Final copy approved in senate 9-13-05
FInal copy approved by Ec 9-6-05
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
August 16, 2005
Attendance: (Those present indicated by an underline)
Officers: President Kilborn, Past President/President-Elect Schoenberger, Secretary Gasparino, Treasurer Larkin
IFO Board Members: Larkin, Herath
Unit Representatives: COB SubbaNarasimha, COE Hornstein, COFAH Condon, COSE Representative Kasi, COSS Representative Clifford, SPEC Motin
Negotiator: Langen
Larkin reported that he is in the process of making the treasurer’s duties more efficient by using online banking. He plans on making the future reports at the first meeting of the month. The FA checking account today is at $1,438.51 and there was recently a major expenditure of $1,369.98 for a new FA laptop. The total amount for the computer will be lowered, however, by $200 for rebates. Larkin reported that the IFO disbursement will be here mid-September. Kilborn reported that the laptop purchase and the IFO disbursements would be discussed further as they were both agenda items.
Kilborn reported that three unions (AFSCME, MAPE, and the two-year colleges) have settled and that the deals appear reasonable. The settlements can be reviewed online. IFO has negotiating sessions with MnSCU every Friday and Saturday during September. There is an Action Meeting scheduled for August 30 at 1:45 PM in the Mississippi Room. Further details will follow. Nancy Black, Michael Connaughton, and Bill Langen will be available to give updates on negotiations and answer questions. Armbands will be used at the Action Meeting if they are ready and available.
a. Centers of Excellence and SCSU’s COB—This handout is from Linda Baer, which details meetings on local campuses. SCSU COB has been proposed for Center of Excellence, but at this point it has not been approved. We should refer this topic to Meet and Confer for more information on who proposed it, etc.
b. Conroy’s Statement on Payment for Non-Duty Days—This handout is a new IFO statement from Frank Conroy that has been revised very little from the copy that was distributed at the last EC. There was discussion regarding duty days and increments of work. Kilborn will ask Moorhead more questions regarding this.
c. Public Accountability in Higher Education—This handout is a draft however Kilborn has the final copy, which hasn’t been changed at all. There were approximately sixty people in attendance. Topics discussed included accountability, rethinking, and “public agenda.” Three states were highlighted: ND, KY, and CO.
d. Approved MnSCU Tuition and Fees—This handout is a list that shows what the MnSCU Board has approved for tuition. SCSU came in at the lowest. Enrollment is down everywhere.
e. Recommended Changes to IFO Operating Procedures—This draft has not been approved yet. Kilborn stated that they were trying to clean up the language and pointed out that item F.1.e. was pulled from consideration because the item deals with assets and limits to amounts that local associations can hold and because the proposed language conflicts with the Delegate Assembly resolution. Kilborn stated that the IFO is concerned about too much money being out on campuses. Larkin pointed out that the Delegate Assembly resolution cannot be overridden by the Board and that this new language treats all campuses the same regardless of the size. All agreed with the Delegate Assembly resolution.
f. Recommended Financial Operating Procedures for Faculty Associations—This handout deals with the $5,000 limit as well; item 9 has been pulled and will go to the IFO Board. These procedures have not been passed yet. Kilborn went through each item and discussed the guidelines and the pros and cons and the need for accountability. She noted that the IFO would like to move quarterly payments up by one month.
Motion to ask IFO Board to set up a committee to look at the problems and recommend solutions for FA treasuries – (Schoenberger/SubbaNarasimha). Passed
g. MnSCU Faculty Development Survey—This handout was discussed briefly. The survey, which was approved by the IFO Board and has only been revised by the addition of items submitted by local campus CETLs, will be distributed in late August.
h. Applied Doctorates—This handout will need a lot of discussion in the near future since MnSCU appears to be moving fast on this. The draft is from Mitch Rubenstein. Kilborn made a few statements on Applied Doctorates and discussed situations on campus and issues. She stated that Mitch Rubenstein will be on campus this fall and faculty should be encouraged to attend when the dates are determined.
a. Applied Doctorates Meetings at SCSU—Brief discussion.
b. FA laptop—Kilborn pointed out the new laptop and committee discussed and concluded that laptop belonged to the IFO and would be registered to the IFO.
c. Enrollment Information for this fall—Kilborn announced that enrollment was down approximately 100-200 and that there would be approximately 2,200 entering freshmen—she will provide more current numbers at the next meeting. There was a brief discussion about enrollment and it was concluded that enrollment is down everywhere and retention may be expected.
d. Grievance training—Kilborn provided information and it was noted that the cost had increased slightly for food. There was discussion about the flat fee, $300 per campus for 4 people, 2 rooms, 2 cars, and that food would be extra. It was noted that there would be two per room. Kilborn advised that current guidelines for grievances would be discussed and looked at, when and who can file a grievance, for possible changes to prevent situations that conflict with the mission of the union.
