PG and D Committee Meeting 08/25/08

We reviewed the latest draft of HACC 2008-2011 CSP (Strategic Plan) and its impact on our goals for the year.

·         Peggy Dombrowski shared information regarding upcoming conferences related to professional growth.

·         A suggestion was made that all training and growth opportunities be listed at one single location that is accessible by all instructors ( i.e. a link on HACC’s web site).

·         Additionally the consensus of the committee was that PG&D activities should be offered in various time frames and locations, perhaps even podcasts, so that faculty – particularly adjuncts who are working during the day – could take advantage of the PG&D sessions.

To help accomplish our goals, the following subcommittees have been created, with members selecting one subcommittee on which to serve:

·         Technology and Multimedia Skills Development

·         Teaching Skills Development

·         Leadership and Professional Skills Development

·         In-service Planning and Awards Committee

The Fall Faculty In-service will be held in Lancaster on October 14.

APSA Meeting – August 25, 2008

The Academic Policies and Student Affairs (APSA) Committee met for a full hour on 8/25 with representatives from both Harrisburg and Gettysburg via video link. Many basic committee functions were successfully completed including the welcoming of new and returning members, an election of a secretary, and a brief history of APSA’s accomplishments in 2007-08 (Managing 18 APs, the 2009-10 calendar and the Successful Student Initiative). The committee approved by acclamation the bestowing of full voting rights for our student representatives.

The remainder of the meeting was spent giving background and description of the APs that we have been assigned as well as future items. Our committee has access to a WebCT course where all current versions of the noted APs can be found for our perusal. Committee members were strongly advised against using the public versions of APs since they do not display proposed changes. Instead, we will use the drafts as they appear in our APSA WebCT shell. The first APs for our consideration include:

• AP 551 – Photo Identification Cards
• AP 652 – Transfer of Credit into HACC Credit Programs
• AP 721 – Credit for Life Experience

Subcommittees were subsequently formed around these APs as well as a few future items. The future items require feasibility studies and background work that the subcommittees will undertake. Discussion on the APs above will take place at the next APSA meeting on September 8, 2008 under the direction of the newly established subcommittees.

Submitted by Risa Robinson, 8/28/08

CI&L 8/25/2008

The Curriculum, Instruction and Library standing committee held it first meeting of the 2008-2009 academic year via video link from 2-3 P.M.

• Courses approvals: The six courses* before the committee are part of the Automotive Technology program’s cooperative work experience component. Minor changes were approved involving lab pay hour updates in the digital description and the addition of pre-and co-requisites.
• AP on syllabi: The discussion of the draft AP (administrative procedure) which began last spring continued. Paul Cockeram volunteered to survey a few other colleges’ procedures concerning syllabi. The chair called for volunteers for a subcommittee to explore the issue in more depth. Dan Fahringer, Tim Dolin, and Paul Cockeram will serve as the subcommittee’s initial members. The discussion will continue at the next CIL meeting on September 8.

* AGM 191, 192, 291A, 292A, 293A (GM Cooperative Work Experience I-V)

*AUTO 191 (Cooperative work Experience)

Submitted by Celia Fox on 8-28-08

FPPC, August 25, 2008

The focus of the meeting was a report by Kathy Doherty, President of Faculty Council.  She presented the results of the May investigation into Faculty Search Committee experience.  In the past, faculty had raised numerous problems encountered, especially with HR, when they were participating on a committee looking for a full-time person, whether administrative, faculty, etc.  Her presentation focused on recommendations for HR, administrators, and faculty in the search process.  

For the most part, adjunct faculty do not sit on Search Committees unless requested to do so because they have special expertise in an area.  Adjuncts are affected by Search Committee process and procedures when they apply for full-time positions.  When an application is received for a position, points are assigned to the applicant based upon a set of criteria, including experience, answers to questions on the application, etc.  There are no extra points given to internal candidates in the screening process.  Meredith Tulli of HR said rather, it is a matter of practice to assign extra points to internal candidates.

Faculty Council Update – 8/26/08

Faculty Council met Monday with video links for all campuses. Council meets normally the second and forth Monday of the semester, 3:15 – 5:00 pm. While only members can vote, any faculty member is welcome to sit-in at any location. Agendas, minutes, and other meeting materials are available on the HACC Intranet (on-campus access only) at the Faculty Council link. Topics of general interest were:

• Web CT – a hardware fix is expected in the next few days. System shut-down will be required for the fix. Instructors using Web CT will have to assess the total semester impact when the system comes back up. Check the HACC Home Page for updates.
• Blended Courses – Student schedules printed from HACC Web may show TBA for meeting times. This has led to confusion and scheduling conflicts. Please check with your students and try to help resolve any conflicts. Also, Virtual Campus does not provide advanced mailing for blended courses as they do for virtual. If you require advance mailing, you will have to coordinate with your Department and Division.
• Faculty Organization will meet September 29. Adjuncts are welcome to attend as non-voting members. Ron Young will provide an update on reorganization. HACC President will hold a Town Hall meeting October 8 to provide details.
• Search Process – Faculty recommended 22 changes to process procedures. Most were accepted in whole, or with modification. Since adjuncts with technical expertise need for the search but not resident in the full-time faculty may be asked to participate, make certain you attend any HR briefings for the latest information if affected.
• Scheduling and Prerequisites – Roz Ogden provided a briefing on the capabilities and limitations of the current HACC system. Much discussion took place regarding problems associated with prerequisites. Essentially, with the exception of Math and Science courses, we presently have a manual system. If you experience problems, contact Roz and provide details. Specific problems were noted with Virtual courses, students with repeated failures, students who may fail a prerequisite they are enrolled in at time of registration, and prerequisites for Guest Students.