IFO Board of Directors Meeting REPORT
September 15-16, 2005
Roseville Radisson
Present: Andy Larkin, George Seldat, Georgia Holmes, Sonja Meiers, Steve Bohnenblust, Judy Kilborn, Annette Schoenberger, Jayantha Herath, Derek Webb, Rose Weaver, Dave Larkin, Becky Omdahl, Cindy Killion, Mary Kesler, Cathy Summa, Mike Ruth, Cindy Phillips, Wayne Alexander, Gerald Toland, Ruth Zietlow
Not Present: Gwen Griffin
Also Present: Russ Stanton, Debra Japp, Patrice Arseneault, Frank Conroy, Cindy Finch, Rod Henry
Call to order 6:30 p.m.
Introductions:
We have six new Board members this year: Andy Larkin, Georgia Holmes, Jayantha Herath, Derek Webb, Cindy Killion and Mike Ruth.
Approval of April 21-22 Board Minutes:
Motion to approve the minutes. Carried
March 24-25, 2005 Minutes Correction:
The March 24-25, 2005 minutes did not include the Executive Session motions because they were accidentally mislabeled and misfiled. This is an information item only and these motions will be added to the March 24-25 minutes. Move to enter into the minutes. Carried
Alex Yard:
The IFO recognizes the contributions of the late Alex Yard. A wonderful obituary was put in the September issue of the IFO Update by Mary Kesler, Winona FA President. A memorial service will be held on September 22nd at 3:00 in the Maxwell Leadership Center across the street from the Somsen Hall. The IFO is donating $100 to the Winona Foundation, and the local faculty association office is recognizing him as well.
Schedule of 05-06 Meetings:
It is really important that Directors attend the Board meetings. You’ve been informed about reimbursements and lodging. If you have any questions, please let us know. If you are not attending, you need to notify your FA President and contact Cindy Finch so she can cancel your hotel room.
Yesterday the Chancellor requested that we consider changing the Meet and Confer date on December 9, to either December 2 or 16. Last year we were asked to postpone a meet and confer and we didn’t and the Chancellor wasn’t there. As much as we would like to accommodate the Chancellor, we had difficulty scheduling these 05-06 dates. We have a Board meeting scheduled for December 2, and don’t think we can adjust. Final exam dates are on December 16 along with commencements. We scheduled our other IFO and campus meetings around these IFO/MnSCU agreed-to dates. Motion to keep the December 9, Statewide Meet and Confer as scheduled. Carried
Chancellor Guest Speaker IFO Delegate Assembly:
The EC authorized Black to invite Chancellor as our featured guest speaker at our DA banquet on March 24, 2006. Yesterday he accepted our invitation. The Chancellor would like us to suggest topics he could speak on. Please send Nancy your suggestions.
AMFA Northwest Airlines Strike Support Efforts:
You’re all aware of what is taking place. We’ve had some emails from faculty inquiring what we are doing to support the strikers. Does the IFO choose to do something more at this time? Discussion took place. On the mechanics union website, they are asking that people do not fly Northwest Airlines and there is a strike support fund. What kind of budget do we have? We don’t budget for strike funds for anybody. It would be more of a symbolic gesture. Could we run an ad in the Star Tribune showing our moral support? They still have to bargain if Northwest Airlines has filed for bankruptcy. A motion was made that Nancy Black write a letter of support to the AMFA aircraft mechanics union and Northwest Airlines management. Carried
Move that we send a $1,000 to the AMFA mechanics union strike fund.
Motion to postpone until Friday morning. Carried
Negotiator’s Report:
Black publicly thanked Rod Henry, IFO Chief Negotiator, for all of his hard work. Rod was present to report to the Board the status of IFO/MnSCU negotiations. The negotiations team met last week and are meeting tomorrow and Saturday. We got an economic proposal from the other side, and it was better than before and this was encouraging. In our opening proposal we indicated that we wanted to be brought to the 80th percentile nationally as the Chancellor stated at our last Delegate Assembly. Are the joint taskforce report being used? Rod said they were. The Benefits Equity Taskforce is giving their report to the Delegate Assembly in March; those results will not be included in this round of negotiations due to timing.
Action Report:
Judy Kilborn, IFO State Action Chair, gave a report. In her role as liaison the negotiating team, Judy assured the Board that the negotiating team takes the Delegate Assembly and Board motions seriously. Now is the time to put on subtle pressure. Please wear your red “STOP THE SLIDE” bracelet and make it visible. If we need to do more with action, we will. We have action chairs on each campus.
MnSCU Board of Trustees:
The Board is powerful in setting policy and procedures for the system. Nancy reviewed the latest BOT agenda and meeting format with the IFO Board. This year four more trustees will be appointed by the governor. We can expect to have more trustees coming on who have the governor’s philosophy about the MnSCU system. We have brought to their attention that we are different from the cc/tc and we have a system for evaluation and promotions already in place. We need to be more visible to the MnSCU BOT. The students are a visible presence and they came to a BOT meeting and made an impact. We should rotate Board members into these meetings to accompany Black. These are once a month on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Propose we rotate campuses starting with Winona. The committee reports are most important to attend. We are targeting Tuesdays as most important. We want you to send at least 4 people. How are we going to pay for this? We’ll need to defer this until our Treasurer is here.
Motion to table this discussion until tomorrow morning.
Election of Treasurer, Secretary & Vice President:
Vice President: Judy Kilborn nominated Steve Bohnenblust Carried
Secretary: Dave Larkin nominated Becky Omdahl Carried
Treasurer: Cindy Phillips nominated Annette Schoenberger for a two year period Carried
Lead Negotiator Release Time:
In the past the lead negotiator is given release time for all the work they do. A motion was made to grant release time at the adjunct rate of 4 credits for the fall semester to Rod Henry, IFO Chief Negotiator. Carried
Judy Kilborn stated the lead negotiator does more work than a 4 credit amount. Cindy Phillips suggested the EC look at increasing this.
