Senate Meeting Minutes 12-1-16 In attendance: Patrice Nango, Paul Nunez, Lori Liang, Marie Brown, Phil Waclawski, Bruce Peterson, Megan McGuire, Bob Galloway, Mark Neeley, Miya Henley, Jeff Messer, Daphne Rossiter, Bryce Bond, Janice Pierson, Pam Harrison, Chris Sullivan, Debi Campbell, Kevin Healy, Shereen Lerner, Keith Anderson xxx = not in attendance Special Guests: I. General A. Call To Order 3:02pm B. Approval of Agenda Approved C. Approval of Minutes Moved to next meeting II. Old Business A. FEP resolution Discussion revolved around different levels of noncompliance and how to address the various levels of deficiencies. Should a FEP be due each year until caught up or one uber FEP? A senator recommended having an email go out to the faculty not in compliance from the college president and senate president to include the Chair of the professional rights and responsibilities committee. III. New Business A. Equality Maricopa President Harrison shared a letter drafted by the PVCC senate regarding equality issues. They are asking for the Faculty Executive Council (FEC) to endorse the letter of recommendation. A senator asked that they define what trans-inclusive means. A senator noted that for many legal documents the birth name is required. President Harrison noted that for some of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs like nursing legal verses preferred names in SIS could pose an issue. A senator noted that they are only asking for support of a recommendation to have a discussion. Motion was made to support and unanimously approved. IV. Officer Reports A. President s Report Pam Harrison President Harrison met with Dean Achs regarding the Title IX policy. There are many questions that need specific answers. President Harrison noted the payroll mistake impacted approximately 750 employees. President Harrison will be meeting with Jeff Darbut on Friday and will ask him about
club fund balances. B. Vice President s Report Patrice Nango Vice President Nango noted that minutes from the meeting with the Chancellor regarding the governing board resolution, etc. is forthcoming. C. Recording Secretary s Report Janice Pierson Updates to the FPG Travel sent out by Zoe Luter in September, 2016 are now on the website. D. Senate Treasurer s Report Phil Waclawski December 12 th is when Faculty Association membership has to be turned in. A senator asked about an email from President Harrison going out to all faculty that are not yet Faculty Association members. President Harrison will be sending out this email. E. Past President s Report Paul Nunez Past President Nunez noted that his role as Chair of the professional rights and responsibilities committee is subject to the Senate President initiating a need. F. Department Chair Association (DCA) Liaison Report Daphne Rossiter DCA meets this Monday (12/5). The spring DCA meeting schedule has been modified slightly. G. Faculty Senate Committees: 1. Faculty Staffing 2. Constitution/Bylaws/Best Practices 3. Faculty Travel 4. Student Outcomes 5. CTL Advisory 6. Professional Rights and Responsibilities 7. Committees Committee V. Information/Discussion A. FEC report President Harrison noted there will be changes in the common pages forthcoming. The first one is on transfer credits (regional only or exceptions by approval). Second, during the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) visit at Phoenix College the HLC had a problem with how faculty were composing their syllabi. They were concerned with the fact that faculty were not indicating how much time the student would have to put into the course. A senator was concerned about how lengthy the syllabi was getting with all of these requirements. President Harrison mentioned that faculty may be able to just include a link to the information in the future. Meet and Confer updates: Common issues associated with initial salary placement appeals is being looked at by the team. The meet and confer team is still working on lab loading to include updating overall costing. They are looking for people to serve on a focus group to improve the instructional grievance process. There was some follow-up discussion on course fees as well as equality Maricopa.
