HCC FACULTY SENATE

May 8, 2020 @ 1:00 pm; Virtual Meeting

  1. Call to Order: Desmond Lewis
    1. The WebEx meeting begins at 1:01pm.
      • T100 meeting in ongoing at the same time; thus, guests will be staggered. 
      • Q&A area for questions: Darin Baskin will filter questions, answering some—others will be fielded by guests.
      • Sign-In and Voting sheets on the Senate Teams site: please sign-in. 
  2. Guests:      Bob McCraken, Executive Director of Risk Mgmt

Norma Perez, VC of Instructional Services and CAO

Marshall Heins, Chief Facilities Officer

Kurt Ewen, VC of Planning & Institutional Effectiveness

  • Questions and Answers – Bob McCraken 
    • Question about enforcing social distancing measures
      • THECB has published documents based on CDC guidelines for disinfection and cleaning. There are also other documents; these are what HCC is looking at for guidance for screening and other practices. 
      • Notification for those who have come in contact with others who may be infected becomes difficult because of HIPAA; HCC is working on a mechanism for this. 
      • Discussion about building capacity and how things have changed (ex: capacities of 25%, 50%, etc.)
        • Plans now assume 10 people in a room with 6 feet distancing for each person / reduction of volume of those who can be in room. This was presented by J. Drain. 
        • The assumption for social distancing is that the wave of cases will not go away; HCC will need to develop pivot points for different scenarios.  
    • Question about whether or not students will come to campus alone
      1. There is no answer for this right now.  
    • Follow-up question about whether or not students will need to make appointments
      1. There are no concrete plans for this, but it is something to consider about since faculty access to spaces (for the immediate future) will be appointment-based.
    • Question about procedures for those who may be asymptomatic
      • Discussion about contagion, screening, and monitoring
      • Hand-washing procedures and other protocols
      • Disinfecting and cleaning
      • Closing common areas
      • Addressing administrative and building controls 
      • Behavioral issues – ex. making sure people are wearing masks; staying home when ill 
    • Question about how to handle someone removing their mask 
      • McCraken comments he should know if this happens.
    • Follow-up question about potential mask requirement and if masks will be distributed. 
      • The current assumption is masks will be required; things could change, though. 
      • 3100 Main just received 100,000 masks; more are on order.
    • Question about sanitizing procedures 
      • Marshall Heins will discuss this further, but there are revamped protocols for cleaning buildings. 
        • Cleaning: there are a list of CDC-approved chemicals
        • Plans for labs are not vetted at this time: still in flux 
    • Question about options for attendance and schedules
      • This question is passed to K. Ewen. 
    • Questions about the screening of buildings and temperature checks
      • Buildings are being screened. They are also being cleaned during summer break. The building temperature is up to 78 degrees to discourage the growth of viruses; guidance suggests that after 7 days the virus is no longer viable. 
        • Question about UV lights for this: HCC is looking at options.  
      • There is not an ongoing plan for individual temperature checks, but this could be a possibility. 
    • Question about access to campuses 
      • Official communications for faculty access will go out soon. 
    • Question asking about when department chairs and faculty will know more about class sizes
      • The question is passed to N. Perez.
      • Follow-up response about ADA accommodations vs. high-risk groups (not covered by ADA) – working to develop a plan that will not force people to risk health.
    • Question about handling hallway traffic in older and smaller buildings 
      • No clear plan at this time 
    • Question about staggering class times
      • No clear plan at this time
    • Question about HVAC cleaning
      • There will be changes to airflow based on CDC-guidelines, but cleaning is not recommended.   
    • Questions and Answers – Kurt Ewen (KE) and Norma Perez (NP)
      • Question about reopening of campus spaces and list of campuses to open starting Monday
        • KE: This information will be sent in an official communication soon. Reviewing final draft in the current T100 meeting.  
        • NP: Priority will be given to faculty who need to retrieve grading documents for the spring semester. This is only for faculty and staff access – there is no plan for student / other access. 
        • NP: Faculty can collect any items that are approved for pick-up: official communication with list of approved items and the two-week schedule will follow. 
          • Question: if access is not necessary at this time, when will there be another opportunity in the summer?
            • NP: Unknown – there is only this planned two-week schedule for now.
          • Question: are faculty able to print material during these appointments? 
            • NP and KE: No
          • Question: are faculty able to take the large printers from their offices / spaces? 
