Faculty Senate
FACULTY SENATE MEETING MINUTES
March 28, 2014
Faculty Senate Chair:
John Adlish
Executive Committee member, Curriculum,
Assessment & Programs Committee Chair:
Executive Committee member, Salary,
Benefits and Budgetary Concerns
Committee Chair:
Executive Committee member,
Professional Standards Interim Committee
Chair:
Executive Committee member, Student
Learning Outcomes & Assessment
Committee Chair:
Codes & Bylaws Committee Chair:
Library Committee Chair:
Part-Time Issues Committee Chair:
Recognition & Activities Committee Chair:
Senator for Allied Health:
Senator for Allied Health:
Senator for Applied Industrial Technology:
Senator for Applied Industrial Technology:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for Biology:
Senator for Biology:
Senator for School of Business:
Senator for School of Business:
Senator for Computer Technology:
Senator for Computer Technology:
Senator for English:
Senator for English:
Senator for Humanities:
Senator for Humanities:
Senator for Math:
Senator for Math:
Senator for Physical Science:
Senator for Physical Science:
Senator for History, Political Science & Law:
Senator for Social Sciences:
Senator for Visual & Performing Arts:
Senator for Visual & Performing Arts:
Ron Marston
Steve Bale
Bridgett Blaque
Erin Frock
Michael Holmes
Jay Jorgenson
Jim Collier
Nancy O’Neal
Robin Griffin
Carlo Ferguson-McIntyre
Jeff Brasel
John Coles
Faculty Senate Chair-Elect:
Greg Ellis
Tom Kearns
Julie Muhle
Brian Ruf
Tom Kearns
Dan Williams
Steve Bale
Molly Lingenfelter
Maria Arrigotti
Bronwen Owen-Haugland
Dan Bouweraerts
Melanie Purdy
Bridgett Blaque
Molly Lingenfelter
Patti Sanford
Tommy Guy
Melanie Purdy
Robert Kirchman
Judy Fredrickson
Dianne Cheseldine
Shannon McCool
None
Brian Wells
Absent: Dianne Cheseldine (her proxy was Carlo Ferguson-McIntyre), Erin Frock (her proxy was Sandra Martinez)
Guests: Lee Bale, Max Hershenow (H&K Architects), Lee Murray (H&K Architects), Stephanie Prevost, Dave Roberts
(Facilities), Dr. Rachel Solemsaas
The meeting was called to order at 12:33 p.m.
Faculty Senate Chair Marston: Please be sure to sign in (Exhibit A)
Approval of the Meeting Agenda (Exhibit B)
Motion: To approve the meeting agenda for 3/28/14 as submitted.
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Movant: NA
Second: NA
Vote: Passed unanimously
Approval of Meeting Minutes from February 21, 2013 (Exhibit C)
Motion: To approve the Faculty Senate meeting minutes from February 21, 2013, as submitted.
Movant: NA
Second: NA
Vote: Passed unanimously
Facilities Master Plan Update
Dave Roberts, Director of Facilities
Thank you to Max Hershenow and Lee Murray of H&K Architects for attending our meeting to provide an overview of the
Master Plan’s progress to date.
In September 2013, the architects presented Phase I of the plan. Since that time, they have received a lot of feedback
and refined our plan. They are now working on Phase II, which consists of pedestrian and vehicular circulation at each of
our sites. This includes improved parking capacity and quality, improved pedestrian access, striping and lighting.
The architects discussed a number of projects that would impact Dandini, Meadowood, and Edison campuses. This would
include the augmentation of the current student center with a second floor events center. The Red Mountain building
would have a new entrance on the north side, which would incorporate an enhanced lobby and upgraded elevator.
A Dandini Learning Center would have a door leading out to the quad. The current student center and library would one
day be connected.
A new fine arts center, with more seating capacity, would be built south of the Sierra building.
No review of RPAC or Redfield campuses was offered at this time. All projects are subject to TMCC finding the appropriate
funding.
Numerous open forums have been offered for faculty and staff to ask questions and voice comments. Another open forum
was scheduled for today, March 28th, 9 am to 12 pm in SIER 100.
Report of Faculty Senate Chair
Ron Marston
•
Merit Pay Policy Update – The President has signed off on the Senate’s motion to approve the Merit Pay Policy.
This policy is now before the President’s Advisory Committee for a “fast track” approval on April 14th. We do not
currently anticipate any changes to the policy.
•
Academic Faculty Annual Evaluation Criteria “Drafts” – (Exhibits D & E) In accordance with the new Merit
Pay Policy, the Professional Standards Committee has been reviewing and discussing changes to the Academic
Faculty Annual Evaluation criteria. There are two plans being reviewed. Currently, the Professional Standards
Committee prefers Version A, but will be looking more closely at Version B at their next meeting on April 4th. In
order to receive more feedback from faculty members, the Senators were asked to take these two plans back to
their constituents, discuss them, and report any questions, concerns, recommendations or comments to Chair
Marston or Chair Ellis. Additionally, all Academic Faculty are encouraged to attend the Professional Standards
meeting on April 4th to participate in the discussions.
Chair Marston noted that, once the faculty determines which plan they prefer, it will still need to be approved by
the VPAA and President. He has already met with the VPAA and Dean’s earlier this week, to obtain feedback and
make them aware of what we are planning. They are generally supportive of both plans, but they generally prefer
something that allows for some qualitative measures, such as what is included in Version B.
For the time being, the appeals process for both the Academic and Administrative Faculty evaluation tools will still
be contained in Article 13 of the NFA Contract. We are hoping to have this process revised by the end of this
semester.
•
Administrative Faculty Annual Evaluation Form A – A subcommittee of Administrative Faculty has been
established to review their Annual Evaluation Form A and make necessary changes per the dictates of the Merit
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Pay Policy. The committee is chaired by Michelle Noel and has been meeting regularly to discuss revisions. They
have stoically performed detailed and outstanding work on this evaluation tool and plan to bring forward a draft for
approval by the Senate at our meeting on April 18th.
•
Salary Equity Study – The Compensation Equity Committee has almost completed its work and is now making a
recommendation to the President on how to implement the equity adjustment. The funds have been found to fully
fund the proposed equity adjustment without using Summer School monies. Many thanks to Dr. Solemsaas for
advocating for faculty and working hard to help with this process.
A final decision should be made by mid-April, at which time more information will be released and people will be
notified as to whether their salary will be adjusted. This should allow us to hire new faculty at a competitive salary
level. This is pending the President’s final approval, but it was noted that Dr. Sheehan reported in her “President’s
Update” video, which she sent out to all mailboxes earlier this week on March 24th, that her “goal is for full
implementation by July.” This is a very positive statement. There will also be an appeals process included in the
plan.
•
Strategic Master Plan – We are updating our Strategic Master Plan through the Planning and Resource Allocation
Council (PRAC). This is a main component of our Mission Statement, which has also been slightly revised several
years ago under Dr. John Tuthill. Maria Arrigotti, Julie Muhle, and Chair Marston are currently serving on this
committee, which is directed by Dr. Solemsaas. Chair Marston encouraged everyone to review the draft plans and
attend the open forums and offer feedback on:
Wednesday, April 16th, 11 am to 12 pm in SIER 108
Thursday, April 17th, 3-4 pm in RDMT 256
•
Senate Bill 391 – Two subcommittees are currently researching for the Study on Community College Governance.
For the most part, these meetings have been informational. On March 12th, President Sheehan, Jim New, and Kyle
Dalpe presented to the Subcommittee on Academic and Workforce Alignment a variety of examples in response to
the question of business needs. Several entities included testimony related to the responsiveness of TMCC to the
community.
These subcommittees are looking at possibly moving the four community colleges out of the Nevada System of
Higher Education and putting them under the purview of the Department of Education. This change could
dramatically impact our established transfer policies, various agreements we currently have in place with the
university, mismatched funding priorities between the colleges and universities, and various other processes.
Chair Marston suggested that the Senate pass a resolution outlining our position on this issue, which we can then
share with the Chancellor and Board of Regents.
SGA President Stephanie Prevost indicated that the students are against this action. It was suggested that a
resolution come forward from the SGA to state their position on the change. President Prevost agreed to create a
resolution from the SGA, which can also be forwarded on to the Board of Regents.
Resolution: That the Faculty Senate of Truckee Meadows Community College affirms its desire for TMCC to remain a part
of the Nevada System of Higher Education and be funded along with the other NSHE institutions.
Movant: Steve Bale
Second: Maria Arrigotti
Vote: Passed unanimously
Chair Marston will draft a list of reasons why we wish to remain under the purview of NSHE, to accompany the
above resolution.
•
Four-Year Degrees at TMCC – We are looking at what it might take for our institution to offer four-year degrees.
The President and VPAA are on board with this decision. The soonest we might be able to begin offering bachelor
degrees would be Fall 2016. We do not yet know all the ramifications for this change, including a possible change
to the name of our college.
Report of Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
John Adlish
•
Administrative Evaluations – Chair-Elect Adlish still needs people willing to serve on the Administrative
Evaluations Committee to put together a process for the evaluation of our Deans. If you or someone else is
interested in serving, please contact him.
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Consent Agenda (ACTION) (Exhibit F)
Motion: To approve the Consent Agenda as submitted.
Movant: NA
Second: NA
Vote: Passed unanimously
Committee Reports:
Curriculum, Assessment & Programs Committee
Melanie Purdy, Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/14/14.
•
BAS Four-Year Degrees – The committee is working with Dr. Lance Bowen to review NSHE Code guidelines and
other state models to create the documents to help facilitate the creation of these degrees. Considerations will
also include embedding within the courses and how to clarify the various requirements. Accreditation is also an
issue that must be considered. This can be very exciting for our students. Chair Purdy pointed out that she had
been told the degrees would be implemented in Fall 2015.
•
Embedding of Courses – We have included guidelines for this process on the CAP resource page online. It
provides step-by-step instructions for Option A, which is equal hours. If you have forty-five hours of a math
course you want to embed, how to technically accomplish that within the MCOs and Certificates. The committee is
still working on Option B, which probably will not be as powerful in the sense that people would track the progress
of the student, identify specific courses where they will receive their curriculum, and have the same pre-imposed
measures for all three courses to demonstrate student competency towards the outcomes, etc.
