Board Report

March 25, 2004

Holiday Inn North, Arden Hills

UNOFFICIAL

 

04-05 IFO Meetings:

The schedule of 04-05 meetings was approved.

 

Board of Trustees Update:

Over the last two days, the BOT met and presented 20 names that are under consideration for the six open positions on the BOT – two are students.  One of the 20 names is a retired faculty member.  Nancy Black is on the recommendations committee.  The BOT is looking for more diversity.

 

Proposed MnSCU Procedure 2.8.1 and Policy 2.8 – Student Life:

Board members reviewed the proposed policy and procedure.  Comments are due to Steve Frantz by April 9.

 

Biennial Budget and Allocation Framework:

MnSCU financial documents were reviewed.  We will be discussing how the state universities may wish to attempt to freeze our current level of funding at the legislature.  Tuition and classroom quality will be discussed more tomorrow at the Delegate Assembly.  We are going to ask that MnSCU add a line on their budget statements for the central office itself – every time we see our budget we should also see their budget.  The Budget Committee will be discussing this matter.  Take these statements back to your campus and ask those who are involved for their recommendation.

 

NCHEMS/IPEDS:

A meeting has been set for next week with MnSCU to discuss peer analysis.

 

IFO Office Staffing:

We have hired a temporary person to fill the vacant position at the IFO Office, her name is Barbara White.  Her appointment is set through the end of June.  She is doing a great job.

 

Metro Transit Strike:

A check in the amount of $1,000 was given to the Metro Transit strike fund.  They have the same negotiations mediator as we do – Alan Olson.

 

Leadership Council Finance and Administration Committee:

A MnSCU document was reviewed.  A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed to provide implementation advice to the Leadership Council (the LC consists of all the state university and college presidents). 

 

Grievance Report:

A grievance settlement was discussed.  Frank Conroy reminded the Board that you should obey first then grieve.

 

Currently there is a Step 3 grievance filed against MnSCU for developing Desire2Learn implementation teams involving faculty without the consent of the IFO.  They again need to be reminded about our procedures.

 

A motion was made to appeal and go to Step 4.  Carried

 

Legislative Report:

Two goals were brought to the Board that were recommended for approval by the Executive Committee:

 

The Board does not support the casino bill.  Carried

The Board does not support the proposed Commissioner of Education History and Social Sciences Standards bill.  Carried

 

The Board opposes HF 1814 – alternative teacher licensure bill.  Carried

 

A legislative report was given. 

 

Cost of Grievances:

At the last Board meeting, we discussed sending MnSCU’s Labor Relations department a request for what they have paid out for state university grievances.  It was noted that in one of their financial statements $990,000 is budgeted for the Attorney General.  The IFO President will be following up on this.  Also noted was that it costs $39 million per year to run the Office of the Chancellor.

 

Posting Board Minutes on Website:

The Executive Committee brought recommendations to the Board per their request:

 

The IFO will post “Board Reports” on their website – reflecting the spirit of the meeting.  Carried

 

Inquiries by IFO association members for approved Board minutes will be referred to the faculty association presidents.  Access is limited to IFO membership or at the discretion of the faculty association president.   Carried

 

Board agendas will be posted on the IFO website prior to Board meetings.  Carried

 

Feminist Issues Committee Awards:

A motion was made to certify the Board’s electronic vote for the FIC award for Women’s Advancement to Mandy Wick.  Carried

 

A motion was made to certify the Board’s electronic vote for the FIC award for Outstanding Contributions to Susan Smith.  Carried

 

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was distributed regarding annual salary equity reviews.  A motion was made to approve the MOA.  Carried

 

Multicultural Issues Committee:

A motion was made to approve an extra $1,500 in funding for the fiscal year 2005 to explore ways to get faculty of color into leadership roles within the union.  Carried

 

Office Lease:

An update was given on the office lease.  We are still negotiating with our current property manager for the space we currently occupy.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

The Board accepted the month ending January and February treasurer’s reports.

 

Investment Policy:

The Executive Committee recommended the Board’s approval of the proposed investment policy.  A motion was made to approve the policy with amendments.  Carried

 

IFO Working for You:

A document was created by Richard Gendreau and Wil Harri that outlines what the IFO does for their membership.  It was noted that prior to having a collective bargaining agreement, 0% of grievances were awarded, as compared to after having an agreement in place at 85%.

 

A motion was made to distribute the draft document to the Delegate Assembly tomorrow.  Carried

 

Academic Affairs Report:

A verbal report was given.  The Graduate Education Joint Taskforce met on April 23rd.  The survey developed by the IFO Ethics Ad Hoc committee will be distributed via hard copy to the delegate assembly.

 

A motion was made to add the “4 Bold Ideas” to the statewide meet and confer agenda.  Carried

 

Academic Affairs Coordinator Operating Procedures:

The Executive Committee recommended the Board’s approval for revising the Operating Procedures to elect the AAC in the January Board meeting for a term beginning on July 1.  A motion was made to approve the recommendation.  Carried

 

A reminder was given to the Board:  At the next Board meeting we will be electing the AAC.  Send us your nominations by Friday, April 9.

 

Membership Report:

The spring membership drive will be held next week.  Please encourage faculty to join and get six months of free membership!

 

Retaining Grievance Files:

The Executive Committee recommended the Board’s approval for revising the Operating Procedures Chapter XIX IFO Office Policies to read:

 

            6.   Grievance Files. All grievance files shall be retained for seven (7) years. Any personal records or documents contained in a grievance file shall be returned to the grievant(s) upon the conclusion of the grievance.

 

Carried

 

Negotiations Update:

Move that the IFO enter into litigation against the State of Minnesota regarding the imposition of health insurance.  Carried unanimously

 

A motion was made to inform the Delegate Assembly of the action taken by the Board.  Carried

 

President to President Meeting:

No meetings have been scheduled.

 

Taskforce on Polytechnic Education:

MnSCU has created another taskforce.  Four (4) reps are needed, 1 from each campus:  Moorhead, St. Cloud, Southwest and Winona.

 

Adjourned 6:47 p.m.