STCC Professional Association

Membership Meeting

November 9, 2005

Location: 17/102

Call to Order: 12:35 PM

Attendance: 35 including officers
Reports

Secretary, L. Kleindienst submitted minutes for meeting of October 12, 2005 and for special meeting October 26, 2005 to vote on Work to Rule.

Motion to accept M. Donovan, M. Woble-Valenski. Passed.

Treasurer, K. Czuchra

Ken submitted a brief update showing current balance of $2596.53 in checking and $7.48 in savings. Ken said he had checked into moving account from STCU, but noted had done nothing to effect that change. Also, dues fact sheet was distributed to members.

Director, R. Albano

Roberta reviewed her Director's report which was distributed to members (see attached).

Among the things she reported on were:

* Status of new contract
* Certification and licensure report
* Workload committee
* Status of current HE bills
* STCC Campus equity activities
* Reimbursement for travel for those invited to MCCC Board meetings
* Board's approval of motion to expedite electoral process and procedures for MTA Delegate Assembly
* Donation by MCCC of $1,000 to the Community College Hurricane Katrina fund
* MCCC Grievance actions and resolutions
* New team for next round of contract negotiations

President, C. Mathison

* Pursuant to the recent workshop on Long Term Care Insurance and Mortgage Refinancing links have been placed on the PA website. Representatives will be back on campus next semester.
* A volunteer is needed to serve on the Negotiations Committee. This group will design the asking package for the next contract. Carol explained that there would likely only be a few meetings of this group. The first meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16, 2005. It is important that every campus be represented on this group.

* MACER: Both Day and SCE issues are now addressed in a single MACER meeting.
o SCE students need more support and access to services that Day students have, i.e., Student Success Center, tutoring.
o Continuing problem of underenrolled classes and size of classes. New MCCC committee formed. S. Keller will serve as management representative from STCC
o Reviewed policy on preps for one credit courses.
o Professional staff are to be compensated at the rate of 1.5 hrs for each hour of time worked above their 37.5 hr work week. L. Kleindienst asked for a clarification as to which forms should be filled out. This issue was raised as a result of the proposed closing of certain campus buildings and offices during the semester break.
o Federal Higher Education Reauthorization Bill proposes cuts in Pell funding; federal control of transferable credits; change in standards for academic freedom. NEA is recommending the striking of language on the last two items. For more information and to assist in the struggle members are requested to go to the NEA website (a link on the PA website).

Report from N. Camerota , Spokesperson for Delegation mtg with Pres. Rubenzahl

Delegation met with Pres. Rubenzahl, P. Tigue, M. Smith, J. Wanczyk, and S. Keller. A variety of questions from the first 2 sections of the Statement of Concern were asked and responses were given. The group will be meeting again on November 16. However, as not all members from the delegation nor all administrators will be able to attend this session, a continuance committee, sub-group, of the original delegation will be attending. Nick emphasized that the process would go on for as long as it took to get answers to the concerns raised in the Statement of Concern. The delegation anticipates submitting a report within weeks of concluding the discussions.
New Business

* Subsequent to N. Camerota's report, R. Rodgers objected to the idea, raised by

officers of the PA at a previous meeting, that Work to Rule was a major factor in

what has/has not happened on the campus. He also questioned why Pres.

Rubenzahl was attending Executive Committee meetings. After much discussion,

the following motion was made by B. Scannapieco and R. Rodgers:

Motion: No administration representatives shall attend any union meetings without the specific approval of the membership. Passed.

* November 6, 2005 "Letter to the Editor" (Springfield Republican) aroused much concern and discussion. Among the suggestions made were a response from the delegation and individual responses. C. Mathison felt that it was not for the Executive Committee to sign a response. Discussion was brought to a close by S. Torrance when the following motion was proposed"

Motion: The delegation (representatives to Statement of Concern discussions) is empowered to respond to J.A. Warren's letter to the editor, provided the membership approves the response. Passed with 4 opposed.

In a final comment, N. Camerota suggested that it was really for I. Rubenzahl to respond to the letter.

* Taping of membership meetings was brought forward by L. Harrington when she questioned the comprehensiveness of the minutes of past meetings. After some discussion and the assertion of T. Glanville that it was up to the members to recommend amending minutes before they were approved, L. Kleindienst suggested that the topic be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Motion to Adjourn: 1:44 PM. Passed.

Secretary,

Lynn Kleindienst