Grievance Report:
Frank Conroy gave a grievance report.
Academic Affairs Report:
The IFO AAC will meet on Friday, September 23, at the IFO. Mitch Rubenstein, Office of the Chancellor, will attend to discuss plans/procedures for the applied doctorate.
We are hopeful that the Joint Task Force of Graduate Education will complete its responsibilities by early spring semester. The final report will go to VC Baer and the IFO Board. A joint subcommittee developing the Joint Task Force on Graduate Education survey met via conference call on Sept. 9, and decided to add several questions to the survey about doctoral education. The survey will be online and will be announced by early October. The entire committee will meet face-to-face late fall semester.
The Graduate Council met on August 23 to discuss only doctoral education. The OC wants the first doctorate programs ready to enroll students for fall 2007. This is an extremely ambitious timeline. Any campus that intends to meet that deadline will have to have OC approval by January 2007 and HLC approval by spring 2007. There is IFO concern that it is expected that many of the programs will be collaborative between/among state universities. There is no additional funding from MnSCU for doctoral programs.
Several Board Policies (1A.1 and 3.17) will have to be changed/amended. The Council also discussed establishing the minimum number of hours for a program, number of transfer hours allowed, etc. Currently there is no existing policy covering some of the issues (particularly transfer) both within the MnSCU system and external institutions. A survey of Deans indicated that campuses are in various stages of discussion and planning. MSU Mankato seems the closest to being able to meet the Fall 2007 date. The Graduate Council will meet again on September 16. Other dates scheduled for FY06 are: November 4, January 27, and April 14.
NCAT/CTL Designed for Learning Pilot Program (aka the “Twigg” project): MnSCU has entered into a contract with NCAT to fund a pilot of up to 5 projects during FY2006. MnSCU CTL will help oversee the project. The CTL Steering Committee met on August 19 and September 14 to discuss the application process. Additional faculty attended at the invitation of CTL, including Randall McClure (English, MSU Mankato).
If faculty want to participate in this group you must attend two meetings, they are a rigid group, and you have to go with their total program. What about faculty who are not supporting the position of the IFO? No individual can do this alone; it needs department approval. MSCF does not support this program at all. At Southwest a faculty member was told their online course would be used by another faculty member. Black related this initiative to MERLOT and Debra Proctor’s Digital Learning Project (a.k.a. Reusable Learning Objects). The intellectual property needs to be sorted out and Nancy communicated this.
The initial call for participation in the NCAT/CTL pilot project will occur in mid-September. This pilot project is focused on large enrollment, introductory courses (can be courses with very large sections or large numbers of smaller sections; can be a single institution or multiple institutions/campuses that offer the same course). Project applications must have departmental and institution-level commitment. I understand that $175,000 is being devoted to this project: $100,000 will be in the form of grants (3-5 grants at up to $20,000 with a 100% campus match), $50,000 to NCAT and $25,000 to CTL. The timeline is extremely tight. An all-day informational meeting is scheduled for October 14th at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. This will also be available on streaming video. An institutional response to the Course Readiness Criteria (preliminary application of intent) must be submitted by December 2, 2005. A committee will review the applications and issue invitations for a mandatory meeting on January 27th. Final proposals will be due on March 24t, 2006. Awards will be announced on April 7, 2006. Planning and development will take place from April-July 2006, with implementation scheduled for fall semester 2006.
At the August 19 meeting an Advisory Committee for the CTL/NCAT “Designed for Learning” Program was proposed. The Committee will be composed of 16 members: 4 IFO, 4 MSCF, 4 representatives of various campus administration constituents, 1 student from each of the two statewide student associations, and 2 representatives of the OC. The Advisory Committee will do the first review of the initial “course readiness” proposals, first review of the actual grant proposals, review of projects in development and post-pilot review.
The Teaching Award Design Task Force has made final draft recommendations for the teaching award. The final draft recommends three awards, with recipients receiving a $5000 honorarium, framed certificate with hand calligraphy, specially designed medallion to be worn subsequently with regalia and a pin. All nominees will be recognized with a framed certificate with hand calligraphy and pin. Awards will be announced at a dinner at which all finalists will be honored. The first awards will be given in FY07.
CTL asks that members of the Teaching Award Design Task Force act as the review committee during the first cycle of the awards. Our representatives are: Karen Boubel (MSU, Mankato), Frances Condon (SCSU), James Kaplan (MSU Moorhead), and Melanie Reap (WSU). (The Task Force is composed of 12 members: 4 IFO, 4 MSCF, 4 students—2 from MSCSA and 2 from MSUSA.)
The sense of the IFO Board is that they are willing to examine an MOA to support the Teaching Award.
The CTL Steering Committee met on August 19 and September 14. The NCAT proposal comprised the main focus of both meetings. The online survey is being conducted (closes Sept. 16). Fall workshops were announced. The CTL Campus Leaders’ Workshop will be at Madden’s on Sept. 29 & 30. FY06 meetings are scheduled for: November 17, January 26, March 17, May 4, and July 12. Today is the deadline for completing the survey. Faculty were emailed the survey link. The subject line of the survey caused it to end up in SPAM/junk mail. The timing of the survey was poor.
The MnSCU Transfer Steering Committee met on September 8. Joanne Simser and Louise Hoxworth have been appointed to replace Jerry Johnson and Linda Lade in the OOC. The mission of the Transfer Steering Committee has been expanded beyond the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum to include other transfer issues. Representatives from MUSAAF have been added to the committee.
