Representatives and Guests
Ray Smith (Computer Services)
Jim Salt (LCCEA)

Discussion on roles of Faculty Council & LCCEA in the governance structure
Summary/briefing
-Bob handed out a memo re brief summary notes for the college governance discussion, stated council needs to focus on item 5 (faculty council and LCCEA representation), other issues will be addressed at another time.
-Currently, stakeholders generally determine their own representation; there are two faculty entities—Faculty Union and Faculty Council; proposals due for this issue 3-4 weeks from now.

• Consider forming a smaller group with the union as a short-term steering committee for shared governance to sort out ID issues, pros and cons about decision-making
• Motion for sub-committee in above bullet 2^nd, agreed upon consensus, will include Stan Taylor, Jim Salt, David Leung, Judy McKenzie, Mark Williams, and Mark Harris.  Bob Barber will convene.

-Jim Salt presented a brief summary of the representation issue:  process includes faculty ratification vote to take position on Governance system as a whole, need to organize meeting of faculty as a whole to come up with an understanding.
-Issue:  who represents faculty within the governance system?
Suggestions, comments, questions by faculty reps./guests

• Consider history, law—origin of labor movement, etc.
• Opportunity to rethink, protect and focus on goals, not just work with inherited framework.
• Governance system will be organized around functional councils, will have jurisdiction in Diversity, Technology, Student Affairs, Facilities, Budget/Finance, and Organizational Development, along with Learning.
• Role of faculty council re decision-making will be more substantial, still unclear what will happen with other types of groups.
• Worry:  items negotiated will lose ability to have more control-faculty must rethink how they’re represented
• Need to speak as a unified faculty with decision-making so as not to split person-power, consider autonomy, pragmatics, faculty involvement,
• Integrate union and faculty council
• Need radical changes re faculty representation:  should be integrated with autonomy, take a union perspective—union not going to give up right to be treated fairly. 
• Challenge is how to combine union and senate-type Faculty Council
• Alternatives: 1)have two entirely individual entities, 2)faculty council semi-autonomous of faculty union.
• “Semi-autonomous” as per Jim Salt:  maintains current process of selection, combine processes to meet both groups’ interests
• Both entities need equal representation
• Capacity exists to enhance and protect the role of faculty council
• 2 heads working together would be very efficient
• Consider how proposed representation will work with other groups
• Classified Union authority only, no appt. to committees
• How do we speak as one voice for faculty?
• Some faculty question validity of position:  “just a faculty member,” in strategic learning initiative, if issue not in contract, it was ignored.  Need concentrated communication—feedback loop
• Faculty is in conflict, but representing the same people and wishes—why the conflict in the first place? 
• Central issue seems to be who has power, control
• Consider difference between unions and professional associations
• Should look ahead—all has been defined by decisions already made—make decisions instead of maintain power sources.
• Change structure, not protect it.
• Need more functional descriptions about what decisions need to be made.
• Consider “Power, Privilege, Difference”
• Consider rotation of faculty members on functional councils whereby other entities have permanent seats.  This diminishes representation.
• Big issue is re experts—how they play into it. 
• What  will be the role of faculty council in the new structure?
• Consider taking a look from different historical perspectives—History is what it is because someone CHANGED it.
• Consider extending the discussion about power, privilege, difference.
• Recognize persons with different skill sets, work experience, job training, etc.
• Consider historic blockages, change is threatening to some, compliance with the law
• Makes sense to have two bodies, advantages to having agreements on paper.
• Will be substantial amounts of work unless integration happens.
• Consider stepping outside the box to broaden membership for faculty council and faculty union
• Choose by election – orientation toward work
• Consider all the viable ways to organize Faculty Council, Union if integrated
• Concern:  If the approach is taken that the union delegates responsibility to Faculty Council and that delegation is in the contract, what if administration doesn’t agree?
• Peg council’s existence to the contract?
• By what authority does the Faculty Council exist?  Just because, great value in org. body working for same purpose.
• Resist notion that we need to be entrenched in contract in order to be valid.
• Faculty council seems to be or should be apolitical—no political agenda, representing real views/issues.
• Reason for contract language:  in order to see Faculty Council as a permanent part of the college and to have rights and responsibilities, to be respected.
• Consider the language “Political” as a pro or a con
• Look at interests, not positions.
• As per contract, an independent body representing faculty must exist.

Concern:  the meaning of existence not derived only from the union.

Faculty Statements
-Mary Brau, Curriculum and degree requirements committee report issues will be addressed on a future agenda.
-Jim Salt announced the union ratification vote Mon 3:30-5pm, online evaluation of instruction representatives will be looking at data from last term.
-David Leung announced winners of faculty recognition awards for last term, rec’d award in class, mentioned that faculty can vote for other faculty, campaigning for more public promotion of this award.
-Mason concluded statements with a reminder of different views of role of  faculty council representative:  one is a conduit through which information passes two ways with the added expertise of the representative.  Encouraged serving with that perspective.

Last (12/12/03) minutes approved

 Discussion on 11-week option for summer term and relationship of Faculty Council recommendations to Executive Team review and decision-making
-Issue: some faculty believe their courses are not taught well in four to six weeks, 11 weeks preferred by faculty
-Should faculty be able to negotiate a schedule?
-Consider work overload
-Issue:  rotating to have terms off
-Bob and Mason will pursue a discussion re schedule decision-making

 Future Agenda
-Cheryl Roberts relocating
-Role of faculty in new hire
-Fund 9, tuition-based revenue fund, and faculty involvement in non-credit-based electronic evaluation process

 Adjourn 4:37