SANTA MONICA COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION
  REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING

May 8, 2008                                                                           

Members present: Dianne Berman, Espy Bolivar-Owen, Sandra Burnett, Fran Chandler, Tom Chen,  Rebecca Curtis, Gail Edinger, Tracey Ellis, Ron Fitzgerald, Dennis Frisch, Martin Goldstein, John Kennedy, Ed Markarian, Suzanne McDonald, Colleen McGraw, Melissa Michelson, Mitra Moassessi, Dana Morgan, Jim Pacchioli, Pauli Peter, Tom Peters, Jenny Resnick, Lisa Saperston, Lantz Simpson, Eleanor Singleton, Howard Stahl, Michael Strathearn, Kathy Sucher, Sumy Takesue, Esau Tovar, Joy Tucker, Odemaris Valdivia, Alicia Villapando, Edward Wilkinson.

Guests: Jackie Scott, Toni Randall, Steve Contarsy.
Excused: Eric Oifer, Kym McBride, Susan Sterr, Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, David Zehr.

Members Absent: Diana Aghabegian, Maria Alvarado, Vini Angel, Jill Assadi, Rory Barnett, Chuck Brinkman, Gwen Dophna, Lawrence Driscoll, Jolia Einstein, Don Emery, Donald Gantner, Richard Goldenson, Jeff Gordon, Michael Gougis, Toby Green, Patricia Halliday, Veronica Herrera, William Hogan, Ben Jimenez, Richard Lavallee, Peter Lee, April Mizuki, Fereshteh Mobasheri, Sue Moisin, Brenda Ness, Jeffrey O’Connell, Nick Pernisco, Dave Phillips, Franklyn Phillips, John Quevedo, Guadalupe Ramos, Elaine Roque, Jennifer Schofield, Mario Semere, Tara Shima, Elisha Shapiro, Nina Theiss, Gary Todd, Frank Turner, Sal Veas.          
                                                          
I. President's Report: In the Special Election faculty voted almost 2 to 1 to lower the dues; so the FA will no longer be funding the Senate with FA dues. The faculty also voted better than 2 to 1 to create a FA PAC allocation.

FA members have the right to opt-out of their portion of contributions to the PAC. The opt-out forms will be in faculty mailboxes next week.

The FA Election for Secretary and representatives has begun with nominations. The nomination forms went into faculty boxes last week. Please send in your nominations for colleagues in your department. Before you turn your nomination form in, please make sure that the person you nominated will serve. Everyone who is nominated is notified by phone, email, and in writing.

There were problems with faculty paychecks in the May payroll and full-time faculty on steps 8-19 did not receive the raise. The District promised this problem would be fixed with the next paycheck.

The Retro check has not been sent out. For everyone on steps 8-19, it will contain the raise and the retro.

The Budget Committee reported that enrollment has increased over 800 FTES for this year. The revenue for F-1 students and out of state students has increased from a budgeted $14 to $17 million. This means more money for the college.

II.  Negotiations Report – Mitra Moassessi: The contract was signed on May 1. Copies to faculty will be put out on CD to save paper. The Chairs will receive hard copies. It will be also be posted on the SMCFA website.

III. Esau Tovar moved to approve the MOU regarding compensation for faculty affected by the KDR and Athletic Departments reorganization; motion seconded by Michael Strathearn.  Passed unanimously. 

IV. FACCC elections results: Mitra Moassessi was officially notified that she won a seat on the FACCC Board of Governors. Congratulations Mitra. Dennis Frisch is awaiting word on the results for Vice-President. They would take office in late June.

V. CCCI Conference Report – Kathy Sucher: Dennis Frisch, Mitra Moassessi, Howard Stahl, and Kathy Sucher attended the California Community College Independents Conference held in Sacramento May 2. There was discussion on retirement programs and budget problems. They heard from various districts having difficulties. There are districts in danger of losing their accreditation, and other serious issues across the state.

VI. CPFA Conference Report – Martin Goldstein: The 10th annual CPFA Conference was held here at SMC on May 3.  Martin Goldstein reported that it went flawlessly, and was very productive for the college and for CPFA. Panels reflected part-time regularization. Panelists included Susan Aminoff, SMC Trustee; Lantz Simpson; Mitra Moassessi; Gus Goldstein from San Francisco; Julia Brownley, our state Assembly member; and Mona Field, LACCD Trustee.

VII. How to Read Your Paycheck – Kathy Sucher: “How to read your paycheck” now on the SMCFA website: http://www.smcfa.org/Paycheck_project/paycheck.html

VIII  Your Questions About the Contract – Mitra Moassessi: Mitra Moassessi called for questions on the contract.
What article do you refer to the most?
Article 6, which defines your duties of assignments, associate faculty, your workweek, and your assignment rights.

For more info: http://www.smcfa.org

Respectfully Submitted,

Rebecca Curtis