Minutes of the
Meeting of the PVCC Faculty Senate
September 6, 2001
Approved 10/4/01
1. Call to Order/Approval of Agenda
Jane Marks called the senate to order.
Member Present:
Member Absent:
Guests Present:
Dr. Gina Kranitz
Bob Bendotti
A motion was approved to table the approval of the May 3, 2001 Minutes
Bob Bendotti distributed Organizing For Learning and A Learning Centered Process For Realigning PVCC’s Administrative Leadership Team. He presented a proposed 6 stage process to achieve this realignment of PVCC’s administrative leadership team. Dr. Gina Kranitz distributed the Organizational Clusters Chart — Plan B2 and provided an overview. Dr. Kranitz answered questions and provided clarification.
2. Officers’ Reports
President:
New Campus Master Plan: When the original PVCC Campus Master Plan was drawn up, it was not known that there was a flood plain on the south side of the campus where no buildings would be allowed. A new Master Plan will be worked on this year to try to determine how to maximize the land we can use. There will probably have to be more 2 or 3 story classroom buildings to accommodate our growth. Additional classroom space, etc., will be contingent on passage of a bond election in the couple of years.
Parking: Paul Dale reported that last fall at peak class times, there were 100 spaces left. Twenty spaces have been freed up by moving school vehicles to the west parking lot. Since we expect continued growth, there is, for now, a contingency overflow plan. A graveled area on the east side of the campus is being used on an as-needed basis. When the Overflow lot is needed, the school will need to rent lights and provide extra security. Until the new Master Plan is developed, it would be undesirable to pave an area that will then be torn up.
Arizona Agribusiness Charter High School: The Charter High School that rents campus space last year requested that PVCC consider allowing them to increase their enrollment. The director offered to get funding to build modular classrooms similar to those they have built on the South Mountain Campus. However, with the work done by the PVCC Charter School Task Force committee and with recommendations by Mary Lou Mosley, it did not seem feasible at this time. Dr. Kranitz said we will not displace our own students to accommodate the charter school’s growth at this time, especially with a new campus Master Plan not prepared. A similar situation has occurred with Northern Arizona University’s rental of space from us — their continued growth will necessitate larger usage, but again, space for PVCC students is the priority. NAU has been given notice that we will need our facilities they rent back by June, 2002.
Changes in Hiring Procedures at the District Level: The MCCCD Faculty Executive Council will be presenting an initiative to the Governing Board to promote earlier advertising nationwide of faculty positions. The purpose is to be able to compete for the best possible faculty candidates rather than waiting until spring after many of the best candidates already have been hired. The model the FEC is proposing is one which PVCC has already started on: early strategic planning with staffing needs being brought for budget planning in the spring so that advertising can begin the following fall. The FEC believes that this competitive approach will also allow for hiring of more diverse faculty. Part of the proposal includes requesting funds to bring candidates to Arizona for a final interview.
Workplace Safety: A district taskforce working on reducing the threat of violence in the workplace has been introduced before the Governing Board. It is hoped this will directly benefit all employees as well as students.
Health Benefits: Rising costs in health benefits as well as aging employees will drastically affect our health benefit program. No real solutions have been presented as yet. Jane Marks discussed the new campus master plan, parking, Arizona Agribusiness Charter High School, changes in hiring procedures at the district level, workplace safety and health benefits, and solicited questions.
Treasurer:
Sue Van Boven provided the report. A motion was passed to approve the report.
