The Executive Committee met briefly before the regular business meeting.
Guest: Rea Bennett - Maricopa Foundation
Rea Bennett of the Maricopa Foundation presented to Council an overview of the Maricopa Foundation and its work. She stated that the Maricopa Foundation is the District's fundraising arm, comprised of volunteers, which raises money from the community. The Maricopa Foundation handles many projects to assist the District. Rea Bennett stated that, this year, the Foundation wanted to focus more on student scholarships, and was just finishing a campaign which hopefully raised 12.5 to 13 million dollars.
Rea Bennett said that the Foundation wanted to begin an faculty recognition program in which five faculty throughout the District would be recognized for their contributions. Those faculty could then donate a scholarship to a student in the faculty member's name. She said that the Foundation wants more involvement with faculty and wants to recognize excellence in teaching. Therefore, the Foundation is soliciting the support and assistance from Council in developing this project. Council agreed to continue discussion on this topic.
Business Meeting
I. General
A. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Willie Minor at 3:00 p.m.
Members Present: Jeff Andelora, Freddie Anttila, Judy Boschult, Tom Butler, Laura Cannon, Joanna Chamberlain, Bob Galloway, Gay Garesche, Donna Gaudet, Karen Hardin, Willie Minor, John Nelson, Joe Ortiz, Jim Reed, Mark Richard, Laura Ruiz-Scott, Denny Sheehan, Scott Silberman, Sandra Stuebner, Larry Williams, Cori Wright.
Minutes were taken by Carrie Taylor.
B. Approval of Agenda
Mark Richard added "Computer for Faculty Association President" as Item D under Information. The agenda was approved as amended
C. Approval of the August 24, 1999 Minutes
The minutes were approved as written.
D. Treasurer's Report - August 1999
Council received copies of the August 1999 Treasurer's Reports. Mark Richard asked Council if there were questions, and there were none.
E. Committee Reports
1. FAC
Willie Minor informed Council that Alex Backus was attending the FAC meeting as the Council met. He stated that there should be a report from the Faculty FAC representatives at the next Council meeting.
2. EBAC
Willie Minor stated that EBAC had held a meeting on September 13, 1999. He shared with Council that he had spoken with Oscar Hardin, one of the faculty representatives on EBAC, regarding Council's position on the LOA changes in the RFP. Oscar Hardin stated that it was his understanding that EBAC had the same position that the LOA language should be in the employee groups' manuals instead of in the Common Policies. Willie Minor stated that he had been informed that some people were trying to use EBAC to supersede the Meet and Confer processes.
Willie Minor stated that Oscar Hardin has also shared with him the discussion in EBAC regarding the skyrocketing of health care costs. One issue discussed in EBAC was to either raise a regular employee's share of the premium by fifty dollars per month or to eliminate the health benefits for OYOs and OSOs to offset increasing the cost for regular employees. It was stated that the District should review its overall budget and draw the funds to cover the benefits cost increases from other categories. The point was made that there is a legal issue involved that when hiring full-time employees, the employer must provide health care benefits. It was stated that full-time employment should be associated with health care benefits. Willie Minor interjected and informed Council that EBAC had held only its first discussion of this matter. Willie Minor stated that he had shared only the LOAs position with Oscar Hardin, who informed him later of the discussion at EBAC. It was stated that this issue would place faculty against faculty. Council was asked to discuss this topic with other faculty and continue the discussion at a later date. It was stated that giving a person a full-time position without benefits was unthinkable. It was suggested that Council make a formal statement regarding this issue. One Council member who had worked in managed care stated that the problem was rising health care costs was not going to go away and should be addressed.
3. Professional Growth - Reinhold Kiermayr - FPG Committee Chair
Willie Minor informed Council that since there were many new members on the Professional Growth Committee this year, he had asked some continuing members to take leadership positions. Reinhold Kiermayr agreed to Chair the Professional Growth Committee, and there are two co-chairs each on the Sabbaticals and Projects subcommittees. Reinhold Kiermayr introduced himself to Council and shared that the Professional Growth Committee will administer 1.2 million dollars this year in professional growth funds for sabbaticals, projects and travel. He stated that the committee takes considerable time and care in working to ensure fairness for all in this difficult task.
