Inter Faculty Organization
Board of Directors Report
October 21-22, 2004
Present: Wayne Alexander, Nancy Black, Steve Bohnenblust, Richard Gendreau, Fred Hill, Barbara Keating, Mary Kesler, Judy Kilborn, Dave Larkin, Sonja Meiers, Becky Omdahl, Annette Schoenberger, Roger Severns (replaced Gwen Griffin), Cathy Summa (Thursday only), Wade Swenson (Friday only), Gerald Toland, Ruth Zietlow
Special Guest: Allen Anderson (IFO hired auditor)
Also Present: Patrice Arseneault (Friday only), Frank Conroy, Wil Harri (Thursday only) Russ Stanton, Cindy Webber (note taker)
Called to order 6:40 p.m.
Special Guest – Allen Anderson, IFO-hired auditor:
Mr. Anderson was present at the IFO Board of Directors meeting at the request of the Board at their last meeting. The Board’s concern revolved around an IRS audit that occurred in our office over the summer. The IRS took issue with accounting practices of the IFO, and the Board wanted to question Mr. Anderson about them.
MnSCU Board of Trustees Update:
The IFO President gave a brief update to the Board of Directors regarding the October meetings at the MnSCU Board of Trustees. Topics discussed were: Schwann’s donated $800,000 in scholarship money to Southwest MSU for students; MnSCU released a Budget News Report; Student groups are strongly opposing MnSCU’s proposed plan to increase tuition; you’ll soon be hearing about “Centers of Excellence”, MnSCU’s approach to entrepreneurialism in the system; Governor Pawlenty continues to leave two positions vacant on the Board – his representative claims he cannot find a qualified woman or minority to fill these positions. Remember in November – faculty need to know how their campus area legislators are voting.
Teaching at Risk October 13 Conference:
Nancy Black, Russ Stanton, Becky Omdahl and Paul Spies (Metropolitan State University faculty member) attended the Teaching at Risk Conference: A Call to Action on Teacher Quality. If you want a report on the meeting, please ask Cindy Webber (webber@ifo.org). Basically at the conference the speakers said we are not doing anything right and need to fundamentally revamp our Colleges of Education. Gershner said we need to attract better teachers and pay for their performance. An RFP has gone out to 6-8 states for the new “value added” model (Minnesota has already been chosen). A “performance for pay” model was also discussed. IFO attendees mentioned that when Chancellor McCormick introduced Governor Pawlenty at the conference he practically endorsed him and this program.
Should we have expert Board members prepare a position paper? A group like COPE would be the appropriate group to handle this issue. We need to hear a faculty voice but we may also have administration’s support. We have a responsibility to educate the MnSCU Board of Trustees; they may not understand what this is really about and how it will impact our system.
MnSCU Communication/Marketing Action Plan:
The Board reviewed a summary of what has taken place with this plan since the September Board meeting. The sheet was prepared by MnSCU and didn’t show any progress in addressing the concerns raised by the Board. The role of the State Universities has yet to be emphasized.
Office Holiday Hours:
The IFO office will be closed from December 24 and will reopen on January 3. Emergency contact information will be available on our voice mail system and staff will be periodically checking in on the office.
Article 29, Section D (Presented by Marilyn Vigil, Chair IFO Negotiator):
Marilyn was present at the request of the Executive Committee to explain the Negotiating Team’s interpretation and rationale for new contract language pertaining to the hiring priority of fixed term faculty. Marilyn reported that the Negotiators met via conference call on October 14 and all had similar opinions. A written response was drafted and sent back out to the negotiating team for their final review. The Board reviewed the final version. The Board asked Marilyn many case scenario questions. It was understood that there is room for disagreement on the interpretation of this new language. We need to simplify and define this in an LOU with MnSCU. The Board wanted to understand the intention of the negotiating team. If we want an LOU, then we will need to meet with MnSCU. Marilyn Vigil stated that she does not see the need for an MOA. The Executive Committee has stated that we need a uniform statewide policy/understanding. We are concerned with the administration’s interpretation of this language.
A motion was made to create a committee appointed by the IFO President to prepare a LOU on Article 29, Section D and then submit it to the Negotiating Team and Board for discussion.