•
General Education Courses – If any department still has established General Education courses, the Department
Chairs need to resubmit each one of them, to ensure they meet the new requirements. We want to take care of
this now rather than delaying and endangering their qualification as a General Education course. As a reminder to
the Departments, Chair Purdy has a list of all the courses that have not yet been re-approved, which she will be
sending out in April.
The link to view current master course outlines, degrees, emphasis and certificates is now listed as “Academics Data.”
Check it out at: https://webapps.tmcc.edu/acdmcs/login/
Recognition and Activities Committee
Erin Frock, Chair (proxy Sandra Martinez)
•
The committee last met on 3/6/14.
•
Distinguished Faculty Awards – Nominations – The selection committee has been reviewing the nomination
materials and finalists have been chosen. Observations and interviews will begin in April.
•
Professional of the Month Award – We are happy to announce that our March recipient is Frank Testa (Media
Services). Congratulations!
•
NSHE Regents Awards – Congratulations to Erika Bein (English) for being awarded the Regents Academic
Advisor Award. Only one community college faculty member statewide is awarded this honor. This award carries
with it a cash stipend of $5,000. Well done!
•
Commencement – Commencement will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort this year on Friday, May 23rd at 10
am. Chair Frock spoke to Karen Magstadt, the Commencement Committee Chair, and Nadine Winslow (President’s
office). The reason the ceremony was moved to the Grand Sierra Resort was due to outgrowing both our campus
facility in the quad, and also the Reno-Sparks Events Center. Additionally, when Commencement was held oncampus, it cost us “tens of thousands of dollars,” including rental of the stage, chairs, the sound system, and
manpower from Facilities to set-up and tear-down the event.
The Reno-Sparks Convention Center charged us $13,600. Due to our academic calendar, Commencement is
always planned for the Friday following the last day of instruction. This means that Commencement dates are
determined 5-6 years out. As a result, for the next several years, our commencement will be held on the Friday of
Memorial Day weekend. This creates serious space limitations at the Convention Center, due to competing events.
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Also, we only have access to the Ballroom at the Convention Center, which only seats 2,400 guests in addition to
the students and platform party. Last year was standing room only.
Following the 2013 Commencement, the President asked the Commencement Committee to identify other possible
locations for us to hold this event in. She was presented with five different options and she chose the Grand Sierra
Resort. This is because the GSR had the lowest price at $13,600. They have open parking. They provided
additional rooms for us to use for robing, additional screens and technicians to run audio/visual equipment, and
discounted room rates for the students’ families coming in from out-of-town. Additionally, the GSR will seat 3,200
guests, including the students and platform party. Faculty can park in the south or southwest parking lots and
enter the building without having to walk through the casino.
Lawlor Events Center was not accommodating to our needs at all. Also, the cost was too high to even consider.
There is an SGA student representative on the Commencement Committee. The student body was asked and
approved the use of the SGR for Commencement.
This year, faculty will be seated up in front of the student section. This should provide a better visual aspect for
our faculty.
Maps and more information will be provided at our Senate meeting in April.
If anyone has questions or concerns, please email Karen Magstad or Erin Frock, so they can be addressed at the
April meeting.
Professional of the Month – nomination form
Note: Nominations are kept for three months at a time, after which the nomination might need to be resubmitted.
http://www.tmcc.edu/facultysenate/professional-employee-of-the-month/submit-a-nomination/
Student Government Association
Stephanie Prevost, SGA President
•
SGA President Elections – Stephanie Prevost has been re-elected to serve a second term as SGA President.
Congratulations!
•
Wellness Week – The SGA is sponsoring this event next week. There will be a lot of great events going on in the
Student Center. All are welcome to drop by and participate.
•
NSHE Regents Scholar – Congratulations to TMCC student Nichole Lee for being selected for this high honor.
This award carries with it a cash stipend of $5,000. Awards are based on academic accomplishments, leadership
ability, and service contributions. Well done!
Library Committee
Tom Kearns, Chair
•
The committee last met on 3/13/14.
•
Committee Chair Election – Tom has been re-elected to serve another term as the committee chair.
•
Electronic Science Fiction & Short Stories – The committee is planning an electronic document program, which
will highlight science fiction and short stories. This will be posted in the Library and available to all students. The
stories will be available on electronic readers and MP-3 players.
•
Distinguished Speakers Forum – The committee plans to have Dianne Cheseldine speak regarding her travels in
Ethiopia, Africa, once she returns in another month. More information to follow.
Part-Time Issues Committee
Molly Lingenfelter, Interim Chair
•
The committee last met on 3/28/14.
•
Committee Chair Nominations – Chair Lingenfelter is actively campaigning to recruit someone to run for Chair
of the committee. If anyone knows of someone who would benefit the committee, please email Chair Lingenfelter.
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•
Best Practices for Part-Time Faculty – The committee is researching other institutions, to determine the best
practices for part-time faculty. The committee is considering looking at a Canvas website, where we can upload
and share information with both Part-Time Faculty and others.
•
Part-Time Faculty Advocacy – Dr. Kyle Dalpe will be attending the committee’s April 18th meeting to discuss
Part-Time Faculty and advocacy. The committee has drafted a list of issues and questions for Dr. Dalpe to
address. All are welcome to attend.
The virtual orientation page for part-time instructors can be found at:
http://www.tmcc.edu/asc/ptf/
Codes & Bylaws Committee
Bridgett Blaque, Interim Chair
•
The committee last met on 3/7/14.
•
Continuance of the Committee – The committee met and discussed whether or not the committee should
continue as a standing committee included within the Faculty Senate Bylaws. Currently, the committee only has
four members. Even after campaigning for a volunteer, no one has stepped forward to chair the committee.
Chair Blaque gave a brief history of this committee. It originated when she was the Faculty Senate Chair and
developed in response to the onslaught of changes coming down from NSHE at that point. Since that time, NSHE
has restructured the Code and the Policy and Procedures Handbook and how they are arranging things. Our
institutional Bylaws were also established. This has made it so the majority of the original charge of the committee
has evaporated. The needs have changed and the committee may no longer be necessary. The committee has
been inactive for several years. Senate Chair Summerhill wanted to revive the committee, so he set forth a
revision of the committee’s charge last year. The committee is now in its second semester of reactivity and has
not yet functioned well.
Chair Blaque stated that the committee informed her that, during the February meeting, they had discussed three
options for this committee going forward:
1. To disband the committee entirely.
2. Increase the committee membership and find someone willing to chair the committee.
3. Disband the committee and assign the duties of the committee to the Faculty Senate Chair-Elect position, since
the Chair-Elect is already our Senate Parliamentarian.
Chair Blaque prefers the third option. One of the committee members stated that, “They see the value of
continuing the committee, but also recognize that the duties could reasonably be assigned to the Chair-Elect.”
At the end of the committee meeting, all four members stated that, “They have no particular investment in seeing
the committee continue.”
Additionally, the Executive Committee discussed this issue. Under Article 5.2 of the Senate Bylaws, the current
duties of the Senate Chair-Elect include “serving on the Senate Executive Board and College Advisory Committees,
update Bylaws, officially represent Faculty Senate at Classified Council meetings, and attend Board of Regents
meetings that are held in Reno.” The Executive Committee believes that the duties of the Codes & Bylaws
Committee reasonable fall under the purview of the Senate Chair-Elect. The Chair-Elect should understand how all
of these items function before becoming the Senate Chair.
If we want this committee to continue, we will need more faculty willing to serve as members and someone willing
to chair the committee. The next meeting is on April 4th, 9 am in SIER 101. The Senators were asked to help
campaign their colleagues for participation. At that meeting, if nothing has changed, Chair Blaque will introduce a
Bylaws change to disband the committee and assign the duties over to the Senate Chair-Elect. Then, the Senate
will be tasked with determining if it wants the committee to continue to exist or what to do with it. This Bylaws
change would potentially be introduced to the Faculty Senate for a first reading on April 18th with a final vote at the
meeting on May 16th.
If anyone has questions or suggestions, please email Chair Blaque.
Professional Standards Committee
Greg Ellis, Chair
•
The Committee last met on 3/7/14.
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•
Academic Faculty Annual Evaluation Criteria “Drafts” – The committee has been reviewing Version A and
Version B, which has already been discussed in-depth by the Senate Chair. The committee has been tasked with
completing the evaluation revision in April so that it may be approved by the Senate by our last meeting on May
16th.
Everyone is invited to attend the next meeting to further these discussions on April 4th, 10 am in RDMT 214. We
would like to have more involvement in this process.
Chair Marston noted that we can always make a final decision on this document, but it still must be approved by
the VPAA and the President. If the President will not approve the document we put forward, the Senate would
need to revisit this issue in the Fall.
If anyone has questions or suggestions, please email them to Chair Ellis and he will put that information before the
committee.
Salary, Benefits & Budgetary Concerns Committee
Steve Bale, Chair
•
The committee last met on 3/7/14.
•
“Final Report of Sabbatical Leave Activities” Form – (Exhibit G) Chair Marston has assured the committee
that the new Merit Pay Policy includes a provision that people on a sabbatical will be eligible for merit pay. In the
past, when people return from a sabbatical leave, they submit their final report to their Dean and then the
President for final approval of their project. This has automatically generated a “satisfactory” evaluation score,
which under the step system, qualified them for a step increase. Under the new system, it would not qualify them
for merit pay.
In order for us to remain consistent with the new Merit Pay Policy, the committee has revised our “Final Report of
Sabbatical Leave Activities” form to reflect these changes. With this in mind, the committee has submitted the
revised form for the Senate’s approval.
It was noted that some faculty believe that people on a sabbatical leave should not qualify for a “Commendable 2”
and above, since they have not been here at the college meeting with students, grading papers, and dealing with
the regular issues of our faculty members. A “Commendable 1” should be the highest level of merit pay they can
achieve. Other faculty believe that people on a Sabbatical leave are participating in activities to benefit our
college, which regular faculty members are not engaged in.
It was also noted that, if someone on a sabbatical leave did not return their Sabbatical or they were to receive less
than a “Satisfactory” score on their final project, they would theoretically be required to pay back the cost of their
Sabbatical leave to the college.
Chair Bale noted that we can determine at a later date what the process might be to determine how a Sabbatical
leave final project might qualify for a “Commendable 1,” a “Commendable 2,” or etc. For now, we are not
establishing any process, but merely updating the form to be consistent with the new Merit Pay policy.
