College Senate: Minutes
Date: 03_18_2014
Minutes Approved: ___Yes
Location: Allied Health Bldg., Room 4510
___No (Changes: )
Visit the College Senate website at http://www1.cpcc.edu/senate/ for the College Senate minutes,
SharePoints (items for open discussion), and information about NCCCFA, Senate bylaws, Senate
membership, committees, forms, etc.
Guest Speaker: Paul Santos, Associate Vice President, Human Resources
Mr. Santos presented information about PDP ratings, mediation, and disciplinary actions.
Among the questions he intended to address: How is it used? What if I don't think it's fair? Why is
disciplinary action handled a certain way? He discussed how people get terminated and the
decision process. Mr. Santos stated that documentation and witnesses were necessary and he
asks if the issue at hand has happened before and if so, how it was addressed. HR would handle
issues such as FERPA violations, inappropriate conduct, threats of violence and weapons, drugs
and alcohol, and harassment claims. HR enforces more than 50 policies, manages benefits and
compensation, reporting, strategic planning, task forces, committees, professional organizations,
employee tools, training, and presentations.
Regarding the PDP process – it is a development tool, not a disciplinary process; it may identify
areas for improvement and helps to inform the improvement plan (reclassifications or how to pick
program chairs, etc.). There shouldn't be any surprises at the PDP meeting. Mr. Santos discussed
ratings. He stated that Richard Zollinger and Debbie Bouton agree that they need to explain to
people the competencies and ratings and how they should interpreted. He discussed what the
ratings mean. The signature page acknowledges you met – not that you agree with your
ratings. Signing doesn’t indicate you’re admitting to wrongdoing; if you have done something
wrong there would be disciplinary action. The improvement plan would show you where you need
work, action steps and timeframe for improvement. If you disagree with your ratings, employees
can write a rebuttal in the employee comments section and provide documentation and examples.
If necessary, mediation is an informal option. It would be facilitated by Leon Matthews, Director of
Equal Opportunity. Policy 4.65 covers the mediation program for employees for disputes not
involving discrimination. If you feel the PDP has been used as punitive tool let HR know.
Disciplinary process: HR needs documentation before someone can be terminated.
Warnings apply for college policy infractions: verbal (counsel) doesn't go in the employee
member’s file, but HR keeps a record of the contact. The first written warning goes in an
employee member’s file and the employee is placed on notice. The next step is final written
notice. If termination is necessary it’s for the good of college employees and students.
Administrative leave is not without pay; it happens when the employee in question needs to be off
campus so the facts can be determined and then a deliberate decision can be made. He provided
an example and stated that pay isn’t terminated because the decision hasn’t been made.
Mr. Santos opened the floor to questions; Fred tone suggested Mr. Santos meet with the PDP
revision committee
President’s Report (George Wightman):
Mr. Wightman requested nominations for college president-elect. Fred Tone nominated Alison Gagan.
Committee Reports:
1. President-elect (Joel Moore): Mr. Moore requested faculty contact him if interested in running for
College Senate president-elect.
2. Academic Policies (Lisa Godwin): no report
3. Credentials (Arlene Parrish): no report
4. Curriculum (Pat West): The Universal 30 replaces core 60 hours. The university system will
guarantee junior status to students if they have a C+ (2.0) average – all courses will transfer. See the
Curriculum Committee website for detailed meeting minutes at
http://www.cpcc.edu/senate/committees/curriculum
5. Educational Resources (Roschella Stephens): no report
6. Faculty Welfare (Fred Tone): Faculty Welfare is still looking into Involuntary Administrative Leave –
Paul Santos was asked if other community colleges have similar policies and received no response.
Fred Tone met with Richard Zollinger who explained that the only time it’s used is when they have
collected a lot of info and gone to lawyers to make sure they made a case for it. It seems unlikely that
this policy will be changed. Faculty Welfare is also still pursuing revision of the PDP process. The PDP
Revision Committee, headed by Debbie Bouton and composed of 3 faculty and 5 division directors, has
met.
7. Professional Staff Welfare (Tony Hayes): no report
8. Student Welfare (Farhad Javidi): no report
9. Technology (Gary Ritter): EdCamp will be held May 19 in Elizabeth, room 1106. EdCamp is an
“unconference” with no agenda; participants will vote on presentations pitched by other participants. It
should be in LearnerWeb soon and will be the kickoff for the Learning Showcase.
Next Meeting Time: 3rd Tuesday of the month (2:30):
Location: Allied Health Bldg., Room 4510
Respectfully submitted,
Alison Gagan
Secretary