AFT Seattle – Local 1789

Draft Minutes of the Faculty Senate
North Seattle Community College
Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Call to Order:   2:35 in IB Math/Science/Social Science Conference Room
	
Present:   

Scott Bernhard
Dave Conners
Val Donato
Dave Eberhardt
Tracy Furutani
Carol Hamilton
Brian Holt
Ralph Jenne
Frank Jump
Pam Lippert
Lydia Minatoya
Dawson Nichols
Vince Offenbach
Christina Purdy
Trish Root
Karen Stuhldreher
Betty Williams

Presiding:	Carol Hamilton, Co-President

Handouts:	Agenda			Partial list of new faculty
		June Minutes			AFT new faculty recruitment sheet
				
DISCUSSION AND ACTIONS 

1.  June minutes discussed and approved.

2.  Senator Roles

After introductions, Carol began a discussion of how Senators can encourage new faculty to join the union and take active part.  Recruiting part time faculty was emphasized because they tend to join in proportionally smaller numbers.  Reasons people sometimes resist joining the union were discussed.  Carol offered a letter she wrote to accompany the union New Faculty Survival Guide.  Making in-person contact was recommended to everyone.

3.  Dave Conners

Because Brian Holt was hired full time, the Senate was in need of a part time faculty representative to replace him.  Dave Conners offered his name and introduced himself to the Senate.  He highlighted his prior work on FACE legislation, his work in getting legislators to the campus next week, and his consulting work.  After speaking Dave left and the Senate voted to appoint him to this position, effective immediately.

4.  Dean Lortz Visit

Dean Peter Lortz spoke to the senate about two issues.  First, as chair of the Furniture Subcommittee (under the Space Allocation committee which advises the NSCC President), dean Lortz described the work that was done last year to replace the furniture in several classrooms.  He then informed the Senate that, as part of a Boeing gift, $100,000 were targeted for new furniture in this academic year.  Over the summer a tour of the campus by the committee resulted in prioritizing the classrooms at the north end of the third floor of the CC building.  Two bids will be assessed and it is expected that installation will begin this Winter quarter.  Dean Lortz wanted everyone to know that President, the Executive Team, and the subcommittee all welcome input and recommendations about furniture and, more broadly, improvements to the classrooms.

Dean Lortz then spoke about Sustainability.  Although the theme of President’s Day was sustainability, the president has decided not to fund a Sustainability Coordinator this year.  This position began three years ago and was originally funded through a stipend provided by the Math Sciences division.  By last year it had grown to a ½ time position, but this year it will be eliminated.  

Dean Lortz also reported that the longstanding relationship between the Homewaters Project and NSCC is uncertain.  Because of various issues including difficulties with office space, Homewaters may leave our campus in the near future.  It is feared that this will negatively impact the learning environment here because many classes, students, and personnel benefit directly from contact with Homewaters staff and programs.

The Sustainability Committee has not yet met this year, but they hope to continue working toward more recycling and composting and they hope to have some activities and presence during EarthDay and EarthWeek.

5.  Grievance Report

The Faculty Senate went into executive session to hear grievance reports.

6.  Last Year’s Issues

The Faculty Senate reviewed several issues from last year that were not resolved prior to the Summer break.  Issues include the sky bridge, IRC\Tech building remodel, Keys and Safety, among others.  Methods for pursuing resolution to these issues were floated and it was noted that no new meetings have been scheduled with NSCC’s president.  

7.  Committees Etcetera

Because there are so many tenure committees currently convening, many faculty members are committeed out.  Still, there is a need for new representatives on the College Council.  

Not many faculty stepped forward to take part in peer observing last year, not all peer observers fulfilled the required number of observations, and payment for peer observers was inconsistent.  How this program will continue in the coming year will need to be monitored.

Mentoring raises will continue this year, and faculty members who will become eligible for this in the coming year are encouraged to apply for it.

The Senate discussed tenure committee trainings for both faculty and probationary faculty to  avoid inconsistent or unfair practices and to improve the process.

The Senate discussed “Class Room Reclamation” ideas.  This would be a "siege on weeds," but for the classroom.  It was suggested that facilities and faculty get together to clear clutter, old projects, clean carpets, cabinets, spruce things up a bit, perhaps include painting the walls, as long as we don't infringe on facilities responsibilities.  It was noted that there is a problem with some faculty who claim to 'own' rooms (ie., don't change the room without the instructor's permission).   This practice should be discouraged.

At 4:38  an earthquake drill of sorts took place.  It was neither clearly heard, nor organized.  People could not hear the siren, and others waited under desks waiting for an 'all clear' signal which never came.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Submitted by Dawson Nichols, Secretary

Note: The Secretary left 15 minutes prior to the end of the meeting.  Notes for the final minutes were kept by Brian Holt.