Faculty Executive Council Meeting Minutes

FACULTY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
July 27, 1999

I. General

A. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Willie Minor at 2:45 p.m.

Members Present: Jeff Andelora, Tom Butler, Laura Cannon, Joanna Chamberlain, Gay Garesche, Rosemary Kesler, Willie Minor, John Nelson, Joe Ortiz, Gail Shay, Scott Silberman, Sandra Stuebner, Larry Williams.

Minutes were taken by Carrie Taylor.

A quorum was not present at the call-to-order. Therefore, Willie Minor called the meeting to order noting that no votes could be taken without a quorum.

B. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as written.

C. Approval of the June 22, 1999 Minutes

Willie Minor reminded Council that all members need to carefully review the minutes to ensure accuracy. He stated that each member is accountable for his or her statements during Council meetings. Gay Garesche requested that, in the dual enrollment discussion during the PVCC President's Report, the statement be included that Bob Galloway and several faculty made presentations regarding dual enrollment to the State Board in April. Also, she requested that the minutes state that some faculty were against dual enrollment and others defended dual enrollment. The minutes were approved as amended.

D. Treasurer's Report - June 1999 and 1998-99 Year End Report

Council received copies of the June 1999 and the 1998-99 Year End Report Treasurer's Reports.

E. Committee Reports

1. FAC

No report.

2. EBAC

No Report.

3. Professional Growth

Willie Minor informed Council that he had sent an A1 to the Faculty Presidents requesting that the names of the Professional Growth representatives be sent to him, Carrie Taylor and Jeanne Christen.

4. Legislative

No report.

5. Hiring Qualifications

Willie Minor stated that there was no report. He was asked if Dr. De Los Santos had received the feedback from faculty and if a letter had been sent to Linda Ward expressing the faculty's concerns on this issue. Willie Minor stated that he would get the answers to those questions and would give Council an update.

II. Old Business

There were no Old Business items.

III. New Business

A. Summer Hiring Process

Willie Minor informed Council that he spoke with Linda Ward and the procedure for distributing the job opportunities list has changed. Previously, the Faculty Senate President at each campus would receive the list and would have to distribute it to faculty. Now, the job opportunities are sent to all faculty directly. It is the perception that the rules for the hiring process has changed. It was stated that others besides faculty have questions about the process as well. The Chancellor is aware of this issue and feels a discussion among interested parties is warranted. It was stated that the OYO hiring process has changed as well with hiring committees now first having to go to a hiring pool before they can look elsewhere for candidates to fill an OYO position. A concern was voiced regarding faculty input into this issue. Willie Minor stated that he would take whatever message the Council wanted to the administration.

Another issue was raised regarding the faculty feedback for the hiring process changes. The faculty representatives on the Hiring Qualifications Committee had asked for written comments. There is concern that the feedback from faculty was never forwarded to the Hiring Qualifications Committee and to Dr. De Los Santos, and that faculty input will not be considered by CEC when this issue is discussed. Willie Minor will get a copy of the CEC agenda to share with Council. Willie Minor was asked to get the information that had been compiled by the faculty representatives to the Hiring Qualifications Committee and make copies for Council.

The point was made that Council needs to be more direct on items coming from Employment. It was stated that it appears that unilateral decisions are being made that impact faculty without a request for input from faculty. It was stated that faculty who work before they are Governing Board approved are being paid at the adjunct faculty rate until they are approved by the Governing Board. The point was made that Employment is making decisions, adversely affecting faculty, and Council needs to do something about this problem. It was stated that faculty have the opportunity to speak at Governing Board meetings, and this issue and others could be presented directly to the Board at their meetings. It was stated that the Chancellor is open and sensitive to discuss faculty concerns and issues. Willie Minor stated that the Council would need to contact the CEC Chair and inform him of what issues Council would like on the CEC agenda, and then, provide hard copies of information as well as the faculty's position on those issues.

