LAUC-LA Executive Board Meeting (09-06)
April 3, 2009 12:00-1:30 p.m.
College Library Conference Room (Powell 228)

Present: Keri Botello (Chair), Hong Cheng, Debe Costa, Rita Costello, Esther Grassian, Cheryl Kelly Fischer, Andrea Lynch, Lisa McAulay, Diane Mizrachi, Louise Ratliff (Recorder), Heidi Sandstrom, Ken Wade (Parliamentarian)

1.  Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 12:05 pm.

2.  Agenda Review and announcements.  When the UL arrives we will call on him out of order.

3.  Approval of Minutes/Secretary’s report.  The minutes of February 24, 2009 were approved.
 
4.  Chair’s/Vice Chair’s reports

Diane had nothing to report.

Keri reported that the Faculty Senate Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication (COLSC) March meeting was cancelled, and their next meeting is April 22. The LAUC Statewide conference call will take place this afternoon.  Keri passed around her notes about the March 9th conference call: routine business; then talk of meetings between UCOP and CDL; and spring assembly plans.

5. Committee Reports

CAPA: Debe reported that CAPA is moving along. There are some issues which are being kept in a list and which may be discussed later with the membership. People have been very good about volunteering for Ad Hoc committees, and are flexible and open.

Committee on Research & Professional Development: Andrea reported that they issued a second call for mini and presentation grants.  Three applications from UCLA were put forward.   There may be a third call depending on money available.  The idea of having a brown bag in the Spring is still alive.  People would like an information session.  Perhaps people could submit research areas in advance. 
 
Question: Librarian Professional Development funds. We do not know who has spent theirs.
 Keri suggested that Andrea speak with Jenifer Abramson, and report her findings back to the board.

UL Visit:

Keri asked about the possibility of having a larger meeting of library staff and administrators, to convey a sense of calm, but not be an open gripe session. Gary said he does not have information now besides what is in his blog. Next Thursday Gary will have his regular meeting with the Vice Chancellor and Provost about budget, but he doesn’t expect to see any numbers until the May revision.  That budget goes thru June 2010, theoretically. Gary expects that the 1% being held back for this current year will be given up.

Strategic plan questions from his blog: he posted some key points and has received some comments which were posted along with some comments he received in email.  He really welcomes the feedback into the process, and it will guide us for next year.

Gary indicated that he will have a town meeting at some point, and that he would appreciate feedback about what people want to hear about in a forum.  The lunches have been very helpful, and he is always willing to come to a staff meeting, which can be more effective than a big group meeting from which he gets little feedback; he can address more core issues in the smaller group, and have some dialogue. 

A campus strategic plan is being drafted, which has not happened before. As soon as it goes to the Academic Senate, Gary will publicize it widely.

Keri asked for Gary’s comments about the COLSC.  Gary sees it as engaged at both the local and systemwide levels. The issue of Open Access has been on their agenda, and Gary suggested that LAUC-LA might discuss it.

The UL left the meeting.

Diane said that she will be attending Gary’s next lunch.

There was some discussion about the library strategic planning process.

Committee on Plans and Policies: Cheryl Kelly Fischer had nothing to report.

6. Old Business

The Board needs to appoint someone to attend the Statewide Assembly in place of Lisa M. Louise volunteered.  Andrea will be Louise’s backup if necessary.

Librarian of the Year Committee (LOTY): Grassian reported on the funding proposal which she had sent to Gary.  He indicated that there are no available UL discretionary funds. She then contacted Amy Smith, Director of Library Development, who recommended seeking endowment funding.

Grassian then outlined the nomination process followed for the faculty Distinguished Teaching Award, where the nominees participate in the process by submitting their CVs and statements of teaching philosophy. The LOTY committee favors asking for anonymous input about the nominees from the LAUC-LA membership. Grassian would like to mount a survey to obtain feedback from LAUC-LA members on such issues as: what level of confidentiality our process should maintain; and whether the nominees should take part in the process?

Keri directed Esther to compile a brief survey.

The Board discussed the disposition of records from the previous LOTY committees. It was decided that all past documents, with the exception of public documentation, will be shredded, to maintain confidentiality.  The Board directed Esther to do this.

7.  New Business

Nominating committee:  Keri reported on behalf of Committee Chair Alan Carr that there is a slate with multiple candidates for every office.

Election committee:  Rita Costello reported that there will be electronic voting for both LAUC-LA and statewide offices.  The election software provided by College Information Services (CIS) will support a run-off if needed. There will be no fee this year for use of the software. The ballot will be active June 4th.  Given the timeline, our balloting must be opened 14 working days before the election, which will be June 4th, 12:01 am.

Standing Rule One: Parliamentarian Ken Wade presented a draft of new SR1 language, which governs how we run elections.  Language was added concerning the ability to conduct online elections. Ken worked with Keri, Rita Costello and Linda Tolly on this draft.

Motion by Sandstrom that Standing Rule 1 as written be adopted by the Board. 2nd Diane. Passed. Ken will send it to the Secretary for posting on the web.

The LAUC bylaws have now been formally approved.  Keri will send a brief announcement to LAUCTalk along with a link.

The Library New Employee Reception will be held April 29,  from 8:30 to noon, with lunch hosted and sponsored by LAUC-LA . Keri stated that traditionally LAUC has been the host for new librarians. Nine librarians will attend.  Keri asked for any board members to attend the luncheon and mingle with the new librarians.

8. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 pm.