Motion: To approve the revised “Final Report of Sabbatical Leave Activities” form, to include “Unsatisfactory,”
“Satisfactory,” “Commendable 1,” “Commendable 2,” “Excellent 1,” and “Excellent 2,” in conformance with the new Merit
Pay Policy criteria.
Movant: NA – submitted by the Salary, Benefits & Budgetary Concerns Committee
Second: NA – submitted by the Salary, Benefits & Budgetary Concerns Committee
Vote: Passed, 1 nay
•
Summer School Pay to Faculty – The committee is currently researching and drafting a new policy on the
payment of faculty for teaching summer school classes. Currently there are four issues the committee is
addressing:
•
•
•
•
Inequities in pay
The payment formula – NSHE Code
Census
Notices going out earlier from the VPFA’s office
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Because the census of students is being taken the week before classes begin, faculty are being paid less than what
they might be paid if the census were taken the first day of classes. This is because more students are signing up
for the class the week before it starts, but the pay is not being adjusted accordingly to compensate the teacher.
Additionally, some class rooms are restricted by the number of computers or labs in the room. This means that
fewer students can pay tuition and sit in on a Biology class than can sit in on an English class that has no such
restrictions in the room. So, a Biology professor may receive less compensation than an English professor. It is
the belief of the committee that our faculty members should be compensated equally for Summer School classes
and not based on any class room restrictions.
So far, the feeling of the committee is that the student census should be taken on the first day of class. Notice
should be provided to the Summer School teacher a week or two prior to the start of class. That notice might
state that, “Based on the current enrollment, your minimum pay is $XXX.” And then, this amount could be
adjusted when census is taken on the first day of class.
The committee is also discussing the overall profitability of the program. Summer School has been earning
approximately $250,000 per year for the college. The committee does not believe it is right to short our individual
faculty members on their Summer School compensation when the program is clearly generating enough funds to
compensate our faculty in a fair manner.
Everyone is invited to attend the committee’s next meeting on April 4th, 12-2 pm in SIER 105. A new draft policy
on the payment of faculty for Summer School will be considered for vote by the committee. The result of that vote
will be brought before the Senate on April 18th.
Student Learning Outcomes & Assessment (SLOA)
Bridgett Blaque, Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/7/14.
•
Committee Chair Election – No committee member has been willing to accept a nomination to serve as the chair
of the committee next year.
Old Business
•
Bylaws Change to Allow the Faculty Senate Chair to Make Motions and Vote – (Exhibit H) Senator Robin
Griffin submitted this motion as a first reading on 2/21/14.
It was noted that, in Robert’s Rules of Order, the Chair of an assembly is eligible, but not obliged, to vote.
(Robert’s Rules of Order, Chapter XIII, 10th ed., §44, page 392.)
Some people believe allowing the Senate Chair to vote is a violation of impartiality. The Chair should represent all
of our faculty in a neutral manner and the Chair-Elect should remain as an impartial Parliamentarian of the Senate.
Other people believe impartiality is not an issue since the Senate Chair and Chair-Elect were elected to represent
our faculty, they are well informed on the issues, and we should trust their judgment.
Motion: To approve the change to Article XII of the Faculty Senate Bylaws to allow the Faculty Senate Chair-Elect to
make motions and vote on all questions, and to allow the Faculty Senate Chair to vote in order to break an otherwise tie
vote.
Movant: Robin Griffin
Second: Molly Lingenfelter
Vote: Passed; 18 yea, 7 nay
New Business
•
Bylaws Change Regarding “Direct Reports” to the President – (Exhibit I) Senator Steve Bale submitted
this motion as a first reading. It was seconded by Melanie Purdy. It will be voted on by the Senate at the next
meeting on 4/18/14.
Adjournment at 2:25 p.m. (*Adjournment time will run no later than 2:35 p.m. unless approved via motion by the
Senate.)
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FACULTY SENATE AGENDA
Friday – March 28, 2014
RDMT 256 – 12:30-2:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda
(ACTION)
3. Approval of 2/21/14 Minutes
(ACTION)
4. Facilities Master Plan Update
Teresa Golden
5. Report of Chair
- Merit Pay Update
- Faculty Annual Evaluation Criteria “Drafts”
Ron Marston
6. Report of Chair-Elect
John Adlish
7. Consent Agenda
(ACTION)
8. Committee Reports:
Curriculum, Assessment & Programs (CAP)
Recognition & Activities
Student Government Association
Library
Part-Time Issues
Codes & Bylaws
Professional Standards
Salary, Benefits & Budgetary Concerns
- “Final Report of Sabbatical Leave Activities” Form
Student Learning Outcomes & Assessment (SLOA)
Melanie Purdy
Erin Frock
Stephanie Prevost
Tom Kearns
Molly Lingenfelter
Bridgett Blaque
Greg Ellis
Steve Bale
(ACTION)
Bridgett Blaque
9. Old Business
Senate Bylaws Change to allow Senate Chair to Vote
(ACTION) – Senator Robin Griffin
10. New Business
- Bylaws Change to “Direct Reports”
(1ST READING) – Senator Steve Bale
11. Adjournment (Adjournment time will run no later than 2:30 p.m.)
Faculty Senate
FACULTY SENATE MEETING MINUTES
Februar y 21, 2014
Faculty Senate Chair:
John Adlish
Executive Committee member, Curriculum,
Assessment & Programs Committee Chair:
Executive Committee member, Salary,
Benefits and Budgetary Concerns
Committee Chair:
Executive Committee member,
Professional Standards Interim Committee
Chair:
Executive Committee member, Student
Learning Outcomes & Assessment
Committee Chair:
Codes & Bylaws Committee Chair:
Library Committee Chair:
Part-Time Issues Committee Chair:
Recognition & Activities Committee Chair:
Senator for Allied Health:
Senator for Allied Health:
Senator for Applied Industrial Technology:
Senator for Applied Industrial Technology:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for At-Large:
Senator for Biology:
Senator for Biology:
Senator for School of Business:
Senator for School of Business:
Senator for Computer Technology:
Senator for Computer Technology:
Senator for English:
Senator for English:
Senator for Humanities:
Senator for Humanities:
Senator for Math:
Senator for Math:
Senator for Physical Science:
Senator for Physical Science:
Senator for History, Political Science & Law:
Senator for Social Sciences:
Senator for Visual & Performing Arts:
Senator for Visual & Performing Arts:
Ron Marston
Steve Bale
Bridgett Blaque
Erin Frock
Michael Holmes
Jay Jorgenson
Jim Collier
Nancy O’Neal
Robin Griffin
Carlo Ferguson-McIntyre
Jeff Brasel
John Coles
Faculty Senate Chair-Elect:
Greg Ellis
Tom Kearns
Julie Muhle
Brian Ruf
Tom Kearns
Dan Williams
Steve Bale
Molly Lingenfelter
Maria Arrigotti
Bronwen Owen-Haugland
Dan Bouweraerts
Melanie Purdy
Bridgett Blaque
Molly Lingenfelter
Patti Sanford
Tommy Guy
Melanie Purdy
Robert Kirchman
Judy Fredrickson
Dianne Cheseldine
Shannon McCool
None
Brian Wells
Absent: Dianne Cheseldine (her proxy was Carlo Ferguson-McIntyre), Bronwen Owen-Haugland (no proxy), Nancy O’Neal
(her proxy was Robert Kirchman), Patti Sanford (her proxy was Linda McGillicuddy)
Guests: Dan Adams, Lee Bale, Engrid Barnett, Bill Newhall, VPAA Jane Nichols, President Maria Sheehan, Frankie Talbot
(proxy for Stephanie Prevost, SGA)
The meeting was called to order at 12:31 p.m.
Faculty Senate Chair Marston: Please be sure to sign in (Exhibit A)
Approval of the Meeting Agenda (Exhibit B)
Motion: To approve the meeting agenda for 2/21/14 as submitted.
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Movant: NA
Second: NA
Vote: Passed unanimously
Approval of Meeting Minutes from December 13, 2013 (Exhibit C)
Motion: To approve the Faculty Senate meeting minutes from December 13, 2013, with the amendment that, following
the resignation of Katie Smith, Molly Lingenfelter had not yet been formally named as the interim chair of the Part-Time
Issues Committee by the Senate Chair.
Movant: Molly Lingenfelter
Second: Melanie Purdy
Vote: Passed; 1 abstention
Administrative Report
President Maria Sheehan
•
Shared Services – The NSHE Presidents in the north will be participating in a retreat with Chancellor Klaich and
Steve Zink next Monday, February 24th. They will discuss possible shared services and how the institutions in the
north might be able to support each other in the areas of Institutional Research, Information Technology, Human
Resources, some areas of finance and Financial Aid. There is a meeting of the NSHE Shared Services Committee
and the Board of Regents scheduled on February 27th to look at what the next steps might be. The effort is to save
money by increasing efficiency and consolidating the human resources involved.
•
SB-391 – This was the legislative bill to pull the NSHE community colleges out of the NSHE system and put them
under the purview of the Nevada State Department of Education. This bill failed; however, a study is now being
done of all the NSHE community colleges. A first meeting has taken place and a second meeting is scheduled for
March 12th to discuss this issue. The goal of the committee is to look at our funding structure, our governance
structure, and our academic, technical and career programs as they align with state goals.
•
Board of Regents Meeting on March 5-6 – The Board of Regents has asked us to review our mission statement
and we will be asked specific questions as to how we are addressing our mission overall.
•
President Sheehan’s Performance Evaluation – On April 7th thru 10th, or April 8th thru 11th, President
Sheehan’s performance evaluation will be held. She will have more information on a concrete date and time later
on. These meetings are open for anyone to attend.
The evaluation will begin with a three-hour discussion on President’s achievements and failures during the years
she has served as our president, followed by an exit review. At 5-1/2 years, President Sheehan and President
Richards are the longest serving presidents. Because we have had so many changes, the evaluations will need to
be staggered. We will be hearing about contract extensions, but Dr. Sheehan will not be involved in a contract
extension because she is the queue for an evaluation. Dr. Richards is in the queue for a contract extension. They
do not have enough slots to evaluate all of the presidents at the same time. Hence, some evaluations are being
deferred and will receive an extension for the time being. A contract extension basically means that you keep
doing your job for a period of time. If Dr. Sheehan is offered an additional term, she needs to determine what she
would like to do with that time and how long she would stay at TMCC.
Dr. Sheehan believes her continued stay at TMCC depends upon:
1. The energy and passion she brings to the job.
2. Utility and whether she is still producing and benefiting TMCC; if she does not feel she is still benefiting TMCC,
she will leave us on her own accord.
