November 5, 2015, minutes

Council of Academic Professionals
Thursday, November 5, 2015, 407 Illini Union
Meeting Minutes submitted by Elizabeth Rockman

Attendees: Richard Gegg (1), Kristina Miller (1), Kathleen Booth (2), Ramachandran Radhakrishnan (2), Maeve Reilly (4), Rick Atterberry (5), Wendy White (5), Teresa Steckler (6), Elizabeth Wahle (6), Betoel Escobar (7), Tracy Parish (8), Mindy Spencer (8), Melissa Madsen (9), Mike Bohlmann (9), Elizabeth Rockman (10), Jeffrey Stein (11), Sandra Jones (ex-officio)

  1. Call to Order – Chair Mike Bohlmann called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.
  1. Public Comment – none
  1. Chair’s Remarks – Mike Bohlmann noted that the Ad Hoc Committee to name APs for consideration to serve on the Chancellor Search had approximately 30 nominations to review, and two names were put forward to AP Senators to vote on; Darcy Sementi of the College of Business was selected to represent APs on this search.

There are two elections pending for AP Senators due to job changes of the incumbents: District 2 (Engineering/Technology Services) and District 9 (several smaller colleges including FAA, Media, etc.); please encourage individuals to run.

Mike is representing APs on the Strategic Planning Process Committee appointed by the President; the Committee is charged with brainstorming issues for all three campuses united rather than focusing on University Administration.

  1. Review and Approval Previous Month’s Minutes – Kathleen Booth made the motion to approve, and Rich Gegg seconded; motion passed.
  1. Announcements:

Report from Academic Professional Senators – Rick Atterberry missed the October Senate meeting, but noted that it was less contentious. Rich Gegg indicated that General University Policy would be contentious, since they would be addressing the Background Check Policy.

 Senate, Campus and University Committee Reports – None

  1. Communications Committee – Maeve Reilly had no report.
  1. Procedures and Elections Committee – All incumbents whose terms are up this year will have to re-self-nominate.

Details were discussed related to special elections for Districts 2 and 9 (incumbents changed districts).

  1. CAPE Awards – Kristina updated that there were 50 nominations for the CAPE Awards. Elizabeth Rockman asked about names of the Selection Committee. Melissa Madsen noted many other administrative/HR deadlines fell on the same day, which would skew the nominees away from APs in those fields. It was noted that the Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award had a deadline in December, though other timelines might also be different within their process.
  1. Grievance Officer Update – Jeffrey Stein had no report.
  1. Academic Human Resources Report by the Associate Provost for Human Resources

Budget and Academic Professional Development Fund – Sandy Jones indicated there was nothing to report about budget as per Vicki Gress. The APDF have had 50 applications (none declined) for a total of $24, 297.50 (with $50,702.50 remaining).

Background Check Policy UpdatesBackground checks are proceeding; the Committee is meeting right now with Christopher Pierre as Chair. Issues related to classification were discussed, and GUP reactions (faculty not planning to derail, but clarify).

Other – Sandy Jones noted that the required insurance issue is taking effect, with sign-up in November/December; this is a cost to the University, available to those who qualify.

  1. Ad Hoc Committee on By-laws update – Mike Bohlmann noted that the changes (that are beyond just cleaning up language) have not been distributed yet. Attendance will also be addressed, and there was discussion about who individuals would report to, how enforcement would work, and the frequency and validity of missing meetings; related issues included quorum, elections, and record-taking. Mike planned to look into the flexibility of what the Senate provides in their policy.
  1. Ad Hoc Committee on Provost Communications 22 – Jeff Stein noted the Committee began meeting in late October, and have connected with HR and the Provost; they are reaching out to Legal Counsel. Sharon Reynolds will provide paper files of grievances to provide context. The timeline for reporting back to CAP may be by the following meeting.
  1. Unfinished Business – Mike Bohlmann asked for assistance with initial strategic planning thoughts, related to the benefits of the UI systems with regards to the process, with many ideas provided:
  • Solid education to students (Kathleen Booth)
  • Consolidation of resources (Kristina Miller) – President has mentioned consolidation as one item *not* to cover, as he already is addressing this area
  • Student numbers going up, working more with community colleges (Mike Bohlmann)
  • Global and quality issues (Elizabeth Rockman)
  • Voice to the CIC (Kathleen) –noted that UIC is sometimes engaged unofficially with CIC but is not in CIC (UIS not at all)
  • Community college pathways addressed more, particularly with funding stream issue (Rick Atterberry)
  • Communications to stakeholders, including alums, donors, students (Mindy Spencer)
  • Consolidations allow each campus to do what they’re best at (Kathleen)
  • Use new medical school as way to work together (Rick)
  • Have campus strategic plans complement UI plan; compare similar systems (Betoel Escobar)
  • Apply land grant principles to the other two campuses, with broader participation in public engagement (Elizabeth Wahle)
  • Talk about the value of what the system brings to the table (Mike)
  • Reinvigorate alums through Illinois Connection and APs and other employees in Springfield (Mike and Rick)
  • Communicate with state that UI main business draw in state (Rich Gegg)
  1. New Business – Kathleen Booth noted the APDF form needs more clarification, related to applicability to jobs and poor writing. Because it had been discussed previously that no changes would help a lower profile for the funding, it was agreed to leave the information as-is.
  1. Closed Session for Privileged Information/Grievances – None.
  1. Adjournment – Rich Gegg made a motion to adjourn, and Kristina Miller seconded; meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m.