Discussion continued on the status of the proposed definition of general education proposed by the MSCF Academic Affairs Committee to be used as part of a process to place courses on the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. While we did not agree on a definition of general education, it was noted that all MnSCU institutions are bound by the Higher Learning Commission’s definition of general education. Additionally, it is understood that when individual institutions determine which of their courses are part of the MnTC, these courses should first meet the institution’s definition of general education.
There was also discussion on the transfer of “D” grades. As part of its work BPAC has noted the wide discrepancies among MnSCU institutions about how they handle the transfer of D grades. In determining a uniform policy for the transfer of D grades, two guidelines are relevant: (a) A Minnesota Public Higher Education Transfer Agreement Principle stating: “…All students, transfer and non transfer, will receive comparable treatment…” (12/7/1991), and (b) the legislation that requires that “Once a course has met the criteria necessary for inclusion in the Minnesota transfer curriculum in any area of emphasis, the course must be accepted for full credit in that area of emphasis at all Minnesota state colleges and universities” (Baer memo). (Comment: In this discussion, “equal treatment” was used as a synonym for “comparable treatment.”)
The committee discussed the timeline for the proposed Institutional Self Evaluation for the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum for MnSCU institutions. All agreed that the timeline was not realistic. The proposal for Self Evaluation will come to Meet and Confer for both IFO and MSCF. (The goal of the self-evaluation is to get individual institutions to “clean up” the courses they have placed on the MnTC. Currently there is significant variation in what courses are on the MnTC and where those courses are placed. FY06 meetings for the Steering Committee include: October 21, January 20, and April 28.
The Academic and Student Policy Council met on September 13. The council discussed BPAC’s recommendations on D grades and Academic Forgiveness. Currently 21 MnSCU institutions have an academic forgiveness policy; 18 do not. Those with policies differ significantly. While no Policy changes are currently being proposed, the Satisfactory Academic Progress and Grading Study Group (a BPAC committee of 4 vice chancellors and 4 institution presidents) recommends that institutions that do not have a policy consider adopting one, and institutions that have a policy review their policies and revise their policy to fit some general suggested guidelines. We also discussed proposed recommendations for repeating courses. The proposal is that students be allowed to repeat a course only 2 times after their initial attempt (Ws would count as a one time); with the highest grade earned as the one that is included in the g.p.a. (music performance courses, physical education courses, special topics courses and other classes that students are allowed to take multiple times are not included in this recommendation). A representative from BPAC mentioned a proposed “mega consultation” meeting to discuss the 124 variations in policy identified by BPAC. (We suggested that this was not a good idea.)
The Council discussed proposed changes to Policy 3.32 and Procedures 3.32.1 (College Faculty Credentialing). This policy and procedures will replace Policy 3.9 and Procedure 3.9.1 (Licensure of Faculty Requiring a License), Procedure 3.9.2 (Transitional Licensure Plan for General Studies Faculty at MnSCU Technical Colleges), and Policy 4.3 (Designation of Assigned Fields/Designated Assignments and Minimum Qualifications for Faculty); all will be repealed. Policy 3.32 establishes a new category of faculty: External Faculty. External faculty are “individuals not holding faculty positions at a system college but teach college credit-based courses on an occasional basis (e.g. high school teachers teaching concurrent Post Secondary Enrollment Option courses.” BOT action is planned for October and December 2005.
A Task Force on Associate Degrees is proposed. The purpose is to prepare recommendations regarding requirements for and authority to offer associate degrees at MnSCU institutions. Recommendations will address: (a) authority of technical colleges to confer Associate of Arts degrees, (b) undesignated Associate of Science degrees and degree-programs, and (c) requiring articulation agreements with state universities for Associate in Fine Arts and Associate in Science programs. The task force will have 20 members: 5 representing state college academic administrators, 3 representing state university academic administrators (deans and CAOs), 4 IFO, 4 MSCF, 1 MSCSA, 1MSUSA. FY06 meetings are scheduled for: November 15, January 25, February 23, and April 14.
Recessed at 9:30 p.m., Thursday, September 15.
Reconvened at 8:30 a.m. Friday, September 16.
Present: Andy Larkin, George Seldat, Georgia Holmes, Sonja Meiers, Steve Bohnenblust, Annette Schoenberger, Jayantha Herath, Derek Webb, Rose Weaver, Dave Larkin, Becky Omdahl, Cindy Killion, Mary Kesler, Cathy Summa, Mike Ruth, Cindy Phillips, Wayne Alexander, Gerald Toland, Ruth Zietlow
Not Present: Gwen Griffin, Judy Kilborn (attending negotiations)
Also Present: Russ Stanton, Debra Japp (partial), Patrice Arseneault, Cindy Finch, Wil Harri (partial)
Advance Written Staff Reports:
IFO staff have been asked to get Board members info in writing before the Board meetings so they can review for questions ahead of time. This time we sent you the legislative report, equity report and the financials in advance. Staff are very busy during this time of year like you are. Wayne Alexander thanked those who sent them out ahead of time.
Office Administrator Report:
Wil Harri gave a report which was distributed in advance.
AMFA Strike NWA Mechanics Union:
The motion pertaining to the NWA strike fund was taken off the table. We’re going to send a letter of support and there was discussion of sending $1,000. This would come out of the contingency line item, reported as a non-chargeable expense and cannot be assessed against fair share faculty. Mary requested a list of the non-chargeable items for the next EC meeting.
