Several issues affecting Program Coordinators have come to my attention this term. Early this term, three program coordinators were told that they would no longer receive release time. After filing a grievance, their release times were returned. Recently another program coordinator was told that his position would no longer be available at the College. The Administration followed the Article 12 Retrenchment procedure in this case. This faculty member’s position is being eliminated and the program will now be run with adjuncts until enrollment increases substantially or until the program is no longer considered viable and discontinued. When this action became known to others, I was contacted by a different faculty member who was concerned that his position and program might be in jeopardy due to declining enrollment.
One of the issues this program coordinator stated was that most of the time potential students do not enroll because potential students are not aware that his exists. The faculty members in that program have been told that the responsibility for recruitment lies with them. This program coordinator objects. His position is that the duty of recruitment belongs to the Board of Trustees, not the program coordinator.
He concluded his letter to me this way, “Losing a program is bad for everybody: it is bad for PJC and bad for the community. Besides losing teachers, it is a tremendous waste of resources both for taxpayers and grant-source-funding when expensive equipment is sold at auction.” That is certainly the truth.
What I need from the program coordinators is help. I have been asked by this concerned program coordinator to address the BOT on his behalf. I am absolutely willing to do this. But I would like to hear from other program coordinators to determine if this is unique to this one program.
Dr. Meadows says not to bring him a problem unless you have a solution. That’s where I need your help. You know your problems and probably have solutions in mind. Email me at my home email hughandcharlotte@bellsouth.net and I’ll compile them for presentation to the Board.
Thanks!
Charlotte
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
TALLAHASSEE UPDATE
The House and Senate are now engaged in conferences to reconcile the budget differences. This is the House offer from last night. They will meet again this evening. We will report on that conference tomorrow.
House Offer #1 - Higher Education Conference
Workforce Education
(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for workforce education. This offer includes an overall reduction of 4.9% ($28.4 million) to total Fiscal Year 2007-08 funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(2)The House offers a modified position on the Ready to Work Prograrn of $1 1.5 million. This offer allocates $7 million in recurring funds from our 2008-09 allocation, and, in addition, immediately reverts and reappropriates $4 million from the current year funding for this program.
(3)In addition, the offer reverts and re-appropriates any remaining balance at the end of the year.
Community Colleges
(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for community colleges. This offer includes a reduction of 0.9% ($15 million) to total Fiscal Year 2007-08 funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(2)The House offer includes $2.1 million for the colleges involved in the State College System Pilot Project and $282,000 in recurring funds to implement the new baccalaureate programs approved by the State Board of Education in February.
State Universities
(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for state universities. This offer includes a reduction of 1.2% ($41.6 million) to 2007-08 total funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(3)The House accepts the Senate position on performance funding, New College Infrastructure, university financial aid, and IFAS Workload. We would also like to work with the Senate on proviso to ensure equitable reductions for IFAS programs.
Board of Governors
(1)House offers a modified position of a 4% reduction to salaries and benefits and a reduction of 2 FTE positions.
(2)The House accepts the Senate position on all other funding categories.
House Offer #1 - Higher Education Conference
Workforce Education
(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for workforce education. This offer includes an overall reduction of 4.9% ($28.4 million) to total Fiscal Year 2007-08 funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(2)The House offers a modified position on the Ready to Work Prograrn of $1 1.5 million. This offer allocates $7 million in recurring funds from our 2008-09 allocation, and, in addition, immediately reverts and reappropriates $4 million from the current year funding for this program.
(3)In addition, the offer reverts and re-appropriates any remaining balance at the end of the year.
Community Colleges
(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for community colleges. This offer includes a reduction of 0.9% ($15 million) to total Fiscal Year 2007-08 funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(2)The House offer includes $2.1 million for the colleges involved in the State College System Pilot Project and $282,000 in recurring funds to implement the new baccalaureate programs approved by the State Board of Education in February.
State Universities
(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for state universities. This offer includes a reduction of 1.2% ($41.6 million) to 2007-08 total funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(3)The House accepts the Senate position on performance funding, New College Infrastructure, university financial aid, and IFAS Workload. We would also like to work with the Senate on proviso to ensure equitable reductions for IFAS programs.
