Minutes of May 13-14, 2004, Meetings of FACTC
Columbia Basin Community College, Pasco, WA.
Thursday, May 13
Called to order at 4:10 PM
Present
Mike Dodge, Olympic CC Jim Hamm, Big Bend CC
Tim Keely, Tacoma CC Joe Safdie, Lake Washington TC
Mark Doerr, Spokane Falls CC Steve Bynam, Lower Columbia CC
Sue Bickley, Yakima Valley CC Randy Nelson, South Seattle CC
Jason Clizer, Columbia Basin CC Phil Droke, Highline CC
Randy Givens, Clark CC George Neal, South Puget Sound CC
Bill Moore, SBCTC
Sue Bickley agreed to take minutes since Diana could not attend.
FACTC TOOLS FOR TEACHING II
The steering committee has not yet met. Joe invited others to get involved and offered to “host” a meeting again at his home during the summer. No date was set.
FACTC FOCUS
Mark Doerr has received one article. Members were urged to solicit and write articles.
FACTC WEBSITE
Joe Safdie displayed the new website and explained that it had been updated to appear more like the FACTC Newsletter. All agreed it was beautiful and functional, that it adds to the organization’s visibility, and will facilitate discussion. New topics can be added to the discussion board. The group agreed it was best to keep things simple and user friendly; no password or registration will be required unless “junk” becomes a problem. Links are provided to SBCTC, HEC, and AACC. The site can be accessed at http://factc.org.
Issues Discussion
Informal discussion followed on the following topics: the ratio of full- to part-time faculty, equity for part-time faculty, conversion of librarians from faculty to faculty-exempt, merging CCs and 4 year institutions, textbook prices, workloads, tuition waivers, and the move toward charging tuition per credit regardless of number of credits, $25 per quarter ABE fee, and “tailored-made” AA degrees designed for students who plan to transfer to a particular university. Bill Moore advised working with the UW on AA degree requirements/ CC “majors,” etc. Joe Safdie pointed out that at technical colleges, many instructors have no degrees, but the general education instructors do, which results in “class distinction.”
FRIDAY, MAY 14
Called to order 9:10 AM
PRESENT
Mike Dodge, Olympic CC Jim Hamm, Big Bend CC
Tim Keely, Tacoma CC Joe Safdie, Lake Washington TC
Mark Doerr, Spokane Falls CC Steve Bynam, Lower Columbia CC
Sue Bickley, Yakima Valley CC Randy Nelson, South Seattle CC
Jason Clizer, Columbia Basin CC Phil Droke, Highline CC
Randy Givens, Clark CC George Neal, South Puget Sound CC
Bill Moore, SBCTC Tom Affholter, Spokane CC
Jason Clizer introduced Rich Cummins, vice president of instruction for CBC and former FACTC rep, who welcomed all and gave an update on CBC. Highlights include: “Boot Camp” for first year students which has shown good results; $70 M in capital improvement in the last 10 years, part of which was financed by private donations that resulted from fund-raising efforts; moving to a 4 day week (no classes on Fridays).
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Jason distributed minutes for Diana Knauf who could not attend. Those who can “fill in the blanks” were asked to do so and report back to Diana.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Jason distributed the treasurer’s report; Diane Pelletier could not attend.
2-26-04 Balance: 7938.45
Deposits
SPSCC lunch 229.21
Withdrawals
SPSCC lunch 229.21
Highline CC 1293.28
(FOCUS 03 print/ship
5-7-04 Balance 6645.17
Schools that have NOT paid 2003-04 dues:
Bates TC
Edmonds CC
Clover Park TC
Whatcom CC
The newsletter costs $400 and takes a lot of time; Joe asked if it was worth it. After brief discussion, the group agreed to keep posting the newsletter on the website; it is well worth the time and money it takes. It was suggested that it might be designed with printing-to-read in mind; perhaps provide a printer-friendly version. Joe agreed to look into it. Members were reminded to submit campus reports promptly.
VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP
Randy reported that he had been unable to fill all representative positions but we haven’t lost any; membership is stable. The group agreed that sending newsletters to those campuses that don’t have a rep might help. Mark will send them.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mark reported that he is not seeking re-election and that during his year as president, he tried to focus more on issues of interest to faculty throughout the system and that he was pleased that the newsletter and website that originated during his reign had increased visibility.
COMMUNITY COLLES SYSTEM UPDATE
Bill Moore distributed “Education Division Update – Spring 2004, and highlighted portions of the document that provided background and updates on course articulation and transfer strategies (background information is available at http://highereducation.org.) and the Washington Transition Mathematics Project.
Tools for Teaching II REPORT
Joe Safdie reported that the format used last year will be repeated; 8 to 12 presenters will be required to fill the slots. Ideas for sessions include
streaming video/audio dealing with current issues/political issues in the classroom
facilitating seminars copyright & licensing
active learning strategies methods for managing classrooms/discipline
tutoring & supplemental instruction techniques for engaging students
games that teach (e.g.: Jeopardy) Front Page/web pages
facilitating small group discussions
“What I’ve Learned from Stand Up Comics” (a presentation Randy heard)
REPORT FROM THE STATE BOARD
Bill Moore reported that three options for improving course articulation have been proposed reminded the group of the organization’s goal to “address instructional issues that cross campus boundaries, aiming to improve teaching & learning in WA two-year colleges through system-wide sharing and collaborative problem-solving” when topics about policy and contract issues surfaced. The steering committee: Joe Safdie, Diana Knauf, Diane Pelletier, Sue Bickley, Randy Givens, and Tom Affholter.
Factc focus report
Mark has received only one article. He said he will send out another reminder next week and encouraged those at the meeting to submit an article.
ELECTIONS REPORT
Mark reported that Diana Knauf and Diane Pelletier had both agreed to serve again. Sue Bickley agreed to serve as president and Tom Affholter agreed to assume the responsibilities of vice president. A motion to approve the slate was seconded and passed. Officers for 2004-05 are
Sue Bickley, Yakima Valley CC, President
Tom Affholter, Spokane CC, Vice President (Membership)
Diana Knauf, Shoreline CC, Secretary
Diane Pelletier, Green River CC, Treasurer
ISSUES DISCUSSION
Discussion about what happens/should happen to seniority, tenure, etc when one moves to another college in the system ended when Bill pointed out that those concerns are contractual issues, not teaching issues.
There was some discussion about managing discussions (on-line or in the classroom) that get “nasty,” i.e., hostile, rude, etc.
Gwen James, special guest, reported on her involvement in the “Big Ideas” project.
Campus Reports
Since campus reports will be published in the Newsletter on line, they are not recorded.
Adjourned at 3:40 PM
S. Bickley