Call the question to vote to donate $1,000 to the NWA mechanics union strike fund. Carried with opposition
Russ Stanton stated that there is a myth that lobbying activities are non-chargeable. Anything that is of benefit to all members is chargeable to fair share. One third of Russ’ time is non-chargeable. In terms of lobby fund contributions the PAC monies are non-chargeable.
Financial Report:
Wil Harri gave a report on the financials which was distributed in advance. A copy of the auditor’s report and a series of observations appended to that were reviewed by the Board in advance. On pages 15-17, the auditor includes comparative information on budget to actual and also for the previous year. This is not part of the financials that we distribute to faculty.
A motion was made to accept the auditor’s report. Carried
June, July and August financials were reviewed. On the August 31 financials, we have an aggressive budget for dues and fair share this year. The board authorized 3 committees to carry over funds from last year. Pat specified only $3,000 was to be rolled over for the FIC grant not the entire amount.
A motion to accept the report. Carried
IRS Mileage Rate:
Our Operating Procedures say we pay at the IRS mileage rate. A motion was made to update the mileage reimbursement rate to 48.5 cents per mile, per the IRS, effective September 1. Carried
Health Coalition Update:
Wil Harri suspects the IFO will be voting on a LOU that we have routinely signed in the past to permit the state of MN to allow us to participate in the open enrollment and continue to participate in the state insurance plans. Yesterdays IFO Update faculty newsletter addressed this. The state’s insurance companies are sending out a survey for faculty insured under their plan. If you participate in the 30 minute online survey you will receive a $5.00 discount on your copays. A question was raised concerning co-pays for dependents as well as the employee. Does the $5.00 co-pay discount apply to dependents if the employee is the only individual who as completed the confidential survey. Wil has seen the survey, and was assured that it is between the insurance company and faculty member. It has typical questions about your lifestyle and genetic history. We should be concerned about what kind of information we are giving to the insurance company. We have been assured that they are very conscious of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and privacy confidentiality issues. This was raised at the Health Coalition meeting and the hearing the other day as well. This survey discussion is for your information only. We should ask outside counsel what the consequence of intentionally or unintentionally lying on the survey would do to us. Open enrollment is scheduled from Nov 3-16. Russ is sending out a special edition of the IFO Update in October. Move we seek outside counsel about the ramifications of personal privacy on this before we sign any LOU. Carried with opposition
Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) vs. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
We have discovered that only about 30% of our members have signed up for the FSA. There is quite a bit of confusion on the campuses about these accounts. What about the $31 fee per member for administrative oversight on the HRA accounts? We discovered the fees on the FSA is less than that. Why is there a fee differential? Last March when the IFO Board approved the HRA Plan Document, they stipulated that the negotiating team continue to negotiate the issue of the fees with the HRA. This is a tentative agreement in current contract negotiations that the fees will be paid by the employer in future years.
Another HRA issue is the time period when eligibility is determined. Right now it is in early January, and we are in discussions with MnSCU to change this to the fall. Eligibility is determined once each year.
We are seeking an amendment to our plan for differences in reimbursable services between HRA and FSA (i.e. long term care premiums). One issue with HRA, hopefully will be addressed in the negotiations, concerns any HRA balance when you retire that you take it with you. There are no submission fees for expenses but there is a $50 limit before you can submit a request for reimbursement unless you have less than that amount in your account.
Membership Report:
The payroll records that we have received from MnSCU to date have been too incomplete. We suspect we still have one hundred more faculty left to enter into our database. We’ll request the info from MnSCU again. Hopefully by the October Board meeting we will have those figures.
We prefer people do not use the current yellow membership cards because we’ve been informed by the post office that our bar code was changed; please note our new bar code is 9810. Encourage faculty to go online, or when you get a membership card, go to our website and enter the information. During fall campus visits, the cards and their immediate retrieval are an effective marketing tool.
President’s Benefits:
Early this summer we received letters from the IRS on late FICA changes and we paid those bills. They were the result of the IRS audit of the IFO. As Wil Harri explained, according to the IRS the IFO president is an employee of the IFO. Therefore, we have to treat the president as an employee in respect to any payments or benefits they receive. The serious issue is the car. If we provide a vehicle, we have to report it as taxable income for the IFO President to the IRS. With respect to the condo, if we provide housing to a president who does not live in the Twin Cities, that again is a taxable benefit at about $1,300 a month for our furnished condo. We are charging $1,100 unfurnished to the current tenant. We need to have the IFO president compensation package in place before the April 2006 election. Wil Harri presented three recommendations to the EC at their August meeting which they approved for Board consideration. The EC added an additional recommendation as well.
1. That the IFO provide the IFO President a taxable housing allowance through the regular staff payroll process if the IFO President must maintain a second residence in the metro area. Carried with the understanding that this does not apply to the current IFO President Nancy Black.
2. That the IFO discontinues the practice of providing an IFO-owned automobile to the IFO President and treats the reimbursement for business miles like any other IFO employee. Carried (with opposition) with the understanding that this does not apply to the current IFO President Nancy Black.
3. That the IFO sells the condo as soon as practical. Carried
4. That the IFO Board of Directors creates a taskforce to examine the entire compensation package and develop a proposal for compensation. (There is a timeliness issue.) Carried
How many people will be appointed to this taskforce? It should include the IFO Treasurer, Office Administrator and two other Board members to bring recommendations to the Board in December Board meeting. Mike Ruth has volunteered. Please contact Annette Schoenberger if you are interested, we need one more person.
Operating Procedure Changes:
The OP state that the OP need to be reviewed by the IFO Board yearly. Proposed changes were brought before the EC in August, and we walked our way through these. Many of these are driven by the IRS audit.
