MCC Faculty Senate Unapproved Minutes
CTL Conference Room
DATE: April 3, 2003
Senate Web Site: http://www.mesacc.edu/organizations/employee/facultysenate/
Members Present:
Barry Vaughan, President
Charles Lewis, President-elect
Lyn Dutson, Zone 1
John Zikopoulos, Treasurer
Phil Waclawski, Zone 2
Sam Martinez, Zone 3
Harold Cranswick, Zone 5
Jack Hinze, Zone 6
Erin Rawson (Member at Large)
Philip Carrillo (Member at Large)
Mona Scott (Member at Large)
Greg Pratt (Member at Large)
Ann Stine (Member at Large)
Mehrzad Khorsandi (Member at Large)
Chuck Horn (49% Representative)
Members Absent:
Naomi Story, Secretary, Zone 7
Danene Richardson, Zone 4
David Nachman (Member at Large)
Guests:
No guests- Janice Reillyy was scheduled to come but was unable to attend
I. Call to Order: President Barry Vaughan called the meeting at 3:09 PM.
II. Additions and Deletions to Agenda:
Barry Vaughan added one item: Zone Elections. Charles Lewis added one item: Chancellor Gaskinıs remarks. Deleted one item: Professional Growth. Old Business A. was deleted- resolution to President on hiring. Motion was passed unanimously to approve agenda with the additions.
IV. Guest Presentation: No Guests
V. Treasurer's Report (John): John reported that the investment of senate money was not made. This was due to Johnıs absence and he was unable to make the investment in time.
VI. Committee and Project Reports:
History and Traditions committee: Lyn Dutson reported there will be a retiree Luncheon will be held April 17 in the SW reading room. This will be a fun lunch with door prizes. Lyn recommended that in the future IA organizes and funds this event since they have the budget for this and can then institutionalize it. Lyn conveyed the purpose of this committee has been to focus on Library archives and the focus of the luncheon is to honor retirees who can help identify and develop a historical record of MCC.
VII. Old Business:
A. Charles read the selection criteria for FIPP. He reported that since we have in the past expressed a philosophical opposition to this process so it is necessary for chairs to follow this selection process. He urged we bring this up to our departments so that we can all have a plan in place when faced with a FIPP possibility.
B. Charles reported on the joint staffing resolution. He conveyed that Dr. Christiansen heard the Senateıs requests on the issue. The president has agreed to meet with the staffing committee to discuss recommendations rather than the committee just handing him the recommendations. Comments on why certain recommendations were made could be put in the report as well. This was reported as a major victory in regards to the communication process with the selection committee and the president. Harold stressed the impact Senate had on making this change a reality- ³Senates impact is greater than many realize². President Christiansen felt the need to make a change as a direct effect of the this group (Senate) providing him feedback and asking for answers. Barry reiterated that our administration is willing to work with us if we voice our needs. Sometimes we do not communicate with him well enough. Harold stated the president is willing to meet with the staffing committee and he is pleased with the outcome. A comment was made stating that this although a victory requires follow-up and Charles stated that he will propose to the staffing committee that they always have someone to report back to Senate and make this a formal resolution. He reiterated- this will require vigilance. In addition, this process should also be in the SOP manual- if the manual is ever done.
VIII. New Business:
A. Jack reported on the need for speed bumps in front of the south side of the college. Jack said most of the discussion focused on Bumps vs. Humps. Bumps taller-hump wider. The safety committee will consider this issue strongly. Jack also reported that he asked the committee where the money was coming from for security camera and was informed the $400, 000 was from a 1994 bond- no new money was used for this expenditure. Barry expanded on the camera issue suggesting the placement of the cameras has been a concern that has been discussed. He received a response from the President indicating the placement o f the camera will be discussed before completed. Input from the college will be sought and he seemed sensitive to the issue.
Q: Are there already cameras in the Library?
A: Yes
Jack expanded on his report by indicating that the committee has talked about a new form to create with could improve overall communication with people on campus regarding safety issues and concerns. Jack stressed the fact that he thought the committee is going great. Barry expressed his appreciation to Steve Corich for actively taking care of parking violations. Barry was ticketed himself, yet he believes for the first time, the ticketing process seems to be enforced in a systemic way and he is grateful for this.
Q: Mehrzad asked whether signage clarify parking enough and how everyone is to know where they can park.
