University Senate
Memorandum
Date: February 2, 2007
To: The Academic Community
From: Jennifer Ballengee, Secretary
Subject: February 5, 2007—Meeting of the University Senate
The fifth regular meeting of the University Senate was held on Monday, February 5, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. in Rooms 314-315 of the University Union.
Absent were Senators Brennan, Roberge, Rosecky, Moore, and Vaughn-Smith, as well as Vice President Sheehan and Vice President Rubin.
The Senate unanimously approved the agenda.
The Senate unanimously approved the minutes.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT:
08 Budget highlights: slower enrollment growth in 07-08 than in 06-07. 07-08 will see around 400 FTE. It is likely that the state will enact a tuition freeze. Overall USM system increase in 07-08 budget is 10% with TU’s percentage the highest in the system at 13.4%.
The Capital budget, however, is “under stress.” First 2 years of the 5-year cycle will be “tight” due to O’Malley’s promises/commitments to K-12 initiative and Coppin University promise. CLA building will still open on time, though internal budget line “juggling” is necessary. CLA project is still fully funded. Health Profession Building project has been delayed 3 years (2012 instead of 2009).
Regarding new enrollment, new students to TU will require additional funding from the state.
President Caret expressed good wishes to Provost Brennan for his new job at Catholic University.
Professor Vatz asked, “What is the basis of resistance from state to TU’s reluctance to grow unless funded from state?” President Caret answered that the state looks at part of the data and doesn’t look at total institutional need.
Professor Little asked about any updates to legal challenges of MBA. President Caret responded that there are several legal issues pending, both in the legal system and in the state legislature that are complicating the process of TU’s MBA approval.
Professor Brown asked what percentage TU faculty salaries are according to Pres. Caret’s estimation. Pres. Caret responded: “Roughly 73%, though uneven at the ranks. Campus goal is 85%.” Provost Brennan added that faculty salaries are also uneven among disciplines as well.” Prof. Brown asked: “Do you foresee a point that we will be at 80%?” Pres. Caret: “State dollars are not there yet. We have budget issues and parity issues. The lower percentile of salaries are not due to a lack of desire, but due to a lack of resources. We will try to move salaries incrementally as we can.”
REPORT OF THE PROVOST:
15,320 is the projected FTE enrollment for spring. Head count as of 2/5/07 is 14,446 undergrads, 3,129 for graduate students. Total enrollment is 17,575. 12,000 applications for 2,500 spots in Fall of 07. Applications one year ago were 10,000.
Updates on other initiatives: (1) Possibility of new TU School of Technology, (2) General Education Committee will be meeting soon and has a few more members.
Professor Vatz questioned the basis of merit pay:
Prof. Vatz reminded the Provost that he had promised to address the unfairness of Merit raises, noting that an arbitrary amount was given to Merit and Merit Plus One recipients. The Provost responded that he had not promised to rectify the problem, but to study it. He said that he’d shared some salary information with Prof. Sullivan for the Senate committee. He suggested that the unit should be studied at the College level. Prof. Vatz suggested that there could be a norm established by means of comparable ranks. He noted that this is an unusual and bizarre circumstance.
Prof. Siegel noted that the merit system was devised by the faculty, so the faculty needs to take a stand in how it is revised.
Prof. Sullivan asked about the faculty searches underway. The Provost noted that the original estimate, in trying to maintain student-faculty ratios, was for 40 searches, pending budgetary approval. When the FTE number dropped from 800 to 400, the Provost and President decided on a goal of 30 new tenure-track PINs for next year. Currently, there are 65 searches going.
REPORT OF VICE PRESIDENT MORIARTY:
Student Affairs recently concluded the Leadershape leadership program.
Campus Civic Engagement Steering Committee: New York Times in the classroom program is being used in 50 courses. The New York Times is hosting a monthly luncheon in return; students will be able to discuss an article from the paper.
TU is also hosting a function with the leader of the American Democracy Project.
April 19 (tent.): Tom Ehrlich will speak at Towson.
Prof. Sullivan raised the issue of civility on campus in connection with civic engagement. VP Moriarty noted how civility is an aspect of civic engagement.
REPORT OF VICE PRESIDENT CLEMENTS:
TU received funding for two scholarships this year.
Annual Economic Outlook Conference, Feb. 11, keynote speaker is the author of the book Freakonomics.
TU will host the annual conference of the coalition of urban and metropolitan universities.
AAUP REPORT, Prof. McLucas:
According to what he’s heard from faculty, Prof. McLucas noted, the average faculty member experiences its students as civil. Incivility may be encouraged, he suggested, by the culture that seems to frame students as customers.
