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Location: College of San Mateo, Gallery, Building 5

Members Present: Dan Kaplan, Ernie Rodriguez, John Kirk, Kathleen Feinblum, Katharine Harer, Sandy Raeber, Karen Olesen, Victoria Clinton, Rick Hough, Eric Brenner, Annie Nicols, Teeka James, Yaping Li, Chip Chandler

Guest: Kathy Blackwood, District CFO; Gladys Chow from CSM, Library; Jim Karras from CSM library, Tom Diskin, Academic Senate President from CSM

The meeting came to order at 2:25

MINUTES were approved

NON AGENDA ITEMS

Ernie Rodriguez encouraged those who plan to attend the April 12 retreat to RSVP and send in agenda items.

KATHY BLACKWOOD, DISTRICT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - RESOURCE ALLOCATION MODEL

Kathy Blackwood presented the Resource Allocation Model for discussion and feedback. A summary of the presentation is the following:

The Resource Allocation Model is a way to allocate Fund 1 (teaching and learning) sources. It does not increase total resources, nor bring in more money, nor does it affect grants or other programs. The model only seeks to allocate sources already present. In the existing model, increases are determined by past allocations, plus a movement up on the Step and Column scale and COLA on actual expenditures. As well, there are no adjustments for growth or special programs.

In adjusting the allocation model, we would like to design a model that would be fair, simple, predictable, stable, timely, efficient to administer, and which would minimize internal conflict between the colleges and the district office. The new model would take into account inflation and collective bargaining results without the formula changing each year. The new model needs to be flexible to accommodate the movement to basic aid as well as accommodate fluctuations between good and bad budget years. The model should also address inequities of equalization and access, recognize local community needs, use good data, and be in synch with our missions and goals.

What holds us back is the current model of funding, insufficient for cost-of-living adjustment and funding uncertainties. As well, an inadequate under-funded base, a historical commitment to low fees, legislated limitations such as growth caps, and adherence to AB 1725 are other constraints.

The baseline level of college support for instruction, student services and college administration should be predictable and stable and not interfere with the integrity of previous programs. The baseline would address established economies of scale and lessen any incentive to adjust programs based solely on one factor. The model would provide a marginal level of college support for instruction, student services and college administration based upon FTES as averaged over the preceding three years. District Office support for non-facility related services would be based upon percentage of college allocation.

After Ms. Blackwood's presentation, a discussion ensued regarding concerns about the allocation model. The main concern was that the district office seemed to be allotted more money than the colleges. This is especially disconcerting as we are a teaching institution. Colleges have to be accountable for their expenditures, yet there does not seem to be a system of accountability in place for the district office. The fact that the base allocation doesn't change, means that a lot more money could be available for the district office. The EC expressed an interest in having input on monitoring these funds.

CO-PRESIDENTS REPORT AND NEGOTIATIONS REPORT - KATHARINE HARER

The negotiating committee has reached a tentative settlement. Campus Forums will be at Skyline College on April 5 at 2:15; at CSM on April 13 at 2:15; and Canada on April 14 at 2:30.

The one change to the contract was that the district proposed to pay instructors 100% salary for semester sabbatical instead of 80%. The pay will stay at 80% this year and go to 100% next year so that departments can work in the added cost into the decision making process.

Medical caps will be retroactive to January 1.

The Executive Committee will vote on the contract through e-mail. Votes must be in by Monday, April 4.

Full faculty voting on the contract will be on Wednesday, April the 20th and Thursday, April the 21st from 10:00-2:00 and 5:30-7:00. At Skyline, the voting will be on the 2nd floor of Building 5 next to the library; at Canada voting will be in the theatre lobby, and at CSM location is TBA.

US LABOR AGAINST THE WAR DINNER - KATHARINE HARER

The dinner for USLAW raised over $1,200. This amount is enough for AFT to pay dues and give the organization extra money.

CFT CONVENTION - KATHARINE HARER

A big point of discussion at the convention was Governor Schwarzenegger's attack on the public employee's pension plan. There will be a march to

protest Schwarzenegger's visit to the Bay Area on April 5 at 5:30 in front of the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Stockton Street in San Francisco.

John Kirk got a CFT award for his work as a grievance officer. Victoria Clinton got an award for representing part-time faculty in negotiations.

Katharine Harer won the prestigious Jim Herndon Award for her article on the student demonstration in Sacramento.

THE DRAFT - KATHARINE HARER

Katharine Harer encouraged the EC to look at the website www.nodraftnoway.org and inform our students that a proposal to reinstate the draft is again being circulated among President Bush and the Congress.

MUTUAL RESPECT POLICY - Draft of 2.24

Discussion ensued about the Mutual Respect Policy. The main issue concerned the vagueness of words, such as the meaning of "threatening" and "verbally abusive." A change was made from "will actively seek to educate" to "will educate staff and students on the deleterious effects of [offensive behavior]." Also an exception was the mandate that the board adhere to the first amendment. Adherence to the first amendment is a given and to mention it seems redundant.

If the changes are not successful, the AFT agreed to recommend a "no" vote.

GREIVANCE REPORT - JOHN KIRK

Unfair labor practice never got resolved in negotiations regarding class size. John Kirk sent a letter to Chancellor Ron Galatolo regarding the AFT's Unfair Labor Practice Charge against the district. The AFT has agreed to drop the charge if class size is "one of the specific 'terms and conditions' of employment" and if AFT is able to negotiate a class size policy at a later date.

CAMPUS REPORTS

Because of the length of Kathy Blackwood's presentation, no other reports were given.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:45.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Feinblum

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