A: Barry indicated more signage is being considered and yes there are signs now. Lyn suggested this information is published in the student and faculty handbooks.
B. ITAC: Charles reported that this committee seems to be dead and has not met. What will Senate recommend about this committee? Suggested this is an important issue that we need to keep as an important item for the fall agenda.
C. Red Mountain Issue: Harold reported that he and Barry met with Dean Mee and seemed to have a lot of common ground regarding the supervision there. Mee conveyed that she wanted to get something resolved for the people who are working in the capacity of Chair at RM yet not being compensated. Dean Mee wants to be flexible with this solution ideas were discussed suggesting departments can participate or not- make it voluntary from department to department, some departments joining together. Hiring may be left to the main Chair yet the RM person could do scheduling and other duties. Dean Mee wants to put together a proposal when she returns that outlines a minimum number of sections (30 was thrown out at random) to have someone as a supervisor- standards must be set like there are for night supervisor. Harold believes progress is being made on this issue. Barry expanded on the issue of RM parking- he received an email- the email was sent to all senators- see attached email.
Q: This is a long time to wait for a resolution to the handicapped parking- can this be worked on a case by case basis?
Clarification that this was for disabled parking only
Q: Can we assign parking
A: Assigned parking could be a problem but Barry said he could go back to Dean Etter and ask for a short term solution to the problem on a case by case basis for handicapped parking- short term solution.
Q: Would that include Adjunct Faculty?
A: This would include all disabled people.
D. Insurance- Gregg reported on the April 8 Open Enrollment meeting to fill out the paperwork for the buy up plan. Barry clarified that all employees will be defaulted to the striped down version or the lower plan unless they buy up to the plan like the one we have now- to keep the current coverage you have- you need to buy up.
Q: Where is the price comparison for the 2 plans
A: email was sent out with the PowerPoint presentation and the comparisons are there.
A: Comparisons were in each employeeıs open enrollment packet.
Barry suggested all Zone Reps remind their Zones of this meeting.
Q: What if you miss this meeting
A: You can sign up late at district, but there is usually a line, they do all they can to help you there.
Gregg announced a group of retirees are meeting at district and Doug Dawson is sending out an information survey. He cautioned all employees to read the survey carefully and consider your response because there may be an agenda behind the information gathering.
IX. Information and Announcements:
A. President's Report:
1. Zone Representative Elections: Self-nomination ballots were sent out, only 4 have been received as of yet. Elections will be April 20 or as the constitution states. Please submit self-nomination forms if you wish to seek office- any faculty can self nominate. An email was sent out to all faculty with this Form.
Q: Could you encourage someone from Philosophy for Zone 3? (to Barry)
A: How about Barry?
B. President-Elect's Report:
1. FEC- PR Firm was approved to be hired not to exceed $18, 000. This firm should concentrate on 3 major areas. 1- Come up with a plan to communicate with faculty base. 2- Recommend a process to get a PR message out to all at the college and the community. 3- Work on incorporating a PR process into a plan and action plan.
2. Program Review Update: FEC sent a resolution to district administration that all district program reviews should be done by competent, accredited outside persons. Because MCLI is to be reviewed first, the program that most impact faculty, Anna Solley suggested she wanted to do an internal review with the option to have an external person come in and review. She would only agree to this if FEC agreed to accept her findings. FEC needs to formulate a response to her request which is strongly worded to state that external reviews must be done- no other way is acceptable.
3. Chancellor Gaskinıs Remarks: Charles reported on the Chancellorıs remarks regarding the 900 million dollar bond election was discussed Chancellor Gaskin suggested none of this will be spent at the district office.
Q: DO you have this in writing
A: Yes.
Gaskinıs comments included a discussion of decentralization of a variety of district services- when questioned about funding being tied to this- he replied ³absolutely².
4. 49% Program Concerns: Charles reported that the inequities of the 49% program have been brought up to CEC at several colleges who feel as though the current system is not equitable. Some colleges have established lines and some do not. Most individual college presidents make the individual decision to grant 49% status. Barry interjected that some colleges believe the money would be redistributed if not used. He clarified that the college executives make these decisions and must live with these decisions. 49% is not an entitlement and there are no EEOC requirements it is set on an annual basis by need. Harold asked that we watch this carefully because he thought the amount here was 2.2 million and now it is reported to be 1.9. Money that leaves the account needs to be moderated and carefully watched. I (Harold) am nervous about looking at 49% as choices. We need to be alert to the idea that 49% may not be there. Charles suggested the institutional memory of this senate is an issue here. We need to remember what has been the standard and what was discussed.