We need to amend our constitution to reflect the demise of Akita. The constitutional references to Akita are now obsolete. A motion was made to approve/recommend putting this on the ballot for a constitutional amendment. Carried
The SCSU Faculty association requested that we form a subcommittee to understand the faculty association local support reserves before we amend the Operating Procedures as Wil has proposed in Article 10.F.e. (no vote was taken)
The current OP language was adopted by the DA in March 2004, and it was the impression of many Board members that we would have to wait to revise this portion of the OP until the next DA. Wil stated that not all changes need to be approved by the DA. It was noted that the EC reviewed these proposed OP changes but did not make a motion for Board recommendation.
A motion was made to send the proposed OP changes back to the EC and bring back to the next Board meeting in October. Carried
Some of the issue addressed by the auditor in their cover note were about to be addressed but were deferred as well to the EC. Most of the items they addressed are in the OP proposed changes. Concern was mentioned about the check co-signing for the lobby fund. For information purposes, in the past we’ve had two staff members sign checks. To improve internal controls we’ve had the President be one of the signatories and two other designated staff members, who are the Administrative Assistant, Cindy Finch, and the Equity Advocate, Patrice Arseneault. Wil recommended that this practice be a formal procedure. The items addressed in the auditor’s cover letter will be addressed in conjunction with the proposed OP changes.
Separation Agreement Harri:
For information purposes only, let the minutes reflect that this body, the IFO Board of Directors, has seen the Harri Separation Agreement and ratified it. Move we recognize and accept the final agreement as ratified by the Board last spring. Carried
Equity Advocate Report:
Pat Arseneault gave a report which was distributed in advance.
The Benefits Equity Taskforce will schedule its next meeting in October or November 2005, and intends to provide an interim Report to the Board following its fall meeting. The BET plans to provide its final report to the IFO Board and Delegate Assembly in March 2006. The BET needs an FIC representative to the Taskforce.
The MIC will meet on October 6 and October 7, 2005. Special guests at the MIC meeting on October 7 include two representatives from MnSCU (former EOD office) - the new Director of Multiculturalism and Diversity, Whitney Harris; and the (former?) anti-racism coordinator for MnSCU, Raul Ramos. The MIC also will request to meet with the Chancellor on October 7.
Last April, the Board approved the Feminist Issue Committee request to offer a 2-year $3000 Feminist Issues Grant in the spring of 2006. The new grant period runs from May 2006 through the 2008 Delegate Assembly. The FIC began announcements for the grant last spring, and will continue to advertise the grant this fall. Grant applications are due January 23, 2006. The FIC will meet in about February 2006 in order to select an applicant to recommend to the Board at its meeting prior to Delegate Assembly in March 2006. A successful applicant will receive the grant disbursement on or about May 1, 2006. A copy of the IFO Feminist Issues Grant Announcement and 2006-2008 Grant Application Outline was attached. The fall meeting has not been scheduled at this time.
The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender and Allies Issues Committee (GLBTA Issues Committee) will hold its fall meeting on September 23, 2005 on the Moorhead campus. Special guests at the GLBTA committee meeting will include MnSCU’s new Director of Multiculturalism and Diversity Whitney Harris and several members of Moorhead’s administration (VP for Academic Affairs, VP for Student Affairs and two deans). The GLBTA will continue with its efforts to achieve awareness of GLBT issues on all campuses, including the establishment of an Advocate or Director of GLBT services, a safe space and /or GLBT Center. The GLBTA will continue to review options for achieving domestic partner benefits. The GLBTA needs a representative from Southwest.
Salary Equity, FY04 Annual Reviews: Faculty who were hired in FY04 or who received a terminal degree between October 1, 2002 and October 1, 2003, were reviewed by the joint MnSCU / IFO SRC at its meeting on April 29, 2005. A list of the faculty included in this Review is posted on the IFO website. Twelve (12) newly hired faculty and seven (7) faculty who received a new terminal degree were identified for salary equity step increases for FY04. Those faculty have been notified of the increase, and will receive their increase in September, retroactive to the FY04. In addition, two additional faculty were identified for equity steps from the FY03 review (and have received a step increase and retroactive pay to FY03). A spreadsheet of faculty given equity step increases as a result of the FY04 Review was attached.
Salary Equity FY05 Annual Review: The SRC has begun the FY05 Annual Review process. Once the prior creditable experience has been evaluated for the FY05 new hires, the SRC will convene to review salaries of faculty who were hired in FY05 and faculty who received a terminal degree between October 1, 2003 and October 1, 2004. At this meeting, the SRC also will re-evaluate some faculty in the FY03 and FY04 Review who were missed or who identified mistakes in their data. The SRC fall meeting has not been scheduled at this time.
The Benefits Equity Taskforce (BET) will be meeting this fall probably in November. We plan to provide an interim report to the Board and a final report to the DA. We need an FIC report.
Government Relations Report:
Russ Stanton gave a report which was distributed in advance.
Since the IFO Board last met, the regular session of the legislature concluded without finishing much of its business, and immediately went into a rancorous special session that resulted in the first state government shutdown in history. On July 13, 2005, the legislature finally adjourned sine die and went home. The following is a summary of progress on IFO legislative goals which was published in the IFO Update:
We began the legislative session with the state projecting budget deficit of about $1.4 billion and with the governor and Republican legislators promising “no new taxes”. It looked like we were headed for another round of budget cuts. IFO’s legislative goals were to avoid further cuts, to fund enrollment growth at state universities, and to raise taxes instead of cutting programs. As the legislative session progressed, our circumstances improved. The governor and legislators of both political parties agreed that higher education had been hit awfully hard last biennium, and they produced budget proposals that improved higher education funding. The higher education funding bill was one of the few major bills lawmakers could agree upon during the regular session. In the end, the legislature appropriated $1,202,888,000 to MnSCU for the next two years—a $107.5 million (8.6%) increase over last biennium. Of the MnSCU funding increase, $72 million is to cover enrollment growth, $12 million is to improve the competitiveness of MnSCU salaries, $10 million is to create “Centers of Excellence”, and $13.5 million is to support new initiatives as MnSCU sees fit.
