The University of Northern Iowa Faculty Agent and Advocate
for over a Quarter of a Century
Official Minutes of the
Executive Board/Central Committee
February 2, 2008
Meeting Minutes of the United Faculty Executive Board and Central Committee
February, 1, 2008
CBB 319
Present: Sonia Yetter, Mitch Strauss, Frank Thompson, Jeff Funderburk, Hans Isakson, Jesse Swan, Allen Rappaport, Russ Campbell, Chris Neuhaus, Katherine VanWormer, Diane Depken, Joyce Milambling, and Chuck Quirk
Visitor: Brian Gruhn.
I. Call to Order, Approval of Agenda, and Report from the President [Isakson]
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. Isakson added the following two items to the agenda, under old business a discussion of UF listening posts, and under new business an update on the Provost search. There was approval of the additional items to the agenda. Isakson announced that Funderburk’s grievance report would be delayed until the arrival of Brian Gruhn in order to allow us the opportunity to supplement information on an outstanding grievance from him.
II. Membership Report [Quirk]
The membership has not changed. 2 new members came into UF and there were 2 departures. .
III. Presentation and Approval of the Minutes [Isakson/Milambling ]
Adkins has resigned her position as Secretary. Milambling agreed to make corrections to the December 2007 meeting minutes of the UF-AAUP Executive Board/Central Committee Meeting. Strauss moved and Neuhaus seconded a motion to approval the minutes subject to minor corrections in wording dealing with split appointments. The motion passed.
Thompson agreed to take minutes for this meeting. Isakson indicated a search would be underway to fill the vacant position for the rest of the year..
IV. Treasurer’s Report [Thompson]
The Treasurer’s Report was distributed. Members were apprised of the new 990 EZ IRS filing requirements and the issues that have arisen concerning taxable years [Fiscal versus Calendar]. We have referred these issues to our accounting firm, Heaton and Adams for a response to the IRS. Board members were also told of difficulties associated with our current credit union banking connection and discussion ensued related to our identifying other possibilities.
V. Old Business
Student Assessment Committee Update: The student assessment committee has yet to meet . This committee has a student chair who has not called a meeting. There was discussion about how to handle this development.
Clinical Faculty Committee Update: This committee is making progress and is developing a draft proposal on renewable type clinical faculty appointments. When the proposal is complete, the draft document will go forward to UF and the Board of Regents for disposition of the matter. There was discussion on the general concept of renewable term appointments for clinical faculty. In addition there was a discussion of voting rights of clinical faculty within departments, and proportional representation of this type of faculty with departments and colleges.
Listening Posts: Isakson indicated a need to develop 5 listening posts this semester to help gather information on bargaining issues from unit members. He envisions the listening posts to occur within 5 buildings on campus within the first 2 weeks in April and last 1 to 2 hours. Joyce Milambling agreed to organize the session in Baker.
Chris Neuhaus will plan the one in Lang Hall or Maucker Union. Hans will take Curris Business Building, which leaves Schindler and either Lang or Maucker for representation. UF will provide refreshments and Chuck will assistant with coordinating the events. Listening posts will be open to all faculty who can attend any of the 5 listening posts. Organizers should let Chuck know what dates they wish to schedule for their respective listening post event.
VI. New Business
A. Elections: Hans explained the UF election process as found in our By-laws. An election committee consisting of Laura Terlip, Chris Neuhaus, Allen Rappaport, and Melissa Beal was approved by the UF Executive Board/Central Committee. This committee will determine who should serve as secretary for their group
B. Bargaining Preparations: Hans outlined the bargaining preparation process which includes surveying bargaining unit members. Jeff volunteered to do the electronic survey of members on WebCT. A list of potential bargaining committee members was identified.
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C. Provost Search: Isakson provided an update on the status of the provost search and indicated there was a need for one or two UF members to attend a February 13th meeting of the search committee to provide our perspectives on criteria for evaluating provost candidates. Either Swan or Thompson will attend the 1:00 PM meeting of the provost search committee to provide our perspectives in this matter. Isakson reiterated UF’s position laid out to President Allen last summer, that United Faculty highly desires the next Provost possess at least the following three characteristics:
1. Honors and defends academic freedom
2. Honors and defends shared governance
3. Has experience as a faculty member or administrator at a university where the
faculty in organized into a faculty union
VII: Grievance Report [Funderburk]
Funderburk brought up issue related to an ongoing grievance to the attention of UF Executive Board/Central Committee. Jeff moved that we honor Dr. Susan Rochette’s request to not take her grievance to arbitration. This motion was seconded by Swan. After discussion about the need for further information, Jeff moved that the UF Executive Board/Central Committee go into executive session. This motion was seconded by Milambling. The motion passed.
After the UF Executive Board/Central Committee came out of executive session, Jeff offered the following substitute motion to the one on the table:
The UF-AAUP Executive Board/Central Committee concurs with Dr. Susan Rochette’s request to withdraw her grievance and notify the University that the issue is unresolved but withdrawn.
The substitute motion was agreed to by Swan, the second to the original motion.
A vote was taken on whether the UF-AAUP Executive Board/Central Committee agreed to the substitute motion in lieu of the original. Approval was given for the substitute motion.
The substitute motion was then voted on and approved.
VIII: Adjournment
A motion was made for adjournment. The motion passed at 4:55 PM.
Minutes, respectfully submitted,
Frank Thompson, Interim Secretary