UUP
Empire State College Chapter
Executive Board
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,
December 11, 2007
Latham, New
York
Present: Eric Ball, Jacqui Berger, Dick Butler, Kathy Davison, Dave DuBois, Jay Gilbert, Justin Giordano, Reynolds Jones, Maureen Kravec, Sylvain Nagler, Phillip Ortiz, David Puskas, Miriam Russell, Maureen Seidel (NYSUT LRS)
The meeting was called to order at 10:46 a.m. by Jay Gilbert
Approval of minutes of September meeting -
These minutes already had been approved by email vote of the executive board.
Approval of the Agenda -
Agenda approved as amended (VOTE-COPE to be discussed in the afternoon).
Center and Program Issues -
Central NY - Parking issue
has been resolved (issue related to the amount of space that was available).
Discussion of parking continued for some time - parking appears to be an issue at several centers. The discussion spread to a discussion of ADA and college compliance with ADA regulations. The possibility of creating a safety and health committee was raised. Maureen Seidel read from Article 43.2 regarding safety and health committees and appointees to that committee. David DuBois volunteered to be chair of the internal UUP chapter Safety and Health committee - pursuant to his appointment by interim president Fred Floss. Maureen Seidel suggested that once the internal committee is constituted the committee should consult with Wendy Hord (NYSUT) for guidance and suggestions. Phillip Ortiz (CDL) discussed workload and suggested a union wide discussion of workload.. Administrative salaries were discussed. Eric Ball brought up the issue of "faculty associates" at CDL - where the faculty associates, though on faculty lines, are actually acting as associate deans, regardless of their lack of administrative title.
Officer Report -
A brief discussion of grievances was held, based upon a written report from Moses Musoke, the chapter grievance officer, who was unable to attend the board meeting.
New
Chapter Website -
Ken Holman (UUP Technology Associate) joined the meeting and presented the new chapter website, which is Web 2.0. The Empire State College Chapter site is the "cutting edge" site for UUP at this point in time, because of its use of a new website development program. Discussion ensued of additional things that might be helpful on the site, included a considerable discussion of what can be listed on the site for grievances.
The meeting broke for lunch at 12:30 and reconvened at 1:10 p.m.
Implementation Progress for New Procedures for Evaluation of Academic Employees (Faculty) -
A discussion of the implementation of new procedures for evaluation of academic employees ensued. The Northeast Center procedures have been rejected - the primary reason appears to be that faculty discussions - often developmental in nature - were included. President Gilbert then responded to a specific statement from the "faculty conference."
A motion was made by Phil Ortiz - Proposed, that the union sponsor an all day open forum the Tuesday prior to All College (March 25th, 2008) for open collaborative discussion of experiences of the faculty with the new evaluative procedures. Motion seconded by Marianne Arieux. A friendly amendment from Reynolds Jones was made, that prior to the forum, the union representatives hold center meetings with their local faculty to discuss concerns with the new evaluative procedures. A friendly amendment to the friendly amendment was made by Eric Ball that discussion and proposals from center meetings on the issue of evaluative procedures be posted on the website in a special area.
Motion as amended carried unanimously.
Jay Gilbert addressed issues that have arisen about the use of information from SALE - In this solicitation of feedback from students, it was never intended that the office of Institutional Records or that Academic Affairs would have a say in the selection of students - in the procedures, this selection is explicitly given jointly to the candidate and the candidate's dean. We will pursue resolution of this issue through the labor-management process.
Workload
Consultation Process at Centers -
Pam Malone requested inclusion of a workload consultation plan for the coordinating center in the plans submitted to satisfy the 1995 Improper Practices charge settlement. Management will be asked about this.
Discussion was held of the college plan on faculty professional obligation in mentoring and teaching. We considered the existing plan as presented in October to Deans, faculty chairs and union representation by the (presently) acting President.
Progress of Current Negotiations on New Handbook for Professionals -
Pam Malone reported on progress on the professionals handbook. With the departure of Anne Loughman from the college, the question arose as to whether or not the Vice President of Professionals should take Anne's place on the negotiating team for the handbook as the negotiating enters its final stage. Pam reported that she and the VP had already discussed this issue. Hearing no objections from the board, the assumption is that the Vice President of Professionals will function on the committee for its remaining time.
Workshops
for "All-Chapter" meeting -
Several workshops were proposed, to be presented on the Wednesday morning before the start of the All-College meeting:
Professional Obligation - divided between faculty and professionals.
Retirement
Benefits
UUP Nuts and Bolts for new employees
Meeting was adjourned at 4:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Reynolds Jones, Secretary
- 1/15/08