June 2020 Minutes

HCC FACULTY SENATE

June 12, 2020 @ 1:00 pm; Virtual Meeting

Call to Order: Desmond Lewis
- The WebEx meeting begins at 1 pm.
- A reminder to please mute microphones if not speaking
- Because of bandwidth issues, Desmond Lewis will keep his video feed turned off.
Guest: Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Chancellor

Marshall Heins, Chief Facilities Officer

Presentation – Marshall Heins
- Only those locations with classrooms for relevant programs are open.
  - Discussion of social distancing protocols
    - Pictures shown of examples in facilities
    - Asking faculty to assist with monitoring protocols in the classroom
  - Discussion of various procedures
    - Ex. Mechanism in place to keep people out of certain areas
    - Ex. Notice of capacity for elevators
    - Please report people ignoring protocols.
  - Examples of plexiglass barriers, sanitizer stations, PPE, plastic and vinyl-coated signage, etc.
  - Tours of facilities to address things like permanent furniture and water fountains
  - Vending machines are stocked with water: only source for water by design.
    - Eventually, healthier food options in machines
    - Machines only available in areas with classes. If machines are not available or maintained, please report this.
    - Keeping food items on hand in campus offices for medical issues
  - Specialty PPE
    - Ordered through Procurement
  - Traditional PPE
    - Delivered to campuses
    - Masks for students and faculty at no charge
  - Enhanced housekeeping protocols
  - Specialty cleaning for building disinfection and risk mitigation
  - Screening protocols in place
    - Example of screening site with mobile pull-down screen
  - Increased air ventilation / more fresh air
- Questions and Comments / Answers – Marshal Heins
  - How many locations are open as of today?
    - 33 buildings open for classes / about 60 will be open in the fall
  - Students cannot get into buildings unless they are screened.
    - If they pass the screening, they will get a pass for that building for the day.
  - What is the procedure is a student removes a mask?
    - Talk with your leadership team in order to create a consistent process.
    - Desmond Lewis: I am working with the police chief and with Janet May to create a protocol for this.
  - Will students know procedures?
    - Yes.
  - Should classroom doors be left open to promote air circulation?
    - This is personal choice.
  - Are class times being staggered enough to prevent overcrowding and bottlenecks in hallways?
    - Yes. There will also not be as many on-campus classes.
  - Are there procedures for large workrooms / shared offices?
    - We are working on a plan.
  - Standard for building and renovations in the future will be hands-free (for things like paper towel dispensers)
  - Further questions will be compiled by Desmond Lewis.
- Questions and Comments / Answers – Cesar Maldonado
  - Received criticism about perceived slow response time (COVID-19)
    - We believe this was because of insufficient feedback.
    - Only 3% of our student population failed to connect with us after March 30.
  - How can HCC justify this new VC position when we are being told that our raises are in question?
    - Comments about how he has followed up on all commitments
    - Felt (along w/ Board) that with the uncertainty of the situation we should wait until March for such financials.
      1. Enrollment is flat / down; state is looking at cutting finding.
    - The VC position is not a new one. It has been open since 2015 and has been combined with other roles.
  - Is HCC experiencing a Hiring Freeze?
    - No—perhaps a Hiring Chill: if someone leaves HCC, and the position needs to be replaced, we will fill it.
  - Discusses the current model for fall and how things could still change
  - Further questions will be compiled by Desmond Lewis.
- Statement and moment of silence – Daniel Dylla

Approval of May 2020 Minutes
- The voting mechanism for approving the minutes is on the Senate MS Teams site. Desmond Lewis allows time for delegates to look at the form and vote.
  - David Ross makes a motion to approve the minutes by David Ross. It is seconded.
  - The minutes pass as-is.

Standing Committee Reports:
Compensation, Benefits, & Workload: Tod Bisch
- Last meeting on June 5
  - No update on the Board Compensation Management Plan
  - Adjunct Professional Development: Stipends – Jennifer Vacca
  - Faculty workload for fall in light of Flex Campus.
    - The committee has concerns and will compile these for Nathan Smith to deliver to T100.
  - Adjunct caucus – Charles LaMendola
    - Letters of reasonable assurance of employment
    - Statement of support from Senate or Compensation committee
    - Resolution proposal to the Board Trustees to push adjunct compensation increase from March 2021 to August 2020
      - Based on the Board stance about finances and other things, the Compensation committee did not support this.
  - New business about Adjunct stipends
    - A small committee developed to form a resolution that was approved by the committee. After a meeting on Thursday with Norma Perez, the initial resolution was revised, amended, and approved.
  - Next meeting will be July 2 or 6.
Finance & Treasurer’s Report: Mary Lawson
- No changes from last month
- Previous reports have been sent to be posted to the Senate website, so please look for these to be available shortly.
Professional Development: Mia Taylor
- Nothing to report
Educational Affairs: Nikky Boutte-Heiniluoma
- Nothing to report
Policies and Procedures: Laurel Lacroix (Antrece Baggett reporting)
- Met with an Adjunct Caucus representative to overview a proposal ensuring classes for adjuncts each semester. Proposal was not supported by the committee.
Student Success: Kathy Najafi
- Overviews the placement of the Canvas Training tile on MyEagle
  - Thanks to all who have helped with this.
Graduation: Darin Baskin
- Graduation was a success; there is a plan to keep the virtual component as a secondary part.
- Currently, there is a plan for a December graduation event.
Instructional Technology: Stacey Higdon
- Nothing to report
Diversity and Inclusion: Helen Graham
- The committee hosted a webinar on Wednesday, June 10 from 10-11:30am.
  - The Effects of Police Brutality and Systemic Racism on Students & Professionals in Education
  - The webinar is available as a recording. There will also be a survey for future events that will be sent out with it.
- The committee has been called to serve on the steering committee for the Center for Healing Racism’s “A Way Forward: Healing Racism” conference
- Meeting for planning on July 6 at 2pm