Board members stated their concern with search committees that are taking place right now. A team of three people were appointed. The draft LOU will be circulated to the Negotiating Team for feedback. Nancy will ask MnSCU about this LOU.
An email memorandum written by a campus administrator in the Human Relations department outlined the interpretation of this new contract language. It appeared that there was no confusion on this person’s part.
Treasurer’s Report:
Rich Gendreau reviewed month ending September with the Board. We just started collecting dues on September 7 for returning faculty and October 1 for new faculty.
A motion was made to separate out the legal fees related to arbitrations and grievances from other legal fees (i.e. staff matters and arbitrations) on the monthly balance sheet.
A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report.
Membership Report
Wil Harri gave a membership report in which he estimates the IFO will have $1,527,000 in maximum dues revenue this fiscal year. Our budgeted expenses for the fiscal year are $1,572,518, with a planned deficit of $45,000. However, it now looks like revenues will be enough to cover expenses so there will not be a deficit.
Health Coalition Update
Wil Harri and Russ Stanton attended the Health Coalition meeting on October 20, 2004. The Department of Employee Relations (DOER) was taking about Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). DOER is working on a way to carry funds over to HSA. The Board requested an update on these matters as soon as possible. The Board thanked Russ and Wil for their hard work.
Academic Affairs Report:
On behalf of Debra Japp, Annette Schoenberger presented the Academic Affairs Report. It was noted that MnSCU is starting to schedule committee meetings on days other than Thursday or Friday. There was a discussion on transfer and co-location of upper and lower division (i.e. the offering at MCTC and Metro State).
SCSU Campus Forum:
On Tuesday, October 26, St. Cloud State University will be hosting a faculty forum on expectations for educating students in 2010.
Statewide Meet and Confer:
The next scheduled statewide Meet and Confer is on November 12. The Board briefly reviewed the tentative agenda of IFO agenda items.
Recessed 9:15 p.m. Thursday, October 21
Reconvened 8:30 a.m. Friday, October 22
Review of Minutes:
The Board received copies of the Executive Committee minutes of September 17, 28 and October 8. The Board received a copy of the statewide Meet and Confer notes from September 29. The issue of sick leave policy was briefly discussed. Basically there is no new information.
Committee Appointments:
There is a gap in how the people who are attending these MnSCU Committee meetings are reporting back to the IFO – reports from these committees are not always coming back to the IFO. We need to work on this and improve our communication. Cindy Webber will request to be placed on MnSCU distribution lists for these committees. The following faculty were appointed by the Board to serve on committees:
Benefits Equity Taskforce (BET)
ü Board appointed: Roger Severns, Mankato
ü Board appointed: Frances Ragsdale, Winona
ü Board Member: Cathy Summa, Winona
Joint IFO/MnSCU Costing Teaching Workload Committee:
ü Bemidji: Mary Ann Papanek Miller
ü Mankato: Sandra Eggenberger
ü Metropolitan: Ruth Zietlow
ü Moorhead: Mike Ruth
ü St. Cloud: no volunteers received
ü Southwest: no volunteers received
Joint IFO/MnSCU Faculty Salary Competitiveness Committee:
ü Bemidji: Kate Smith
ü Mankato: Howard Miller
ü Metropolitan: Gary Starr
ü Moorhead: Joann Segovia
ü St. Cloud: Dale Buske
ü Southwest: no volunteers
ü Winona: Mark Wrolstad
MnSCU Nursing Online Taskforce:
ü Barb Matthees, Moorhead
ü Mary Welhaven, Winona
ü Norma Krumwiede, Mankato
MnSCU Nursing Education Council:
ü Barb Vallenga, Moorhead
ü Maureen Tubbiola, St. Cloud
ü Sue Ballard, Winona
ü Patricia Young, Mankato
ü Rikki Scheela, Bemidji
MnSCU Faculty Teaching Award Design Team:
ü Frances Condon, St. Cloud
ü Melanie Reap, Winona
ü Karen Boubel, Mankato
ü Jim Kaplan, Moorhead
Satisfactory Academic Progress and Grading Study Group (BPAC):
ü Bemidji: no volunteers
ü Mankato: no volunteers
ü Metropolitan: Marilyn Vigil and Grover Cleveland (split appointment)
ü Moorhead: Wayne Alexander
ü St. Cloud: no volunteers
ü Southwest: no volunteers
ü Winona: Linda Seppanen
Becky Omdahl volunteered and was appointed to serve as the IFO Board Liaison to the Feminist Issues Committee.