It was suggested that Council should discuss what faculty want on this issue. For example, at one college, the decision of who to hire as an OYO is made by the Department Chair. Another suggestion was to make a list of which issues faculty want to have input. The issues listed are: hiring qualifications for faculty, MAT transfers to faculty, OYO selection and how OYOs are paid until Board approved, calendar year versus fiscal year due to Peoplesoft, transfer policy changes, OYO benefits after 1999-2000, Employment deciding what areas will have hiring pools, and advertising for faculty especially in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Council discussed the various issues listed. Examples of problems in hiring OYOs were given. It was stated that someone had changed to qualifications for OYOs without informing faculty. The point was made that all need to unite to correct the problem of unilateral decisions coming from the Employment office. It was stated that problems occurred last summer with qualified people being removed from the hiring pools. It was asked if the OYO benefits were in jeopardy. The response was that the OYO benefits were not in jeopardy this year, but they could be in the future. It was emphasized that specific instances of problems needed to be gathered. Council discussed various problems of faculty not getting paid, the District not responding to hiring decisions at colleges, as well as other problems with Employment. Possible solutions were also discussed. One suggestion was for Council to request that the District place advertisements in the Chronicle of Higher Education for open faculty positions in which academic areas in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Discussion focused on hiring processes. It was suggested that the hiring timeline should be moved to earlier in the year for open positions of the following year. The point was made that the administration should know that faculty are aware of what is going on in the District. Willie Minor stated that he would take the list of issues to the Chair of CEC and let them know that faculty want discussion on those issues. Council requested copies of all compiled information in the hiring qualifications issue.

B. FEC Secretary

Willie Minor stated that this item was brought up at the last Council meeting. The Council needs to elect a titular Secretary. He asked for nominations. The questions was asked if Council needed to revisit the Secretary's job description in the Constitution. The Secretary's job description was read to Council. The point was made that Council needed to follow the Constitution and the by-laws. It was stated that the Secretary would need to ensure that the Council's meeting minutes were sent to all faculty. Also, the Secretary would sign the annual report which is filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Willie Minor suggested to hold this item until all Council members have returned from summer break.

Gay Garesche asked if Council needed to select a Peerpoint Editor to bring back the Peerpoint newsletter. The point was made that Council needed a vehicle to communicate with faculty, and that the Peerpoint could be a selling point for membership to the Faculty Association. It was suggested that Council act on this quickly so there is no delay.

It was stated that the Constitution has an office for the Past-President. It was suggested that Council discuss the possible duties of the Past-President. Willie Minor stated that these issues would be addressed.

IV. Information

A. Professional Growth Guidelines

This item was referred by Willie Minor. The recommended action was for Council members to review the recommended changes and the Professional Growth Guidelines.
Discussion Points:

  1. Action will be taken on the recommended changes to the Professional Growth Guidelines at the next Council meeting.

Council made no further recommendations.

B. Meet and Confer/Chair, RFP Section 7.4.-Timeline, Etc.

This item was referred by Willie Minor. There was no recommended action.
Discussion Points:

  1. The Meet and Confer Team has recommended that Janice Comer be the Chair for this year's team. Council will need to approve this.
  2. Willie Minor wrote to Dr. Waechter stating that Council wants Meet and Confer to begin early with salary negotiations starting immediately.
  3. Rosemary Kesler will be attending the AAUP Summer Institute and will bring back negotiation information to share with Council.
  4. The Meet and Confer Team will move forward with its work.
  5. A Meet and Confer timeline is outlined in RFP Section 7.4.
  6. The 1999-2000 RFP draft is being reviewed by last year's Meet and Confer Team members. The deadline to have it finished is August 2nd.

Council made no further recommendations.

C. Common Pages Review

This item was referred by Willie Minor. There was no recommended action.
Discussion Points:

  1. Willie Minor stated that if Dr. De Los Santos contacts him regarding a review of the Common Pages, then he will ask Council to select faculty representatives to review them and make recommendations to Council.

Council made no further recommendation.

