Minutes of the Adjunct Faculty Council (AFC)
September 24, 2015
ASC 367
Members In Attendance: Steve Albers, Al Aspengren, Sheila Dickinson, Kelly Donahue, Kathy Jenson, Ken
Kalamaha, Kelly Leiker, Anne Ramage, Lucy Saliger, Dave Schuelke, Kim Sovell, Marguerite Spencer, Bethany
Timmerman, Mary Tinucci, Loddy Tolzman, Kristin Towle and Mary Twite. Members in Abstenia: Laura Medwetz.
The meeting was called to order by AFC Chair, Mary Twite at 11:52 a.m.
Amended Agenda approved with the addition of Faculty Senate Report.
Meeting Notes for May 05, 2015 approved with changes.
Business
1. Adjunct Faculty Forum
a. Language for an email was formulated, which included reference to the Resource Guide, how to get
involved, and how to communicate concerns and ideas. Kim Sovell will finalize and send out.
b. Kim Sovell will be the point person for the Minneapolis campus and Kelly Donahue for the St. Paul
compass.
2.
Reports
a. Elections and Nominations
i. AFC election results were announced: Lucy Saliger (CAS) and Loddy Tolzman (Law).
ii. There is an ongoing search for an accurate adjunct list.
b. Compensation and Benefits
i. Gathering information for the Deans regarding adjunct faculty titles, rankings,
responsibilities and compensation is ongoing.
ii. One year contracts were issued this year.
c. Governance
i. The Resource Guide was completed over the summer and was online beginning August 13.
It is an interactive guide that can be updated on an ongoing basis.
ii. The Faculty Senate is seeking membership on a fall taskforce on the definition of an adjunct.
Interest was expressed by several members, with an emphasis on the necessity of multiple
adjunct faculty members.
d. Educating for the Future Taskforce
i. Adjunct Faculty Member Kim Sovell reported that work was done over the summer,
including an August retreat.
ii. The two main ongoing tasks are (a) to define the essence of a Tommy (for which much
research is being considered); and (b) to examine models for innovation in teaching and
curriculum among nine aspirational universities and the 23-29 universities UST regularly
compares itself to.
e.
3.
Officers
i. Vice-Chair Ken Kalamala reported that he was glad to see everyone.
ii. Secretary Marguerite Spencer referred to the agenda item on the bylaws regarding the
duties of the Secretary and the creation of a Communications Officer.
iii. President Mary Twite
 One-year Contracts: The administration issued 30-40 one-year contracts for adjunct
faculty teaching six classes per year as calculated by the Deans and Department
Chairs. Classes taught above six are overload. OCB may be different. Discussion
ensured about how not all adjunct faculty desired one year contracts, indicating
that we need to ask adjuncts about their positioning.
 Stipends: Retroactive stipends should be included in our next pay check. The
compensation will now be calculated on a semester basis.
 AFC visits by Dr. Plumb, Provost and Dr. Rob Riley, Interim Vice Provost Faculty
Affairs: Discussion of combined or separate visits ensued. It was decided that
invitations would be issued for in Dr. Riley in October and Dr. Plumb in November.
Bylaws re Officers
a.
Secretary Duties: Marguerite circulated her proposed revisions to the duties of the Secretary. The
Proposed changes were approved with changes. The product: “(a) Ensure that minutes of the AFC
meetings are recorded, and submit the minutes to the AFC for review and approval within one week
of the council meeting; (b) Ensure that approved minutes are posted on the AFC Blackboard and
delivered to the Communications Officer for distribution to the constituency and administration; and
(c) Perform other duties as assigned.” See document included to the minutes email. The revisions
were accepted by the Council.
b.
Proposed Communications Chair: tabled.
The Meeting was adjourned at 1:22 P.M.