3. The decision of the Board of Regents and whether they might want a change in leadership.
Things Dr. Sheehan would like to achieve in the future:
1. Build the base for external revenue. We currently have a $25 million campaign with a little less than $5 million
more to go for the science expansion at Redfield campus. We received a $300,000 pledge last week. The
pledges come when we spend time with donors to tell them what we do. Dr. Sheehan believes her time is
better spent telling the story of our institution and what we do in order to raise funds.
2. Build a public/private partnership. This would allow us to lease land we are not using. This has the potential
to become an extraordinary revenue stream for our institution. Such partnerships take years to develop. We
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February 21, 2014
are in the first year and it will require a lot of Dr. Solemsaas’s time and Dr. Sheehan’s time to develop. Once
we achieve our goal, we then have a guaranteed revenue stream for the institution.
We recently held a black tie event for this effort. Thank you to all of our faculty members who participated in
the event. They did a stupendous job. The event was $275/seat and we sold out before we even sent out our
invitations. The goal of the event was $50,000 and we raised $70,000. There is no reason we cannot grow
this event to be in the range of $200,000 within a couple more years.
This money is dedicated to a concentration on our Career and Technology programs at our Edison campus.
Next year, Dr. Sheehan would like to look at the arts because she believes there is an interest in the donor
community and the arts. Additionally, we are working on other projects for the future and Dr. Sheehan will
need faculty help with this effort.
•
Board of Regents Meeting June 5th and 6th - The June meeting will be held at TMCC. Dr. Sheehan will be
working with Chair Marston and Dr. Nichols on how we might best showcase ourselves to the regents. We want to
include faculty and students as we highlight the kinds of programs we have to offer. We will be discussing this
opportunity more as time goes on. Any ideas should be directed to Chair Marston.
Vice President of Academic Affair’s Report
Vice President Jane Nichols
•
Budget Reduction Update – (Exhibit D) Dr. Nichols gave an update on the recommendations the Budget
Reduction Committee has made. The committee’s last meeting was as the end of January. The committee
thoroughly reviewed ways for savings, such as turning off computers automatically at 11 pm each night. We are
counting on additional revenue for next academic year through the nursing differential fee, which is currently in
place. We are also budgeting for a 1% enrollment increase in student fees. Our state budget for next year is set;
however, how we decide to spend those monies will make a difference in our process.
A report will be sent to President Sheehan, which contains recommendations as to how we should spend new
revenue we might be receiving. The recommendations include information on the most critical areas we will want
to replace going forward. As of today, these recommendations are our plan going forward, which basically
continues the cuts in operating and also a few positions we cut this year. No more cuts are anticipated to our
operating budget.
The non-academic savings are primarily in either eliminating positions, or moving positions onto foundation money,
indirect cost recovering money, or soft money. We reluctantly recommended eliminating one classified position.
The big dollar amount in the budget recommendation is the buyout, which should save us $900,000. Offers have
been made to various applicants for the buyout. We will not know the exact savings of the buyout until the end of
March after people have had the opportunity to confirm that they will take the buyout. If the savings is less than
what we have projected, we will need to look for a savings elsewhere. We currently have some vacant faculty
positions being saved for potential equity adjustment dollars. We can also pull the committee back together if we
need to look for additional savings because we do not get the full savings we anticipate from the buyout.
Dr. Nichols will keep the Senate informed as this process develops. Our final budget will be presented to the Board
of Regents at the June 5th-6th meeting.
•
Policy Change for Incomplete Grade – (Exhibit E) This policy resides in the course catalog. When Dr. Nichols
reviewed our process for handing incomplete grades, she felt strongly that it was too bureaucratic and did not
provide the faculty with the judgment they need in order to give students an incomplete grade.
Dr. Nichols presented a revised policy, which she would like to include in the catalog for next academic year. This
revision basically states that we will get rid of the demand that a student “has completed a substantial portion of
the class (75 percent).” Instead, a student must be “performing passing work in the course” to qualify for an
incomplete grade. A student with “non-attendance, poor performance or requests to repeat the course is
unacceptable reasons for issuance for the “I” grade.”
Faculty will no longer need to submit information to Admissions and Records as to what work the student still
needs to perform in order to satisfactorily complete the class. The work must be completed by the end of the next
regular semester, etc. Because we have a number of part-time faculty members who may not be available in the
next regular semester, the responsibility for working with the student for completion of the course and changing
the incomplete grade would fall upon the department chair, coordinator, or with the dean. The revised policy
would remove Admissions and Records from the process. Additionally, granting a student an incomplete grade
prior to the final deadline when a student may drop the class and receive a refund of tuition should not occur.
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Following the last available drop date is when an instructor should make the judgment call to give the student an
incomplete grade in the class.
The instructor may change the grade at any point after issuing an incomplete grade; however, if no grade change
form is completed by the last day of the next regular semester, the incomplete grade will automatically be changed
to an “F” grade.
Since the department chair or dean signs the grade change form as part of the process, a request was made to Dr.
Nichols that the final sentence in the draft policy be removed, which states: “The change of grade form from “I” to
another grade must be signed by the department chair or dean.”
It was requested that the policy be revised to say, “…passing work at the end of the course….” Dr. Nichols agreed
to this. It was also suggested that this information on incomplete grades be included in the instructor’s syllabus
for the course. It was noted that this policy is not a legally binding contract, but merely the guidelines we will
follow here at TMCC.
Additionally, Dr. Nichols agreed to put the responsibility of initiating the final grade on the student rather than on
the faculty member, department chair, or dean.
Dr. Nichols will work on the draft policy and resubmit it to the Senate office so that it can then be distributed to all
Senators. Chair Marston asked the Senate to address concerns via email to him.
NOTE: Following this Senate meeting, Dr. Nichols did submit a revised draft of the policy to the Senate office,
which was sent via email to all Senators on 2/25/14, with a request to offer any feedback to Chair Marston no later
than 2/28/14. A copy of this information is on file with today’s Senate meeting minutes in the Senate office.
Report of Faculty Senate Chair
Ron Marston
•
Merit Pay Policy – (Exhibit F) After offering two open surveys, open forums, many open meetings, and
extensive vetting by faculty and administrators, the Merit Pay Committee has developed and approved a Merit Pay
Policy, which is to be included in the TMCC Institutional Bylaws. This policy will need to be approved by President
Sheehan and the President’s Advisory Committee, and subsequently approved by Chancellor Klaich and the Board
of Regents.
The appeal process outlined in Section 3 is not yet concrete as to the process for appealing evaluations is included
in the NFA Contract. What is currently in the NFA Contract conflicts with the Merit Pay Policy. Chair Marston has
been working with the NFA President, as well as John Albrecht, legal counsel for TMCC, to look at amending the
NFA Contract accordingly. Some components could be proposed and changed once the policy leaves our Senate.
If any substantive changes are requested by the President’s Advisory Committee, Chair Marston will bring that
back to the Senate for debate and further approval.
From this point on, the policy is moving out into other paths, including revisions to the Academic Faculty Annual
Evaluation Process, and the Administrative Faculty Performance Review, in order to make accommodations for the
new policy. The Professional Standards Committee is reviewing changes to the Academic Faculty evaluation tool,
while a special adhoc committee made up of Administrative Faculty and chaired by Michelle Noel is reviewing
changes to the Administrative Faculty Performance Review process. These recommended changes should be
coming back to the Senate for confirmation in April 2014.
It was noted that Items 1.j and 1.k were included in the policy because we are no longer under the step system.
There was a concern that, under the new system, we have ranges which faculty members cannot go beyond at the
top of their range. Michelle Meador has told Chair Marston that we have no faculty members that are currently
anywhere close to being at the top of their range limits, which is often referred to as being “redlined.” Chair-Elect
Adlish stated that, if someone is redlined and they receive merit pay, that money is only paid out for that year. It
does not add to the base salary of someone that is redlined. Additionally, we just eliminated the deputy chief of
police position. There are inequities all over campus.
Chair Marston pointed out that, after going through the equity adjustment process, we want to be fiscally
responsible. Some people believe that senior faculty members who have been here a long time and automatically
received a raise year-after-year already make too much money. Some people believe this is what has created the
salary inequity. A member of the Senate pointed out that, if we start dividing amongst ourselves and make
judgment calls that senior faculty are already “making enough,” we are opening ourselves up to treating ourselves
unequally in terms of pay increases. This is an overreaching issue on how we perceive ourselves as a whole.
Singling out one group of faculty over another group, and making judgment calls on each other that may not be
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February 21, 2014
fair or justified is not wise. It is important that we are unified as a faculty body on issues of compensation and
treat one another the same.
It was pointed out that everyone’s salary information is available for anyone to view. When we look at the obscene
amounts of money that fire fighters in Clark County, and members of the faculty at the medical school, are
making, we have no faculty members at TMCC that are anywhere near those obscene amounts. We are arguing
pennies comparatively and we should treat each other equally until the lawyers tell us otherwise.
Chair Marston reiterated that we will not need to apply for merit pay. It will be automatically awarded based on
meeting the required criteria spelled out in the Merit Pay Policy.
With these issues in mind, the Merit Pay Policy is now brought before the Faculty Senate for approval.
Motion: That Item 1.j be modified to state: “Merit awards shall be added to the base salary for all qualifying faculty.”
And that Item 1.k be deleted entirely from the proposed Merit Pay Policy.
Movant: Steve Bale
Second: Melanie Purdy
Vote: Passed; 3 abstentions
Motion: To approve the Merit Pay Policy, with an amendment to the TMCC Institutional Bylaws, Section J, as submitted,
with the exception that the above modifications shall be made to Items 1.j and 1.k.
Movant: Merit Pay Subcommittee
Second: Merit Pay Subcommittee
Vote: Passed unanimously
•
Facilities Master Plan Update – An open forum is being held today from 12:30-3:30 pm. Another forum will be
held on March 28th. Additionally, VPFA Solemsaas will be giving an update at our Senate meeting on March 28th.
Everyone is invited to attend the forums, ask questions, and offer feedback.
•
Equity Adjustment Update – It has been determined that an equity adjustment will cost us around $700,000,
which is quite a bit more than initially predicted. There are some options for how we might implement and fund
this. We have not yet identified funding sources to cover the costs. The funding source that has been identified is
the open faculty vacancies. We currently have nine such vacancies, which would provide a little over $500,000.