Board of Governors
(1)House offers a modified position of a 4% reduction to salaries and benefits and a reduction of 2 FTE positions.
(2)The House accepts the Senate position on all other funding categories.
BRING OUT THE UMBRELLAS....RAINY DAYS ARE HERE
FEA President Andy Ford held a news conference today on the Capitol steps. He was surrounded by supporters holding umbrellas. Here is a summary of what he said:
FEA to lawmakers: Use “rainy day” fund to dampen the impact of Category 5 threat to public education
Florida Education Association President Andy Ford urged lawmakers Tuesday to spare public education from a gathering storm of anticipated budget cuts that would deepen cuts already made at Florida’s public schools and would lead to further layoffs of teachers and other education support professionals, the closing of some schools, the further curtailing of important programs, even the loss of school resource officers and crossing guards.
“Florida has a system of reserves that we use in times of emergency,” Ford said during a news conference outside the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. “One of these vehicles is even called the state ‘rainy day’ fund. You can dip into this fund when you have an emergency because you’ve saved it for a rainy day. Well, it’s a full gullywasher in so many parts of our state.”
Ford’s call for using reserves is backed up by a recent national report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The report, written by Elizabeth C. McNichol and titled “Is It Raining Yet?”, says that now is the appropriate time to tap the ‘rainy day’ reserve funds that states have set aside for just such a contingency.
The report also cautions states not to head down the path Florida lawmakers appear to have chosen.
“States concerned that the downturn could be deep and prolonged should not respond by hoarding their reserves,” the report said, adding that spending cuts worsen a downturn and tapping into a reserve fund helps stimulate a state’s economy.
The FEA president noted that Floridians are facing a broad economic downturn and the state may already be in a recession. Working families are struggling, he said, and the cuts to education would intensify those woes. He said that he wanted legislative leaders to know that the $1 billion in additional budget cuts to public education, as well as the basic economic challenges faced by citizens, have created a powerful storm that imperils the economic livelihood of working families across our state.
Ford said funding cuts at this time would have a severe impact on public schools, which are underfunded during the best of times. He noted that this year’s budget was pared twice after it was enacted by the Legislature and that the further cuts considered now would be a disaster.
“Education is an investment in our future and a paramount duty of the state,” Ford said. “Budget cuts of more than a billion dollars to all levels of education threaten that investment – and the development of knowledge and skills of our children.”
Call these legislative leaders today, and urge them to use our rainy day fund now!
Senate President Ken Pruitt (850) 487-5088
Senator Lisa Carlton (850) 487-5081
Speaker Marco Rubio (850) 488-1450
Representative Ray Sansom (850) 488-1170
FEA to lawmakers: Use “rainy day” fund to dampen the impact of Category 5 threat to public education
Florida Education Association President Andy Ford urged lawmakers Tuesday to spare public education from a gathering storm of anticipated budget cuts that would deepen cuts already made at Florida’s public schools and would lead to further layoffs of teachers and other education support professionals, the closing of some schools, the further curtailing of important programs, even the loss of school resource officers and crossing guards.
“Florida has a system of reserves that we use in times of emergency,” Ford said during a news conference outside the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. “One of these vehicles is even called the state ‘rainy day’ fund. You can dip into this fund when you have an emergency because you’ve saved it for a rainy day. Well, it’s a full gullywasher in so many parts of our state.”
Ford’s call for using reserves is backed up by a recent national report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The report, written by Elizabeth C. McNichol and titled “Is It Raining Yet?”, says that now is the appropriate time to tap the ‘rainy day’ reserve funds that states have set aside for just such a contingency.
The report also cautions states not to head down the path Florida lawmakers appear to have chosen.
“States concerned that the downturn could be deep and prolonged should not respond by hoarding their reserves,” the report said, adding that spending cuts worsen a downturn and tapping into a reserve fund helps stimulate a state’s economy.