A District-wide meeting is being scheduled with the Deans and Vice Presidents of Academic Affairs (VPAAs). Send questions for this meeting to Pam Harrison. B. Board Resolution and community forums Working draft 5.0 is the current version of the Governing Board resolution. A senator noted that the RFP is not a legally binding document. It is honored at the discretion of the Chancellor and Governing Board. A senator noted that a couple of Red Mtn faculty spoke to the Chancellor after the first meeting in Glendale. The format of the meeting did not allow for much questioning. You had 3 minutes and needed to let them know you were speaking. That said, the board did selectively respond to certain questions. Robert Soza, Faculty Executive Council President, gave a statement at the last meeting and will do the same at the next meeting. A senator read the statement to the senators. A senator asked about the Chancellor s ability to modify any section of the RFP. A senator noted that at any time the Chancellor has this ability. The Chancellor has said that honoring the processes in place is her commitment. A senator noted that from a legal perspective meet and confer has taken place for at least fifty years. There would be a legal precedent. Much of the law is based on legal precedent. A past settlement did lay some ground work but the RFP can t bind future boards. The Faculty Association has grounds to go back to court if they were to make large scale changes. A senator stated that the Governing Board has all the power. A senator noted that we may be using up all of the good faith by letting some of the faculty be in violation of the RFP. We need better enforce of the RFP. C. Course fees President Harrison stated that there is nothing new regarding course fees. Data is being collected on how the course fees are being used so that the District understands the amount of the shortfall if the new policy is put into place. There is still discussion on what to do with the current course fee balances, etc. D. Load limits President Harrison noted that the MCC interim VPAA is still thinking about how to interpret the load limits. He is leaning towards allowing anything over the 22.5 be nonstudent contact activities. A senator noted that Occupational Program Directors (OPDs) can still have a contract that is not part of load. The RFP clearly states that you cannot give over 22.5 load for teaching. Unusual circumstances does not include teaching. E. Senior Tuition Rate, ESP, and OER policy change President Harrison noted that the senior tuition rate policy has changed so that they can sign up right now and still get their discounted tuition. Vice President Nango noted that they are going to continue doing paper waivers and then create a code for seniors for Spring 2017. A senator mentioned the former afternoon course discount that was in place and could it be brought up for reconsideration with the Governing Board. There were many questions about the OER policy $40 fee to students processed through the vendors. There was discussion around the confusion surrounding the Educational Service
Partnership discount to businesses, industries, and government. F. Faculty Association membership drive Memberships are due December 12 th. Talk to people in your zones. A senator noted that they need to get involved if they want change to happen. A senator noted that he met with Dean Voss and he is stunned by Maricopa s RFP in terms of faculty rights. MCC is currently at 60% membership. G. Faculty Association training, December 13, 1:30-2:30. Faculty Investigatory processes with Eric Wilson, FA attorney Time changed from 12:30 1:30. It is at the FA building. Patty Finkenstadt asked that we RSVP. Send RSVPs to Pam Harrison. This session will cover administrative review and conflict resolution. H. Employee celebration Theme Hispanic culture vibrant decorations, etc. President Harrison needs assistance the Thursday evening before for decorating. Wear a red shirt or Hispanic attire. I. Faculty Foundation book drive Vice President Nango stated that the drive ends tomorrow (Dec. 2 nd ). She encouraged us all to use Amazon Smile. The direct donation amount is approximately $120 per month per college. We need to increase this amount. A senator asked why this isn t on the employee giving form. Vice President Nango stated that they could put us on the employee giving form. J. PAC No PAC update. VI. Zone and At-Large Reports and Significant Happenings/Issues A senator noted panic over the course fee changes. A senator noted the next issue of iteach@mcc will be published next week and that a Happiness Campaign will be starting up next semester. A senator had one member concerned about payment being received. A senator noted that they give ~$900 in scholarship to math students. A senator noted the current Art Gallery exhibit was coordinated with the alumni association. They are planning future events on a regular basis. A senator noted that Red Mtn had an incoming college student event today. A senator stated that one of his zone members asked about the encrypted thumb drives. You have to take in your old drive and they will move your information from your old drive to the new drive. A senator noted that tomorrow night is Astronomy night. They are doing the reboot of pink Floyd. Show up early for tickets. A senator noted that a faculty had concerns about regional presidencies. A senator asked about the proposal to eliminate year round pay. This has been tabled. A senator wanted to thank Keven Healy and the Art Department for supporting the honors students. Honors students are increasing participation numbers for events. VII. Reporting Out From Today s Meeting
A. VIII. Announcements/Good of the Order/Adjournment Adjourned 5:00