            • NP: No. Network printers cannot be removed, either. 
      • Question about grading documentation this semester: are there any particular documents beyond the usual ones for posting student grades?
        • NP: Follow the same grading policy; if students approach professors about something like academic incompletes, that could require different documentation.    
        • NP: Many Lecture + Lab classes are on hold since certain labs cannot be completed.  But academic Incompletes are not automatic; these are arranged between faculty and student. 
        • NP:  Barring Incompletes, the faculty job is over after posting grades. 
      • Question about plexiglass 
        • This question is passed to M. Heins.
      • Question about faculty who are 60 or older with pre-existing conditions: will they have to file ADA, or will they get to teach remotely? 
        • NP: We are working on a plan for this. It will not be an ADA-accommodation form.
      • Question about staffing for faculty with Covid-19 or exposure 
        • Unknown at this time
      • References Chair Caucus meeting on Thursday, May 7 and email that she sent to faculty
        • Mindful of the current schedule that was made available to students but comments that listed modalities are still in flux.    
      • Question about science labs and fall schedule
        • Schedule is not finalized: discussion about class caps, safety, and enforcing CDC guidelines
      • Comment from the floor about current faculty perception 
        • Right now, students seem to be getting the long end of the stick; faculty—the short end. Make sure faculty are being cared for during this time.  
      • Additional questions will be compiled by Darin Baskin and sent to N. Perez via Desmond Lewis.
    • Context / Questions and Answers – Marshall Heins
      • Right now, 3100 and 3200 Main are the only open locations. But more locations are planned. 
        • Essential employees (about 35-40) in these buildings; access to tenants at 3100 on a limited basis.
        • Currently, cleaning one day a week rather than six
          • Positive cases will determine how HCC adjusts guidelines.
          • Normal housekeeping staff: mid-morning, midday, and mid-afternoon cleaning 
          • Two companies to clean and sanitize, as needed 
          • Closing buildings for seven days in cases of virus exposure 
          • Common rooms / other problematic areas will be closed.
          • Elevators will be monitored to ensure capacity is limited.
          • Social distancing tape on floor(s); wearing masks
            • Regular PPE—not N95 with OSHA guidelines 
      • Question about specialty labs
        • Meeting with relevant groups and architectural firms to make healthier environments 
        • Constantly monitoring guidelines 
          • Southeast location will have Covid-19 testing next week: details are not provided.   
          • Early voting in July will proceed. 
      • Question about ventilation: are there any plans to test the systems? 
        • No. Generally speaking, intakes will bring in more fresh air, though. This becomes an issue with summer humidity as it can make the environment damp. 
      • Question about plexiglass and separating employees like librarians from patrons 
        • Looking at various models
      • Question about gym and weight room at Central and cleaning practices? 
        • These spaces will be closed for the foreseeable future until there is a better plan from the state and CDC.
      • Question about CDC guidelines and adequate hallway space in small buildings
        • No definitive answer 
      • Additional questions will be compiled and sent to M. Heins via Desmond Lewis.
  • Approval of April 2020 Minutes. 
    • The voting mechanism for approving the minutes is in the Senate Teams site. Desmond Lewis allows time for delegates to look at the form and vote there. 
      • A motion is made to approve the minutes. Robin Raborn seconds. 
      • The minutes pass as-is.
  • Standing Committee Reports:
  • Compensation, Benefits, & Workload: Tod Bisch
    • Discussed updates to Compensation Management plan, Board recommendations with Talent Engagement
      • Educate Board about some misrepresentations: putting together an outline that will go forward to D. Lewis.  The hope is to have 1-2 workshops with the Board for information / questions.
    • Proposed internal review of salary structures 
    • Max entry pay  
      • The Chancellor wants to increase this but doing so could lead to financial inequity. Warrants close observation.
    • Adjunct Professional Development tabled until next meeting so that Jennifer Vacca could be present.  
    • Charles Lamendola will discuss Adjunct Caucus later in the meeting. 
    • MFA-status and Grades 1 and 2 are still in progress 
    • Workload is an ongoing discussion 
    • Increasing ORP contribution 
    • Next Meeting: June 5, 1pm
  • Finance & Treasurer’s Report: Mary Lawson
    • One request of $214.38 for Bedichek-Orman 
    • Discusses the idea for Finance and Fundraising committee to look into Faculty and Adjunct emergency funds
      • Gathering information about this as there is an existing account
      • Update at June meeting
    • Send questions to Mary Lawson. 