Q: Could some of the money decrease be due to the fact that the years at 49% changed from 7 to 5? What if the state gave early retirement options? We will need this money.
Barry clarified that 49% must be awarded. There is a lot going on this issue that we need to be aware of. Rosenthal thinks it should be an all or nothing system. If this is the case than it will all go away.
5. Meet and Confer: Charles reported that Alan Haffa made an excellent presentation to the board- comparing faculty salaries to the western CPI and other indexes to show how our salary increases have lagged. He brought up an excellent point suggesting this Board has already approved Faculty line items for all budget expenditures except salaries- thus, how can the budget be approved without it? The current status is Meet and Confer has heard from the Board and Janice will give us an update.
6. Legislative update: Charles suggested that the information he received from the Legislative committee were helpful and said to send your home emails to Doyle Burke (personal email) for information. A reminder was made to make sure Faculty let our voices be heard on the salary issue- we must take a stand on this issue.
legislative Committee member Erin said the emails could be sent to her as well. A comment was made to copy Alan and Janice on any emails sent to the board. Barry suggested he had received some copies of emails as well and urged us all to do this.
7. District Curr Comm. Update- Charles said there is a meeting on April 16, so we will wait for this report. Comment: This year round calendar items continue to surface. We need to continue to be vigilant and every department has instructional council within District wide representation. Lyn told of a meeting related to this on April 16 from 1-4 at District.
C. Secretary: Reminders: Change in Faculty Social date to April 11 from 4-7 in the Hilton Pavilions.
D. Chair Liaison Report: No new Updates
E. Board Report (Barry Vaughan): Barry reported that the meeting was fascinating- He suggested we have to start some good faith negotiation. We cannot allow the Board to continue treating us this way. Which is one of the reasons we have gotten a PR firm.
Q: Can legal action be taken on the salary issue
A: Yes, but can we persuade them in other ways to enter into negotiation with us. The District lawyer would interpret the RFP discussion of this process differently than our lawyer would.
Q: 6 years ago we sued did we win?
A: We lost partially- they ruled our contract was legal, but we lost on the multi year content. Arizona law appears to be inconsistent.
Comment: We are showing our hand here. We show the board they need us if we can get faculty to respond to this issue. We cannot be apathetic- we can show we are a force?
Comment: Maybe another emergency Faculty meeting should be help.
Comment: Only 12 people out of 300 coming to this meeting- sends a message to the board, maybe we are not a force.
Comment: When the board sees the faces of those people they recognize it is powerful and important for us to be there. This is our chance to go to the ballot box if you will.
Comment: Make it clear that our salary is at risk- like a ballot.
F. 49% Representative Report (Chuck Horn): Chuck reported that he received a list from Taylor of retirees. Out of 61 (which may not be accurate) only 4 are members of the Faculty Association from MCC. He suggested article 3 section 2 of the RFP and the Senate homepage mentions 49%- but he asked if they are covered by the RFP an do they count as members for voting power. Charles answered- Yes, they count half. Chuck suggested we must push for them to be members- He suggested the advantage for them would be that they can be covered by legal representation. Barry suggested this was an excellent benefit and yes they are covered. Chuck asked if 40% can vote for Zone representatives? Lyn suggested the constitution was developed before 49% program. Chuck pointed out that Art 2 sec 1 says all are eligible so we can infer yes- for all those who are actively retired. Chuck stated he wants to push for more retiree members next year. Lyn suggested we make the benefits to 49% faculty more clear in the constitution and the homepage. Charles said he would check into the list Chuck had to see if the 49% are on the rosters. The all faculty emails may not go out to 49%. Chuck stated the names of those who were 40% and members (Al Galliart, Doyle Burke, Chuck Horn, and Kaye Sugiyama). Charles said many of the 40% do not see the benefits and we need to make this clear. Chuck suggested that no one ever really asked him to be a member and if we just ask we could get more members. Comment: It is hard to get a hold of 49%. Chuck plans on drafting a letter to all 49% Faculty next year and will send the letter to departments secretaries. Lyn stated a database of all retirees was available from Betty Oıneal. Comment: we should invite them to the Faculty Social and make them feel welcome- most feel out of the loop. Charles said they first need to be on the DL faculty list to get information.
