Tri-County
Technical College
Faculty Senate
Minutes
Date:
February
21, 2013
Location: Fulp 400Time: 2:30 p.m.
Members Present: Amoena Norcross, Corey Evans, Cheryln Brown, Steven Mathena, Penny Edwards, Jason Poole, Chris McFarlin, Marla Roberson, MarilynVickery, Tom Lawrence
Members Absent: Todd Crisp-Simons, Tony Logan, Tony Young, Lisa Walton, Ashley Brady
Guests:
Lisa Anderson, Chris Marino
Presider: Amoena Norcross
Approval of Minutes: With one requested correction, it was motioned that the January 2013 minutes be approved. The motion was seconded. The minutes, with the change, were approved unanimously.
1. Issue discussed and major points of
discussion:
Wellness
Center
Lisa
Anderson spoke to the Faculty Senate about the Wellness Center located in the
basement of the Ruby Hicks building and gave an overview of the wellness
initiative. The Wellness Center will
have an exercise room, an equipment room, and a lunch and learn room. There is
a boot camp which is between 12:30 and 1:30 every day, and a Zumba class will
be starting. Leanna Garrison with
Fitness Addict in Clemson is coordinating the wellness and fitness
classes. A survey was done at the Wellness
Center’s open house regarding days and times people want classes held. The goal is to accommodate as many employees
as possible. In addition, there will be
a monthly theme. March is National
Nutrition Month. A liability waiver must
be signed for the use of the facility; users will then have access by swiping their
TCTC ID card at the door. Showers are
also available. The Wellness Committee
is also open to suggestions and ideas for the Wellness Center’s use. Any individual or business can contribute to
the Wellness Initiative by making a donation.
Wellness Center hours are 6:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday,
and 6:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Friday.
Right now employees can get the liability form from Lisa, but in the
future, it will be under the Employee Tab in eTC.
Dr.
Booth has committed the College to a $5000.00 pledge to the American Heart
Association. The College is holding a
walk on the Pendleton Campus on Friday, April 12, 12:30 p.m. There are already seven team leaders, and the
teams will be forming in March, so those interested should contact Lisa Anderson.
Pledges will be taken for the
walk. The walk will be one mile, and
there will be three different courses with different intensity levels. An additional 5K race will be held in May at
the Anderson Campus.
The
College has also applied for a grant and hopes to do a health risk assessment
of all employees. The assessment would
be a voluntary online questionnaire.
Individuals would get a personal summary, but the College would also get
a cumulative summary. The College will
be informed of the grant award in a week or two.
Action to be taken as a result of
discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
None
2. Issue discussed and major points of
discussion:
Employee
Survey on Organizational Culture
Chris
Marino and Penny Edwards are part of a team that created a survey that will capture
employees’ perceptions about the culture of the College. Faculty Senate is being asked to comment on
the current draft of the survey. Staff
Advisory Council had already commented on the survey draft. The survey will focus on employees’
understanding of what makes an ideal workplace.
This input will be incorporated into the College’s value statement. The questions on the survey are purposely
open-ended in order not to create expectations.
It was mentioned that Dr. Booth will be sending a letter out encouraging
employees to complete the survey. An
announcement about the survey will be made at the faculty/staff meeting on March
28th.
Action to be taken as a result of
discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
Senators
should share with constituents that the survey will be sent out soon. Penny should be notified if any glaring
errors are discovered in the survey draft.
Old Business:
3. Issue discussed and major points of
discussion:
An
announcement about the Faculty Choice Scholarship has been placed under the Message
Center Tab in eTC. If you have a student
in mind, Amoena iterated the requirements and where to access the rubric. Amoena informed Debbie Nelms that applicants
should still provide two letters of recommendation from faculty members.
Action to be taken as a result of
discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
None.