Reinhold Kiermayr shared with Council a list of requests to Council which was compiled by the Professional Growth Committee. First, the committee asked that Council continue to seek compensation for Professional Growth Representatives in the Meet and Confer process to standardize the compensation for all FPG representatives. Second, Reinhold Kiermayr asked that Council recognize Ron Hill for his years of service to the Professional Growth Committee with at least a letter or certificate of appreciation. Third, Reinhold Kiermayr wanted to confirm that the three percent rule had been removed from the RFP. Freddie Anttila responded that it was removed. Reinhold Kiermayr will tell the Professional Growth Committee this since the sabbatical review process will begin shortly.
Next, Reinhold Kiermayr distributed copies of the Professional Growth Committee's Standard Operating Procedures. He asked that Council approve this document, and that the purpose of the document was to provide outsiders, such as Governing Board members, with a brief overview of the Professional Growth Committee and its work. Also, he said that the Professional Growth Committee needed more than a part-time secretary considering the tremendous workload of the committee. Finally, Reinhold Kiermayr stated that it was his understanding that Carrie Taylor will be taking the minutes at the Professional Growth meetings. He thanked Council for considering the issues he presented.
Council was informed of a conflict regarding Carrie Taylor taking the minutes at the Professional Growth Committee meetings. The Meet and Confer team, currently, has scheduled their meeting on the same dates and time as the Professional Growth Committee meetings. Carrie Taylor also takes notes at the Meet and Confer meetings. It was stated that Council, last Spring, had promised the Professional Growth Committee that Carrie Taylor would take the minutes at its meetings. The point was made that the members of the Meet and Confer team this year are new, and that Carrie Taylor provides a historical perspective for the team. Also, the Meet and Confer team members said that Tuesday afternoons are the best time to meet. It was suggested that Council provide a secretary from one of the faculty pools. Another suggestion was for Council to pay a stipend to one of the Professional Growth Committee members to take minutes at the meetings. It was stated that it would be difficult for a person to take minutes and be involved in the discussion at the same time. Council was reminded that motions cannot be made during Committee Reports.
Willie Minor stated that the Professional Growth Committee's Standard Operation Procedures document will be brought up for a vote at the next Council meeting. Willie Minor was asked if the money in the Projects account was transferable to the Travel account. Willie Minor stated that it was transferable, however the Travel Committee would have to bring a recommendation to Council.
4. Legislative
Willie Minor was asked if he had the chance to speak with Mike Napier about the PAC. Willie Minor stated that he would report to Council about his meeting with Mike Napier later under Information. Willie Minor informed Council that he had served on a screening committee to fill a vacant position in the District's Government Relations office. He was asked if the Council's Legislative Committee had met as the faculty governance issue needs attention and there are two seats up next year on the Governing Board. Bob Galloway stated that as Chair of the Legislative Committee, he could ask the Presidents to name representatives to the committee for this year. Willie Minor stated that Council needs to think about what it wants to do regarding the Governing Board elections next year. One Council member asked if term limits were applicable to Governing Board members. The response was no, the term limits law does not apply to Governing Board members.
II. Old Business
A. LOA Changes in the 1999-2000 RFP Draft
Willie Minor told Council that he had spoken with Dr. Cardenas regarding the unilateral changes in the RFP. Dr. Cardenas told Willie Minor that Dr. Waechter would be in touch with him. It was Willie Minor's impression that Dr. Cardenas is sensitive to faculty issues. The result of Willie Minor's discussion with Dr. Waechter was the agreement that the TA'd language would be placed in the RFP. The Employee Relations Office is correcting the RFP draft and will give it to Willie Minor to review before it is printed. Willie Minor informed Council that he had given the LOAs Changes Information packets which Council had received to the Governing Board also for their review and that he had discussed the changes and Council's position with some of the Governing Board members.
Copies of US Code, Title 29, Chapter 28, Section 2653 entitled "Encouragement of more generous leave policies" were distributed to Council. Council discussed the language.
Willie Minor informed Council that CEC was forming a Finance Committee and a Instructional and Related Issues Committee to address the issue of dual enrollment. He distributed a letter to Council from CEC Chair, Dr. DeCabooter. Willie Minor said that faculty would have two seats on the Instructional and Related Issues Committee and recommended Donna Gaudet of Rio Salado and Gay Garesche of Glendale to represent the faculty on the committee. He stated that faculty would also have the opportunity to have one representative on the Finance Committee, and that Don Richardson of Phoenix College had been recommended to sit on that committee. It was stated that there should be more faculty on the Instructional and Related Issues Committee. Jim Reed made a motion to appoint Donna Gaudet and Gay Garesche to represent faculty on CEC's Instructional and Related Issues Dual Enrollment Committee with other faculty to be named at a later date. Cori Wright seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously.
