Administration Interim

Prior to the start of the regular meeting an “Administration Interim” was convened for the purpose of facilitating an open dialogue between the Senate and Administration. Administrators present included President Pollack, Dean Jean Ann Abel and Dean Alberto Sanchez. Dr. Pollack answered questions and/or presented information regarding the following topics:

· The scheduled November 29^th and 30^th 2001 visit of Dr. Charles P. Guengerich to the GCC campus. Dr. Guengerich has been appointed to chair the NCA Evaluation Team. Dr. Guengerich is the President of Wilbur Wright College, Chicago. The entire nine-member team will conduct its evaluation on site at GCC March 4 through March 6, 2002. Dr. Pollack distributed a listing of all team members.

· Interaction between the contract consultant Bruce Leamon, the Administration Executive Staff both individually and as a team.

· Arizona Republic editorial “Survey Is Right Pill if Taken Well” (10-24-01).

· Campus Climate Committee: Dr. Pollack pointed out that PAC would be expecting a report on the 4^th charge in Friday’s meeting.

I. General

A. Call to Order: A quorum being present President Reed called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM. Senators present included President Jim Reed, Vice President Carmela Arnoldt, Treasurer Diana Abel, Secretary Jack Rose, and Senators: Bob Hubbard, Bruce Thomas, Pam Nelson, Carl Samuels, Jeanne Saint-Amour, Paul DePippo, Dianna Dwyer, and David Raffaelle.

B. The introduction of guests including: Gay Garesche, Doug Dawson and Lyle Walcott.

C The proposed agenda was modified and adopted.

D The minutes of the September 27^th, 2001 meeting were adopted without change.

E. The Treasurer’s report reflected a balance of $1032.57 in checking and $11232.86 in savings.

F. President Reed’s report included the following:

· He has been participating in several Administrative Reviews and numerous budget committee meetings.

· Faculty Executive Council discussions have included hiring issues that appear to be in violation of the RFP as well as Instructional Council standards.

· Seven years remain on the current Bookstore vendor’s contract with the District.

· Hannes Kvaran, Doug DeSanti, Ann Dudley and President Reed are representing faculty on the Budget Development Committee.

G. Vice President Carmela Arnoldt presented a report on the last Governing Board meeting. All discussions at that meeting were of a general nature and no formal action was voted on. She encouraged Senators to view the videotaped record of the meeting as a way to gain greater insight into Board proceedings.

II. Old Business

A. President Reed solicited observations and interest concerning the Administration Interim conducted prior to start of this meeting. Both tone and content were discussed. There was general agreement that the practice should be continued.

B. The Senate received an update on the progress of the Climate Survey. Thus far 73% of the potential faculty respondents have replied. The consultant feels that is very good participation. The goal is 80-100% participation. No deadline has been set and a second mailing has been distributed. The subcommittee is being asked to design a process that will respond to the climate survey results.

C. President Reed asked for help recruiting new members to the Association. Several agreed to provide that assistance.

D. Several Senators joined a discussion involving the questions of accountability and equitability regarding extra curricular assignments and actual participation. This was an extension of previous Senate action regarding the “18 hours of accountability” which are no longer in force. The crux of the discussion was to find ways to encourage broader participation by a greater number of faculty in giving meaningful committee service. Participation is difficult to monitor and there is no cost for non-compliance. No action was taken.

E. The issue of Health Insurance options and premiums for retirees was again discussed. There is hope that EBAC will evaluate the number of employees that would retire if health insurance premiums were more affordable. It is presumed that many long tenured; and consequently higher paid, employees would retire if this issue were addressed. That outcome could create savings that would offset the increased costs of a more favorable health insurance premium plan for retirees.

F. Senator Carl Samuels expressed concern over an entry in the minutes of the District Faculty Executive Council giving the appearance that a matter the Senate had voted on did not enjoy the intended degree of advocacy. The issue concerned the FEC decision to sever its relationship with the State AAUP. The Senate, at its last meeting, directed representatives to FEC to have the matter re-examined by that body.

Testimony disclosed that uncertainty regarding the protocol for petitioning FEC to re-address an issue led to the AAUP issue being categorized as “Information.” FEC prohibits voting on information items. GCC representatives to FEC will petition to have the item re-addressed as “New Business” – a category that allows both discussion and action.

III. New Business

A. Senator Carl Samuels offered a motion seeking an appropriation to purchase a “Red Book” (AAUP publication of recommended policies and procedures) for each Senator and President Pollack. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. (The estimated cost is around $300.00.

The meeting adjourned at 5:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________

Jack Rose, Secretary