The administration has committed to using these dollars to fund the equity adjustment, but it will not be enough.
A list of priorities has been developed and provided to the President on how to implement equity by pulling monies
out of our contingency fund. This would be done with the anticipation that we could pay it back next year. This
may not work as we could potentially have another budget shortfall. We have six total scenarios for funding. The
second option is to fund equity adjustments for people who have been here working for ten years or less. The
reason for this priority is that the way the system requires us to hire faculty is that we must provide them a certain
amount of money for years of service that we grant them as they come in as a new hire. In order for us to not
hire someone new at more money than someone that is already here working with the exact same years of
service, we need to bring those people here with ten years of service up to the proper salary level. We have a
priority to fund that group of faculty, which would require a large chunk of the adjustment monies. Then, we
would fund everyone else in the following year.
Discussions included separating out the academic faculty from the administrative faculty, funding the academic
faculty but not the administrative faculty for the first year, etc. Many people feel that this would not be fair.
Employees are employees here and should be adjusted equally.
A member of the Senate pointed out that we also must not discriminate against those employees with longevity,
who may be at the top of the salary scale. Additionally, people who have been here 15 years or less are left out of
the adjustment, yet they are also at the bottom of the pay scale. Adjustments need to be made for those people
also. Chair Marston clarified that we would not be moving someone with ten years into a higher position than
someone that has been here eleven or twelve years. We do not want to create an initial adjustment that would
put someone with more years of service below someone with fewer years of service.
Chair Marston is willing to share the “draft” study with anyone that is interested, with the understanding that it
may not reflect the final numbers we end up with. We should begin notifying people of what equity adjustment
they can expect to receive once the plan has been reviewed and approved by the President, hopefully in the month
of March 2014.
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•
Codes & Bylaws Committee Chair – Following the resignation of Brian Wells, Bridgett Blaque has been
appointed as the interim chair of the committee. Many thanks to Chair Blaque for her willingness to serve.
•
Part-Time Issues Committee Chair – Following the resignation of Katie Smith, Molly Lingenfelter has been
appointed as the interim chair of the committee. Many thanks to Chair Lingenfelter for her willingness to serve.
Report of Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
John Adlish
•
Administrative Evaluations – Chair-Elect Adlish has discussed this issue with Chair Marston and Dr. Nichols.
They have each agreed that we should move ahead with doing administrative evaluations. Chair-Elect Adlish is
now putting together an adhoc committee to determine the scope of the charge and the process. It needs to be an
institutionalized process so that we are evaluating on a regular cycle. It has been suggested that we should
include this process in the TMCC Institutional Bylaws. Other institutions already have tools that we might be able
to use in performing this task. He is also asking for NFA representation. The work of the committee will begin in
Fall 2014 so that we have the evaluations completed in May 2015. Anyone that would like to serve on this
committee should contact Chair-Elect Adlish.
•
Summer School Pay Equity – There are numerous pay inequity issues with how our instructors are paid to teach
summer classes. The Salary, Benefits and Budgetary Concerns Committee has been tasked with researching the
NSHE Code regarding compensation for teaching such classes and then develop a recommendation for this issue.
Everyone is invited to attend the Salary, Benefits Committee meetings to participate in the discussion.
The administration has been using summer school as a big profit center of $250,000-plus each summer. They are
turning these funds back to the college. It is not included in any of the reports of the Budget Reduction
Committee. It is pure profit for the school. The administration relies on these monies to fund special programs.
Part of the argument is that it is not a matter of equity, but this profit is being made at the cost of faculty salaries.
Some class sizes are restricted by the number of seats in the classroom, the number of computers, or the number
of microscopes, etc. The administration has been cutting pay for faculty, depending on the number of students in
the class. If the class is full, but only generates $5,000 and the teacher’s salary is $7,000, they only get the
$5,000 If the class generates $7,000 and has forty desks in it and does not have any room restrictions, the faculty
member will be paid $7,000. The administration does not want to pay the faculty members more than the class
generates in tuition and fees. It is not fair to penalize the faculty member because there might be classroom
restrictions. They are still teaching the same material regardless. It is not equitable or fair to all of the faculty
members.
The question was asked how pay to faculty members works for Wintermester. Chair Marston clarified that
Wintermester teaching is paid as part of the Spring semester workload.
It was suggested that Chair Marston request that the profit made during the summer semester be used to make up
the difference we need to meet the equity adjustment. Since we need approximately $700,000 for the equity
adjustment and can cover $500,000 of that amount with the nine faculty vacancies, the remaining balance of
$200,000 inequity monies could be covered by the summer semester profits.
Consent Agenda (ACTION) (Exhibit G)
Motion: To approve the Consent Agenda as submitted, with the following amendments:
Item #1 – Add Phil Smilanick as a member of the Salary, Benefits & Budgetary Concerns Committee.
Item #2 – AUTO 111 – Automotive Electricity, should be amended to delete the phrase “To be changed to OSH 222.” This
is an error.
Movant: Melanie Purdy
Second: Steve Bale
Vote: Passed unanimously
Committee Reports:
Student Learning Outcomes & Assessment (SLOA)
Bridgett Blaque, Chair
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•
The committee last met on 2/7/14.
•
Bylaws Change – to the Charge of the Committee – (Exhibit H) This change submitted by the committee
received a first reading in the Senate on 12/3/13. This will codify the relationship with the associate dean of
Assessment and Planning, and that the committee with communicate and work with that position.
Motion: To approve the Bylaws change to Article 9.15 of the charge of the Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment
Committee as submitted.
Movant: NA – submitted by the SLOA Committee
Second: NA – submitted by the SLOA Committee
Vote: Passed unanimously
•
General Education Objectives and Criteria for AAS Degrees – During the committee’s last meeting, they
discussed creating the General Education objectives and criteria for the AAS degrees. The committee has begun
working on this. Many of the courses that qualify for General Education status also qualify for the AA and AS
degrees. The committee is considering having one set of General Education objectives, outcomes, and criteria for
all three degrees instead of separating them out. The General Education core is actually what unites our student
body across all three degrees. Some members of the committee believe that the AAS degree is somehow different
than the AA and AS degree, but so many courses qualify for General Education status in all three degrees. The AA
and AS degrees have some different requirements in terms of what might qualify, yet there are some criteria that
are the same for all three degrees. Chair Blaque is planning to work with Pam Hawkins to go through each one
and identify all courses that are common to all three degrees and then determine where they differ. If unity is
possible, it can make assessment much easier as well as benefit our students.
•
Committee Chair Election – No committee member has been willing to accept a nomination to serve as the chair
of the committee next year. It may be necessary for Chair Marston to appoint a chair to direct the committee. If
anyone is interested in serving, they are encouraged to attend the meetings and/or contact Chair Blaque or Chair
Marston as soon as possible.
•
SLOA Committee Chair Election – The committee tried to hold an election, but no one was willing to step
forward as a nominee. Chair Marston may need to appoint a chair to this committee.
•
Meeting Canceled on March 14th – Chair Blaque has canceled the committee meeting on Friday, March 14th.
The committee does not anticipate a good attendance the Friday before Spring break. Since the committee has
been doing many extra tasks, this cancellation should not impede the work. The committee’s next meeting will be
held April 11th.
Curriculum, Assessment & Programs Committee
Melanie Purdy, Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/14/14.
•
General Education Professional Development Days Reviews – On January 15th, 1:15-3:15 pm, the
committee worked with various faculty and administrators to have their current General Education courses put
through the new curriculum review and approval process. We have finalized the forms, which are available online
at the Senate website. CAP Committee members and SLOA Committee members worked in teams of three people
each to perform this review process. These approved courses have now been brought forward in one group for
final approval of the Senate on the Consent Agenda today. Thank you to all of the departments that have
processed their packets. We still have a lot of packets that will need to go forward. Dr. Nichols is working with the
deans to make the deadlines clear.
•
AAS Embedding Criteria – Dan Bouweraerts did some embedding last Spring semester, but we now have
guidelines for the AAS degrees. The committee compared two options. Cliff Bartl brought forward his embedded
degree, which was passed today on the Consent Agenda. Cliff did a great job identifying how to embed and how to
have the accountability for embedding in the Math course with quantitative reasoning. Chair Purdy will be working
with Lee Bale to post the guidelines and create appropriate forms for inclusion on the Senate website.
•
Next Committee Meeting – The deadline for submissions of packets is next Friday, February 28th.
The link to view current master course outlines, degrees, emphasis and certificates is now listed as “Academics Data.”
Check it out at: https://webapps.tmcc.edu/acdmcs/login/
Recognition and Activities Committee
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Erin Frock, Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/6/14.
•
Distinguished Faculty Awards – Nominations – Nomination materials are due by Friday, February 28th. The
selection committee will then begin reviewing those materials. The selection committee is already moving forward
with reviewing the service and teaching award nominations.
•
Professional of the Month Award – We are happy to announce that our December recipient is Natalie Russell
(English) and our January recipient was Brandy Scarnati (WebCollege). We will be recognizing our February
recipient next week. Congratulations!
•
Commencement – Commencement will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort this year on Friday, May 23rd at 10
am. Maps and more information will be provided at our Senate meeting in April, but faculty will be dressing in
their robes in Crystal Room #5. To order Commencement Regalia from the TMCC Bookstore, orders must be
placed and paid for by April 1st. For questions regarding orders of regalia, contact Lee Schafer at phone: 6730236, or X-57172.
The question was asked why we are holding our commencement at the Grand Sierra Resort. Some people strongly
object to going inside a casino filled with cigarette smoke. Also, the question was asked as to whether it is
cheaper than holding the event here at our own campus. Outdoors on campus is not free because we still must
rent the stage from Camelot Party Rentals as well as a sound system and other such items. Additionally, our
facilities people must still set out chairs and clean up, as well as emergency and police services involved.
However, it was pointed out that, holding commencement here at TMCC provides a wonderful opportunity for
students to bring their families up to view our campus and see a part of what we do here. Taking our graduation
ceremony off-campus cheats us out of a valuable opportunity to showcase our college. It was stated that, the last
time we held commencement on campus, we had a wind storm that was blowing people’s hats off and blowing
flowers over, etc. At that point in time, the President said she would like to move the event off-campus. At that
time, the cost to the college was approximately $5,000 for overtime and security, etc. When we moved the event
over to the Convention Center, the cost was approximately the same. It is not known what the cost is at this time.
