Recent bargaining sessions with the college reinforced my perception that Management has little or no interest in involving stakeholders in their strategic decision-making process. This was particularly evident as Management attempted to use bargaining to achieve significant changes in both the Advising and Counseling even though a collaborative process already exists for that specific purpose—the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). For those concerned about AQIP and re-accreditation through this process, the following should be of particular interest…

During 2002 contract negotiations, MCCEA as well as Management each generated two issues for potential collaborative bargaining purposes. At that time, Management chose “Advising and Counseling” as one issue around which they could initiate a Problem Solving Committee comprised of faculty and management representatives. For five years Management had the right to re-open the faculty contract with regard to this specific issue—butthey chose not to do so.

In the most recent contract negotiations, Management was bold enough to seek major concessions in the areas of Advising and Counseling. When asked why they failed to form a Problem Solving Committee during the previous two contracts, Management simply responded: “We didn’t have time.” As negotiations proceeded, however, it became evident that Management has spent considerable time developing a plan of action without consulting any of the 75 faculty members working in Advising and Counseling. It also became clear during bargaining that some members of Management currently view AQIP as an impediment to their own personal visions on how these areas should operate.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) recently approved by the MCCEA and MCC Board of Trustees included one major concession directly affecting faculty in these areas (i.e., changing the Counselors’ workload to achieve cost reductions). At the end of bargaining, Management realized only a portion of their agenda with regard to Advising and Counseling. With the ink on the new CBA barely dry, rumor has it that Management is considering ways to implement other parts of their Advising/Counseling plan in the near future.

Hopefully these rumors are not true, for attempts by Management to impose their “management rights” at this point would contradict those AQIP values (e.g., collaboration) conveyed in previous strategy forums, surveys, and town hall meetings. Future attempts to realize changes in the Advising and Counseling outside the AQIP process would also undermine the efforts of those stakeholders working on the Professional Development and Degree Audit committees. Moreover, such efforts would preempt the forthcoming AQIP Action Project committee charged to make recommendations in these specific areas.

Future attempts by Management to subvert the quality of collaboration AQIP is designed to achieve will reinforce perceptions this college does not value stakeholders’ input for strategic decision-making purposes. If these rumors prove to true, such actions would also discredit the AQIP process before a single recommendation for “continuous improvement” is ever produced at Mott Community College. For AQIP to become a legitimate avenue for re-accreditation, it will require truly cooperative intentions from every level of this institution—including Management.

Brian Ivory, Ph.D.

From the Forward Editor

Forward Focus: Debbie Kuhl

As a regular feature the Forward introduces our new full-time faculty with their answers to ten questions about themselves. Debbie Kuhl has joined our faculty this semester.

- Paul Rozycki

1. Name and position at MCC...

Debbie Kuhl, Support Specialist for Science Education

2. Educational/occupational background...

I got my Bachelor of Science at Hillsdale College, where I double majored in Biology and English.  Shortly after graduating from college I learned that I really enjoyed teaching in informal education settings.  While I worked with computers and technology for a while, my goal was always to get back into education.       

3. I came to MCC because........

I wanted to work somewhere that offered a positive contribution to education and the local community, MCC does both.   

4. I teach what I do because........

I have always enjoyed science, and I think early exposure to the exciting aspects of science can help develop that love of science in students.  For those students who may not wish to pursue science and math, the thought processes learned in the scientific method and basic math processes are important building blocks for future education and logical aspects of everyday life.

5.  What I like most about being at MCC is .............

I’ve been given a chance to make a living at doing what I enjoy and I get to work with interesting people.

6. The thing that bothers me most about MCC is .....................

If we could move MCC (and the rest of Flint too) forty-five minutes closer to my home, I’d appreciate it.      

7.  The most important or significant book I have ever read is ….

It’s hard to narrow down to just one, but C.P. Snow’s, The Two Cultures has influenced me greatly.  His introduction to the philosophies of science and how educational systems succeed and fail at training those inside and outside of science in our complicated world is always food for thought.     

8. One person I admire is ...................

My grandmother.  She was always a woman ahead of her time.  She understood the challenges of prioritizing family, relationships, work, self, and hobbies in a way that I respect greatly.  And she understood that especially well because of the struggles she endured as someone who voluntarily worked outside of her home in male dominated fields, at a time when it was very frowned upon for a woman to do so.         

9. To get away from the classroom I enjoy.....................

My pets keep me busy; I read quite a bit; I game.

10. My proudest accomplishment is...

Ask me after this year’s Science Olympiad…it will likely change by then.

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