Checking Account: Desert Schools Federal Credit Union
Date Transaction Amount
09/01/01 Beginning balance $ 462.66
no activity
________
09/30/01 Ending balance $ 462.66
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Savings Account: Desert Schools Federal Credit Union
Date Transaction Amount
09/01/01 Beginning Balance $11,514.09
09/30/01 Dividend 24.15
09/30/01 Ending balance $11,538.24
Encumbered Funds — Scholarships
09/01/01 Beginning Balance $ 4,876.37
no activity
09/30/01 Ending Balance $ 4,876.37
=======
Available Funds
Combined balances — checking and savings $ 12,000.90
Less: Scholarship Fund - 4,876.37
Available funds $ 7,124.53
========
President-Elect:
President-Elect, Hank Mancini provided a report on his visits to the FEC. He reported that the FEC is considering hiring a lobbyist. The FEC believes that national membership in the AAUP is important, but has requested that MCCCD faculty withdraw from the state AAUP. On intellectual property rights, request open discussion about the District administration’s position which is not satisfactory according to the FEC. Attended FEC retreat, August 21. A major issue was District hiring procedures, The FEC proposed revised timetables to the current hiring process. The purpose of he proposal is to provide more time and greater incentives for a more diverse faculty pool. The FEC will continue to advocate for PhD + advancement on the salary scale which was vetoed by the MCCCD board.
The FEC met throughout the summer. Many items were discussed and the most important ones are detailed in this report.
Political Lobbyist: The members of the FEC discussed the possibility of retaining a political lobbyist. This individual would be responsible for alerting the FEC about legislature that would affect us. It is the opinion of the FEC that we need to have some political "clout" and to safe guard issues important to our members. The committee is attempting to clearly define what we want the lobbyist to do before proceeding.
AAUP Membership: The FEC felt that membership in the national AAUP was important and necessary. This organization can supply us with guidelines on various issues. However, the committee debated the benefit(s) received from membership in the state AAUP. Yearly we contribute $6K to this organization. By a vote of the FEC, it was decided to withdraw from the state AAUP, effectively immediately.
Intellectual Property Rights: Concerns were raised about the intellectual property rights of any MCCCD employee. The District maintains that we are basically "work for hire" and, as such, they own any intellectual property rights. The FEC does not agree with that opinion and will meet with the District on September 25th to discuss this issue.
FEC Retreat: The FEC conducted a retreat on August 21st to discuss improvements to the hiring process. The chancellor is concerned by the lack of diversity from the last round of hiring. Our discussions were productive and a newer procedure was proposed. This procedure would request advertisements for faculty positions no later than October 1st, receipt of applications by December 15th, screening of applications in January and interviewing of applicants in February. The FEC has also proposed that the approval and offer to a candidate occur no later than 3-4 weeks after the initial interviews. We have also requested from the District travel allowances for final candidate interviews.
3. Campus Committee Reports:
Professional Growth Committee:
Tom Butler described that the professional growth application is on the website and that soon applications can be completed on-line.
PVCC Faculty Travel Committee
Marilyn Cristiano, Chair distributed the Travel Committee Summary Report and Recommendations for Changes in the Travel Guidelines and provided an overview and explanation of recommended changes. Discussion followed. A motion to approve the recommended changes - one, two and three was passed. Marilyn will review the current wording of recommendation four and resubmit for senate review and approval at a later date.
Travel Committee Summary Report and Recommendations for changes in the Travel Guidelines Travel Committee Summary Report and Recommendations
For changes in the Travel Guidelines:
1. Summary of the 2000-2001 Budget:
a. Zero travel requests were disapproved because of lack of funds.
b. 29 faculty received funds with a maximum limit of $700.00 per
faculty member.
c. $990.68 was left in a $19,318.00 budget.
That left us with a deficit of $7,922.49.
e. Bob Bendotti gave the Travel Committee an additional $4,000.00 to
cover faculty out of pocket expenses. That gave us a total of $4,990.68 to distribute and left a deficit of $3,922.49.
Since there was a deficit, the Faculty Travel Committee's formula for distributing remaining travel funds was used. The percent of each faculty traveler's fund request came to 56%. Therefore, each requester received 56% of the dollars that they were out of pocket.
f. Since a budget shortfall has been fairly predictable, Bob
Bendotti has set aside $4,000.00 as a supplemental contingency to support
potential shortfalls in the travel budget for the 2001-2002 academic year. The $4,000.00 establishes a ceiling for supplemental assistance.
2. Budget data for the 2001-2002 academic year:
a. Dollar Amount from the District: $19,015.00.
b. Dollar Amount from College: $4,000.00.
c. Total dollar amount: $23,015.