Chair Frock believes the decision to move over to the Grand Sierra Resort was made because we had out-grown
the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, especially with so many competing events there. She is a member of the
Commencement Committee and agreed to take the Senate’s concerns to the committee and will report back to the
Senate later on as to the cost and the rational to hold the event at another venue.
Professional of the Month – nomination form
Note: Nominations are kept for three months at a time, after which the nomination might need to be resubmitted.
http://www.tmcc.edu/facultysenate/professional-employee-of-the-month/submit-a-nomination/
Student Government Association
Frankie Talbot, SGA Senator for the Division of Science
•
Student Fee Increase – The SGA had a hearing on February 12th with Vice Chancellor Crystal Abba to discuss the
student fee increase. In addition to ten members of the SGA Board, two students attended the meeting. The
biggest concern brought up by the students was not the tuition increase itself, but the total cost of the college as
well as textbook prices. The SGA is trying to develop a program for students that cannot afford their textbooks.
The SGA is in the preliminary stages of this effort, but is exploring several options, including a book scholarship
and textbook rental library. If anyone has suggestions, please contact SGA President Stephanie Prevost.
Additionally, Ryan Gerchman, President of TMVC, spoke to the committee about the negative impact the reduction
in staff might cause. He also stated that the school should try to recruit more veterans to study at TMCC because
of the GI Bill.
•
SGA Elections – Elections are coming up on March 10th thru the 24th. So far, the SGA has sixteen candidates for
eleven positions, so it should be an exciting race this year. During the elections, students will also have the
opportunity to vote for our official TMCC mascot. We have currently received two submissions for the Mascot
Design Contest. Chair Marston has assigned one of his classes to design a submission, so we are expecting
approximately fifty submissions. Faculty should encourage their students to vote for their preferred mascot.
•
Student Clubs – The SGA is continuing to encourage the growth of student clubs on campus. So far this year, we
have approved twenty clubs and are only ten away from our annual goal of thirty clubs. New student clubs this
semester include: The Art Club, Book Club, ASL Club, STEM Club, and the Success Network. We have also heard
of a few new clubs in the works including a History Club and a Magic Club.
Page 8 of 10; Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
TMCC is an EEO/AA institution. See http://eeo.tmcc.edu for more information.
February 21, 2014
Library Committee
Tom Kearns, Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/13/14.
•
Great Ideas Series – In April 2014, the committee is planning to host a lecture with an appearance by Babe
Ruth. More information to follow.
•
Distinguished Speakers Forum – The committee plans to have Dianne Cheseldine speak regarding her travels in
Africa once she returns in another month.
•
Book Club – Several ideas have been discussed on how to direct this. The problem is to get enough participation.
If anyone has ideas on how to combat this problem, please contact Chair Kearns.
•
Committee Chair Election – This issue was tabled due to lack of a voting quorum. The committee will entertain
nominations at their next meeting in March.
Part-Time Issues Committee
Molly Lingenfelter, Interim Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/21/14.
•
Committee Chair Nominations – The committee met this morning and is now working to obtain nominations for
a new chair to serve.
•
Part-Time Certificate Program – Cathy Brewster gave the committee an update on our Part-Time Certificate
Program, which the committee had helped coordinate and put together with her office. There are currently twenty
Part-Time faculty members going through this program. They go through a number of workshops and receive a
$250 stipend at the end of the program. Cathy also sends a certificate to the faculty members’ department chair
or coordinator to advise them that the faculty member completed the program.
•
Ongoing Part-Time Faculty Binders – The committee plans to examine some best practices for ongoing PartTime faculty, such as keeping binders with their evaluations in it, recommendations, etc.
•
Part-Time Faculty eNewsletter – Chair Lingenfelter will be preparing an eNewsletter for Part-Time faculty, to
keep them apprised of what the committee is doing
The virtual orientation page for part-time instructors can be found at:
http://www.tmcc.edu/asc/ptf/
Codes & Bylaws Committee
Bridgett Blaque, Interim Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/7/14, with Chair Marston conducting the meeting.
•
Bylaws Change to the Charge of the Codes & Bylaws Committee – (Exhibit I) The first reading by the
Faculty Senate for this motion was on 11/22/13; however, the proposed change was amended by the committee
on 12/6/13. This Bylaws change is now up for a vote by the Senate.
Motion: To approve the Bylaws change to Article 9.14 of the charge of the Codes & Bylaws Committee as submitted.
Movant: NA – submitted by the Codes & Bylaws Committee
Second: NA – submitted by the Codes & Bylaws Committee
Motion Passed; 18 yea, 4 nay, 3 abstention.
Motion: To extend the meeting by 5 minutes.
Movant: Brian Wells
Second: Tommie Guy
Motion Passed
•
Bylaws Change to define “Direct Reports” to the President – (Exhibit J) This Bylaws change received a
first reading by the Senate on 12/13/13. The Faculty Senate has had a history of not allowing “direct reports” to
Page 9 of 10; Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
TMCC is an EEO/AA institution. See http://eeo.tmcc.edu for more information.
February 21, 2014
the President to vote in things such as the Faculty Senate Chair election, Senator elections, various surveys, or on
issues brought before any Senate adhoc or standing committee. This has been done in order to remove the
perception of any element of a conflict of interest. It was believed for a long time that this policy was written
somewhere; however, extensive research into this issue has discovered that, while the Senate has practiced this
habit, there is no written rule in the NSHE Code, TMCC Institutional Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, or the Senate
Bylaws, to inhibit direct reports from voting. Therefore, this motion was brought before the Senate to clarify this
issue.
It was noted that, if this motion passes, the Faculty Senate Chair would not be eligible to vote on issues brought
before the Faculty Senate because, as the Senate Chair, he would be a “direct report” to the President, as outlined
in the current organizational chart.
Motion: To approve the Bylaws change to Article 3 by adding the following statement:
“3.4 Any TMCC employee whose direct supervisor is the TMCC President, per the current organization chart of the college,
shall not have voting rights in Faculty Senate elections or while serving on any Faculty Senate adhoc or standing
committee.”
Movant: NA – submitted by the Codes & Bylaws Committee
Second: NA – submitted by the Codes & Bylaws Committee
Motion Failed: 1 yea, 19 nay, 4 abstentions
Professional Standards Committee
Greg Ellis, Chair
•
The Committee last met on 2/7/14.
•
Student Evaluations of Faculty – Last Spring, the Senate asked WebCollege to develop an online evaluation tool
that would retain our same questions, but be in an all-electronic format. WebCollege has worked hard to
accomplish this task and it was implemented last semester. Participation by students is currently at 32%, which
historically is not too bad. This only impacts those classes that have a Canvas presence. Otherwise, the online
tool will not be accessible. WebCollege is planning to go completely paperless with our online evaluations this
summer.
•
Sabbatical Committee Chair and Membership – The committee membership of volunteers has been put in
place. The committee is still entertaining nominations for chair. The committee should solidify this action at their
next meeting in March.
Salary, Benefits & Budgetary Concerns Committee
Steve Bale, Chair
•
The committee last met on 2/7/14.
•
Charge to the Committee – The committee is currently reviewing their charge as contained in the Senate
Bylaws.
•
Summer School Pay to Faculty – The committee will be researching and reviewing this process. More
information will be forthcoming.
Old Business
None
New Business
•
Bylaws Change to Allow the Faculty Senate Chair to Make Motions and Vote – (Exhibit K) Senator Robin
Griffin submitted this motion as a first reading. It was seconded by Molly Lingenfelter, but then revised again.
Therefore it has been submitted for another first reading by the Senate at today’s meeting. It will be voted on by
the Senate at the next meeting on 3/28/14.
Adjournment at 2:38 p.m. (*Adjournment time will run no later than 2:35 p.m. unless approved via motion by the
Senate.)
Page 10 of 10; Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
TMCC is an EEO/AA institution. See http://eeo.tmcc.edu for more information.
February 21, 2014
DRAFT PROPOSED REVISIONS (VERSION A)
JUST SUGGESTIONS
-
NOT VETTED OR APPROVED BY ANYONE
FACULTY ANNU AL EV ALU ATION CRITERIA
This annual plan is being submitted by (insert faculty name) for the (insert year)-(insert year)
academic year.
Satisfactory Requirements
To achieve a Satisfactory rating, fulfill all criteria in Primary Job Responsibilities list below (S.1-S.4), plus one (1) activity
from College Service/Appropriate Community Service (S.5-S.6), and one (1) activity from Faculty Professional Development
(S.7).
Primary Job Responsibilities (as specified in the NSHE code)
To achieve Satisfactory, fulfill all criteria in the list below (S.1 through S.4):
S.1 Professional Conduct:
a) Comply with all sections of NSHE code and policies applicable to faculty
S.2 Teaching, class management, service to students, and other teaching responsibilities:
a) Meet classes
b) Hold office hours, minimum of 5 per week as specified in NFA contract
c) Receive satisfactory classroom/lab observation when applicable
d) Submit comprehensive course syllabi to the department by end of first week
e) Submit book orders on time
f) Receive satisfactory student evaluations
g) Respond to student requests, appeals, and information needs
S.3 Department/Division Duties:
a) Attend department and division meetings
b) Respond to chair/dean/director requests in a timely manner
c) Participate in assessment of your courses as outlined in the department’s program/unit review
cycle, including submission of CAR, as appropriate
S.4 Submit detailed Faculty Annual Plan and Faculty Self-Evaluation in a timely manner or as
requested by administration.
College Service/Appropriate Community Service (as specified in the NSHE code)
To achieve Satisfactory, select one (1) activity from the list below (S.5-S.6): INDICATE SELECTION OF CRITERIA
BELOW BY ADDING STATEMENT OF HOW THE CRITERIA WILL BE MET
S.5 College Service:
a) Actively participate on one (1) college standing committee or senate standing committee or
another college committee created by administration or the Faculty Senate
b) Actively participate on one (1) or more screening committees as needed
c) Actively participate on a program advisory committee
d) Log four (4) tutoring hours per semester at the TMCC Tutoring and Learning Center
S.6 Appropriate Community Service:
a) Participate in any pertinent community organization, volunteer work or other community activity
such as community outreach
Draft 12.18.13
Page 1
Faculty Professional Development (Satisfactory options)
To achieve Satisfactory, select one (1) activity from the list below (S.7): INDICATE SELECTION OF CRITERIA
BELOW BY ADDING STATEMENT OF HOW THE CRITERIA WILL BE MET
S.7 In-Service Training:
a) Participate in two TMCC professional development sessions throughout the year, including
during Professional Development days
b) Participate in required training sessions (e.g. sexual harassment, active shooter training, etc.)