The all faculty e-mail list is under construction. The Provost has placed in the budget funding for a staff person to support shared governance.
The AAUP is participating with student affairs in the book-of-the-year program. AAUP is also working with DECO and the Maryland Humanities Council to begin in the Fall a program in which faculty members will give non-specialty lectures for parents of students.
The JFC has been meeting for the past couple of years with the Provost; they are figuring out how to continue to function in the interim period. Prof. McLucas thanked the Provost for his work with junior faculty.
CUSF REPORT, Prof. Siegel:
CUSF met recently with Senate chairs of system universities. CUSF asked for a higher state contribution to the optional retirement programs, and the system has decided to wait at least one more year to request this. From College Park came a recommendation for health benefits for domestic partners.
CUSF continues to work for health and retirement benefits for non-tenure-track faculty; all but 2 schools in the system are on board with this. Frostburg and Coppin are the two not in compliance.
CUSF has been discussing flexible tenure policies. CUSF continues to discuss K-12 issues, because of articulation issues and giving college credit in high school. CUSF also continues to discuss textbook prices. There is a bill in the legislature now that is trying to address that.
Student Research Day was held in conjunction with Annapolis 101.
Prof. Sullivan asked if these different benefits put schools in the USM at a disadvantage for hiring.
The President noted that Towson used to have a policy by which non-tenure-track faculty could not remain in a position at Towson for more than 6 years. Prof. Siegel noted that such rules are already in place for staff.
SGA REPORT, Senator Diéguez:
The SGA Retreat happened last Saturday.
The SGA Communication survey was concluded at the end of Fall semester. The survey shows that many people read the Daily Digest.
The SGA is trying to formalize the Commuter Student Association.
The SGA is going to Annapolis for Tiger Pride day on Feb. 22.
The Yellow Effect event is a fundraiser for the Jimmy D Foundation, a cancer charity foundation that is being sponsored by the SGA. On the 24th, at Towson’s game against Drexel, Towson students will wear shirts in honor of this foundation.
The SGA is sponsoring a performance of Dance Africa, on Friday, Feb. 9, for Black History Month.
The SGA is still working on a Latin motto and doing more research on Turn It In.
Chris Castillo reported on Annapolis 101. Chris attended as a research presenter. Students met with many government representatives and attended a dinner with student lobbyists and system officials.
Prof. Little noted that some fabrics prevent skin cancer; she urged the SGA to order their t-shirts made by such fabric.
Prof. Sullivan then took the opportunity to poll the Senate about issues they felt the Senate should be addressing. He noted that the Senate ad hoc Salary committee will report on the Merit question.
Prof. Vatz noted that it’s a question that requires some preparation. Prof. Sullivan urged Senate members to email him with comments.
Prof. Siegel asked the Provost to remark upon how he thought the shared governance system might work better.
Prof. Vatz noted that the Senate is taking on very large issues.
Prof. McLucas urged the Senate to talk about how to make the system of shared governance more efficient and more transparent,
Prof. Little noted that we don’t have as reliable a future as tenured professors used to.
Prof. Zimmerman suggested that the university should work on its communications.
The President said that the Administration is working on improving communication at TU.
Prof. Pitcher noted that most Deans no longer come to the Senate; that has caused a breakdown in communication, too.
Prof. Leshnoff noted that the Senate is an advisory body; therefore, coming to decisions is a key part of our ability to function. He also noted that it is an issue how few junior faculty members are part of the Senate. He also noted that faculty morale could be addressed by the Senate.
Prof. Siegel noted that she was upset by the new rules about parking. The Senate should have some voice in policies about parking.
Pres. Caret noted that Towson spent two years planning parking, and hired a consultant to study the issue.
1. Informational Item.
Final revised copy of Chapter 3 of the Faculty Handbook, including all revisions and changes suggested by the Senate and Provost. (attached)
(Senate Executive Committee)
Prof. Siegel noted that there are still many places where the document needs correcting. On page 18, there are problems with levels of merit. There are contradictions between what departmental PTRM Committees do. In one, they’re responsible for merit, and in another they’re not. Prof. Siegel recommended that there be a committee of 4 people from the Senate to proofread and fix the contradictions in the document. The document has errors such as the following: on pg. 28 the department committee is doing something different than on pg. 19.
Prof. Siegel Prof. Vatz, Prof. Pitcher, and Prof. McLucas volunteered to serve on this committee.
Prof. Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.