3. The Travel Committee made the following decisions for the 2001-2002 academic year:
a. The limit on the maximum amount faculty may be funded from the Faculty Travel Funds will be $700.00 (same as last year).
b. The formula for distributing remaining travel funds at the end of
the 2001-2002 academic year will be as follows (same as last year):
Dollar value of funds left over divided by the dollar value of additional funds requested = percent of each additional fund request to be funded.
For example:
$1,000.00 in travel funds remaining
$2,000.00 in additional travel fund requests
$1000.00 divided by $2,000.00 = %50.00.
Therefore, 50% of each request for funds would be funded.
4. Recommendations for changes in the Travel Guidelines:
Current Wording:
G.3. Travel funds cannot be used to travel to activities or courses
undertaken to maintain certification in the field of teaching expertise.
Proposed Wording: Delete
Justification:
The Professional Growth Policies now make
certification courses for CIS faculty eligible for Professional
Growth funds.
b. Recommendation Two: Change G.4. to G.3.
Justification:
Since, G.3. has been deleted, then G.4. needs to be renumbered.
c. Recommendation Three: Amend C.5.
Current Wording:
C.5. At the end of each semester, provide a summary report of Travel Committee activities to the PVCC Faculty Senate."
Proposed Wording:
C.5. At the beginning of the fall semester and at the end of each semester, provide a summary report of Travel Committee activities to the PVCC Faculty Senate."
Justification:
This will give the Travel Chair a chance to report the final data from the previous year, to report the Travel Committee's decisions regarding the limit on the maximum amount faculty may be funded for the new year, and to report the formula for distributing remaining travel funds. This information will become part of the official minutes--consequently, the Travel Committee will have a formal history saved in the Senate archives. It will also give the chair a chance to recommend changes to the Travel Guidelines.
Current Wording:
N. Process for Distributing Remaining Travel Funds
N.1. After the last working day of April, the Faculty Travel Committee
Chair shall consult with the cashier's office to determine the extent of
travel budget monies available for distribution.
N.2. If monies are available, travelers may request additional travel funds to cover their expenses by meeting with personnel in the cashier's office to determine the exact amount of monies they are qualified to receive. Travelers shall be given five working days to meet with personnel in the cashier's office.
N.3. The cashier's office shall forward all requests to the Faculty Travel Committee Chair.
N.4. The Faculty Travel Committee Chair shall follow the Faculty Travel Committee's formula for distributing remaining travel funds to approve requests for additional funding.
N.5. The chair shall inform the cashier's office, the Faculty Travel Committee, and the travelers regarding additional monies approved.
Proposed Wording:
N. Process for Distributing Remaining Travel Funds
N.1. After the last working day of April, the Faculty Travel Committee Chair shall consult with the cashier's office to determine the extent of travel budget monies available for distribution.
N2. If monies are available, the cashier's office will inform the Faculty Travel Committee Chair regarding which faculty members were out-of-pocket for travel expenses and the exact amount of monies each is qualified to receive.
N.3. The Faculty Travel Committee Chair shall follow the Faculty Travel Committee's formula for distributing remaining travel funds to approve requests for additional funding.
N.4. The chair shall inform the cashier's office, the Faculty Travel Committee, and the travelers regarding additional monies approved.
Justification:
This will eliminate the necessity of faculty who are out-of-pocket for travel expenses to have to request funds and meet with personnel in the cashier's office. Faculty members will automatically be considered for reimbursement if funds remain.
Tom Butler distributed the Faculty Professional Growth Program Overview 2001-2002 and provided a summary. A motion was passed to split the $7000. in half for summer projects and for travel
4. Old Business:
Jane Marks reviewed the 2001-2002 Senate Goals. Goals numbered two, three, four, seven and nine were deleted. The senate will develop a proposal for the proposed organizational structure and for academic restructuring.