Motion for the FA to pay the extra cost to make up difference so people attending the training can have their own rooms—(SubbaNarasimha/Kasi). Passed
e. Nancy Black's Campus Visit and Action Meeting August 30—Kilborn stated that this item was already covered in the Negotiations Report and that she would send out notification closer to the date.
f. Administrative Searches and Search Firms—Kilborn discussed the Provost’s request to have search firms help search committees for Dean and VP for Student Life and Development searches. There was discussion about interim appointments and applying for the positions; the search committees’ roles regarding deadlines, qualifications, making decisions; whether the committees were being listened to; and if this item should go to Meet and Confer. Larkin and Herath discussed their past roles on search committees and the relevance of the search committee. SubbaNarasimha pointed out that administration and faculty/FA both share a common goal of wanting the most qualified candidates.
Motion for the FA to agree to use search firms in the interest of reaching the common goal of finding the most qualified candidates—(Schoenberger/Kasi). Passed.
g. FA Representation for MSUAASF Searches in CIS—Kilborn informed the committee that Merton Thompson was appointed by Administration to these two searches due to his “special expertise” in international affairs because he has taught and traveled abroad. He would be ex officio and he would not represent us. There was discussion about administration appointing, what qualified as “special expertise,” and the need for the Provost to document the “special expertise.” The committee discussed the pros and cons of this sort of appointment, setting precedence, and the concern of fair share members being appointed to committees because of their undocumented “special expertise” and their right to vote on the committee.
h. Building Naming Ceremony—Kilborn announced that it is on the calendar even though the FA Executive Committee did not recommend naming the Math and Science building after Wick. There was discussion about this matter and past practices. It was noted that there is a policy but not a clear procedure and that Senate brought this to administration but it was not accepted.
i. Party at Annette’s on August 26th—Annette asked for numbers by Wednesday.
Call for new agenda items—None.
a. Faculty “responsibility”—Not discussed.
b. Higher Education Research Institute: 2004-2005 SCSU Faculty Survey Report (EC 062105 5.i.)—Not discussed.
a. Grade Policy (EC 062105 8.d.)—Not discussed.
b. Consensual-relationships policy (EC 062105 8.e.)—Not discussed.
c. Committee for communications policies/processes for Office of Clinical Experiences (OCE)—Not discussed.
e. Local accounting procedures (record keeping – how long, what, when, and where)—Not discussed.
g. IFO Board Vacancy—Theresia Fisher resigned due to health reasons. Kilborn asked the committee, since there was not enough time for an election, if they would consider taking the next highest vote-getter to the next board meeting so that there would be full representation. Kilborn provided the language from the constitution concerning vacancies to the committee and Larkin pointed out that in the bylaws the Vice-President (in the FA this position is the President-Elect) could attend as a substitute for the remainder of the year. There was discussion about having full representation and asking Senate if this would be okay or if they wanted a formal election and all agreed to bring this to Senate.
i. Convocation Information Fair for New and Returning Employees—Kilborn announced that the FA would have a table with brochures and membership cards at the information fair for new and old faculty on Monday, August 29, at 8:30 to 9:15 AM, in the Atwood Ballroom, and she asked for volunteers. Larkin, Schoenberger, and Kasi volunteered. Kilborn informed that she will make a general announcement for more volunteers to FA Executive Committee members who were unable to attend this meeting.
j. Counseling Center and MSUAASF director—Kilborn announced that the director has resigned and she explained that this may be an opportunity for structural change that would improve the current set up. Jan Gembol was elected chair by the counseling faculty. The center would like resolution before someone is hired. There was discussion about the current set up in the counseling center and the possibility of a permanent faculty position in the future. The Provost has looked at other models that have MSUAASF directors and Kilborn stated the centers in Winona and Mankato have permanent faculty although they originally had MSUAASF directors. Kilborn has asked FA presidents from these universities for more information about how these centers are structured and how they moved from MSUAASF to faculty directors. It was noted that in the contract IFO members/faculty belonging to the departments elect their chairs. Also, it was decided that Kilborn would ask faculty members from the Counseling Center to attend the next Executive Committee meeting to talk about their perspectives.
Motion recommending that the organization of the counseling center be discussed between the Provost and the FA—(Larkin/Schoenberger). Passed
Motion to move to item 9f—(SubbaNarasimha/Schoenberger). Passed
f. Short-Term Study Abroad Programs: Application Form—It was noted that the application form needs to be revised. Schoenberger stated that last February she requested budget information of where the money would go. She informed the Provost then that the form could not be used until the information was reviewed and the information was never provided. There was discussion about following up on this by setting up a meeting with the Provost and a committee of study abroad and Kilborn stated she would do this in the fall. The form seems to indicate that 15% of tuition paid will be kept by the CIS office. Larkin suggested that this item be brought to Meet and Confer and that the FA Executive Committee should review the form before making any recommendations/decisions. Kilborn will provide the form at the next meeting.
h. COE Update—Kilborn gave a quick review of the situation. Item will be discussed further.
d. Terms of office (and constitutional review)—Larkin mentioned that Constitutional Review is currently due and that terms of office could be considered as part of the normal review process. The item was discussed briefly and it was agreed that the item needs to be discussed further.
NOTE: Kilborn announced that eight faculty members who were promoted were overpaid last year and that she met Monday with HR and contacted the IFO. Currently the situation is being handled/negotiated between the IFO and MnSCU. The faculty received the letters today.