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MEMORANDUM

Date: February 11, 2002
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: February 4, 2002 - Meeting of the University Senate

The Fifth regular meeting of the University Senate met on February 4, 2002 in Rooms 314-316 of the University Union.  Chairperson Holter called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

Professor Chen, student members Lockard, Main , Stuckey, and Zimmerman were absent.

There were no changes to the agenda.

The minutes were approved as corrected.

Provost Jones had nothing to report. 

Chairperson Holter introduced Vice-President Harnage who expressed his joy at being at Towson .

Assistant Vice-President Clay represented Vice-President Parker, who is recuperating from surgery.  She reported that he is progressing well.  The Senate expressed its best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Professor Sullivan (AAUP-Faculty Assn.) had no report except to ask that faculty submit their dues.

Chairperson Holter made the following announcements:

 1.         She has set up an ad hoc committee to advise on budget matters:

Mission :  Advise the president on the design, implementation, and review of the budget and budget planning processes for the University.

 2.         She has asked the ad hoc honorary degree committee to meet and report to the Senate at the May meeting.

 3.         She is visiting each college council to discuss the process for nominating members for University committee membership.

 4.         The Senate Re-write subcommittee has met several times and has hammered out a draft of responsibilities.

Member-at-Large Berlanstein distributed a report of the actions of the various Senate committees and the receipt and approval of their annual reports.

A permanent e-mail address has been set up for the Senate Member-at-Large:

            senateatlarge@towson.edu

Professor Stevens-Ratchford asked where there is a membership list of Senate committees.

Answer:  on the Senate web site.

Ms. Berlanstein reported that we are going to require that committees have their first meetings in May following the election of members so that they may elect their chairperson and be ready to go to work in September.

The CUSF report was postponed until Professor Siegel arrives.

OLD BUSINESS

Motion 01 / 02-8:  To receive the annual report of the University Curriculum Committee.

Professor Marzotto spoke to the motion.

Professor Cox asked about procedures for submitting new Independent Study and Internship courses.  Professor Marzotto said the instructions are on the web site.

Professor Marzotto also said that the report of the e-education subcommittee would be submitted as an addendum to its report.

The question was called and the motion passed:  19/0/0.

Professor Siegel (Council of University System Faculty)

She noted that the policy on drugs and alcohol has been removed from the agenda.

She also reported on progress of the search committee for the new chancellor on which she serves.  There are a number of very viable candidates.  The search committee is still welcoming nominations.

INFORMATION ITEM: Discussion of draft of the CUSF (Council of the University System Faculty) constitution and by-laws.

Discussion of the membership requirements and electorate (this varies from campus to campus).

Towson has three elected delegates:  Professors Martha Siegel, Patricia Alt, and Barbara Laufer. Professor Jay Zimmerman is the alternate.

The Senate then moved into a Committee of the Whole to discuss the responsibilities of the Senate and its committee structure.

Chairperson Holter distributed notes of the committee discussions with a list of proposed committees and responsibilities.

Provost Jones noted that the report is missing a committee on program review and assessment.

Associate Provost Leather noted that the University Assessment Committee is assessing itself.  The University has recently appointed Ms. Linda Suskie as coordinator of assessment.

The Senate discussed a set of questions developed by the new constitution committee addressing the missions of each committee.  Professor Vatz will revise the wording of the questions.

Sentiment was also expressed that we need to encourage more young faculty to serve on Senate committees and become more involved in university governance.

There was general discussion of how we could communicate new ideas with the committee members.

Professor Anthony questioned where the responsibilities of the grievance and mediation and the faculty grievance committee would be placed.

Professor Gallagher suggested that the committees respond to the questions from the ad hoc committee and have their suggestions brought to the Senate for discussion.

Chairperson Holter suggested that we take today’s discussion under advisement and come back in two weeks to continue.

The Senate recessed until February 18 at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

James Anthony, Secretary

The University Senate usually meets the first Monday of each month during the fall and spring semesters.  The Executive Committee of the University Senate invites all interested parties to attend the meetings in the University Union.

Copies of documents relevant to agenda items are available at the Faculty Reserve Desk in Cook Library.  Recordings of meetings are located in the Cook Library in the Media Resource Services area on the second floor.