Conference Minutes
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CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE INDPENDENTS SPRING 2004, GENERAL MEETING May 7-8, 2004 Marriott Grand Hotel, Sacramento, CA Members present: Santa Barbara, Foothill/De Anza, Santa Rosa, Redwoods, West Valley/Mission, Contra Costa, Grossmont/Cuyamaca, Allan Hancock, Rancho Santiago. The meeting was called to order at 1pm by the President, Zoe Close. The first order of business was the adoption of new
Bylaws. Before a vote on the proposed
Bylaws, there was a discussion of the desirability and the intent of the
proposed Bylaws. Most members agreed
that the proposed Bylaws would lay the foundations for CCCI to become an more
effective voice for independent community colleges at the state level. Mention was made of the possibility for greater
cooperation between CCCI and FACCC, since they are the two key voices for
community colleges statewide. For a
time, discussion explored the intent of the wording about CCCI “affiliating”
with other organizations. The major
concern was that “affiliate” might be interpreted as “joining”. The consensus reached was that using the
term “affiliate” did not either imply or mean any dilution of the autonomy and
independence of CCCI. The discussion
about desirability focused on the original intent of the founding members of
CCCI. Some members argued that the
founding members did not envision are organization active at the state level,
but rather, an organization that would afford members the chance to exchange
information about collective bargaining issues, problems, accomplishments, and
to assist members during particularly difficult times without creating the
elaborate administrative structures characteristic of other statewide
organizations. Other members pointed out
that the founding members specified two mandates and responsibilities in the
original Bylaws: to act as a forum to
exchange information AND to serve as a voice for independent CCs on statewide
issues. The proposed Bylaws make it
possible for CCCI to address each of these mandates. It was emphasized that it was particularly important to expand the voice roll given the condition of California state budgets and the likelihood that the budget picture would not brighten or demonstrably improve for the next few years. At the conclusion of the discussion the President called for a vote of the members: For adoption of the proposed Bylaws: 8. Against adoption of the proposed Bylaws: 0 The meeting from this point forward was conducted under the adopted Bylaws. The first order of business was the election of new
officers. Zoe Close was nominated for
the office of President; John Smith for the office of Treasurer; and Dennis
Frisch for the office of Executive Secretary.
There were no other nominations.
Nominations were closed and the three nominees were elected by
acclamation. The new officers of CCCI are: President: Zoe Close, Grossmont. Treasurer: John Smith, Rancho Santiago. Executive Secretary: Dennis Frisch, Santa Monica. Three items were added to the agenda:
The members agreed that the supper could be at either the Delta King restaurant or the Lemon Grass restaurant. The decision was for the Lemon Grass restaurant. The remainder of the first day was devoted to reports from each member (usually called District reports): Highlights/summaries are presented below: 1. SANTA BARBARA CCD: This is the third year
of a three-year contract. Progress on
equity hasbeen made during each year of the
contract. Equity monies go towards Adjunct salaries. Full-time
Reports from other members were deferred to the next. The meeting was recessed at 5pm. DAY TWO: The meeting was called to order at 9am. The first order of business was the President’s Report: The President focused on several issues. First, with the new governor, there is a different context in which issues will be discussed and decided. Second, with the new Chancellor, the meetings of the Consultation Council have changed a bit. The new Chancellor prefers to function more as a member of the Council rather than its chair. The President reported that it appears now more difficult to reach consensus on issues, and some important decisions occur outside of Council. Third, the discussion about restructuring the Chancellor’s Office centred around two issues: 1. Reconfiguring the Chancellor’s Office as a
“super-district”; this seemed to imply many serious problems. 2. Keep the present configuration of the Chancellor’s Office, but provide more control over Office funding, personnel. A task force will be set up to continue these discussions. Richard Hansen was called upon to report on the CCBOG. He noted that under the previous Chancellor there was little faculty influence. Under Governor Davis the BOG has become more faculty friendly. With the new governor, it remains to be seen how things will develop, although the new Chancellor’s early statement are encouraging. CCBOG has been discussing the fee issue, especially the proposals to increase fees, issues surrounding the accreditation process, and the full-time hiring obligation and efforts to continue or extend deferrals. A report that equalization monies would be treated as program improvement money produced a motion: MOTION: That equalisation funding is linked to full-time hiring obligations. Vote: Yes: 5; No: 4; Abstentions: 1. A second motion was presented and voted upon: MOTION: That CCCI support a line item in the budget for the full-time hiring obligation only as Stipulated by law. Vote: