April 2019 Minutes

HCC FACULTY SENATE

April 12, 2019 @ 1:00 pm; Central College LH-100

1. Call to Order: Darin Baskin
   1. Meeting is called to order at 1:09pm

2. Guests: Lorah Gough- Ally Adoption Plan
   1. Blackboard Ally is an accessibility software that Web Governance has recommended; because HCC uses Canvas as an LMS, to avoid confusion, the product will not be called Blackboard Ally. Ally will be embedded into Canvas
      1. For students – provides alternatives for accessibility (ex. tagged PDF, HTML, ePub, electronic braille, audio)
      2. For faculty, etc. – provides color-coded gauges that allow us to click and easily fix issues. The program does not work with 3^rd party (publisher) content.

• For institution – system gets report that breaks down how things are going overall / 67-100% of accessible documents is the goal
  1. Current institutional report: over 3 million files there with 52% of those already accessible. These, however, might be from past classes, so a future report will only focus on current courses.
  2. Ally is being piloted in 2^nd 8-week Psychology courses. / If you are interested in using for summer classes, go to the Eagle Online Support Desk and put in an online ticket with CRNs of classes. / in Fall 2019, it will be available for all classes.
  3. The CLIs are available for assistance, and Fran Trice in IIED is working to develop a quick guide for faculty training.

3. Approval of March 2019 Minutes.
   1. Motion from David White and seconded by Mohamad Tlass: there is no further discussion and the minutes are approved with all in favor

 

4. Standing Committee Reports:
5. Compensation, Benefits, & Workload: Tod Bisch
   1. Tod Bisch and Darin Baskin have set a meeting for April 17 with the Chancellor to discuss our Compensation goals
   2. There will be a resolution for posting salary information under New Business
   3. Continuing Education is working on getting a reduction in Workload that will allow for prep/professional development time
6. Finance & Treasurer’s Report: James Battieste – NO REPORT
7. Professional Development: Mia Taylor – NO REPORT
8. Educational Affairs: Nikki Boutte-Heiniluoma
   1. Discussed proposed changes to online college proctoring proposed by Tim Snyder and discussed the work of Academic Integrity that was presented at the Faculty Conference
      1. Online Proctoring: plan will move away from physical testing in a regional model – will employ a scheduling software to better align with the Chancellor’s vision for fully online services with online education
   2. Policies and Procedures: Laurel Lacroix – NO REPORT
   3. Student Success: Kathy Najafi
      1. Meeting with others to focus on student orientation and the HCC website
      2. A New Student Orientation Task Force has convened – while we will still have face-to-face orientation option, Student Services is working to roll out a new option. Our committee is working to attend one of these Task Force meetings.
   4. Graduation: Co-Chairs, Danielle Bachan and Mary Louis – ML reporting
      1. On-site visit at the venue this past week – things are good
      2. If you want to be on the Graduation Committee, contact either co-chair.
         1. Question: is there still room at both ceremonies? Emails sent out list both morning and afternoon, but when going online on April 12, the second session was the only one listed.
            1. Mary Louis will investigate.
         2. Instructional Technology: Stacey Higdon
            1. The committee is investigating a Learning Web alternative and will consider bringing a resolution, if needed, in May or June
               2504. We aren’t sure about the ADA compliance of the software and it’s no longer functioning in the way the site was envisioned. Most use it only to post mandated documents (syllabi, CV) for HB 2504.
                     1. Because of the legality of HB 2504, though, Learning Web would not simply be disabled; there would be something robust in place first.
                     2. The possibility of using PeopleSoft for HB 2504 was raised.
               2505. Investigating the state of the technology in classrooms for the full-time faculty laptop roll-out: do we have the necessary cables, peripherals, etc.
                     1. Comment, David Ross: in reference to the teaching stations – the existing projectors are often such low-resolution that students cannot see the projection on screen. IT has taken a stance of waiting for old lamps to degrade and burn out.
                     2. Comment, Karen Yip: the Crestron boxes in the rooms are degrading; IT seemed shocked she was using laptop connection; in fact, the new system will not provide for laptop connection. Document cameras are also going to be removed.
               2506. Diversity and Inclusion: Melissa Miller-Waters
                     1. Dean Colleen Reilly attended the last meeting.
                     2. Discussing the implementation of a Diversity and Inclusion curriculum and of SafeZone / working to roll out things for the summer
                     3. Currently, the meditation rooms are on hold and we are working to get locations of all the Mother/Express rooms on campus

5. Special Reports, Committees and Caucuses:
6. Past Presidents: Mohamad Tlass – NO REPORT
7. Chair Caucus: Nikky Boutte-Heiniluoma
   1. Discussed with Steve Levey (AVC of Academic Instruction), Nathan Smith (OER Coordinator), and LaTonya Pate (Barnes and Noble, Manager)
      1. Possibility of inclusive access in more courses
      2. Moving all textbook ordering to FacultyEnlight to better assist the student ordering process