Commendable and Excellent Requirements
To achieve a Commendable 1 rating, fulfill all Satisfactory requirements, plus any three (3) additional activities listed below
(C/E.1-C/E.3). A minimum of one (1) activity must come from the Primary Job Responsibilities list below (C/E.1).
To achieve an Excellent Commendable 2 rating, you must fulfill all Satisfactory requirements, plus any five (5) additional
activities listed below (C/E.1-C/E.3). A minimum of two (2) activities must come from the Primary Job Responsibilities list
below (C/E.1).
To achieve an Excellent 1 rating, fulfill all Satisfactory requirements, plus any six (6) additional activities listed below
(C/E.1-C/E.3). A minimum of three (3) activities must come from the Primary Job Responsibilities list below (C/E.1).
To achieve an Excellent 2 rating, fulfill all Satisfactory requirements, plus any seven (7) additional activities listed below
(C/E.1-C/E.3). A minimum of three (3) activities must come from the Primary Job Responsibilities list below (C/E.1).
Primary Job Responsibilities (Commendable and Excellent options)
Select at least one (1) activity for Commendable and two (2) activities for Excellent, from the list below (C/E.1):
INDICATE SELECTION OF CRITERIA BELOW BY ADDING STATEMENT OF HOW THE CRITERIA WILL BE MET.
Criteria may be used more than once.
C/E.1 Primary Job Responsibilities:
a) Teach an established course for the first time
b) Create a new course (lecture, online/DE, and hybrid), not requiring institutional approval
c) Arrange a peer review and implement recommendations
d) Teach a workshop or seminar
e) Present in a fellow instructor’s class
f) Improve an existing class by refocusing content and/or assignments, etc.
g) Create student books (writing, art, etc.) or creative projects for a specific class
h) Observe other faculty teach at least two (2) classes; collaborate regarding pedagogy and other
instructional issues
i) Present to other faculty or group a creative or unique assignment used during academic year
j) Work with full-time or part-time faculty to maintain consistent curriculum
k) Mentor a new or part-time instructor
l) K-16 involvement in teaching-related issues
m) Outside teaching-related activities that center on teaching pedagogy (Forums, Projects, etc.)
n) Create a DE course without compensation
o) Revamp in a significant way an existing class (new textbook[s], assignments, etc.)
p) Classroom presentation outside of discipline
q) Conduct training for teachers on specific teaching techniques to improve teaching performance
r) Conduct additional assessment work beyond “Satisfactory” for your own courses (additional data
collection, development of rubrics for collection/analysis of data, etc.)
s) Lead assessment efforts of all sections of a course, including submission of CAR
t) Participate in informal student academic advisement
u) Develop or significantly revise an academic program
v) Other activities as agreed upon with chair/dean/director
Draft 12.18.13
Page 2
w) Participate in student retention efforts
College Service/Appropriate Community Service (Commendable and Excellent options)
C/E.2 College/Appropriate Community Service
a) In addition to S.5 (a) from Satisfactory, actively participate on another college standing
committee or another committee created by administration/department/Faculty Senate
b) Actively participate as a Faculty Senator
c) Actively participate in student recruitment and/or organizations,
d) Actively participate as a member of a faculty probationary committee
e) Significant NSHE system involvement in college-related issues
f) Serve in a compensated or non-compensated leadership position within the college (e.g. discipline
coordinator, chair of senate committee, senate chair or chair-elect, etc.)
g) Chair a department committee
h) Chair a program/unit review self-study committee
i) Significant involvement in accreditation
j) Chair a screening committee
k) Chair a faculty probationary committee
l) Significant involvement with WCSD in student advisement and recruitment
m) Active participation or significant service to or on community advisory boards, government
boards school boards, etc.,
n) Develop significant community contacts to promote a program or advance college goals
o) Serve on a PUR self-study committee outside of your discipline
p) Apply for external funding, be a PI on a grant, or collaborate on a grant proposal
q) Write and obtain extra-institutional competitive grants
r) Other college or community service activities as agreed upon with chair/dean/director
s) As appropriate, participate in Program Unit Review (PUR) as outlined in the PUR approved
cycle*
*In some circumstances, active participation in the PUR may be required of specific faculty
members. In all cases, however, it will always be considered “commendable” or “excellent” for
evaluative purposes.
Faculty Professional Development (Commendable and Excellent options)
C/E.3 Faculty Professional Development
a) Maintain membership in at least one (1) discipline-related professional organization
b) Maintain membership in a local, regional or national organization related to your discipline
c) Attend a conference or professional development seminar/workshop
d) Participate in a professional organization by presenting or holding office in that organization
e) Publish professional material
f) Publish/present other discipline-related material
g) Maintain currency in your professional field other than by teaching or attending conferences (e.g.
research, publishing, and training)
h) Upgrade academic/teaching preparation through formal or approved coursework
i) Other professional development activities as agreed upon with chair/dean/director
j) Self-review of one online course using Quality Matters standards in conjunction with WebCollege
Faculty on Sabbatical will be evaluated based on the fulfillment of duties described in their approved sabbatical
request, as agreed upon with chair/dean/director.
Fulfilling the preceding Primary Job Responsibilities, College Service/Appropriate Community Service, and
Faculty Professional Development activities over the course of the academic year will result in the achievement of
a(n)
rating as a faculty member of Truckee Meadows Community College.
Draft 12.18.13
Page 3
Faculty Member
Date
Reviewed by Department Chair/Director
Date
Approved by Supervisor
Date
Draft 12.18.13
Page 4
DRAFT PROPOSED REVISIONS (VERSION B)
JUST SUGGESTIONS
-
NOT VETTED OR APPROVED BY ANYONE
FACULTY ANNU AL EV ALU ATION CRITERIA
This annual plan is being submitted by (insert faculty name) for the (insert year)-(insert year)
academic year.
Satisfactory Requirements
To achieve a Satisfactory rating, fulfill all criteria in Primary Job Responsibilities list below (S.1-S.4), plus one (1) activity
from College Service/Appropriate Community Service (S.5-S.6), and one (1) activity from Faculty Professional Development
(S.7).
Primary Job Responsibilities (as specified in the NSHE code)
To achieve Satisfactory, fulfill all criteria in the list below (S.1 through S.4):
S.1 Professional Conduct:
a) Comply with all sections of NSHE code and policies applicable to faculty
S.2 Teaching, class management, service to students, and other teaching responsibilities:
a) Meet classes
b) Hold office hours, minimum of 5 per week as specified in NFA contract
c) Receive satisfactory classroom/lab observation when applicable
d) Submit comprehensive course syllabi to the department by end of first week
e) Submit book orders on time
f) Receive satisfactory student evaluations
g) Respond to student requests, appeals, and information needs
S.3 Department/Division Duties:
a) Attend department and division meetings
b) Respond to chair/dean/director requests in a timely manner
c) Participate in assessment of your courses as outlined in the department’s program/unit review
cycle, including submission of CAR, as appropriate
S.4 Submit detailed Faculty Annual Plan and Faculty Self-Evaluation in a timely manner or as
requested by administration.
College Service/Appropriate Community Service (as specified in the NSHE code)
To achieve Satisfactory, select one (1) activity from the list below (S.5-S.6): INDICATE SELECTION OF CRITERIA
BELOW BY ADDING STATEMENT OF HOW THE CRITERIA WILL BE MET
S.5 College Service:
a) Actively participate on one (1) college standing committee or senate standing committee or
another college committee created by administration or the Faculty Senate
b) Actively participate on one (1) or more screening committees as needed
c) Actively participate on a program advisory committee
d) Log four (4) tutoring hours per semester at the TMCC Tutoring and Learning Center
S.6 Appropriate Community Service:
a) Participate in any pertinent community organization, volunteer work or other community activity
such as community outreach
Draft 12.18.13
Page 1
Faculty Professional Development (Satisfactory options)
To achieve Satisfactory, select one (1) activity from the list below (S.7): INDICATE SELECTION OF CRITERIA
BELOW BY ADDING STATEMENT OF HOW THE CRITERIA WILL BE MET
S.7 In-Service Training:
a) Participate in two TMCC professional development sessions throughout the year, including
during Professional Development days
b) Participate in required training sessions (e.g. sexual harassment, active shooter training, etc.)
Commendable and Excellent Requirements
To achieve a Commendable 1or 2 rating, you must fulfill all Satisfactory requirements, plus any three (3) four (4) additional
activities listed below (C/E.1-C/E.3). A minimum of one (1) two (2) activity must come from the Primary Job
Responsibilities list below (C/E.1).
To achieve an Excellent 1 or 2 rating, you must fulfill all Satisfactory requirements, plus any five (5) six (6) additional
activities listed below (C/E.1-C/E.3). A minimum of two (2) activities must come from the Primary Job Responsibilities list
below (C/E.1).
When the Self Evaluation is done, the quality of each chosen activity will be rated on a scale of 0-3. Activity ratings will be
averaged to determine final rating of Commendable 1, Commendable 2, Excellent 1 or Excellent 2.
