Faculty Senate Minutes (3/14/11)

Tri-County Technical College

Faculty Senate Minutes

Date:   3/14/2011

Location:  CD 142

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Members Present: Katy Goforth, Jimmy Walker, Marilyn Vickery, Jennifer Beattie, Donna Shannon, Amoena Norcross, Penny Edwards, Matt Woodall, Phil Smith, Susan Curtis, John Woodson

Members Absent: Keri Catalfomo, Yvonne Vinson, Deborah Brock, Marla Roberson, Scott Brabham

Guests: N/A

Presider: Katy Goforth

Approval of Minutes:

      Approved with the following changes:

     

·         Number 1.  Budget restrictions for college:

             first sentence: “thought; therefore, no formal…”

            Next sentence:  “Everyone is encouraged …”

·         Number 3.  First Day of Class Attendance:

            First sentence:  “…policy in place that allowed…on the first day of the class

             meeting.”

            Third sentence:  “The discussion led to…”

·         Number 4.  Faculty Senate Presence:

            Fourth sentence:  “…notify faculty of senator elections, duties, and activities.”

·         Number 5.  Faculty Choice Award:

            Last sentence:  “…at the March 14 meeting.”

1.   Issue discussed and major points of discussion:

Katy asked if the e-mail had been received regarding where the form for students to change their major was located.

 Amoena said she was unable to find it in either the faculty tab or the student tab.

 Katy reiterated that students should be advised to go to student records for the form, but that it is under the faculty tab.

      Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:

No further action.

2.   Issue discussed and major points of discussion: Faculty Scholarships

Katy said there was $2,089.50 available for a scholarship.  The scholarship would be given in the amount of $1,200.00 so there would only be one scholarship awarded.  At our next meeting a recipient will be selected.  If anyone would like to serve on the selection committee they need to respond to her by e-mail by April 1^st.

      Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:

Next meeting.

3.   Issue discussed and major points of discussion: Electing a new Faculty Senate President

All nominees must be full time faculty now serving on the current Faculty Senate.  There are no term limits.  Katy will take nominations any time between now and April 15^th, but asks that no one is nominated without their prior knowledge. 

      Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:

The actual vote will be on May 3^rd.  Voting through e-mail is a possibility.

4.   Issue discussed and major points of discussion:  Attendance Policy

Katy presented a list of questions from Marla voicing concerns regarding the proposed attendance policy whereby students who do not attend the first day of class would be dropped.  It does not seem that they feel this is a student responsibility.

Phil noted that keeping up with enrollment, how this impacts financial aid, whether they will be dropped from one or all classes, and other logistical problems would need to be worked out by others. Implementation would not be our responsibility.   We would just be making a recommendation for the policy.

Feedback from divisions:

      I&ET – everyone was for it.

      HE – we basically do this already.

      BS – some yes, some feel it’s too complicated, some are against.

      A&S – Lots of personal feedback, but no major problems with the idea.  The

                 feedback was mostly stating what individuals would want specifically.

Donna Shannon, from Dental, was asked to bring a copy of their attendance policy to the next meeting to use as a possible template.  It was agreed that whatever policy is adopted, it needs to be the same campus-wide.

Also discussed was how this would impact “making” classes and how cancelling a class after the first day of class creates a real problem for students and faculty.

      Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:

We will forward our recommendations as written to academic delivery.  Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday of spring break, so the meeting following that one on April 12^th, Katy will take it forward.

Katy will respond to the specific questions directly.

5.   Issue discussed and major points of discussion: “Making” Classes

Discussion was continued regarding what the actual policy is now for cancelling a class due to not enough students.

Jim mentioned he had a class that he knew quite a while beforehand only had six students, but the class was not cancelled and the students were not notified until the class actually met.  This created a lot of difficulty for the students trying to reschedule their classes at the last minute.

Right now, whether or not a class is cancelled for this reason depends on whether the person teaching the class is full time or part time.  Although 12 students is the normal minimum, if the full time teachers have an “average” over all classes that meets this minimum, the class will not be cancelled.

John felt we should not mention numbers.  There could be a conflict of interest issue if an instructor did not drop students until the class was established in order to maintain the minimum number. 

      Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:

Consensus was if someone such as Katy asked about what the general practice is now, just out of curiosity, we would be less likely to create a problem.

6.   Issue discussed and major points of discussion:  :  Flu Shots

A faculty member asked that it be brought up to the Senate why we do not offer flu shots for students when we do for faculty.  This has been an issue because illness has impacted our attendance so much this Fall and Spring.

      Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:

Katy will email this question to Dr. Buckhiester.

8.   Issue discussed and major points of discussion: Clemson Life

John was curious about why we have Clemson Life students attending Tri-County when they are unable to function at even the most basic level. 

Other students who cannot pass ENG 031 are steered into the Adult Education programs.

It was mentioned that mandatory placement was voted down. 

We do have standards of progress where the student may attempt to pass three times only.

Another point made was that faculty were not really prepared to deal with these types of issues in the classroom.

The Clemson Life website states that it is a certification program taught by their faculty; so, why are these students at Tri County?

      Action to be taken as a result of discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:

Katy will check into this privately as an aside.

