Minutes

Faculty Council Steering Committee

September 25, 2002

Members Present: Members Present: Paul Baxter, Becky Blackwell, Lisa Bogaty, Rick Bower, Sharon Burlingame, Kathy Byrd, George Cox, Tony Crossland,Lawana Day, Rasey Feezell, Jonathan Fowler, Cathalin Folks, Sydney Gingrow, Marilyn Hosker, Jean Jackson, K.D. Lawson, Anita Maddox, Toni McDaniel, Harold Rowland, Wanda Sellers, Dave Vinson, Chuck Wright, Pat Zingg

I.The meeting was called to order by Business Officer Leon Jones at 3 p.m.

II.The minutes posted to the F.C. Website were approved.

III.Officer Reports

Communications Officer, Rick Bower, reported that the adjunct list will be posted on the F. C. Website soon.

TBR Representative, Dave Vinson,reported that there may be a called session of TBR Faculty Sub Council for the purpose of discussing the General Education Core issue. He urged faculty to e-mail him before September 30 with their thoughts about how many hours we would prefer be in the new Core requirements: 35, 36 (with 1 P.E.) or 38 hours.

Secretary, Cata Folks, reported that minutes from this fall's previous meetings and the July Retreat have been posted on the F.C. Website. Notes from the Retreat committee meetings will be posted as received.

President Elect, Kathy Byrd, had no report.

President, Lisa Bogaty, reported on the following items:

Division Street Summer Closure

A table showing the actual and projected savings from the closure was prepared by Ron Kesterson. The discussion included the comment thatthe only way to determine whether enrollment would be lost by next summer's closure would be to survey current Division Street students about whether they would still attend sessions at other campuses. The S.C. consensus was continue to protest the closing but not to do such a survey.

TBR Common Curriculum

A college-wide committee has been set up. Lisa reported to Dr. Edwards on F.C. concerns. System-wide consideration is just beginning on this issue. 

Salary Increases

An article in the News Sentinel reported that TBR has authorized using money from tuition increases to add 2-4% more than the 2% average increase already authorized. Should we recommend that this be used to fund the Mercer equalization increases?

Motion 1

Resolved, Faculty Council recommends that any money available for salary from the 7.5% tuition increase be used to increase salaries using the Mercer Study as a proportional guideline.

After discussion, the motion was amended to read as follows:

Motion 1 Amended

Resolved, that Faculty Council recommend that any money available for salary from the 7.5% tuition increase be used to increase salaries using the Mercer Study as a proportional guideline, with the provision that the 2% that is funded by the state will be across-the-board.

Motion carried as amended.

Motion 2

Resolved, recommend that Faculty Council continue to strive for full funding of the Mercer Study.

Motion carried.

Adjunct Issue

Problems were caused by delays in providing adjuncts with salary figures for their summer teaching contracts. Adjuncts need to know how much they will be paid at the beginning of the class, not two weeks into the session when they finally receive their contracts.

DSP Course Hours

The decisions about when to reduce all DSP course to 3 hours will be made soon. Because the catalog is already in circulation for next year, the change will more likely go into effect by 2004.

Students with Disabilities

Students with Disabilities Office stresses the following rules:

1. Students must abide by acceptable class protocol.

2. The maximum extra time allowed for testing is 1.5 times the normal time.

3. The student must have a plan for the current semester, on file with the Students with Disabilities Office.

4. Knox County must provide appropriate services to these students until age 21.

5. Special Students are exempted from regular entry requirements, so it is important to have clear pre-requisites stated for each course.

IV.Standing Committee Reports

Adjunct Faculty

Rasey Feezell reported that the adjunct list is being updated, but software problems have slowed down the process.

Promo/Tenure.

Jean Jackson reported that the committee needs only one more member, from E.M.T.

High Performance Teaching

Elaine Oswald submitted a written copy of this report.

Faculty Forum

Paul Baxter submitted a written copy of this report. 

Should Faculty Forum sponsor cultural events,now that PSTCC has eliminated such funding?

Booksale/Scholarship

TBA

Faculty After Hours

Anita Maddox announced that the next After Hours will be at Cozymel's.

Lisa Bogaty has agreed to host F.A.H. at her home in December.

Rules Committee, Chuck Wright

No report.

V.Unfinished Business

TBR Common Curriculum

Tony McDaniel and Sydney Gingrow made the following motion:

Motion 3

Resolved, 

• That Faculty Council endorse the response written by CDC. We further urge administrative bodies to make minimal changes to this document. In the event that substantial changes are made to the CDC document, Faculty Council wishes to endorse the  college's response BEFORE it is sent to Nashville.
• That all decisions about future curriculum changes (course eliminations, for example) that may result from the TBR General Education Core revisions be made by a faculty committee composed of at least one member from each academic department.
• That PSTCC administration prepare, publish and implement a plan to address the future status of faculty members whose curriculum areas may be sharply reduced or eliminated as a result of TBR General Education core changes and that such policy be in place no later than 3 months prior to the implementation of new TBR guidelines.

Motion carried.

Overload Compensation Policy

Motion 4

Resolved, that Faculty Council recommend that, for any class where class load is determined by the number of students enrolled, the date for determining faculty load be modified from the last day of Official Registration to the day after the last day of Drop and Add.

Motion carried.

VI.New Business

Curriculum Changes, Department Reps

Discussion of how ABET requirements for engineering programs would accommodate changes in the General Education requirement. 

Programs under TBR Review

George Cox discussed programs under review for low enrollment--all were recommended for retention, but TBR can accept, reject, or modify these recommendations.

Faculty Council Elections

Cata Folks, chair of Faculty Council Nominating Committee, called for assistance in nominating candidates for the following Faculty Council offices, to be elected in the spring:

Secretary

Communications Officer

TBR Representative

Safety Issues

In light of a lawsuit against Blount County, concern was expressed over the safety and health hazard of goose poop on the campus. Chad Becker will be asked to review safety of campus sidewalks.

The closing of schools in Blount County also raised concern over possible health hazards caused by mold growths in the buildings. Chad Becker will be asked to review possible mold problems.

VII.Announcements

Donn King has information on Toastmasters meetings

Lisa Bogaty is pursuing the issue of overload compensation with Dr. Edwards.

VIII. The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.