Yes: 10; No: 0 The meeting was recessed for lunch at 12:30pm. The meeting reconvened at 1:30pm. The President’s report continued with a motion: MOTION: That CCCI oppose the appointment of Margaret Quinones to the CCBOG. Before the vote there was a long and lively discussion of this nominee. The representatives from Santa Monica gave much information on the divisiveness, anti-faculty/staff positions, and often verbally abusive behaviour of this nominee. Other members offered additional comments. Vote: Yes: 10; No: 0 With the discussion of the nomination of Margaret Quinones to the CCGOG and the approval of the motion to oppose this nomination, the President’s report ended. The second order of business was the proposed CCCI budget. A motion was presented: MOTION: To adopt the proposed budget as amended. Two items were amended: item 6310 was increased to $10,000; and item 6320 was increased to $10,000. These amendments were included because of the new office of Executive Secretary and the new duties for the Executive Committee. Vote: Yes: 10; No: 0 A motion was presented concerning CCCI’s participation on COCAL: MOTION: That CCCI provide a $500 contribution to COCAL. COCAL is the Coalition of Contingent Academic Laborers. CCCI has participated in this organization and it conferences in the past. This appropriation of $500 would continue that participation. Vote: Yes: 10; No: 0. The third order of business was the CCCI Fall Conference. It has been proposed that CCCI become one of the sponsors of the FACCC annual conference and meet concurrently with FACCC. The discussion suggested that CCCI could contribute a workshop on negotiating to the larger program of FACCC workshops. Several members expressed serious concerns about how and when CCCI could conduct it’s own meetings given the FACCC schedule of events. At the end of the discussion a motion was presented: MOTION: That CCCI urge it members to encourage local members to attend the FACCC conference as partners (a special category on the reservation form for the FACCC conference) and Conduct a workshop on negotiating. Vote: Yes: 10; No: 0 From this discussion of the fall conference, a motion was presented: MOTION: That CCCI create a Standing Committee of Chief Negotiators. This standing committee would be a significant venue for chief negotiators to communication with each other between the Spring and Fall CCCI meetings. With the increased budget uncertainties and the pressures these uncertainties have created as the local level for given backs, such a standing committee could provide added support and sources of information for bargaining. Vote: Yes: 10; No: 0 Representatives called attention to recent STRS changes, including the availability of a STRS cd-rom. Mention was also made of the changes to retirement options 2-8, including the elimination of options 2, 3, 4, 5. The meeting then returned to District reports: SANTA ROSA JC: Negotiations are underway. There was a salary freeze this year and also likely for next year. Equity has been defined as meaning salary and benefits. CONTRA COSTA CCD: As a result of an early retirement incentive thirty-nine faculty retired. The incentive the 2+2 provision. The reported savings was $1.2 to $1.8 million. The Board of Trustees was reported to be anti-faculty as was the Administration. The Administration claimed a $11 million deficit. 600 sections cut. A 7% across-the-board salary cut was proposed. Freeze on step and column advancement and a freeze on retiree benefits was also proposed. Blanket layoff notices to all academic managers and all faculty. The faculty proposed a growth formula including 200 new course sections. The proposals from Administration/Board produced a protest march and rally. COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS: The major issue in negotiations has been how to contain and control benefit costs. To produce more productive negotiations, a facilitator was used, which seems to have produced a greater sense of trust among the parties. ALLAN HANCOCK CCD: A summary of recent develops was distributed to each member. The early retirement incentive produced sixteen retirees, including the current CCCI treasurer. SANTA MONICA CCD: The ongoing conflicts between the College administration and the Board of Trustees were summarized. Further comment was made on the roll of Margaret Quinones and the two votes of no confidence. The faculty association has developed a plan to elect new members to the Board of Trustees who are student and faculty supportive. Three seats are open in the upcoming election. This plan includes the hiring of a public relations consultation and a health benefits consultant. The association is looking to creating an education coalition with the K-12 union to support each other in their efforts to influence the outcomes of the November election. RANCHO SANTIAGO CCD: No serious contract negotiations will occur until after the May revise is published. Part-time faculty issues are difficult. The PAC has been effective in producing mailers and identifying candidates for potential slates. GROSSMONT CCD: The biggest issue was the mushrooming health benefits costs. The goal of the faculty union was to avoid out-of-pocket costs to the faculty. The proposed solution was a self-insured plan. Salary increases were suspended for 2003/04. Much of this was accomplished with intensive “behind the scenes” discussions and agreements. The result was to save the faculty position for this year. |
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