Willie Minor stated that Council will still have its own dual enrollment committee with Jim Reed as Chair. Gay Garesche asked about that committee. Jim Reed responded that Executive Committee had discussed forming a dual Enrollment committee which had representatives from each college. The representatives would be either the Faculty Senate President or his/her designee. He stated that this committee has not yet formed, but has merely been discussed. The question of why Council would need its own committee since CEC was forming one which had faculty representation was raised. The letter from Dr. DeCabooter was discussed. Gay Garesche stated that Council had discussed having a District-wide common form for dual enrollment and eliminating loopholes that cause competition between colleges. It was stated that even though CEC is forming a committee, Council should still form its own committee on dual enrollment. Jim Reed made a motion to approve Council forming its own Dual Enrollment Committee with Jim Reed as the Chair. A friendly amendment to allow any interested faculty to join was added to the motion. Gay Garesche seconded the motion.
Discussion continued. The point was made that dual enrollment is a difficult issue because some faculty depend on dual enrollment courses for their jobs. It was stated that the Administration sees dual enrollment as a financial opportunity. Council was informed of a dual enrollment pilot project at one college. The faculty of at the college feel that the college should hire the instructor for a dual enrollment course, and that the faculty should be involved in the hiring process just like they are with adjunct faculty. However, the administration at that college let the high school principal hire the instructor. It was stated that there is much division in the District on dual enrollment. The point was made that it seems that the division is with the business aspect of dual enrollment, and there is a consensus about the importance of the quality of the courses. A concern was voiced that the group listed as members of the Finance Committee in Dr. DeCabooter's letter reflect only one viewpoint. It was stated that the Finance Committee needs more people with an objective outlook on dual enrollment. The point was made that the quality of dual enrollment courses needs to be addressed before the financial aspect of dual enrollment. Another point was raised that Council needs to discuss how the faculty voice will best be heard whether it be with Council's own committee or with faculty representation on CEC's committee. It was stated that the CEC Dual Enrollment Committee will only make recommendations to CEC and any member of CEC can veto a recommendation that is considered detrimental. One Council member stated that faculty should only be concerned with the quality of dual enrollment courses and feels that the Governing Board will listen to faculty on the quality issue. It was suggested that faculty should have a representative on the financial committee for information purposes. Willie Minor was asked to clarify the committees. He stated that CEC will form a Financial committee and an Instructional and Related Issues committee, and Council will form its own committee. Gay Garesche reminded Council that last year it had discussed a contract which would give faculty the opportunity to stipulate that all students in a dual enrollment course be enrolled. She said that the State Board stated that dual enrollment courses must use college textbooks and syllabi, and this is also another opportunity to require that all students be enrolled. She made the point that faculty groups are needed to discuss and make recommendations to the Administration. Council was reminded of the motion on the floor to approve Council having its own committee on dual enrollment. A vote was taken, and the motion passed with four abstentions.
Bob Galloway made a motion to have the Faculty Association President or his designee be the representative on the CEC Financial Committee on Dual Enrollment and to require that the representative report to Council, and to move forward with forming the Instructional and Related Issues Committee allowing for more faculty representation. A friendly amendment from Larry Williams was added stating that Jim Reed be one of the Faculty Association President's designees for the CEC Financial Committee. Laura Cannon seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously,
C. November Strategic Conversation
Willie Minor stated that Tom Butler had brought forth an idea for the November Strategic Conversation. Tom Butler said that Sally Rings of PVCC has been involved with Learning Communities along with other faculty. This group wanted to present this issue to the Governing Board. One advantage of Learning Communities is that they cut across campuses and are interdisciplinary in concept. A presentation would be made, and then the Governing Board would be involved in an activity to give them an idea of what are Learning Communities. It was stated that this topic would be good public relations for the Council which is seen mostly as only a governance group which is not involved with faculty disciplinary issues. Council agreed that faculty interested in taking part in the November Strategic Conversation should contact Sally Rings. It was stated that this could be a theme for the Maricopa Foundation as discussed earlier in the meeting. Bob Galloway made a motion to instruct Tom Butler to bring information to Sally Rings to prepare district-wide information for the November Strategic Conversation. Mark Richard seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously. Tom Butler will contact Sally Rings regarding Council's approval.