The IFO supported revenue (tax) increases to relieve the chronic budget shortfalls that have plagued the state since the cuts in tax rates early in the decade. In the end, the legislature raised, and the governor signed, revenue raising measures such as a 75 cent per pack “health impact fee” and tens of millions in new revenues from “increased tax compliance” by corporations. This new revenue was not only crucial to solving the budget shortfall this year—it will provide more money for state operations (including higher education funding) in future biennia.
In the final hours of the last day of the regular legislative session,
the legislature passed the State Department’s funding bill. An important
feature of the bill was a provision ratifying the IFO contract for the 2003-2005
period. Had the ratification not occurred by the end of the regular session,
the contract would have been void and faculty would have reverted to their 2002
pay levels. This was a real nail-biter, because the state department’s bill
was almost voted down because of provisions unrelated to our contract
ratification.
In 2004, the legislature had failed to agree on a capital improvement
(bonding) bill to maintain and improve the physical infrastructure of the
state. One of IFO’s highest goals was to pass a major bonding bill in 2005.
The legislature passed a bonding bill early in the regular session. MnSCU was
the biggest recipient under the bill—receiving $213.6 million. Bemidji,
Mankato, Moorhead, St. Cloud and Winona universities received major building
renovation appropriations, and all MnSCU institutions will share in the $41.5
million pot for Higher Education Asset Preservation and Repair (HEAPR).
A measure pushed by the IFO to allow state universities to offer applied
doctoral degrees was passed as part of the higher education bill. Applied
doctorates were allowed in the areas of education, business, psychology,
physical therapy, audiology, and nursing.
A bill by Rep. Sonja Erickson that would have allowed a person to become
a licensed teacher without going through a postsecondary teacher preparation
program did not pass. The bill allowed someone with a bachelor’s degree to
receive a license after 200 clock hours of instruction and a year of (lightly)
supervised teaching. IFO opposed this bill because it would have weakened the
standards for obtaining a teaching license at the same time the state is
requiring higher standards for college and university teacher preparation.
Senator Michelle Bachmann, one of the legislatures most conservative and
outspoken members, introduced a bill she called the “Free Speech for Faculty and
Student Bill of Rights”. The bill is similar to legislation introduced in many
states and at the national level, and is being promoted by conservative
professor David Horowitz and a group called the Students for Academic Freedom.
This group is promoting the legislation because of what it calls a “liberal
bias” in faculty hiring, teaching, and in the speakers allowed on campus.
While most of Bachmann’s bill sounds very good (promoting pluralism, etc.) it
contains some scary provisions such as requiring “professional societies” to
“maintain a posture of organizational neutrality with respect to methods, facts,
and theories”, and requires a grievance process for persons who feel the
policies have been violated. IFO and AAUP opposed the legislation. The bill
was not heard because the Senate Higher Education Chair, Sandy Pappas, said she
had not heard of any problems in Minnesota.
A bill by Senator Michelle Bachmann for a constitutional amendment limiting marriage, “or its equivalent” to one man and one woman did not pass. Minnesota already has laws prohibiting gay marriage, and opponents argued that the constitutional amendment was both unnecessary and politically motivated. Some argued the term “marriage or its equivalent” was vague and could be interpreted as outlawing any domestic partner benefits, including bereavement leave and sick leave to care for a domestic partner (currently in the IFO contract). In the end, the Bachmann bill was blocked by the Senate.
It will probably be back next year.
Legislative Disappointments: Not everything went our way.
· The Rochester University Center board was created and given a $3.2 million appropriation.
· The legislation that would have allowed the children of undocumented aliens who attended and graduated from Minnesota high schools to attend public higher education institutions at resident rates did not pass. Even though the bill had strong bipartisan support in the higher education conference committee, the committee removed the measure because Governor Pawlenty threatened to veto the entire higher education bill if it was included.
· The legislature failed to pass a major pension improvement bill. In the final minutes of the special session some legislators tried to revive and pass a pension bill, but the only measures that passed where relatively minor, non-controversial measures.
Given the state’s budget problems and the partisan wrangling that dominated the 2005 legislative sessions, IFO and higher education in general, fared quite well. We got more money, some policy improvements, and killed legislation contrary to our interests. What’s more, nearly all of our bills passed during the regular session, thus sparing our members from the effects of the government shutdown.
Over the summer Rep. Joe Opatz (DFL) of St. Cloud was named Interim President of Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Opatz was Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at St. Cloud State University and represented that area in the legislature since 1996. He served on the House Higher Education Committee and was the author or co-author of many higher initiatives, including the IFO initiative last session to allow state universities to offer applied doctoral degrees.
Opatz is expected to resign later this year, setting off a special election that is likely to be the most expensive and hard fought legislative races in history. The reason why this election will be so contentious is because the House of Representatives is now almost evenly divided 68 Republicans and 66 Democrats. Under the constitution, it takes 68 votes to pass a bill, so the Republicans have to keep all their votes in line on every bill to assure passage. For House Speaker Steve Sviggum, that task has been like keeping 68 puppies in a basket. Some progressive Republicans like Rep. Dan Dorman and Rep. Ron Erhardt have a tendency to join the DFL’ers on key votes, and some conservatives like Rep. Phil Krinkie have a tendency to not support the Speaker if he moves too far to the middle. Opatz, a DFL’ er, got along well with the Republican leadership and he crossed over to help Republicans on several key votes, offsetting Republican defections. The outcome of the special election is likely to affect who effectively controls the House next session, and may determine which party controls the legislature next term. This is also a seat where IFO has many members, and can have a large impact on the outcome.