4. Issue discussed and major points of
discussion:
Professional
Development Day Input
Senators
reported from constituents that the majority of faculty wants a separate fall
break in October during general election years if Professional Development Day
is scheduled on Election Day. However,
many faculty are still confused about why Professional Development Day is on Election
Day. The College is closed so staff and
all offices are able to participate.
There is still a question about when or why we even have Professional Development
Day. There is still an issue about
content, and discretionary or mandatory attendance was also addressed. Other issues discussed concerned the branding
of Professional Development Day—is it actually professional development,
personal development, or both? The
Senate would like clarification regarding the purpose for Professional
Development Day—is the purpose for professional development or for team
building (increasing cohesion across areas of the College)?
Action to be taken as a result of
discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
Amoena
will communicate to Sharon Colcolough, who serves on the Calendar Committee and
coordinates Professional Development Day, that the faculty want a fall break in
October in general election years. Marla
will provide the Senate with information regarding any SACS requirements
pertaining to professional development.
Last
Day of Exams and Grade Submission Input
Senators
reported that the majority of constituents want an additional day for grading
after the last day of exams, rather than grades being due at noon the day
immediately following the last day of exams.
The Calendar Committee is also considering adding a reading/study day
for students after classes have ended but prior to the first exam day. The library needs to know of any of these
changes so that its hours can be adjusted accordingly.
Action to be taken as a result of
discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
Amoena
will notify the Calendar Committee that the majority of faculty is in favor of
inserting an additional grading day between the last day of exams and the day
grades are due.
6. Issue discussed and major points of
discussion:
Attendance
Policy
Amoena
reported on a discussion during the last Provost meeting which pertained to
advisors receiving email notifications.
After some discussion, the Provost’s Council determined that
notifications to advisors should be halted.
The Senate then discussed other emails generated by the Attendance
Tracker, namely those going to the instructor who reported the attendance. Some emails
are also going to division secretaries, and some are being forwarded to
department heads. Instructors do need a
copy of the 14 day email, but do those need to go to secretaries? Faculty need to know the flow for all of
these emails (i.e., when are they generated, who receives them, etc.). There seem to be too many emails sent to too
many different recipients. One
possibility might be to have an option for some of the notifications.
The
other issue brought up by some faculty is the Financial Aid Regulations stating
that if the College does not have any business going on for 5 or more days,
then attendance should not be taken—Spring Break is an example. Scott Harvey is aware of this issue, and he
is following up with Financial Aid on this point.
Amoena
has also been trying to get a copy of the letter that is sent to students when
they are put on financial aid warning.
Rob Massey had asked faculty to contact advisees who have been placed on
financial aid warning; however, the Senate believes it would be helpful to know
the content of the letter to determine if meeting with an advisor first is
indeed what the student should do. Rob
has been informed that faculty advisors do not feel they have enough background
in financial aid to advise the students, and consequently faculty advisors
should not be the first contact. Faculty
advisors should be contacted after a student meets with Financial Aid so that class
loads/schedules can be adjusted based on the requirements of the particular
financial aid package.
7. Issue discussed and major points of
discussion:
Nominations
for Faculty Senate President 2013-2014
Amoena
will not accept the nomination to continue as President. Full-time faculty currently on the Senate
need to consider being nominated. It is
desirable to have more than one nominee so that a vote among faculty can take
place. Before the next meeting, there will be a message put on eTC for faculty
to nominate a current Senator.
Action to be taken as a result of
discussion, person(s) responsible, and timeline:
Senators
should encourage fellow faculty to nominate present full-time faculty Senators.
Comments/Concerns:
Croslena
Johnson asked that the Faculty Senate encourage any students they think would
be interested in attending the Leadership Workshop for Males of Color, February
27th, 1:20 p.m., in the Marshall Parker Auditorium.
Amoena
forwarded to Rebecca Eidson comments compiled by the Senate regarding the ban
on smoking on campus.
Next meeting: Wednesday,
March 27, 2013, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Fulp 400.
Adjournment
at 4:07 p.m.
Name of Recorder: Marilyn Vickery