The FEA president noted that Floridians are facing a broad economic downturn and the state may already be in a recession. Working families are struggling, he said, and the cuts to education would intensify those woes. He said that he wanted legislative leaders to know that the $1 billion in additional budget cuts to public education, as well as the basic economic challenges faced by citizens, have created a powerful storm that imperils the economic livelihood of working families across our state.
Ford said funding cuts at this time would have a severe impact on public schools, which are underfunded during the best of times. He noted that this year’s budget was pared twice after it was enacted by the Legislature and that the further cuts considered now would be a disaster.
“Education is an investment in our future and a paramount duty of the state,” Ford said. “Budget cuts of more than a billion dollars to all levels of education threaten that investment – and the development of knowledge and skills of our children.”
Call these legislative leaders today, and urge them to use our rainy day fund now!
Senate President Ken Pruitt (850) 487-5088
Senator Lisa Carlton (850) 487-5081
Speaker Marco Rubio (850) 488-1450
Representative Ray Sansom (850) 488-1170
PJCFA PICNIC TOMORROW
Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 23rd), PJCFA will be hosting its ALL FACULTY end-of-the-year picnic. Billy Bob's BBQ will be catering the event. It's a casual, come-as-your-schedule-permits time to relax and visit with your colleagues before the finals hit. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
DR. MEADOWS NEXT PJC PRESIDENT
Most of you know by now that Dr. Ed Meadows of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College was selected yesterday by the Board of Trustees to be the next president of PJC and that he has accepted.
Those of you who attended or listened to the podcast of Dr. Meadows' Pensacola campus forum heard a strong endorsement of Dr. Meadows by our own Bobby Roberson who has worked with Dr. Meadows at another college. I have also talked with a PJC department head who worked with Dr. Meadows at that same college. The department head also had nothing but good things to say about Dr. Meadows.
As a past and current college president, Dr. Meadows has the experience to lead PJC. His six years of community college classroom experience and seven years as a chief academic officer allow him to understand fully what our job as faculty is. His leadership roles in many Alabama state-level educational endeavors and his role as a registered lobbyist shows his ability to be effective at the state level.
Dr. Meadows will be taking leadership of PJC at a difficult time with the looming budget crisis. He will also have key administrative positions to fill. He will have difficult choices to make. I would like to urge all faculty - no matter who your initial choice was for the presidency - to give Dr. Meadows your full support. If we are predisposed to believing that Dr. Meadows will take PJC great places, then our chance of going to those great places is more likely to happen. We all know about self-fulfilling prophecies.
I have invited Dr. Meadows to attend the PJCFA picnic on Wednesday, April 23 from 11:30am - 2:00pm. He has tentatively accepted and will confirm as soon as he knows his schedule better. I hope that all faculty will attend and meet our new president.
It's a new era!
Those of you who attended or listened to the podcast of Dr. Meadows' Pensacola campus forum heard a strong endorsement of Dr. Meadows by our own Bobby Roberson who has worked with Dr. Meadows at another college. I have also talked with a PJC department head who worked with Dr. Meadows at that same college. The department head also had nothing but good things to say about Dr. Meadows.
As a past and current college president, Dr. Meadows has the experience to lead PJC. His six years of community college classroom experience and seven years as a chief academic officer allow him to understand fully what our job as faculty is. His leadership roles in many Alabama state-level educational endeavors and his role as a registered lobbyist shows his ability to be effective at the state level.
Dr. Meadows will be taking leadership of PJC at a difficult time with the looming budget crisis. He will also have key administrative positions to fill. He will have difficult choices to make. I would like to urge all faculty - no matter who your initial choice was for the presidency - to give Dr. Meadows your full support. If we are predisposed to believing that Dr. Meadows will take PJC great places, then our chance of going to those great places is more likely to happen. We all know about self-fulfilling prophecies.
I have invited Dr. Meadows to attend the PJCFA picnic on Wednesday, April 23 from 11:30am - 2:00pm. He has tentatively accepted and will confirm as soon as he knows his schedule better. I hope that all faculty will attend and meet our new president.
It's a new era!
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