Faculty Senate Minutes
(sent for FS review on 12-18-2014)
Time: 4:04PM to 5:57 PM
Members Present: Marla Roberson, Todd Crisp-Simons, Stacey Frank, Chris McFarlin, Bruce Kalley, Justin Herndon, Kevin Bell, Tom Hiebel, Brad Bowen, Ron Talley, and
Lara Wrightson
Members Absent: Tonya Faulling, Laura McClain, John Duke, James Whisenhunt, Shona Montgomery, Brittany Smith, and Carol Henry (the majority of these is due to class schedule conflicts).
Guests: Kevin Steele and Shelby Duffy
Presider: Marla Roberson
Name of Recorder: Stacey Frank
Approval of Minutes: It was motioned that the October 2014 minutes be approved. The motion was seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously. Previously all had approved via the survey monkey link.
(1) Ad Hoc Committee Findings
The
Ad Hoc Committee found via discovery (various faculty members talking to
Senators) that there was grounds for complaint on behalf of faculty members who
were currently working on overload contracts. Marla had brought this
information to the Provost Counsel and the deans requested that they be
involved asking that concerned faculty bring their discrepancy questions to
them. The Ad Hoc Committee agreed that it would be in everyone’s best interest
to provide a resolution to the situation.
It is noted that Senate has no legal standing at this point as many were
not directly impacted by the changing of contracts and all we can do is provide
recommendations that are in the faculty’s best interests. There were several
minor changes to be added to the resolution. With these changes, Tom moved to
adopt the resolution and was seconded by Todd. Motion passed with a unanimous
vote. Marla advised that it would be best to send the resolution to Galen in
the morning in order to give him time to review prior to being sent out to the
faculty at large.
(2)
Talent Management Committee
Todd
announced that he will be resigning from the Talent Management Committee due to
personal reasons. Tom would like to replace Todd; however it was said by the
committee that there are too many from the Arts and Sciences Division currently
being represented and recommended someone from EIT Division.
(3)
Bridge Starfish Letter follow
up
After
meeting with Lou Ann to understand more about Starfish and some issues that had
been brought to the attention of Senate, (example: flags and letters to
students by the Bridge program) Faculty need to remove the flags within
Starfish once they are no longer relevant. This will ensure that letters to
students do not go out by mistake. The Bridge program acknowledges that faculty
names should not be on these letters without prior faculty notice.
(4)
Adjunct IET Senators: Justin and Ron
will still work on this matter now that they have a complete list. New Senator is Richard Beckenhauer.
(5) Follow Up on
Public Works/ Recycling
Currently,
the Town of Pendleton does not do our trash pick-up. It is questioned as to
why, as this would be good business. Per Bruce Kalley, if TCTC would pay for
recycling bins, the town of Pendleton would pick up the recycle. Others would
be responsible for getting the recycled items into the dumpsters from around
the school. It might be a good idea to develop a project charter in order to
conduct a feasibility study to identify how to get the dumpsters, who makes
sure items would get to the dumpsters, etc. Bruce Kalley will talk to Ken Kopera for his
insight on the matter. Bruce will also
work with Todd and Alex of the Environmental Club.
(6)
Adjunct survey update – Stacey is added back.
New Business
(1)
Dr. Booth Forum – Todd, Chris, and Ron attended.
Dr.
Booth has conducted a number of open forums this fall. During one of these,
those that attended reported that the status of arming campus safety is now
pretty much a green light with final approval coming from the next Commission
meeting. Ron brought up the idea of the idea 13th grade and
providing students with unrealistic expectations might not appropriate.
(2)
Updates
of Vending, Café, Bookstore, Printing from Kevin Steele
Kevin
Steele provided a detailed introduction of new and changing items under his
direction. It has been called to question about the hours of the Café and what
students/faculty are to do after this time. Kevin stated that he is looking
into a new vending contract to help with this problem, but to keep the Café
open later has too much of a monetary decline. He hopes that the new contracts
for vending will happen soon, so to aid in these efforts. There have been new
directions in identifying new ways to handle business, ie: risk management.
Kevins’ division will focus on new things utilizing social media, e-texts using
all platforms, book rentals, iPad rentals. He is looking to streamline parking
decals and getting student IDs using online programs and an express window that
should be available January 2nd. He is also changing from Xerox to a
new printing system and software that is the same that Staples uses that will
not only be more efficient for faculty and staff, but also students and could
potentially be a new source of revenue in other facets, which should take place
on December 14th. Lastly, fax options are coming and Ken is now over
the janitorial contracts.
(3)
Chris spoke about Campus Safety and that an armed presence is being reviewed
and voted on by the Trustees December 1.
(4)
There was a short discussion on where employees can go to introduce new ideas. Is
there a way to disseminate creative ideas?
Currently the process is to talk to the Department Head and/or Dean.
(5)
Where is the Project Charter system?
(6)
Where is the data from student exit survey’s kept? This is for those that drop out and don’t
come back. Is there a way to find this
info out? Marla provided introduction of where on the
website, faculty can find the results of surveys, and it was questioned as to
where we can find the results of student exit interviews.
(7)
Is there a way that if a student is having problems with one semester, they can
be put on probation the next semester? Ron asked questions
regarding student enrollment options for those students who clearly cannot
handle a full-load, etc. Marla will
invite someone from Financial Aid to a FS meeting in the future.
Committee Reports
Marla –
Curriculum Committee – No update
Marla –
Provost – email and document sent previously.
If you need a copy, let me know.
Marla –
President’s Advisory Committee –Strategic Planning will be December 11. Campus Safety Plan will be rolled out in
December.
Marla – Pendleton 225
–Per Bruce there is a NYE kickoff. There will also be a reception on January
11th at our Library at 7PM. This event is for adults only.
Stacey
- provided an idea that she will bring to the ESC committee in providing a DUI
awareness presentation to the college in light of the tragedy of the accident
by AU.
Next meeting: Tom motioned to skip the December meeting and
return in January 2015, (TBA).