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American Association of University Professors
Illinois Conference Council
Minutes from the November 13, 2004 Council Meeting
Columbia College Chicago
Council Members and others present: Pan Papacosta, President (Columbia
College Chicago); Leo Welch, Vice-President (Southwestern Illinois
College); Lynne M. Meyer, Executive Director (Moraine Valley Community
College); John Wilson (Illinois State University); Hugh Miller,
Past President of Loyola chapter; Peter Kirstein (St. Xavier University);
Jack Leahy (DePaul University); Michael McIntyre (DePaul University);
Fred Widlak (National-Louis University); Walter Kendall (The John
Marshall Law School); Lisa Townsley (Benedictine University); Lee
Maltby (St. Augustine College); Michael Collins (Loyola University
Medical Center); L. H. Ludwig, webmaster.
I. Welcome and Approval of Minutes:
President Pan Papacosta called the meeting to order at 10:25 a.m.
• Minutes were presented, and unanimously approved.
II. Reports:
a. President’s Report
• We are now registered as a not-for-profit organization in
Illinois (501c4)
• Pan received inquiries from a number of people, including
lawyers, to whom he sent Redbooks, and individual members. Of special
concern is the Ethics Law, and how this may infringe on Academic
Freedom. Pan detailed specific situations brought to his attention,
and opened the topic up for discussion. Peter Kirstein moved that
the Council take a stand on this, form a statement, etc.; this was
seconded by Walter Kendall, and unanimously approved.
• We issued another chapter grant, to U of I-Springfield.
• Pan reported on the national AAUP meeting in June, which
had been attended by Pan, Leo, John, and Joe Felder. At this meeting,
the Illinois conference received awards for both the Newsletter
and the website.
b. Vice-President’s Report:
• Leo updated the Council on a variety of issues, including:
the status of state funding public college & universities (no
loss/no gain); changes in eligibility for the MAP awards; the withdrawal
of proposed legislation to have the State govern the granting /denying
of tenure.
c. Treasurer’s Report:
• The Council with updated information of the status of the
Conference’s finances, and provided detailed reports to each
member. Peter commended the thoroughness of the Treasurer’s
reports, and applauded her hard work. Pan proposed changes to the
annual meeting in order to cut down on expenses, and Walter proposed
the development of budgeting guidelines.
• Lisa asked for clarification on filing of tax returns. She
also recommended obtaining liability insurance, and plans on getting
more information about doing so. The issue was opened up for discussion.
d. Editor’s Report:
• Proposed keeping The Illinois Academe to two issues per
year. Peter asked to be added to the Speakers Bureau list that is
published in the Academe.
• Given his graduation in May, John wondered what his status
with the Council will be afterwards, especially if he were not to
remain in Illinois.
• John provided an update on developments at ISU, where the
non-tenure-track faculty just unionized.
• Pan commended John’s work, and also suggested that
we have something from an administrator in each issue of the Academe.
He also moved that John’s pay for his work on the Academe
be increased for the current issue and beyond. Peter seconded the
motion, and it was unanimously approved. (John recused himself from
the discussion and the passing of the motion.)
e. Executive Director’s Report
• Lynne elaborated on the office’s activities, including
the status of the Conference’s email newsletter and the increased
number of inquiries from members and non-members on a variety of
issues.
III. Annual Meeting:
• Pan introduced Hugh Miller, Past President of the Loyola
chapter.
• Returning to his earlier proposal for changes in the structure
of the annual meeting as a means for cutting costs, Pan recommended
that the Council meeting be held in the morning, which would be
followed by lunch and then the annual meeting itself. This would
avoid, among other things, an overnight stay for Council members.
• Pan’s suggestion was approved unanimously. The annual
meeting itself will be held on a Saturday in April (specific date
to be determined later – either the 16th or the 23rd).
• Pan asked for ideas for the meeting’s theme, format,
and possible speakers. Among those suggested as speakers, Pan proposed
Hugh Miller, with the suggestion that the meeting be held at Loyola.
He then turned the
IV. Hugh Miller’s Report:
• The Council was informed of current issues of concern at
Loyola. Hugh asked for assistance from the Conference in dealing
with them, and stressed how greatly the AAUP-IL presence is of benefit.
He also invited the Conference to hold the annual meeting at Loyola.
John moved to do so, and the motion was unanimously approved.
V. Communications – Webmaster’s Report:
• L. H. recognized Pan for his effort’s to build the
website, and stressed that the site can be a great recruiting tool.
To that end, he suggested various ideas for the further improvement
of the site, including the possibility of having other chapters
“build” onto our site; this would be especially good
for those chapters at institutions which do not allow AAUP chapter
sites under the school’s auspices.
VI. Committees:
• Steps were taken to form a nominating committee to deal
with upcoming Council vacancies – President, Secretary, and
four Council members.
• Pan moved to accept Hugh Miller, Mike McIntyre, Lisa Townsley
and Walter Kendall as the nominating committee. This was unanimously
approved.
VII. New Business:
• Pan proposed the formation of an awards committee to recognize
“friends of AAUP” – e.g., journalists or administrators
who promote AAUP principles. The award might be an honorarium, an
invitation to speak, etc. Hugh Miller suggested that we publish
a request for nominations for the award in the Academe.
• The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
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