Monday, July 23, 2007
CONVOCATION
PJCFA has been asked to conduct a workshop during Convocation. Topics that we've been asked to include are: CBA updates, initial credentialing, and the portfolio process. As it's scheduled now, PJCFA's time slot will be 8:00am -10:30am on August 20th. That's our first day back, so I'm not feeling great about attendance. Would it help to schedule the topics in 30 minute "blocks" so folks don't feel obligated to sit through more than they want to hear about? Help!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
TO CONSULT OR NOT TO CONSULT
Last night's Board of Trustees' meeting was pretty ho-hum until the topic of the Presidential Search came up.
Should a consultant group be hired to assist in the presidential search process? One BOT member was very much in favor of hiring a consultant. Her concern is that PJC presidential search should seek out the very broadest, deepest, and best qualified applicants. Can that caliber of applicants be found through the traditional channels of journal and newspaper advertising? Through networking? She believes that consultant groups may be aware of candidates who might not apply unless contacted by a consultant.
A number of BOT members feel comfortable with Dr. McLeod (who has been an active participant in the last two presidential searches) and other PJC people being completely in charge of the advertising, head-hunting aspects of getting qualified people into the applicant pool.
When it was all said and done, it was left up to the Presidential Search Process Committee to decide whether or not to hire a consultant group.
The other question that generated some discussion was the minimum qualifications - which are minimum. The minimum qualifications are an earned doctorate from an regionally accredited university or college. That's pretty darn minimum. Personally, I feel that the preferred qualities make up for keeping the minimum so minimal. But the question that arose was whether or not it was necessary for a candidate to have an earned doctorate. This topic had been the discussed at length during the Presidential Search Process Committee's meetings earlier this summer. After more discussion by the BOT, it was agreed that the minimum qualification would still be an earned doctorate.
Comments on using consultants? Requiring an earned doctorate?
Finally, it was announced that Mr. Vincent Andry will be the new President of the Board and Mr. John O'Connor will be the new Vice Chair.
Should a consultant group be hired to assist in the presidential search process? One BOT member was very much in favor of hiring a consultant. Her concern is that PJC presidential search should seek out the very broadest, deepest, and best qualified applicants. Can that caliber of applicants be found through the traditional channels of journal and newspaper advertising? Through networking? She believes that consultant groups may be aware of candidates who might not apply unless contacted by a consultant.
A number of BOT members feel comfortable with Dr. McLeod (who has been an active participant in the last two presidential searches) and other PJC people being completely in charge of the advertising, head-hunting aspects of getting qualified people into the applicant pool.
When it was all said and done, it was left up to the Presidential Search Process Committee to decide whether or not to hire a consultant group.
The other question that generated some discussion was the minimum qualifications - which are minimum. The minimum qualifications are an earned doctorate from an regionally accredited university or college. That's pretty darn minimum. Personally, I feel that the preferred qualities make up for keeping the minimum so minimal. But the question that arose was whether or not it was necessary for a candidate to have an earned doctorate. This topic had been the discussed at length during the Presidential Search Process Committee's meetings earlier this summer. After more discussion by the BOT, it was agreed that the minimum qualification would still be an earned doctorate.
Comments on using consultants? Requiring an earned doctorate?
Finally, it was announced that Mr. Vincent Andry will be the new President of the Board and Mr. John O'Connor will be the new Vice Chair.
TRUST AND RESPECT
We "think" we finished with this year's negotiations on Monday. Both sides hope that whatever is left to be done can be tweaked by email without requiring us to go to the table again.
Earlier this summer, Dr. Samuels said (perhaps tongue in cheek) that the reason we have a contract is that neither side trusts the other. I guess that statement will soon be put to the test.
The language that we have finally agreed on will allow faculty and department heads to agree on a schedule that gives faculty members "flexibility" in scheduling their office hours.
If the department head trusts the faculty to work as a professional and respects the faculty as a professional, all should be well. After all, doesn't the faculty member better know the time required to teach, administer and oversee the course successfully? Doesn't the faculty member better know when students need assistance and how the students prefer to receive that assistance - in the office, by email, or online in a chat room?
On the other hand, we recognize that the department also needs the faculty to be an active part of the department.
If the faculty member respects the needs of the department and trusts the department head to have the best interests of the department as well as interests of the student and the faculty member at heart, there should be no problem in creating a schedule that accommodates the needs of the student, the faculty, and the department.
Utopia, right? We'll see.
Earlier this summer, Dr. Samuels said (perhaps tongue in cheek) that the reason we have a contract is that neither side trusts the other. I guess that statement will soon be put to the test.
The language that we have finally agreed on will allow faculty and department heads to agree on a schedule that gives faculty members "flexibility" in scheduling their office hours.
If the department head trusts the faculty to work as a professional and respects the faculty as a professional, all should be well. After all, doesn't the faculty member better know the time required to teach, administer and oversee the course successfully? Doesn't the faculty member better know when students need assistance and how the students prefer to receive that assistance - in the office, by email, or online in a chat room?
On the other hand, we recognize that the department also needs the faculty to be an active part of the department.
If the faculty member respects the needs of the department and trusts the department head to have the best interests of the department as well as interests of the student and the faculty member at heart, there should be no problem in creating a schedule that accommodates the needs of the student, the faculty, and the department.
Utopia, right? We'll see.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
BARGAINING ON MONDAY
Many thanks to all of you who took the time to let me hear about your experiences and thoughts about distance learning and office hours. All your comments will be presented to the Bargaining Team.
Also, remember that anyone can attend bargaining sessions. We'll be bargaining again Monday, July 16, at 1pm in Room 416. You'd be welcome!
Also, remember that anyone can attend bargaining sessions. We'll be bargaining again Monday, July 16, at 1pm in Room 416. You'd be welcome!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
MORE DISTANCE LEARNING
Thanks to all who have posted their opinions. I truly appreciate Rodney for jumping in with a different opinion. There's still time for more discussion.
Monday, July 9, 2007
DISTANCE LEARNING ISSUES
I've mentioned that the other article (besides salaries) that is being negotiated this summer is about distance learning. It's time to poll the faculty.
Should faculty who teach a full load via distance learning have to come on campus for office hours? All of the office hours? A percentage of the office hours? A certain number each week? How much is enough?
Should faculty strictly adhere to the virtual office hours they post each term? That means only being online and/or answering emails when you said you would - not "just checking my email" and then spending half an hour or more during unscheduled office hours.
What suggestions do you have for reassuring admin that they are getting their money out of faculty who teach online?
Should faculty who teach a full load via distance learning have to come on campus for office hours? All of the office hours? A percentage of the office hours? A certain number each week? How much is enough?
Should faculty strictly adhere to the virtual office hours they post each term? That means only being online and/or answering emails when you said you would - not "just checking my email" and then spending half an hour or more during unscheduled office hours.
What suggestions do you have for reassuring admin that they are getting their money out of faculty who teach online?
BACK FROM VACATION
Well, I've broken not one, but two of the ten commandments of blogging - I went more than four days without a post and I didn't tell you that I wouldn't be posting for a while. Anyway, I did have a great visit with my dad and am now back at work. So here goes.......
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