• Discussing the use of OER vs. inclusive access

1. Next Chair Caucus: May 2 – Dr. Perez will attend.

1. Adjunct Caucus: Charles LaMendola
   1. Survey results will be presented to Compensation in May
   2. Adjunct Appreciation event after Senate – 80 registered; everyone is welcome
2. Bedichek-Orman Auction: Linda Graham and Sheryl Ballard– NO REPORT
3. Faculty Conference: Debra Schultz and Keitha Robinson
   1. There were small issues at the conference, but those were resolved.
   2. Next year’s conference will be at the same venue on May 7.
4. All-Faculty Retreat: Helen Graham
   1. Notified those accepted and working with the hotel to get more rooms for those on waitlist
   2. Over 20 adjuncts applied. They have been directed to Mia Taylor for Bedichek-Orman funds (up to $500) and to their departments for funding. Darin Baskin will also help cover the balance for adjuncts
   3. Adjuncts and full-times will have to go through Concur for the process.
      1. Comment, David White: since this event is out of contract, what does this mean for adjuncts? This is a Faculty Senate event. There is confusion throughout the room as to why adjuncts would need to use Concur.
         1. It’s part of audit requirements as 501 (c) (3) from the Foundation.
      2. Toni Holland will be 1 of our facilitators; 2 of our adjuncts will be the others.
   4. HCC Foundation: Antrece Baggett & Mary Lawson – NO REPORT

6. President’s Report: Darin Baskin
   1. There is another program manager for Ad Astra and classroom management / Rachel Marcus moved from College Readiness to this position.
   2. Thank you to those who were able to attend the online teaching discussions on Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11
   3. Next Senate guest will be the VC of Information Technology. He will discuss faculty laptops, new software, and desktops. He will likely bring his second in command and one of the three CLI managers.
   4. EGLS3 is open
      1. Faculty giving extra credit for survey: Baskin will send an email to remind it is the discretion of the instructor.
         1. There is further discussion on this.
      2. Budget update
         1. Our current shortcoming deficit comes from enrollment, inflation, and higher utility bills. However, there are proposals that will go to the Board for an increase in tuition/fees and an increase in tax. Both proposals are small but have the potential to generate much revenue.
            1. Proposed Increases for tuition
               1. In-District: $2 per semester hour
               2. Out-of-District: $10 per semester hour
               3. Out-of-state: $18 per semester hour
            2. SB 500: this would provide 6.5 million, but it still must be approved, and it would be released in installments.
               1. Comment(s), James Battiste: JB – we have new buildings with no students, but these buildings are staffed; administration seems to still be increasing
                  1. Buildings and staff – changes to access to buildings on weekends, nights, and in the summer. A new plan would close all non-essential buildings after a certain time. The most utilized campuses would be the ones with certain services—for example, library after-hours.
                  2. There was a failed proposal that called for 15-18 new positions at 3100 Main. Because of top-heavy complaints, that number has dropped to 2. These are not new senior-level positions but existing ones. In addition, if any positions are vacated, they will likely not be filled per senior finance.
               2. Question, James Battieste: what is the total of our budget divided by our total enrollment?
                  1. Darin will investigate.
               3. Thank you to the committees who have worked on student insecurities; the Chancellor is seeing lots of movement on this.
                  1. We have re-populated 4 food pantries and soon (near final exam time) we will be handing out free lunches. Darin is also speaking with our larger vendors.
                  2. if you want to start a food pantry, let Darin know. We’d like to get one going at each main campus. Currently, pantries are at Katy, Central, Spring Branch, and Northline (NL is still stocking with food). One at Stafford is in progress.
                     1. Question, Charles LaMendola: do we offer anything with the Houston Food Bank?
                        500. Yes, and currently, we also have a food drop and distribution every other Friday at Central. This is for students on Financial Aid who were selected – limited to 500. The goal is to have this for everyone.

7. Old (unfinished) Business:
   1. Assigned Office Spaces
      1. This report is almost done; the Chancellor also wants to see the report—not just Dr. Perez.
   2. All Faculty Retreat – May 14-17, 2019 in Galveston, Texas at the Tremont Hotel
      1. Thanks to Helen Graham for her work getting this together.
   3. Concur
      1. Email bad Concur experiences to Darin.
      2. There is a proposal that would issue every FT faculty member a personal travel card. This would solve the issue of ghost cards / virtual cards.

 

8. New Business:
   1. 2019-2020 Senate Elections
      1. Nomination process: April 17-24 / forms will be sent out electronically: nominations can be from self or from another. Nominations will need to be accepted and confirmed before voting. We also want to stress adjunct nominations.
      2. First round of voting: April 29-May 5 / COE and Divisions

• Second round of voting: May 6-12 / At-Large and Adjunct
  1. Candidates that did not win in the first round are automatically entered in this one.
  2. 5 spots for adjunct delegates are guaranteed: this does not mean, however, that adjuncts cannot be elected in the first round.
     1. Any adjunct who is currently teaching or on a short work break (one year) is eligible to run.
  3. Results: May 13-20

1. Salary Scale Resolution
   1. Resolution about transparency on HCC website: we have asked for recent salary information to be placed for public view, but we are not getting traction with Talent Engagement. The only current information is on MyHCC behind a firewall.
   2. The current scale would be posted on the Senate website. Tod reads the text of the resolution to the Senate.
      1. Point of Order, David White: this is not the most current version of the resolution. He reads the correct change in text to the Senate.
         1. David White moves to amend the resolution. Mia Taylor seconds and the resolution is amended. David White moves to accept the amended resolution. Mia Taylor seconds. The Senate votes, and the amendment passes unanimously.

• Request for evening meeting / re: Dr. Perez’ Conversation series
  1. Parish Conkling notes that she has had many adjuncts in Adjunct Academy ask if Dr. Perez would consider an evening option for her Conversation series. Many would like to attend but are unable during the day due to other commitments.

 

9. Announcements:
   19. There will be a Healing Racism conference on October 18 and 19. Requests for proposals should go out shortly.
   20. Art Car Parade is tomorrow at 2pm. HCC will have its first entry.
10. Adjournment (no “second” required)
    1. The meeting is adjourned at 3:04pm

 

NEXT MEETING: May 10, 2019

1PM at Central’s Learning Hub, Room 100