Santa Monica College Faculty Association

Representative Assembly Meeting

November 4, 2004

Present: Maria Alvarado, Alan Buckley, Sandi Burnett, Troy Cardenas, Fran Chandler, Elizabeth Chavez, Tom Chen, Steve Contarsy, Gail Edinger, Mark Foster, Dennis Frisch, Peter Geltner, Martin Goldstein, Carolyn Holmes, Lesley Kawaguchi, Ruth Logan, Ben Martin, Ken Mason, Kym McBride, Suzanne McDonald, Colleen McGraw,  Melissa Michelson, Mitra Moassessi, Krystyna Oakes, Eric Oifer, Jim Pacchioli, Pauli Peter, David Phillips, Juan Quevedo, Toni Randall, Brian Rodas, Michael Schwartz, Elisha Shapiro, Lantz Simpson, Eleanor Singleton, James Smith, Howard Stahl, Michael Strathearn, Kathy Sucher, Sumy Takesue, Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Esau Tovar, Joy Tucker, Andrew Walzer, David Zehr, Linda Zwang-Weissman.

Absent: Vini Angel, Fletcher Beasley, Fariba Bolandhemet, Juanita Burris, Tim Cramer, Jim Croxton, Gwen Dophna, Tracey Ellis, Don Emery, Kathy Flynn, Anneliese Gerl, Pierre Goueth, Julie Greenfield, Patricia Halliday, Craig Hammond, Cecile Hanrahan, Josh Kanin, Emily Lodmer, Ed Markarian, Brenda Ness, Genee Pytlewsky, Judith Remmes, Ruth SanPietro, Jacqueline Scott, Peter Sheridan, Michael Soldatenko, Rita Soshnik, Steve Soucy, Marci Spiegler, Sal Veas.

Excused:

Guests: Espy Bolivar-Owen, Fran Manion.

I.                   President’s Report – This item was covered in Item II: Election Update.

II.                Election Update - Lantz

Board of Trustees Election: Two of our three candidates have been elected: Susan Aminoff and Rob Rader won.  Incumbent Margaret Quinones won the third seat.  We plan to continue our efforts working toward the next election.  To this end, the Executive Committee will be examining the Bylaws to see how we can streamline and improve our internal organization and develop a comprehensive election strategy for the next election cycle.  Our political consultant, Kelly Hayes-Raitt, will continue in our employ until the end of the month.

III.             Negotiations Update – Mitra Moassessi

The Faculty Association submitted its proposal to the District.

Items in the proposal include (a)  a raise of COLA (which is currently 2.41%) + 1% (each 1% is equivalent to a $450,000 cost to the District) , (b)  $100,000 in Professional Development monies, (c) $300,000 over equity money in part-time pay, (d) an adjustment in the salary schedule; specifically, elimination of the first step and addition of a higher step.  

Regarding Benefits, there’s still no Benefits Committee.  The FA position is that we will not share in any increased cost of benefits.  The District position is that they will grant this only if the FA agrees to no raise.

Regarding Part-time Issues, the FA is asking for office hours for all part-timers; the District wants to take back all office hours. The District additionally wants to take back the Associate Faculty provision.

The FA’s position is that the District has the money to fund our proposal.  Specifically, the District is receiving (a) $1.6 million for COLA, (b) $3.6 million for Equalization, and (c) if SMC reaches growth, then $2.7 million for growth.  Additionally, the District ended the 03-04 school year with $8.6 million in the  unrestricted reserves.  For 04-05, the District is planning for 6.6 million in reserves, which is over the 5% that is required.

The FA encourages members to talk with Board Members to help them understand the issues and keep them up to date on negotiations.

IV. For the Good of the Order:

MOTION 1: (M/S: Logan/Frisch) The Faculty Association expresses its appreciation to Doug Willis for all of his efforts and it sincerely regrets his loss. 

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOTION 2: (Tahvildaran moved/ Mason seconded) The Faculty Association would like to thank Graham Pope and Annette Shamey for their service and their commitment to education. 

Ayes: 19  No:  13  Abstentions: 2 

MOTION PASSES

MOTION 3:  (Moassessi/Tahvildaran) Let’s vote separately on whether to thank Trustees Shamey and Pope.