  • Professional Development: Mia Taylor 
    • No report 
  • Educational Affairs: Nikky Boutte-Heiniluoma
    • Laurel Lacroix: No report / meeting next week
  • Policies and Procedures: Laurel Lacroix 
    • No report 
  • Student Success: Kathy Najafi
    • Online orientation and Canvas orientation for students 
      • request link on MyEagle / the library website 
      • Working on training for those with learning disabilities
    • Question: will this be available for summer?
      • Yes. It’s available and will also be sent out via email 
    • Question: will students earn a badge that they can show their professors?
      • Not at this time.
  • Graduation: Darin Baskin
    • Starting May 15, there is a plan for a week of pre-graduation activities to engage students virtually.
      • Desmond Lewis will share the schedule of events.
    • May 22 will be the virtual graduation ceremony. Student photos and information will be posted in The Egalitarian.   
    • There will be a social media wall that will be active on 5/15 so that you can post to students with a hashtag.  
      • Desmond Lewis will share the hashtag.
    • 900 students for general graduation 
    • 71 VAST students for VAST graduation 
      • The graduates will also have the option to walk in December. 
    • Send questions to Darin Baskin.
    • Video for students
      • Contact D. Baskin to get involved.  
  • Instructional Technology: Stacey Higdon 
    • No report / meeting on 5/12
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Helen Graham
    • Desmond Lewis: No report / H. Graham is having technical issues and sends her response via text message to D. Lewis.
  • Special Reports, Committees and Caucuses:        
  • Past Presidents: Darin Baskin
    • No report 
  • Chair Caucus: Nikky Boutte-Heiniluoma
    • Laurel Lacroix: waiting for T100 decision; do not file for ADA if you do not need accommodations; the schedule that was released to students for the fall semester is not actually the fall schedule.
  • Adjunct Caucus: Charles Lamendola
    • Full-time overloads, stipends for Canvas conversion, unemployment procedures  
      • Raises a complaint from an adjunct in Biology: no classes for adjuncts because of full-time overloads 
        • He notes this was due to current policy and wishes to raise this point under New Business. 
      • Notes many adjuncts are discouraged that they cannot apply for unemployment because of current guidelines. 
  • Bedichek-Orman Auction: Linda Graham 
    • Mia Taylor: letters are being sent out or donations; waiting for fundraising ideas from the Foundation; date planned for event: November 6 
  • Faculty Conference: Debra Schultz and Keitha Robinson
    • No report
  • All-Faculty Retreat: Helen Graham
    • Mia Taylor: no report 
  • HCC Foundation: Antrece Baggett & Mary Lawson
    • Mary Lawson: awarded 954 scholarships totaled at over 1 million dollars for emergency; remind students to apply for summer scholarships; donations are always accepted 
    • Antrece Baggett: shares a thank you letter about emergency relief from Cydney Peters
  • President’s Report: Desmond Lewis
    • HCC has a strong financial footing because of funds on hand; it’s been stated that there are no direct plans for furloughs or layoffs. 
    • T100 has reconvened as a body of inclusiveness for the reopening of HCC.
      • Five stages of reopening. Currently, HCC is in the third phase: Transforming for Extended Impact 
    • Too soon for a plan for accessing offices on a regular basis. There are plans for limited access that will be released soon. 
    • Those in need of an ID badge can go to the HCC PD on Caroline Street at Central campus next week.
  • Old (unfinished) Business: 
    • None
  • New Business:
    • Adjunct Caucus, Charles Lamendola 
      • Requests that the Senate look into the issue of adjunct staffing for Summer 2020. 
        • Laurel Lacroix of Policy and Procedures reminds Charles that current policies for adjuncts and FT overloads follow HCC guidelines for workload and that the number of available classes in summer is limited—especially so this time. 
          • 10.5-month faculty are obliged to teach 6 hours in the summer as part of contract.
        • David Ross comments that TRS and ACA rules make summer staffing of adjuncts difficult and that Summer 1 is usually not an option at all. 
          • Lacroix reminds Lamendola these rules are not just applicable during the summer term(s). 
      • Desmond Lewis refers discussion to Policy and Procedures. 
  • Announcements:
    • Question from Mary Lawson
      • Do you have any insight into this new VC position? Based on the previous Board’s feelings towards higher-level administrative positions, the approval was unexpected. 
        • It’s an elevation from the existing AVC role and a combination of some duties; Lewis will investigate further and send Lawson the specific information. 
    • Faculty Senate election schedule  
      • April 6 – 13: nominations
      • April 20 – 27: 1st round 
      • May 4 – 11: 2nd round (At-large) 
      • May 18 – 22: At-large results 
        • Results will, then, be posted to the Faculty Senate website.
  • Adjournment (no “second” required)
    • The meeting is adjourned at 3:21pm.

NEXT MEETING: June 12, 2020

1PM Virtual Meeting