Average activity rating score for Commendable 1 or 2
0 – 1.0
1.1 – 2.0
2.1 – 3.0
Did not meet minimum for Commendable rating
Meets Commendable 1 rating
Meets Commendable 2 rating
Average activity rating score for Excellent 1 or 2
0 – 1.0
1.1 – 2.0
2.1 – 3.0
Did not meet minimum for Commendable rating
Meets Excellent 1 rating
Meets Excellent 2 rating
Primary Job Responsibilities (Commendable and Excellent options)
Select at least one (1) activity for Commendable and two (2) activities for Excellent, from the list below (C/E.1):
INDICATE SELECTION OF CRITERIA BELOW BY ADDING STATEMENT OF HOW THE CRITERIA WILL BE MET
C/E.1 Primary Job Responsibilities:
a) Teach an established course for the first time
b) Create a new course (lecture, online/DE, and hybrid), not requiring institutional approval
c) Arrange a peer review and implement recommendations
d) Teach a workshop or seminar
e) Present in a fellow instructor’s class
f) Improve an existing class by refocusing content and/or assignments, etc.
g) Create student books (writing, art, etc.) or creative projects for a specific class
h) Observe other faculty teach at least two (2) classes; collaborate regarding pedagogy and other
instructional issues
i) Present to other faculty or group a creative or unique assignment used during academic year
j) Work with full-time or part-time faculty to maintain consistent curriculum
k) Mentor a new or part-time instructor
l) K-16 involvement in teaching-related issues
m) Outside teaching-related activities that center on teaching pedagogy (Forums, Projects, etc.)
n) Create a DE course without compensation
o) Revamp in a significant way an existing class (new textbook[s], assignments, etc.)
p) Classroom presentation outside of discipline
Draft 1.30.14
Page 2
q) Conduct training for teachers on specific teaching techniques to improve teaching performance
r) Conduct additional assessment work beyond “Satisfactory” for your own courses (additional data
collection, development of rubrics for collection/analysis of data, etc.)
s) Lead assessment efforts of all sections of a course, including submission of CAR
t) Participate in student academic advisement
u) Develop or significantly revise an academic program
v) Other activities as agreed upon with chair/dean/director
College Service/Appropriate Community Service (Commendable and Excellent options)
C/E.2 College/Appropriate Community Service
a) In addition to S.5 (a) from Satisfactory, actively participate on another college standing
committee or another committee created by administration/department/Faculty Senate
b) Actively participate as a Faculty Senator
c) Actively participate in student recruitment and/or organizations,
d) Actively participate as a member of a faculty probationary committee
e) Significant NSHE system involvement in college-related issues
f) Serve in a compensated or non-compensated leadership position within the college (e.g. discipline
coordinator, chair of senate committee, senate chair or chair-elect, etc.)
g) Chair a department committee
h) Chair a program/unit review self-study committee
i) Significant involvement in accreditation
j) Chair a screening committee
k) Chair a faculty probationary committee
l) Significant involvement with WCSD in student advisement and recruitment
m) Active participation or significant service to or on community advisory boards, government
boards school boards, etc.,
n) Develop significant community contacts to promote a program or advance college goals
o) Serve on a PUR self-study committee outside of your discipline
p) Apply for external funding, be a PI on a grant, or collaborate on a grant proposal
q) Write and obtain extra-institutional competitive grants
r) Other college or community service activities as agreed upon with chair/dean/director
s) As appropriate, participate in Program Unit Review (PUR) as outlined in the PUR approved
cycle*
*In some circumstances, active participation in the PUR may be required of specific faculty
members. In all cases, however, it will always be considered “commendable” or “excellent” for
evaluative purposes.
Faculty Professional Development (Commendable and Excellent options)
C/E.3 Faculty Professional Development
a) Maintain membership in at least one (1) discipline-related professional organization
b) Maintain membership in a local, regional or national organization related to your discipline
c) Attend a conference or professional development seminar/workshop
d) Participate in a professional organization by presenting or holding office in that organization
e) Publish professional material
f) Publish/present other discipline-related material
g) Maintain currency in your professional field other than by teaching or attending conferences (e.g.
research, publishing, and training)
h) Upgrade academic/teaching preparation through formal or approved coursework
i) Other professional development activities as agreed upon with chair/dean/director
j) Self-review of one online course using Quality Matters standards in conjunction with WebCollege
Draft 1.30.14
Page 3
Faculty on Sabbatical will be evaluated based on the fulfillment of duties described in their approved sabbatical
request, as agreed upon with chair/dean/director.
Fulfilling the preceding Primary Job Responsibilities, College Service/Appropriate Community Service, and
Faculty Professional Development activities over the course of the academic year will result in the achievement of
a(n)
rating as a faculty member of Truckee Meadows Community College.
Faculty Member
Date
Reviewed by Department Chair/Director
Date
Approved by Supervisor
Date
Draft 1.30.14
Page 4
CONSENT AGENDA
FACULTY SENATE
March 28, 2014
NOTE: Below is an agenda of all items scheduled to be considered. Unless otherwise stated, items may be taken out of the order presented at the
discretion of the chair. The consent agenda shall be considered at the beginning of each Faculty Senate meeting. Any Senator may place an item
on the consent agenda by notifying the Faculty Senate administrative assistant one week, or more, in advance of a meeting. A Senator may
remove items from the consent agenda at such time between when the meeting agenda is posted to when the Senate Chair calls upon the Senate
during a meeting to identify items that should be removed from the consent agenda. Items removed from the consent agenda will become part of
the regular meeting agenda. The consent agenda in its entirety is voted on by the Senate as a single item and requires only a simple majority in
order to pass. The Executive Committee may designate items that shall commonly be part of the consent agenda, such as committee reports that
do not include action items. Such a designation shall in no way prevent an item from being removed from the consent agenda and moved to the
regular agenda. An item need not be removed from the consent agenda merely because questions of clarification arise.
1. Standing Committee Memberships:
Codes & Bylaws Committee
Interim Chair: Bridgett Blaque (appointed by Senate Chair Marston)
Remove: Scott Huber
Curriculum, Assessment & Programs Committee
Remove: Natalie Brown
Library Committee
Remove: Earl Piercy
Part-Time Issues Committee
Interim Chair: Molly Lingenfelter (appointed by Senate Chair Marston)
2. Professional Development Travel Application Approvals:
The Professional Standards Committee has approved disbursements and asks that the
Faculty Senate confirm the following for a total of $2,999.50:
Julie Armbrecht – $620.63
Bill Doherty – $300.63
Heather Graham-Williams – $690.00
Cindy Mortensen – $638.24
Crystal Swank – $750.00
3. Sabbatical Subcommittee Chair and Committee Membership for Fall 2014:
Chair: Steve Bale
School of Applied Industrial Technology
Michael Holmes – Construction
Brian Ruf – Drafting
School of Liberal Arts and Humanities
Bridgett Blaque – English
Patty Cullinan – English
Ana Douglass – English
Robin Griffin – English
Natalie Russell – English
Page 1 of 2
Updated 3/14/14
School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Nancy O’Neal – Business
School of Science
Joy Alverson – Nursing
Steve Bale – Computer Technology
Jody Covert – Nursing
Pat Durham-Taylor – Nursing
Paula Farrenkopf – Mathematics
Linda McGillicuddy – Dental Assisting
Shannon McCool – Mathematics
Debbie Skeans – Nursing
School of Web College (History, Political Science and Paralegal/Law)
Christine Boston – Anthropology
Brian Fletcher – Political Science
Joe Gonzalez – History
Sharon Lowe – History
Counseling
Kristen DeMay
Library
None
Page 2 of 2
Updated 3/14/14
Faculty Senate
F I N AL R E P O R T O F S AB B AT I C AL L E AV E AC T I V I T I E S
TO
BE SUBMITTED TO THE
P RESIDENT
ALONG WITH ANY ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS
Part I: Description of Activities and Accomplishments:
Name
Department
Institution
Dates of Leave
1. Description of accomplishments:
2. Current status of project:
3. Other professional accomplishments during sabbatical leave:
4. Description of ways in which the leave will enhance the faculty member’s contributions to the institution:
Part II: All appropriate NSHE Code and Bylaws have been followed, and a final report is on file in the Office
of the President of TMCC and the Faculty Senate Office.
Unsatisfactory
Satisfactory
Commendable 1
Commendable 2
Excellent 1
Excellent 2
To be completed by the Dean in conformance with the employee’s final annual evaluation
Faculty Member’s Signature
Title
Dean’s Signature
Date
President’s Signature
Date
Date
(A copy of this form will be forwarded to the Sabbatical Recipient once it is signed by the President)
Page 1 of 1; Sabbatical Leave Application
TMCC is an EEO/AA institution. See http://eeo.tmcc.edu for more information.
To be approved by Faculty Senate: 3/28/14
Faculty Senate
F A C U LT Y S E N AT E B Y L AW S
Note: The following text is an altered excerpt taken from the current Faculty Senate Bylaws and does not
represent the complete text of the Bylaws. Suggested changes to the Bylaws are indicated in red font.
Note: The following Bylaws change was submitted to the Faculty Senate for a first reading on 12/13/13;
however, the motion was amended following the meeting. The amendments are in green font below. Due to
this amendment, the Bylaws change will be submitted for another first reading by the Faculty Senate on
2/21/14.
Motion made by: Senator Robin Griffin
Motion Seconded by: Molly Lingenfelter
First Reading in the Faculty Senate: 2/21/14
Final Vote of the Faculty Senate to be taken on: 3/28/14
ARTICLE XII: VOTING
12.1
Any Senator who is unable to attend the regularly scheduled or special meeting may designate a proxy for
that meeting.
12.2
A proxy must be a faculty member from the absent Senator’s area.
12.3
The proxy must be designated and be communicated in writing, by hard copy or electronically, to the
Senate Chair at least one day prior to the meeting.
12.4
Failure to notify the Chair will result in a null vote for the proxy.
12.5
The Chair-Elect will vote to break an otherwise tie vote. The Senate Chair Elect may make motions and
vote on all questions.
12.6
The Chair Elect will vote to break an otherwise tie vote.
Page 1 of 1; Faculty Senate Bylaws Change
TMCC is an EEO/AA institution. See http://eeo.tmcc.edu for more information.
Rev.: 2/21/14
Faculty Senate
F A C U LT Y S E N AT E B Y L AW S
Note: The following text is an altered excerpt taken from the current Faculty Senate Bylaws and does not
represent the complete text of the Bylaws. Suggested changes to the Bylaws are indicated in red font.
Motion made by: Senator Steve Bale
Seconded by:
First Reading in the Faculty Senate: 3/28/14
Final Vote of the Faculty Senate to be taken on: 4/18/14
ARTICLE III: ELIGIBILITY
3.1
All College Professional Staff, as authorized by the Board of Regents, will be represented by the Faculty
Senate.
3.2 3.3 One representative chosen from Part-time Faculty, one representative chosen from Classified Council, and
one representative chosen from Associated Students of Truckee Meadows are eligible to hold ex-officio
status on the Faculty Senate.
3.3 3.2 For the purposes of these Bylaws, ex-officio members shall not have voting rights.
3.4
Any TMCC position whose direct supervisor is the TMCC President, per the current organizational chart of
the college, shall be considered ex-officio in all matters relating to the Faculty Senate and its
subcommittees. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee leadership shall be exempt from this paragraph.
Page 1 of 1; Faculty Senate Bylaws Change
TMCC is an EEO/AA institution. See http://eeo.tmcc.edu for more information.
Rev.: 2/21/14