Next meeting date, time, and location:

April 18, 1:30 p.m., CD 142

Name of Recorder:  Marilyn Vickery

Staff Advisory Board Minutes (03/10/11)

Staff Advisory Board Meeting

March 10, 2011

8:30 a.m.

Ruby Hicks Conference Room, RH 102

Members Present:     Cathy Payne, Melinda Zeigler, Tonique Dennis, Vicky Graves, Sue Bladzik,

Lisa Anderson

Members Absent:      Jennifer Creamer, Lisa Anderson, Rick Cothran

Length of Meeting:  1/2 hour

Topics Discussed:

Cathy called the meeting to order at 8:35 am stating that there were not enough members in attendance to hold a February meeting.  She also stated that she had spoken with Lisa Saxon regarding the review of the policies and procedures assigned to the Staff Advisory Board.  Lisa informed Cathy that the policies and procedures had already been disbursed since the SAB last met to discuss reviewing them.

Cathy mentioned that she had the opportunity along with Melinda Ziegler to attend the Charette Master Design meeting that was held on Thursday, January 27^th and that it went very well.  The plan for TCTC is quite extensive and everyone is thinking outside the box on how to deal with traffic, what is considered the “front door” to the college, how to fix parking, etc.  The Master Plan will provide direction for improvements at Tri-County and will be developed from input as a result of this meeting.  There is a link on eTC that can be accessed for more information.

Vicki commented that Jennifer had mentioned the meeting time conflicted with some of her new responsibilities. 

Motion was made by Cathy and seconded by Vicki to approve changing the time from the 2^nd Thursday of each month to the 1^st Thursday of each month.  It was later discovered and noted by Cathy that Jennifer only had a conflict this month and everyone was in agreement via e-mail that the meeting time remain the 2^nd Thursday of each month. 

The next topic discussed was the TCTC Annual Picnic and the available dates that it could be held.  The final date agreed upon was Friday, May 20^th from 5:30-8:30pm.  Sue mentioned that the Anderson Campus 5K run is scheduled for Saturday, May 21^st with pre-staging and set-up for the race starting on Friday, May 20^th.  Cathy did not know the exact amount that would be available to spend on this years’ picnic, but did state that the food alone last year was $1,748.  It was noted that the invitations need to be revised and sent out earlier than last year as well as contacting the caterer from last year (Smokin Pig).  All members agreed that, with the exception of the music not being loud enough to hear, setting up tables and serving inside worked well and the same should be done this year with the games still held outside.

The availability of decorations for the picnic was brought up and Sue mentioned that they had some at Anderson Campus.

Action Items: 

• Cathy is to work on revising the invitations for this year.
• Sue will check and determine if Anderson Campus is available to use for the picnic on May 20^th.

Note:  In checking what will be involved in the 2011 5K race, Sue informed Cathy by phone that Anderson Campus would not be available on May 20^th, but suggested checking to see if the picnic could be held at the Easley Campus.  Cathy was to check on the possibility of moving the location.

• Tonique will check into kid’s activities as well with the faculty senate for additional help.  Some suggestions were: sidewalk chalk, water balloons.  It was also suggested that we provide games that adults could play (volleyball, Minute to Win It).
• Sue will check and provide Cathy with a list of all picnic decorations stored at Anderson Campus.

Vicki mentioned that she would not be able to attend the April meeting at which time Cathy stated that we will need to meet sooner to discuss finalizing the details of the annual picnic.

Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:05am by Cathy with all members in favor.

Recorded by:             Sue Bladzik

Next Meeting:            Thursday, April 14th, at 8:30 am, RH102.

Staff Advisory Board Minutues (12/9/10)

Staff Advisory Board Meeting

December 9, 2010

8:30 a.m.

Ruby Hicks Conference Room, RH 102

Members Present:     Cathy Payne, Melinda Zeigler, Jennifer Evans-Creamer, Vicky Graves, Sue Bladzik,

Lisa Anderson

Members Absent:      Rick Cothran, Tonique Dennis

Length of Meeting:  1/2 hour

Topics Discussed:

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 am with a brief report and discussion regarding the Pendleton Campus Holiday Drop-In.  Opinions from those SAB members that attended was that the event went very well, but noticed that there appeared to be less in attendance than the previous year.  Attendance was most likely affected because some faculty were still conducting exams.  It was decided that in the future the drop-in should be held by the 1^st Friday of December.  Cathy mentioned that a spreadsheet should be compiled to include information of what was purchased, how much was spent, etc. for the drop-in for future reference.

Vicky Graves volunteered to attend and assist with the set-up of the Anderson Campus drop-in on Tuesday, December 14^th.

There will be a Charrette workshop held at the Pendleton Campus on January 27^th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.  The purpose is to solicit input from faculty, staff and students campus-wide to gather input as to what logistical changes need to be made at TC.  Cathy asked for a volunteer to attend the meeting and Melinda Zeigler volunteered.

The Staff Advisory Board will begin review of the policies and procedures at the January, 2011 meeting.

Action Items: 

• Compile information from holiday drop-ins and prepare spreadsheet for future reference.

Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:05am by Cathy with all members in favor.

Recorded by:             Sue Bladzik

Next Meeting:            Thursday, January 13th, at 8:30 am, RH102.