Judy Kilborn was appointed to serve as the IFO Action Coordinator.
The Satisfactory Academic Process and Grading Study Group was a topic of discussion by the Board. There was concern about the change in name as it was once referred to as the Business Practices Alignment Committee Study Group. This committee is a subcommittee created by the BPAC designated to align campus business practices with satisfactory academic process and grading. This will be a statewide meet and confer item.
The IFO President will be authorized to fill the above seven (7) committee vacancies if faculty volunteers from their respective campuses do not volunteer before Friday, October 29.
Job Description – Office Administrator:
The Board of Directors approved the Executive Committee’s recommendation on making changes to the job description for the Office Administrator.
Health Coalition Meetings:
Russ Stanton conveyed his concerns with attending the Health Coalition Meetings without any direction or IFO position. What is the IFO’s position?
A motion was made that the BET (Benefits Equity Taskforce) look at health issues and report back to the Board with recommendations for goals.
A motion was made that this be tabled until the next Board meeting.
Paralegal Job Description:
The Executive Committee presented the Board with a recommended new job description for the vacant IFO office position. The EC met yesterday afternoon to discuss feedback they had received from the staff and made further revisions.
A motion was made to adopt the job description.
Network Security:
Issues relating to network security have been a point of discussion among the Executive Committee, Office Administrator and at MnSCU. President Black contacted Espira for information and an estimate on what it would cost to evaluate our network security. The estimate was $5,000. We’ve been told it is not beneficial to have only one person in charge of the server. Wil Harri suggested that the company who installed the server be hired to do the evaluation.
A motion was made that the President be authorized to appoint a taskforce of 2-4 faculty members including Wil Harri to serve as consultants for the network system in our state office, to collect information on the IFO computer network and compile information on current security practices. They are to bring a written report back to the Board.
The evaluation will take two days and the taskforce will need to come to the IFO office.
Executive Session:
The Board went into Executive Session at 10:03 a.m.
Government Relations Report:
Russ Stanton presented the Government Relations Report and the GRC’s response and recommendations to the Citizens League Report.
How will these recommendations be relayed to the Citizens League? Next year the positions presented in this report will be used in lobbying efforts.
K-14 is a term being used by the Citizens League. There is a dichotomy in this report that seems to make MnSCU obsolete. The school districts originally created the CC/TCs and now the language suggests that they should again be aligned into K-12. The state universities were totally ignored in the Citizens League report. What is our Chancellor doing? How can we get on the radar? The Citizens League has released its final draft of its higher education report. The report called for raising expectations to at least two years of postsecondary education as the minimal level of education for today’s economy. However, it ignored the fact that the state is cutting funds for higher education at the same time it is calling for raising expectations. The State Universities are hardly mentioned in the report and any mention of MnSCU is usually in relation to workforce development.
A motion was made to approve recommendations 1-13.
1) Support sufficient funding of the pre-K thru 14 level of education attainment to support citizenship, life skills, and successful participation in the global economy.
2) Support adequate funding to expand postsecondary enrollment options to all high-school students capable of college-level work.
3) Support increasing and improving the professional development of teachers by increasing graduate level learning opportunities in content areas and education.
4) Support increasing the number of students participating in college access programs in Minnesota and improve coordination of these programs.
5) Oppose the Citizens League “Knowledge Investment Council” proposal as another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy.
6) Support the development of a report card or prospectus for every institution in consultation with faculty in Minnesota that would reflect accreditation and a value added approach to measurement.
7) Oppose the Citizens League proposal to establish a set of basic outcomes by which to measure the performance of higher education institutions.
8) Continue to emphasize the unique contributions of the state universities in providing liberal arts education that prepares students for lifelong learning, excellence and success in the workplace.
9) Support a new effort to significantly increase investment in research infrastructure at the U of M and state universities.
10) Oppose the use of higher education funds to fund a higher education trade mission to Asia.