When the legislature finally adjourned this year they set the starting date for the 2006 session at March 1, 2006. This is much later than normal—even for the off year session. Legislators and Governor Pawlenty are still stinging from public criticism for the special session and the government shutdown. Also, next year the entire House and Senate, plus Governor Pawlenty, are up for election. The mood seems to be to convene for a short session and then get out of town to start campaigning. This would probably be good for everyone, because during the session the precinct caucuses and legislative endorsing conventions will be taking place, and the political maneuvering at the legislature can reach hyper levels.
While this will be a short session, it will be an important session for higher education. In even numbered years, the legislature is supposed to take up a bonding bill for state facilities, and higher education is usually the biggest recipient of bonding appropriations. Sen. Keith Langseth (DFL-Moorhead) will be the Senate author of the bonding bill and he is already holding hearings on facility needs around the state.
The legislature repealed much of the funding formula for higher education last session, effective the end of the biennium. This will force the development of a new formula, and the legislature directed the Higher Education Services Office (HESO) to develop recommendations for a new funding formula and report back to the legislature next session.
The advisory committee for a new Rochester University is supposed to report back to the legislature next year with recommendations on how that university is to be structured and governed. This will have major implications for Winona State University, and possibly other universities.
The proponents of legislation to allow the children who graduated from Minnesota high schools, but who are undocumented aliens, to attend public postsecondary schools at resident tuition rates, are likely to pursue that legislation again next year. The legislation had broad bipartisan support last session, but was removed from the higher education bill last session because Governor Pawlenty threatened to veto the entire higher education bill if it was included. The proponents plan to run the bill as separate legislation this year.
Finally, the tireless Sen. Michelle Bachmann is bound to be back with bills such as the constitutional amendment to define marriage and the “Free Speech for Faculty and the Student Bill of Rights”. Sen. Bachmann is running for the Republican endorsement for the Sixth Congressional District, so she will probably be more motivated than usual to pursue her agenda.
You can expect a short, busy, and important session next year.
Retirement:
In late August, Russ conducted retirement workshops for new faculty. Most campuses are doing it as part of the fall orientation. We probably had 190 participate. The retiring faculty workshops turnout doesn’t seem to be up too much but the individual appointments are up a lot.
Defined Contributions Retirement (DCR):
We need to get the word out to faculty on the DCR plan with upcoming potential changes. Russ was instructed to create DCR a summary of key points so we can forward to the faculty. Cindy Phillips specified that she wants a separate article not in the Update.
IFO Faculty Update Newsletter:
The September issue of the IFO Update was sent out yesterday. FA Presidents please get this sent out to your faculty right away. We want to keep these distributed on a schedule of the 15 of each month.
IFO Budget Committee:
We have a little more time since the start of the legislative session is later than usual beginning March 1, of next year. Russ stated that we can discuss the budget today or he can put something together for next meeting in terms of alternative funding formulas.
Campus Assistance Training:
Cindy Phillips gave a handout of the agenda for this September 30-October 1 workshop. We expect this agenda to be final. Right now, including the FA Presidents we have 42 participants. If you are not attending, please inform Cindy Finch so we don’t pay for an unused hotel room.
Executive Session:
A motion was made to move into Executive Session. Carried 11:35
Break for lunch 12:00
Reconvened 12:35
A motion was made to move out of Executive Session. Larkin/Toland Carried 12:36
Centers of Excellence:
This is a pet project of the Governor. The BOT is eager to have this up and running. Nancy Black sent Board members a summary about the COE. The RFPs have been sent out and to date 11 proposals have been received. There are 4 areas of focus: biosciences, business/technology, healthcare and manufacturing. A memo from Linda Baer dated September 15 requests that the IFO appoint two representatives for each of the four areas of interest. We need to have faculty who are in the specific industries participating. We may oppose each other as institutions; the lack of expertise of judging may be problematic if you aren’t in that field. The Q7 model may be useful in this discussion. Should this Board consider finding our own members to represent the IFO in this evaluation period? It was suggested that FA presidents talk to their SU presidents to pursue a similar model similar to the teacher center? Can’t we see if we can partner? We need to be selective on the reps we choose. We need sound representation.
Motion to send 2 IFO members for each of the 4 areas chosen (8 total) at the discretion of the IFO president. Carried w/ opposition
11 approved motion passes 6 opposed
Cindy Phillips suggested we base our selection on the following outline:
1. Biosciences: Bemidji & Metropolitan
2. Business/Technology: Mankato & Winona
3. Manufacturing: St. Cloud & IFO Board member
4. Healthcare: Moorhead & Southwest (it was noted that SW does not have a healthcare program)
By sending reps we may give the wrong impression that we agree with the process and establishment of Centers of Excellence. Maybe we should not cooperate. If we’re at the table we at least have a voice. Nancy will talk to Linda Baer and then Nancy will send out a notice to FA Presidents with additional information. She will bring concerns to Baer and ask for more information. We need an indication of the expectation that is required of the participants, and any compensation.
IFO Board Liaisons:
We have two vacancies. One on the Budget Committee and one on GRC. The AAC does not need a liaison so Sonja Meiers is relieved of her obligation to this committee [NOTE: later corrected – a liaison is needed]. The IFO purchased a high quality speaker phone in the office so we can do more conference calls eliminating the need to travel. We will not simultaneously schedule committee meetings at the same time as the Board meeting.
