintain its current role.
Rosemary Kesler was asked about the status of the state health insurance bill before the state legislature. Rosemary responded that the status has not changed since Council was last informed about the bill.
4. FAC
Willie Minor stated that there was no report from FAC.
5. Legislative
Willie Minor informed Council that the next District Legislative meeting will be held on February 25, 2000. He stated that Council needs to find a mechanism that will be the voice for the faculty. He suggested that either Council should appoint one person who will meet with the community college state board and the legislature, or that Council start thinking of other ways to make faculty issues and views known. Vernon Smith inquired if the District had made a push for the sixty-four thousand dollar position that will oversee dual enrollment at the Arizona State Legislature. Willie Minor responded that the District told him that pushing for the position was the Faculty Association's role. Council discussed this issue further.
Willie Minor restated that Council needs to decide how to inform the Legislature of the faculty issues and views. Willie Minor was asked how the District Legislative Committee obtains its information. Willie responded that the committee has full-time people looking at all of the bills going through the Legislature.
Joanna Chamberlain asked what had happened to the FEC Legislative Committee that formed last year? Willie Minor responded that Bob Galloway was trying to set up a meeting with the committee members. Larry Williams shared with Council a discussion held by the FEC Legislative Committee last year. Larry said that the committee discussed how Council does not operate a separate legislative committee, and therefore, Jack Lunsford believes that the District Legislative Committee also represents the faculty's issues and views, which is not the case. Larry Williams suggested that Council get help from the AAUP since the Faculty Association is the largest component of the AAUP Arizona Conference. Larry Williams also stated that when the FEC Legislative Committee held discussions with Ruth Flower of the AAUP last year, she commented that the committee was focusing much of its attention on the state legislature, and the committee needed to focus more on the Governing Board level and local level issues. Willie Minor reminded Council that two Governing Board seats are up for elections this year and that the faculty have to find candidates who will support faculty. Willie Minor also reminded Council that with new people coming into the District, things will not flow as smoothly as in the past.
II. Old Business
A. Dual Enrollment
Jim Reed stated that the Finance Committee is near completion of its charge. He distributed copies of a committee draft of a proposal for R7-1-709, Community College Classes Offered in Conjunction with High Schools. Jim Reed stated that he told the committee that Section 1.2. of the draft was really an issue for the Quality Committee, not the Finance Committee. Jim Reed expressed concern that a great number of students are coming in under the "special status" provision of the regulation. Jim Reed continued to review the proposal and stated that Section 1.c looked good, however, the special designation in the section may mean anyone who breathes. The point was made that the proposed regulation states high school advanced classes, but not all of the students take the AP exam, and, in a lot of high schools, the term "honors" has no meaning. Jim Reed clarified that the draft was from the Finance Committee and not the Quality Committee.
Sandra Stuebner informed Council that she attended the State Board meeting held at Chandler-Gilbert. She said that at the meeting, Linda Thor explained the drafted proposal to the State Board. Also, the funding issue was discussed, especially the requirement that all students be enrolled in the course for college credit. Sandra Stuebner stated that the language for all students being enrolled may not be perfect, but it was a huge difference from how dual enrollment course are currently operating. Sandra Stuebner informed Council that there was great concern from the rural community colleges regarding Section C. of the proposal. She said that after the meeting, one rural representative stated that Section C. would kill the dual enrollment program for the college since probably only six students in one dual enrollment course were college-ready. Jim Reed stated that this proposal was only a draft, and in his opinion, it was a good step forward. Sandra Stuebner stated that Linda Thor had told the State Board that students would have to enroll under R7, however, she gave no rationale for that requirement.
Sandra Stuebner shared with Council that there was a good amount of discussion about Pima County Community College's model of dual enrollment as well at the State Board meeting. Council was informed that in the Pima model, students are enrolled in Pima dual enrollment courses that transfer to the University of Arizona (UA). However, the UA has said that if Pima changes its model, then the UA may not accept the dual enrollment credits for Pima. Sandra Stuebner stated that another item discussed was the study committee bill currently at the State Legislature, and how colleges could come to the study committee and present the study committee with proposals. Council discussed this issue further. Sandra Stuebner indicated that she was encouraged by the drafted proposal but feels that Maricopa will have to decide what is best for Maricopa.