11) Oppose the Citizens League proposal to require a 2/3 vote of the legislature to overturn MnSCU decisions on the allocation of resources.
12) Support the Citizens League proposal to provide MnSCU with the authority to negotiate and approve employee contracts.
13) Oppose the Citizens League proposal to convene a commission of national experts, citizens, business and philanthropic leaders to evaluate Minnesota’s model for providing students with affordable access to higher education.
Students Support Tuition Freeze:
Russ Stanton reported that the GRC met with MSUSA. The Governor’s office has told state agencies to cover any increased compensation costs internally by reallocating to cover for inflation. MnSCU’s budget request does not ask for an appropriation to cover inflation. Instead they call for a 4% per year increase in tuition. The students want to start a major campaign to support a tuition freeze. They are seeking to raise money from unions (they have asked the IFO for $10,000) to hire three organizers to rally support from parents and alumni for the tuition freeze. We could request the MSUSA Director to address the Board at our December meeting.
IFO Contract to be Implemented:
The Legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations met September 29 to consider approval of the IFO 2003-2005 contract. There was no expressed opposition to the contract. The committee could not act on the contract because they lacked a quorum. Since they didn’t reject the contract, the law says it would be implemented at the end of 30 days, pending final ratification by the entire legislature next year.
Retirement Report:
Russ Stanton gave the Board a retirement report. A Memorandum of Agreement was created for the issue of faculty over the age of 55 with more than 15 years of service on the Early Retirement Incentive. This issue has been resolved and Russ is notifying.
Equity Report:
Pat Arseneault gave a report on the status of the Salary Equity Study. It is her understanding that MnSCU will process contractual increases for faculty in the November 26th paycheck.
GLBTA Standing Committee Appointments:
The following faculty members have been selected for this committee:
Bemidji: Jo Jordan (2 year term FY05 & FY06)
Mankato: Jill Barr (2 year term FY05 & FY06)
Metropolitan: Anne Aronson (1 year term FY05)
Moorhead: Richard Adler (1 year term FY05)
St. Cloud: Glenn Davis (2 year term FY05 & FY06)
Southwest: Doug Binsfeld (2 year term FY05 & FY06)
Winona: Cindy Killion (1 year term FY05)
IFO Board Liaison: Cindy Phillips, Moorhead
IFO Staff Liaison: Patrice Arseneault
Grievance Repot:
Frank Conroy gave the Board a grievance report. There are three arbitrations scheduled for November and another in December. A recently filed grievance on adjunct credit limit was discussed. It was clarified that the contract specified a 10 credit maximum (without higher salary) for the academic year (August – May).
There was a discussion on Articles 20 and 21. Please read these again. There was discussion on forming a template on questions to ask and when to ask them. Staff can help create this.
Frank contacted Gary Janikowski at MnSCU to request copies of the policies at each of our State Universities sick leave. As of now, we have not received anything.
PDP/PDR:
St. Cloud has brought this issue to the IFO Board as it is an ongoing issue on their campus. Recently an MOA was created but contained a new paragraph called a “release clause”; this will be a statewide Meet and Confer item.
According to Annette Schoenberger, St. Cloud has always had a confusing was of handling Articles 22 and 25. They would like something like a LOU to better explain Article 22 as it related to Articles 20 and 25. It doesn’t explain what an evaluation is. The only reference in the contract is between faculty members. The language is not clear or consistent. The major concern is how and to whom the department chair and other department faculty are responding to a faculty members’ PDP. Do these third parties give feedback directly to the Dean or do they give feedback only to the faculty member who then has discretion over whether or not to forward third party comments to the Dean. Most campus representatives argued the faculty member has directly received third party feedback and make decisions on whether to forward the information with the PDP to the Dean. This should be taken back to the campuses because we’re looking for language then we will discuss this at the next Board meeting.
Faculty Grants:
The issue of faculty grants that are granted outside of the contract was discussed. In particular this is happening at Metro where a faculty member receives $400-500. Should we have an MOA on this? What if MnSCU violated their Intellectual Property rights? This will be a statewide meet and confer item.
Local Campus Updates:
Each state university gave a verbal report on the latest news on their campus.
Adjourned Carried 3:12