D. RFP Salary Schedule Change
Willie Minor shared with Council the Salary Schedule with renumbered steps. He reminded Council of the discussion in July about how the Peoplesoft system does not recognize zero (0) as an initial number. Human Resources has asked Willie Minor if the steps could be renumbered starting with one (1) and that language explaining the changes be added to the RFP to eliminate confusion. It was stated that this issue should be put in the Peerpoint! It was stated that faculty were confused about getting an additional one percent. The point was made that the additional one percent was for people who were off the salary scale (red-lined) and this does not apply to faculty. Willie Minor shared with Council that the two percent COLA increase was not taken from the base of the scale but from the 1998-99 salary amount of each faculty member. The point was made that Human Resources should send out new contracts which provide the new step number. Willie Minor was asked if the old step number and the new step numbers will be in the RFP. Council agreed that both should be included. It was mentioned that faculty will not be getting a contract statement this year. Donna Gaudet made a motion for Council to approve the renumbering of the salary steps and that new contracts should be sent to faculty with a statement of the step and contract amount, and that contract statements would be sent out every year. Mark Richard seconded the motion. A vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously. Willie Minor will contact Human Resources.
E. Employment Issues
Gay Garesche asked Willie Minor if he had addressed with Dr. Cardenas and CEC the list of concerns compiled during the July Council meeting. She asked if he would provide an update on the discussions of and actions taken on those issues as well as how faculty concerns are being addressed. Willie Minor stated that he would write a summary for Council to review. He mentioned that one issue had already been resolved, that of faculty being paid at adjunct rates until they were Governing Board approved. Those affected faculty will receive the correct salary amount retroactive to their start dates.
A. Common Pages Review Committee
Willie Minor stated that he did not know if the Common Pages Review Committee would take place this year. However, if it does, Marie Fenske of GWCC has volunteered to work on the committee. Council supported this. It was stated that any concerns regarding the Common Pages should be directed to Marie Fenske.
A. MAT to MAT Transfer Without Faculty Input
This item was referred by Tom Butler. There was no recommended action.
Council made no recommendation.
B. Bank One Savings Account
This item was referred by Mark Richard. The recommended action was discuss the option of placing funds into a higher interest bearing account.
Council made no further recommendations.
C. Other
CEC
Adjunct Faculty Sick Leave
AZ AAUP State Delegates
Willie Minor was asked if Council was still going to ask John Nelson to review the AAUP Redbook and write a report from the community college perspective. Bob Galloway stated that Committee V was taking this over since Council did not come up with the money to review the Redbook. Willie Minor stated that Council needs to decide what to do on this issue and it will be on the next meeting's agenda.
PAC
D. Computer for Faculty Association President
This item was referred by Mark Richard. The recommended action was to obtain a computer for the Faculty Association President.
Council made no further recommendations.
CGCC
GWCC
GCC
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
* * Next meeting, September 28, 1999, will be a business meeting * *
III. New Business
IV. Information
Discussion Points:
Discussion Points:
Willie Minor informed Council that CEC has discussed holding a bond election in 2002 instead of 2004. CEC also discussed that some charter schools are paying their faculty as much as Maricopa pays its faculty.
Willie Minor stated that CEC also discussed adjunct faculty sick leave. He had asked several questions at the CEC meeting. CEC is now checking on the legal ramifications of the adjunct faculty sick leave so sick leave for adjunct faculty will not start until Spring Semester. It was stated that one college president had said that this was a done deal and some deans were not aware that this was a problem. The point was made that the Governing Board did not have all of the information on this issue. Willie Minor reiterated that CEC was presently checking the legal ramifications of giving adjunct faculty sick leave.
Willie Minor informed Council that Carol Bernstein had asked if the Council would keep the same state delegates which were Bob Galloway, Freddie Anttila and Sue Shuman. Council was informed that Sue Shuman was on sabbatical.
Willie Minor and others met with Mike Napier to discuss the situation with the PAC. Willie Minor reviewed the situation and discussed the options given by Mike Napier. Council discussed whether or not to continue the PAC.
Discussion Points:
V. Significant Happenings/President's Reports
A dual enrollment meeting will be held for faculty only. The CGCC College President has provided funds for two faculty to attend the Leadership Institute/Chair Academy.
GWCC will have an Open House on Thursday.
There will soon be a committee at GCC to disburse the budget. Faculty are meeting to discuss faculty representation on the committee.
VI. Adjournment