The entire senate will draft the proposal. Continue with interfaculty communication, and parking
2001-2002 Senate Goals
History: Below is the list of goals proposed for the 2001-2002 Senate. At the May 2001, meeting Senators were asked to look over the list. Some of the goals proposed are already being addressed by campus initiatives, or were found to be inappropriate for the Senate to address. Updating comments regarding the proposed goals are summarized below in italics.
1. Academic restructuring with new dean of instruction
Investigate the restructuring of current academic divisions into smaller departments as has been done by Science/Math and Human Development with a focus on parity/equality among divisions.
***Examination of academic restructuring is a goal for PVCC this year. A Senate committee could be formed that works Division Chairs acting as liaisons.
2. Adjunct faculty issues
This committee would work with adjunct faculty to improve their working conditions.
***This goal is now being addressed by the new Adjunct Faculty Initiative Team & does not need a separate Senate committee
3. Agribusiness charter school expansion
There is currently an Agribusiness Charter School Task Force committee which is meeting at the request of Dr. Gina Kranitz to determine PVCC’s desire to see the charter school expand from its current enrollment (around 30 students). The Task Force is investigating the financial feasibility of a proposed building that the charter school would fund, following the example set at South Mountain Community College.
***Dr. Kranitz reported that the program would not be expanded at this time due to classroom space shortages. It will probably not be addressed again until after the new Campus Master plan is developed.
4. Code of Ethics for faculty
was proposed that a Senate committee develop a stated Code of Ethics for faculty members similar to the one developed recently by the MAT group.
***Discussion of this proposal at the May meeting determined that this was not seen as an appropriate goal.
5. Intra Faculty Communication Committee: continue goal of improving & facilitating communication among faculty. In Feb. 2001, the committee sponsored a Brown Bag lunch that was well-received by faculty who attended.
The Aug. 13 Faculty Meeting was seen as an opportunity to continue to promote dialogue among faculty. Bob Bendotti has proposed a "Faculty Fridays" program for dialogue related to learning centered-ness. Continuing the Intra Faculty Communication Committee is still a feasible goal for the Senate.
6. Parking
The Senate has been in communication with Administration regarding designating parking spaces for faculty closer to classrooms. There was a report in the previous meeting on the latest status.
***A contingency parking area has been provided this fall for overflow parking. Following development of the new Campus Master plan, there will probably be continued need for this committee to study what the parking situation will be.
7. Procedures for election of Division and Department chairs
It has been proposed that a different method of selecting Division and Department chairs should be devised to cut done on the divisiveness that seems to occur within departments as a result of elections. The committee would have to determine what limits are already set by the Residential Faculty Policies.
As the academic restructuring progresses, guidelines for division/department chair election could be recommended.
8. Raising funds for the Faculty Scholarship
Up to this point in time, funding of the Faculty Scholarship has been done by sponsoring a theatrical performance in the Studio Theater. It has been suggested that there may be additional practical methods of raising funds, such as recycling of cardboard boxes being disposed of on campus, etc. The committee would research and develop additional fund-raising methods.
A committee could develop additional fund raising ideas. These could result in additional funds & less pressure on faculty to sell & buy tickets, which has been a burden on some faculty.
9. Term limits for District Governing Board members
This committee would investigate the feasibility of setting term limits for members of the District Governing Board.
***It was determined that changing term limits is a matter for the state legislature, beyond the scope of the PVCC Senate. It could be suggested to the FEC Legislative Committee when such a committee becomes active.
10. Other suggestions?
5. New Business:
There is a need to fill Nino Pascolati’s vacancy, Shelle Witten, Sue Van Boven and Tom Butler will coordinate the election process. Various senators committed to meeting with new faculty to advocate for membership in AAUP.
6. Information:
Jane M. spoke with Dr. Dale regarding courtesy rides. Courtesy rides are being provided by College Safety staff for faculty. B, Health benefits are a major issue and will continue to be discussed in senate. Jane M. cited a handout describing how to streamline meetings. Jane M. asked that all faculty conduct themselves in a professional manner in terms of their commitments and attendance on committees and to encourage their colleagues to do the same.
Minutes submitted by Fred Wieck, Secretary