Special Reports, Committees and Caucuses:
Past Presidents: Darin Baskin
- Nothing to report
Chair Caucus: Nikky Boutte-Heiniluoma (Antrece Baggett reporting)
- There was a question and answer session with Norma Perez last week. The information has been shared with all chairs and faculty.
Adjunct Caucus: Charles LaMendola
- Refers to the proposal that did not pass Policy and Procedures
- References email thread with Janet May regarding the letters of reasonable assurance of employment
  - The Caucus believes these letters prevent adjuncts from applying for unemployment and cannot get an answer from Talent Engagement about the purpose.
  - Under New Business, the Caucus will formally ask the Senate to investigate this.
Bedichek-Orman Auction: Linda Graham (Mary Lawson reporting)
- The auction will be virtual this year.
- HCC foundation has approved the redirection of some auction items to this year’s Bedichek-Orman.
- HCC foundation will also provide a mobile bidding platform.
- Donations are needed by October 1. Information about dropping off / picking up donations will go out later.
- Department baskets are still encouraged.
- Linda Graham needs a co-chair as the previous one had to step down. Please contact Linda Graham.
Faculty Conference: Debra Schultz and Keitha Robinson
- Nothing to report
All-Faculty Retreat: Helen Graham
- Nothing to report.
HCC Foundation: Antrece Baggett & Mary Lawson
- Will have a report for next month

President’s Report: Desmond Lewis
- Much of the content was covered by our guests.
- Several campuses have opened for skills labs in certain programs.
  - This does not mean that campuses are open to everyone.
- Student Government Association
  - Faculty Senate Cabinet has addressed concerns from students. SGA was incorrectly requesting Faculty Senate do things departments would normally do.
  - To follow up from that discussion, Desmond Lewis met with the SGA President to come up with resolutions.
    - Desmond Lewis will be working with Faculty Senate to create a group that will work directly with SGA.
- Information about TexFlex roll over will go out via email.
- Enrollment for Summer
  - SCH is up 2.3% but CE and other things are down (total of 10.2%)
- CARES funds
  - Unclear how this will work but there will be some funds for adjuncts
- Canvas Faculty Mentors
  - Eligible full-time faculty will receive the stipend on June 15; eligible adjuncts will receive the stipend on June 30.
  - This aligns with the pay cycle for HCC.

Old (unfinished) Business
- None
New Business:
- Proclamation of thanks to HCC Foundation – Alan Ainsworth
  - Tabled until next meeting
- Resolution from Compensation Committee – Statement of Support
  - Whereas, the Faculty Senate represents the interests of all faculty, including adjunct faculty,

Whereas, adjunct faculty are currently experiencing increased hardship due to COVID-19 school closures and subsequent loss of employment,

Whereas, the Adjunct Caucus clearly expressed these issues to the Faculty Senate,

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Faculty Senate expresses its support for adjunct faculty. And, consequently, the Senate recognizes and appreciates the efforts of the Vice Chancellor of Instruction to:

pay adjunct faculty who served as faculty mentors during the transition to online,

pay adjunct faculty completers of the Adjunct Academy,

implement procedures that will allow paying adjunct faculty stipends for work completed outside of contracted teaching duties, and

pay adjunct faculty for required Canvas training this summer.

Motion for adoption by David Ross. Seconded by Antrece Baggett.
1. Comment – Charles LaMendola
  1. This resolution does not include retroactive payments for adjunct Academy or compensation for Canvas conversion work done over spring break. No amendment requested.
1. Question
  1. How will payment to Adjunct Academy completers and payment for required Canvas training work when adjuncts are not eligible for unemployment?
    1. Unclear. Discussion about unemployment base rate and speculation about TWC
    1. David Ross points out this is not relevant to the resolution at hand. Tod Bisch agrees.
    1. Davis Ross calls the question. This is seconded.
1. A quorum is present for voting. The resolution passes with 34 in favor and 1 abstaining.
1. Comment – Charles Lamendola
  1. Not satisfied with the response about the Letters of Reasonable Assurance; he will confer with Tod Bisch about this.
Staff support – Parish Conkling
1. Staff are not getting the necessary support. Senate could act as advocates.
  1. Desmond Lewis will set up a meeting with Parish Conkling for the next week to talk about this.
Announcements:
1. The virtual graduation for Adjunct Academy will July 2.
  1. Jennifer Vacca will send this information to Desmond Lewis. He will send it out to all faculty.
1. The 2^nd annual “A Way Forward: Healing Racism” conference hosted by the Center for Healing Racism and HCC will be on November 16-17.
1. An HCC Town Hall email went out on June 12.
  1. This is for a discussion on racism on June 16.
1. Desmond Lewis will follow-up on a question about the call for applications for dean.
Adjournment (no “second” required)
1. The meeting is adjourned at 2:53pm.

NEXT MEETING: July 10, 2020

DB1PM Virtual Meeting

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