D. Adjunct Faculty Sick Leave

This item was referred by Sandra Stuebner. There was no recommended action.
Discussion Points:

  1. Council was informed that Dr. Waechter had sent via A1 an idea to give adjunct faculty one hour of sick leave per one credit hour taught and to give the Adjunct Faculty Association President reassigned time.
  2. It was asked how much this would cost.
  3. The money used for this could be used for other purposes such as hiring full-time faculty or continuing OYO benefits.
  4. Willie Minor was told that this would only be discussed by CEC at their August 4th meeting.
  5. It was asked if the adjunct faculty wanted this or something else like professional growth credit.
  6. It was asked if full-time faculty will hurt themselves by supporting benefits for part-time faculty since part-time faculty are increasing in numbers.
  7. What will be the Faculty Association's position on this issue?
  8. Council decided whether to hold a retreat on this issue or assign a subcommittee to study the issue and bring a recommendation to Council.
  9. Willie Minor will inform Council of discussion at CEC meeting.

Council made no further recommendations.

E. Other

Committee V
This item was referred by Willie Minor. The recommendation was for Council members to attend the meeting.
Discussion Points:

  1. Committee V will hold its meeting in late October.
  2. Council can see how other community colleges in Arizona operate.
  3. Council needs to have someone review the Redbook for a community college perspective.
  4. The meeting will be a forum to discuss community colleges issues.

Council made no further recommendation.

Faculty Presentations to the Governing Board
This item was referred by Willie Minor. The recommendation was for Council representatives to enlist faculty from respective campuses to give presentations on what faculty are doing in their jobs at the Governing Board meetings.
Discussion Points:

  1. Presentations should focus on what faculty are doing for the good of students.
  2. Council should schedule a retreat with the Governing Board to discuss faculty issues.
  3. Council representatives should discuss with faculty what issues should be included in a retreat with the Governing Board.
  4. Willie Minor's recent meeting with Dr. Cardenas was a positive one.

Council made no further recommendation.

Peoplesoft
This item was referred by Willie Minor. There was no recommended action.
Discussion Points:

  1. Peoplesoft will not accept zero(0) as a starting point, thus the steps on the salary schedule have been renumbered starting with one(1).
  2. There were errors noted on the pay stubs.
  3. Information given for specific pay period and not year-to-date.
  4. Peoplesoft is calendar year based whereas faculty are academic year based.

Council recommended that faculty send concerns to Willie Minor who will pass them on to the administration and to CEC.

FEP
This item was referred by Willie Minor. There was no recommended action.
Discussion Points:

  1. $45,000 is available for all of the FEP representatives.
  2. Council will need to decide how to divide the money.
  3. Last year's FEP representative committee worked out how to divide the money.
  4. Questions should be directed to Abby Hemingway.

Council made no further recommendation.

Strategic Conversation with Governing Board
This item was referred by Willie Minor. The recommendation was for Council to decide the issues for the strategic conversation with the Board this Fall.
Discussion Points:

  1. One suggestion was the Faculty for the Third Millennium issue from the faculty perspective.
  2. A retreat with the Governing Board was also suggested.
  3. Council needs to establish, with the Governing Board, meeting dates for both the strategic conversation and a retreat.

Council will continue discussion on this issue.

An action item before the Governing Board at their meeting on July 27, 1999, was brought to the Council's attention. The action item recommended that the Governing Board approve the Leave of Absence benefits for employees including faculty to be placed in the Common Policies. The point was made that when the Leave Of Absence benefits were proposed in the spring of 1998, the Council was adamant that language be placed in the Residential Faculty Policies manual and not in the Common Policies. It was suggested that Willie Minor ask that this action item be pulled until Council could look into why the Leave of Absence benefits were again being recommended to be placed in the Common Policies. A concern was voiced that this was being done during the summer when most faculty are away. Another concern was voiced that there is no active Common Policies Committee, and thus this action item was not discussed by that committee as required in Appendix F of the RFP.

V. Significant Happenings/President's Reports

CGCC
All is well at CGCC.

EMCC
The construction is almost completed.

GWCC
Faculty have moved into the New Center for Health Careers Education building. Council was invited to visit the new building which is like a hospital with patient rooms, etc.

GCC
All is well at GCC.

MCC
The new library is open.

PVCC
PVCC held a reception for Dr. Cardenas.

SCC
SCC's new Dean of Student Services is Dr. Ginny Stahl.

VI. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

* * Next meeting, August 24, 1999, will be a business meeting * *