Gay Garesche stated that she felt the dual enrollment presentation before the Governing Board went well, and that the presentation was taped and put on IPTV.
Jim Reed distributed copies of a Dual enrollment financial model. Vernon Smith asked if this model and information was from the Finance Committee. Jim Reed responded that it was and it looked like a model where every college is charged and everyone enrolled will pay the fee. He said that scholarships were discussed by the committee, and that he had asked if anyone felt that students might pay with Foundation scholarships. Jim Reed said that the issue of the high schools being paid and not the high school instructors was also discussed. Jim Reed was asked why the colleges would have to pay the high schools if the students paid the fees. Jim Reed responded that the model was a modified wash.
Jim Reed was asked if the drafted financial model would wipe out dual enrollment classes where only a small number of students were dually enrolled. Jim Reed responded that the financial model required that all students have to be dually enrolled. There was concern expressed that the financial model could be a problem for smaller classes and charter schools. Gay Garesche asked for clarification if this draft meant that all students in Maricopa dual enrollment classes had to be enrolled. Council discussed this issue further. Dennis Shaw stated that the Rio model allowed for as low as five students to be dually enrolled when taking a dual enrollment class.
Jim Reed stated that the financial model would serve to have the students paying the fees and thus would get rid of the wash system. It was stated that this model would be new for the west side colleges since they are currently using the wash system. Council discussed how the money would flow with the students paying the fees. Joanna Chamberlain asked from where the scholarship money would come for the student who paid with scholarship monies. Dennis Shaw stated that when he was working in Tolleson, the community was solicited for money to pay for all of the AP exams taken by the students. Larry Williams stated that it was important issue as to who would pay for the scholarship. He said that if a student is not community college bound, then it would be bad to have the Foundation pay for the scholarship for that student. Larry Williams stated that the Foundation should only pay scholarships for students who will enroll in the community colleges. Willie Minor reminded Council that this financial model was still under discussion and that nothing was concrete at this time.
B. Common Pages
Willie Minor informed Council that he had attended the last Common Pages Committee meeting. He said that he informed the committee about the discussion at the last Council meeting regarding matching the student handbook and the RFP. One group at the Common Pages meeting stated that the grievance procedure in the RFP was not student-friendly. Willie Minor stated that he had responded that their concern was a moot point since the Governing Board has already approved the language in the RFP. Willie Minor added that the issue of students paying for transcripts was discussed also and the Common Pages Committee decided to stay with the present system of issuing the first transcript at no cost, but students would have to pay five dollars for each subsequent transcript. Willie Minor stated that he had expressed his strong opposition to the decision.
Willie Minor stated that Council must ensure that someone be given the responsibility for reviewing recommendations for changes in the Common Pages and participating on the Common Pages Committee. He suggested that Marie Fenske be asked to do this since Marie has served in this capacity. Joanna Chamberlain stated she would bring a proposal to FEC recommending work be done on the Common Pages during the summer for submission in time for the fall due date.
III. New Business
A. Faculty Representation on District Committees
Willie Minor reminded Council of the brief discussion held at the last Council meeting. Willie Minor stated that Council agrees that when faculty serve on District committees, their sole purpose is to report all information from the committee back to the Faculty Executive Council (FEC). He continued that Council also agreed that the faculty representatives to District Committees should let the committees know that they will be reporting to FEC. Willie Minor said that no information should be held back if discussed by the committee. Willie Minor asked for a motion stating that faculty representatives serving on District committees will serve at the will of Council and are required to report to Council. A motion was made and seconded. Willie Minor was asked if this motion would pertain only to District committees where FEC is asked to send representatives. Willie Minor responded that that statement was correct, and that statement was added as a friendly amendment. It was stated that the motion sounded like Council was concerned that information was not reported by the representatives. However, it was stated that the representatives are not averse to bringing the information to Council, but the committees have asked that information from committee meetings not be reported to others. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
B. Letter for Faculty Inclusion on Administrative Screening Committees
Joe Ortiz expressed concern that the faculty were not included in the recent search for the new Chancellor. He also stated that he is now concerned about the coming searches for the two open Vice Chancellor positions. Joe Ortiz suggested that Council should send a letter to the new Chancellor stating that faculty should participate in those searches. Council discussed the suggestion. The proposal from the Board Meet and Confer Team was discussed. Willie Minor suggested that a counterproposal could include both MAT and CEC positions. Joe Ortiz emphasized that a letter was needed from the Council to the Chancellor stating that faculty want to serve on the screening committees for the Vice Chancellor positions. It was stated that if such a letter was done, then the letter should include a statement saying that the process used for the recent Chancellor search was unacceptable to faculty. Joe Ortiz stated that the tone of the letter should convey that the faculty want to be included in the search process. It was suggested that Joe Ortiz and others draft a letter to bring back to Council for approval. Vernon Smith stated that the letter would need to address the openness of the screening process. Larry Williams added that the openness issue could be addressed if it was safe to assume that the search for the Vice Chancellors was not already underway. A motion was made and seconded for Joe Ortiz and others to draft a letter for Council's approval. A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously. Joe Ortiz and Vernon Smith will draft a letter and send it to Council via e-mail.
