Santa Monica College Faculty Association

Representative Assembly Meeting

Sept 6, 2007

Members present : Lantz Simpson, Mitra Moassessi, Kathy Sucher, Dennis Frisch, Tracey Ellis, Martin Goldstein, Rebecca Curtis, Michael Strathearn, Maria Alvarado, Fran Chandler, Howard Stahl, John Kennedy, Sandra Burnett, David Zehr, Nina Theiss, Dana Morgan, Jim Pacchioli, Ron Fitzgerald, Toby Green, Esau Tovar, Chuck Brinkman, Suzanne McDonald, Dave Phillips, Janet Herclerode, Jeff Gordan, Eleanor Singleton, Colleen McGraw, John Quevedo, Ted Wilkinson, Vini Angel, Melissa Michelson, Diana Aghabegian, Gail Edinger, Richard Lavallee, Jenny Resnick, Elisha Shapiro, Sumy Takesue, Richard Tahvildaran, Odemaris Valdivia, Alicia Villapando.

Excused: Kym McBride

Absent: Jill Assadi, Rory Barnett, Vicki Blaho, Espy Bolivar-Owen, Tom Chen, Gwen Dophna, Lawrence Driscoll, Jolia Einstein, Don Emery, Donald Gantner Richard Goldenson, Michael Gougis, Patricia Halliday, Veronica Herrera, William Hogan, Ben Jimenez, Peter Lee, Ed Markarian, Richard Mednick, April Mizuki, Sue Moisin, Brenda Ness, Jeffrey O'Connell, Nick Pernisco, Tom Peters, Guadalupe Ramos, Elaine Roque, Jennifer Schofield, Mario Semere, Tara Shima, Susan Sterr, Gary Todd, Frank Turner.

Guests: Joe Watts

I. Welcome and introduction of new representatives.

II. Election of Executive Committee members

Nominations to appoint three at-large executive committee members were opened by Dennis Frisch, seconded by Martin Goldstein, and nominations included: David Zehr, Jeff Gordon, and Melissa Michelson. A motion to close nominations was made by Dennis Frisch. Maria Alvarado seconded the motion. Motion made to confirm nominees by Mitra Moassessi, seconded by Sandi Burnett. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion to approve the following Executive Committee members made by Chuck Brinkman, seconded by David Zehr: Lantz Simpson, President; Mitra Moassessi, Chief Negotiator; Kathy Sucher, Professional Rights and Responsibilities; Dennis Frisch, Government Relations; Tracey Ellis, Treasurer; Martin Goldstein, Public Affairs; Rebecca Curtis, Hourly; Michael Strathearn, Environment; Maria Alvarado, Membership; Fran Chandler, Department Chairs; Howard Stahl, Finance; John Kennedy, Instruction; Sandra Burnett, Faculty Benefits. Motion passed unanimously.

III. DPAC subcommittee appointments

A motion was made by Dennis, seconded by Michael to recommend the following individuals for approval to DPAC sub committees:

1. Budget – Mitra Moassessi, Lantz Simpson (Same as last year)

2. Human Resources –John Kennedy and Kym McBride (John is new)

3. College services—Maria Alvarado, Mike Strathearn (same as last year)

4. Technologies—Kathy Sucher, Howard Stahl (same as last year)

5. Facilities—Dennis Frisch, Tracey Ellis (same as last year)

Motion passed unanimously.

IV. Approval of Part-time Compensation Task Force

Recommendations:

There was a motion on the floor from the Executive Committee to approve the following compensation for part-time faculty:

1. Becky Curtis 20% hourly task assignment for the fall (for work on the Part-Time Faculty Handbook ).

2. Sandra Powazek – gift certificate - $ 200.00 Visa card for work on handbook.

Compensation for part-time faculty on negotiating council:

3. 10% hourly task assignment for part-timer Jacqueline Scott on Negotiating Council.

4. 20% Melissa Michelson for membership education (and 2 1/2 years on Negotiating Council)

Motion to approve compensation for the Part-time Task Force passed unanimously.

V. Appointment of new Recording Secretary

A motion from the Executive Committee to recommend that Rebecca Curtis be approved for the vacant secretarial seat, which has one year remaining on its term, passed unanimously.

VI. MOU on Appendices C-2/C-3

The words “classified position” will be deleted from C2 and C3. This MOU is not retroactive. Appendix C2 is for initial salary placement vocational patterns and Appendix C3 is for initial salary placement combination pattern.

Motion to approve this MOU, moved by Jim Pacchioli, seconded by Dennis Frisch, passed unanimously.

VII. Discussion of "Tardy Enrollment" (Dynamic Enrollment)

A discussion on “tardy enrollment” led to a consensus on the need to compile anecdotal evidence against this District policy.

Policy Reminder —a faculty member can drop a student who doesn't come either the first or second day of class.

The Executive Committee suggestions: creating a coalition of students and faculty; employing student involvement with Jason Van Buren, ASB president. Also create a possible petition drive.

VIII. President's Report Lantz Simpson

The FACCC Conference will be held October 19 and 20 at the Hilton in Pasadena. FA urges representatives to register on-line. We are hoping 10-12 faculty will go to the FACCC conference. Expenses paid by FA.

The CCCI (independent unions) conference will be held October 12-13 in San Diego at the Embassy Suites.

Part-time faculty : FA leaders met with district to try to resolve the problem created when over 200 part-time faculty were moved into STRS Defined Benefit without signing an election release. Some faculty paid into STRS DB and Larisa at the same time. FA will consult with attorney for recommendations for resolution.

IX. Negotiations Report Mitra Moassessi Chief Negotiator

All salary proposals are on the website.

Friday meeting was cancelled.

State cola 4.53%. District's offer 2.227%

Article 6 -- District has submitted a revised version.

No progress has been made on anything having monetary value.

Progress: part-time faculty can purchase additional health care (no cost for the District).

District's offer – They are willing to negotiate monetary proposals, but they are offering 2.227 %. They base their offer on cola reduced by benefits and other compensation: Any costs for faculty proposals must come out of total compensation package. Ex: 2.227% minus extra sick day for chairs, minus part-time parity, minus additional re-assigned time, minus professional development, minus ancillary fund for part-time, etc.

The District currently has $15 million in reserve.

Get informed about your contract and learn about the issues: visit the Faculty Association website at: http://www.smcfa.org

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Curtis

FA Recording Secretary