CVTCEA General Membership meeting January 7, 2009

The meeting was called to order by President Peck at 12:00 PM.

She stated that the association executive committee would be setting goals for the coming semester if individual members of the association wish to have the committee pursue a certain direction, they should contact their steward.

She stated that the retirement planning session on January 20 in room 30 from 4-6 would be useful for all members and their spouses.  Especially in hard financial times, it is important to keep track of your retirement funds.

She stated that when Security Health comes on campus for health screening, members should avail themselves of the opportunity since Security bases its rates partially on our screening rates.

She stated that the winter conference will have a full contingent of CVTC association members.

Al Dohm took questions on the contract:

Do they take away travel load if a person gets ill?  No, travel load is different than mileage.  You only claim the miles you actually travel.  Travel load calculations are based on miles between base of assignment and work location.

Does the scheduling person have to be a department chair?   No.  the scheduling person may be any member of a department that has 500% or more load.  That person receives up to 20 hours per semester to help with scheduling.

What is the union position on adding students to fill classes? Depending on the situation.  A member needs to realize that the college only needs your permission once per class per semester.  They can add as many as they wish after that.  The instructor is reimbursed 0.1% per hour per student for classes over 27 students.

What happened in the contract regarding online courses?  No changes were made since we could not agree on load.  We don’t anticipate having a side agreement on the subject.

What is happening with clinical groups?  It used to be 8, and now 9 per section.  The association is aware of this situation and has not come to an agreement with management on the number.  We will continue to advocate for the best education possible for the students.

Aimee Persteiner gave the treasurers report.  We are on schedule with both receipts and expenses.

Leigh Barker our UTCC uniserver director spoke next.  She stated that a number of technical colleges are going into tough bargaining times.  We did well on maintaining our position as well as we did with health care, pay, and retirement.

The state is facing a $5.4 Billion dollar deficit.  That shortfall will certainly hurt the WTCS system. 

The state superintendent of schools election will be Feb 17.  We should stay tuned to find whom the WEAC endorsed candidate will be.

Jeff Pepper of the legislative committee reminded us that Pat Kreitlow will be on our MEC campus (Gateway) on February 6.  We should work at making sure he knows what we do.

The technology committee reported that CVTC has a new CIO _______ Bischoff.  They also reminded us to keep turning in help desk forms so that if any situations arise, we have adequate backup to resolve problem issues.

The meeting adjorned at 1:00

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Hulke

Secretary Pro Tempore