G. Legislative Liaison Report (Phil Carrillo or Erin Rawson): Phil stated that at the last meeting, each person took a bill to track. His bill 2455 was related to the option to buy 3 more years of service beyond retirement. This bill allows you to buy 3 more years to your years of service. Chuck stated this would be a great advantage to young people to buy up soon. John clarified this must be done within 3 years of retirement. Phil suggested the bill has passed the congress and he will continue to track.
X. Senator Reports:
Members at Large
A. Phil Carrillo (Member at Large): reported that he spoke to Carol Peterson about Faculty SS# on rosters and she said only the last four digits should now appear on rosters. If more is shown, contact registration. Comment: They are not even to use the last 4 numbers- these can often be the most sensitive numbers if someone were to have them. Question: Why not just use an employee number?
B. Mona Scott (Member at Large): None
C. Erin Rawson (Member at Large): None
D. Ann Stine (Member at Large): None
E. Mehrzad Khorsandi (Member at Large): None
F. David Nachman (Member at Large): Absent
G. Greg Pratt (Member at Large): None
Zone Representatives
A. Zone 1: Art/Foreign Languages/Reading/Speech Communication/Theatre Arts (Lyn Dutson): 1- Beautification committee has not met in 4 years. This concerns Lyn suggesting the reason given for not meeting was that they were waiting for the Bond. This is a problem. 2- ID card needed for all faculty. Barry stated that a formal request was made to do this. Dean Mee however said the cost was too high and sent it back to the committee to revise. The committee stayed with the original proposal as this was seen as the best route to take- thus the idea died. The proposal is written it is just awaiting approval. A smart card is what is needed to work in many places- working towards a single card system to be used to enter into secure doors, library and such. Q: What if you lose it? A: The proposal was for 20-30 thousand dollars. This included a smart card that could be deactivated with a charge to replace it and it would randomly assign you a card number that could be deprogrammed. 3- Lyn stated the TVıs in the student union are to be programmed to MCC information broadband but this is not being done rather all TVıs are programmed to MTV. She suggested at least one TV should post MCC events and this would be utilized more effectively. 4- Lyn suggested Maintenance take the Key smith around campus to fix any broken locks on campus. Lyn relayed that she was trapped in a room right before spring break. Had she not had a student with a cell phone- this could have been dangerous. He was informed later that this door has been broken for 1 year. Lyn stated that these doors must be fixed because there are not working phones in each room. Barry relayed a story of locking himself in his new office and affirmed this is dangerous.
B. Zone 2: Business (Phil Waclawski): Phil asked if there has been any movement on the 12 month salary issue- the lawyers interpretation of it? Barry said we are waiting for a reply from the lawyer. Phil also asked about whether bad carpet in a room could be a safety issue- since it must be duct taped down. Barry recommended Phil call Ron Etter and reports this as a safety issue. Phil asked how something is determined to be a safety issue or supplies and media or maintenance? Lyn suggested he hit all areas- Call Rudy secretary Cynthia at 17096 to put on a trouble maintenance report. She will get it assigned. Also contact Kent in media if this is the issue. Barry stated a maintenance log is being created- they are working on this so these issues can be centralized. `
C. Zone 3: English/Philosophy (Sam Martinez): None
D. Zone 4: Math/Music (Danene Richardson): Absent
E. Zone 5: Cultural, Social Science/Psychology (Harold Cranswick): Notice: an air port was stolen from the Social Science building.
F. Zone 6: Technology & Design/Family/Consumer Science/Mortuary Science/Phys. Ed. (Jack Hinze): None
G. Zone 7: CTL/Counseling/Library/Nursing (Naomi Story): Absent
H. Zone 8: Life, Physical Science (John Zikopoulos): Notice: 4 wireless items were stolen from his building. John reported that ASU has undergone discussions to implement an A A- B B- grade system. He suggested we begin to examine this and its implications to see if we would like to incorporate this system. Charles stated that the Business Liaison here at MCC said that the ASU Senate had ³canned the measure²
XI. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted by,
Erin Rawson
MCC Faculty Senate Member at Large- substituting for Faculty Senate Secretary Naomi Story