IV. Information
A. Faculty Association Dues/Membership Form Review
This item was referred by Willie Minor. The recommendation was to review the draft of the 2000/2001 Membership form and bring it back under New Business at the next meeting.
Discussion Points:
Council made no further recommendation.
B. Other
Guns on Campuses
Willie Minor stated that there are twenty-one people eligible to carry guns on the campuses, but they will not carry guns because Gene Eastin did not see a reason for guns to be carried on campuses at this time.
Chancellor Article in Newspaper
Willie Minor stated that the newspaper had reported that Dr. Fred Gaskin was the new MCCCD Chancellor. He said that many people had expressed dismay that this news was not announced internally before it was reported to the media.
Peoplesoft
Willie Minor informed Council that the company that owns Peoplesoft wants to pair up with MCCCD for a partnership to provide training and support. He continued that when the District originally signed up, it as for only the software and not the training or technical support.
ASU West Article
Willie Minor told Council that the plan to make ASU West a full four-year university is going forward. Council received copies of the newspaper article. Willie Minor informed Council that five reasons given to him were listed on the copies of the article. Willie Minor stated that he would keep Council informed of this issue. It was suggested that now would be a good time to propose that the community colleges be able to offer baccalaureate degrees.
Salary Replacement Review Board
Willie Minor informed Council that the Board would be looking at the requests of four faculty for higher placement on the salary schedule.
Whistleblower Legislation
Willie Minor asked for two or three people to gather with him to meet with the District regarding the Whistleblower issue. Freddie Anttila volunteered. Willie Minor stated that he would keep Council informed of what occurs.
V. Significant Happenings/Presidents' Reports
CGCC
The State Board met at CGCC recently.
EMCC
All is well at EMCC.
GCC
Things are quiet at GCC.
GWCC
The NCA Site Team is visiting GWCC this week.
MCC
Several Faculty are asking when they will be paid for their overloads. It has been two months already. Council was asked if there are similar problems at other campuses. It was stated that the EMCC faculty were paid for overloads last fall. Council was informed that any extra load, which MCC Faculty have signed up for, has not been paid. The MCC Faculty were promised a big check but now are told that the payments will be in smaller installments. Council was informed that several faculty at GCC have not been paid for overload as well. An example in PEERPOINT was given where the new Peoplesoft system was not breaking out overload pay on faculty pay stubs. Willie Minor stated that he would look into the MCC overload pay matter and get back to Joanna Chamberlain on what information he obtains from the District.
PC
The PC Senate is getting ready for nominations for the upcoming Senate elections.
PVCC
There was no report from PVCC.
RIO
Hazel Davis is the new President-Elect for Rio Salado College.
SCC
Things are great at SCC.
SMCC
SMCC faculty are greatly concerned that the SMCC President announced that the retirement money for the forty-nine percent program is going to be used for a webmaster position. There is great concern because two faculty are going to retire soon who might not be able to be in the forty-nine percent program now.
Rosemary Kesler offered to give a presentation of the recently approved health benefits plan to faculty at any campus. She asked those interested to please contact her.
VI. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
VII. Executive Session
The Executive Committee met to discuss personnel issues.
* * Next meeting, March 28, 2000 will be a Business Meeting * *