Steve Bohnenblust volunteered to serve on the Budget Committee and was accepted by the Board as the liaison. Cindy Killion and Gerald Toland volunteered to serve on the GRC Committee. The Board took a private vote and Gerald Toland was appointed to serve as the GRC liaison.
CTL Steering Committee:
We have 3 vacancies. This committee is dealing with the Twigg project; we need to be careful who we appoint. We want to have our members connected with the local CTL activities. We should send out an updated charge to the campuses. We will ask Debra Japp to send Nancy a more detailed description of this committee and the expectations. Nancy will send to FA presidents. Right now Stewart Ross and James Kaplan are attending. FA Presidents were asked to bring names to the next Board meeting. Cathy Summa volunteered to attend the October CTL meeting. Interim people will attend the October meeting as appointed by Nancy. [NOTE: later corrected, there is no October meeting scheduled.]
Transfer Oversight Committee:
We need one volunteer. Nancy requested a copy of all the articulation agreements but MnSCU doesn’t have them available. Two volunteers were brought to the Board: David Urion from Winona and Brian Donovan from Bemidji. Brian Donovan was appointed to serve on the Transfer Oversight Committee. Carried
Academic and Student Affairs Policy Council:
Beverly Hill from Metro has volunteered. The Board reviewed her credentials. It is important that this person is dedicated to attending and participating in this committee. A motion was made to appoint Beverly Hill to serve on the Academic and Student Affairs Policy Council. Carried
Academic Information Technology Committee:
We need someone from Winona as all of the other 6 campuses are represented. We need to establish limits on all of these committee terms. We will add term limits to the IFO/MnSCU Meet and Confer agenda. EC will work to establish terms and bring to M&C.
Salary Review Committee:
A question was raised by Winona on why their campus does not have a rep on the Salary Review Committee while the other six campuses have a rep? We need to ask Pat Arseneault if we can add another committee member from Winona but this will understandably change the composition of this committee because MnSCU has equal number of reps appointed. A motion was made that we ask Pat Arseneault, after consultation with the salary review, equity, MIC and FIC, to come back with a proposal that may enable us to have all 7 campuses represented on the SRC. Carried
IFO Investment Committee:
We will put out a call for members on the Investment Committee and will vote at the next Board meeting. This committee needs to meet this year.
Executive Committee Report:
Staff reviews were conducted this summer. There was a faculty association equipment inventory and we asked Wil to provide an inventory of the equipment that we own. We have not received that yet. Books should be included in this inventory for the IFO office.
Lobby Fund Account:
The Board requests discussion with Russ and Wil concerning the number of signatures that apply to the lobby fund account.
Motion: Require two signatures for fund expenditures from the Lobby Fund. Action: Failed
Motion: Postpone until the Executive Committee has a chance to discuss this with Russ and Wil and come back with a proposal. Action: Passed
Sense of the body: The Board requests that Russ and Wil meet with the Executive Committee to discuss having two signatures for fund expenditures from the Lobby Fund
Staff Structure Taskforce:
EC met and a motion was made and passed recommending that the Board of Directors authorize the President to appoint a task force to review and make recommendations to the Personnel Committee about IFO office functions and staffing. This task force will be asked to prepare a report containing recommendations. These recommendations will be given to the Personnel Committee. This task force will be asked to prepare a report containing recommendations. These recommendations will be given to the Personnel Committee. As you know Wil is leaving June 30, he has served us well and happens to be a CPA and teaches courses, knowledgeable about IT and handles the investments. This is a complex position. There have been changes with adding a paralegal. The staff and President are overwhelmed with work. Nancy discussed this with the EC, and we need to have somebody in place. The organization has to decide what those responsibilities will be for the Office Administrator. A motion was made that the Board directs the IFO president to create the committee as outlined by the Executive Committee. Carried
Meet and Confer Agenda:
The statewide meet and confer is scheduled for September 30. The IFO Board reviewed the M&C log.
MnSCU Board of Trustees:
Russ will identify each MnSCU Trustee according to their legislative district. We can see which SU is next to the district and report to the individual campuses. We want increased communication with the Board of Trustees.
224 Duty Days:
Board members questioned why the issue of 224 duty days was listed as closed on the statewide meet and confer log when they are still having issues on their campus. The memo that the IFO received to address the issue of 224 duty days being left to the discretion of the state university presidents’ approval has not remedied the situation. We still have faculty who are passing up grants because of this MnSCU-imposed, non-contractual limitation. MnSCU may not have been clear enough with the local campus’ autonomy on this matter. The Board requested that MnSCU request each campus president send out an announcement to all faculty on their campus. We’ll add this back on the statewide meet and confer agenda.
D2L Project Update:
A hand out was reviewed by the Board members. Nancy read an email dated September 15 from Ken Niemi indicating several problems this fall. Niemi said there was a scalability issue and when SCSU came online this fall the system “blew up” – there was a lack of response time. The Board recalled how John O’Brien assured them with confidence that MnSCU was more than ready to handle the implementation of D2L. The calendar tool is a big issue with D2L. We paid for that calendar and we should be getting money back from D2L now that it has caused us so many problems and extra work with these D2L problem. Faculty are being set up to have a poor relationship with their students. Not only do instructors “take the hit” when the system takes away their credibility, but the university and computer labs as well. At Metro it was reported by Ruth Zietlow that she had to show students how to get to one browser to get one function to work and another browser to get another function to work. We are getting little assistance with all of these problems we are having. We are being sent to the UW system to get help. There’s no users manual. How do we get help?
Cathy Summa questioned why MnSCU wasn’t using the free Sakai (www.sakaiproject.org) software.
Campus Reports:
Reports were given by the FA Presidents.
Adjourned 3:00 Carried