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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 17, 2002
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: September 9, 2002-Meeting of the University Senate
The University Senate met September 9, 2002 in the Art Gallery of the University Union. The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
Vice-President Paul Parker was excused. Two new Senators were present:
Professor Victor Fisher, representing College of Liberal Arts
Professor Chao Lu, representing the College of Science and Mathematics
Two additional Senatorial positions are still in the process of being filled.
Two student members were introduced:
Ms. Bobbie O'Connell
Mr. Mark Crusante
Two additional student members have been appointed:
Mr. Todd Zimmelman
Mr. Troy Hopper
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Professor Blake, Nominating Committee, submitted the following slate for consideration:
Chairperson: Professor Norma Holter
Secretary: Professor James Anthony
Parliamentarian: Professor Mark Whitman
Professor Siegel suggested each office be individually considered for nomination and election. Parliamentarian Whitman presided over the election for Chairperson:
Professor Vatz nominated, Professor Siegel seconded: Professor Holter for Senate Chairperson. There being no further nominations, Professor Holter was elected unanimously.
Professor Vatz nominated: Mr. Mark Crusante for Senate Vice-Chairperson. Professor Zimmerman nominated Professor Neil Gallagher. Professor Gallagher declined. There being no further nominations, Mr. Crusante was elected unanimously.
Professor Siegel nominated: Professor Anthony for Senate Secretary. There being no further nominations, Professor Anthony was elected unanimously.
Professor Nelson elected: Ms. Berlanstein for Senate Member-at-Large. There being no further nominations, Ms. Berlanstein was elected unanimously.
Professor Blake nominated: Professor Whitman for Parliamentarian. There being no further nominations, Professor Whitman was elected unanimously.
PROVOST'S ADDRESS
Chairperson Holter introduced Interim Provost Deborah Leather.
Interim Provost Leather complimented the outstanding performance of the top administrative officers and the individual colleges over the past few months in helping the University move forward.
She announced that her division has been officially designated as Academic and Student Affairs.
The former Council of Deans has been redesignated as the Provost's Council. A smaller group will function as the Deans' Council.
Towson is aggressively moving for approval of a variety of new programs at the present time:
Joint Masters in Accountancy with the University of Baltimore
Masters in E-Business
Doctorate in Applied Information Technology
Master of Education in Biology
Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Family Studies
Computer Science Program in Beijing, China
Joint Applied Doctorate in Education at Bowie
Three Dean's Searches are in progress:
College of Business and Economics
College of Fine Arts and Communication
College of Liberal Arts
The Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) has been moved back to the Academic Affairs Division.
Interim Provost Leather also announced the pursuit of improvement in the Teaching/Learning Environment at Towson. Plans are underway to develop a more comprehensive program for freshmen and transfers to encourage better interaction between students and faculty and among cohorts of students. The plan at this point is to focus on the Using Information Effectively and the Freshman Composition courses as well as two other Gen Ed courses as the freshman cohort classes. The hope is to initiate this program in academic year 2003.
The Provost is providing more support for undergraduate research by adding $15,000 to the Faculty Development Fund for grants involving student research. She is also increasing the Faculty Travel budget by $10,000.
The Provost's office is attempting to improve the budgeting process by designating the following priorities:
1. Goal of increasing full-time faculty new positions and working towards the 85% for salary and merit.
2. Increasing budget for full-time and part-time faculty salary increases and benefits for lecturers.
3. Budget for an increase in staff positions.
4. Enhancement of library and technology areas.
5. Clarifying operating budgets for academic departments.
6. Improving facilities and maintenance plans.
The Provost is also looking at the following areas:
1. Interdisciplinary Programs
2. General Education
3. Assessment
4. Technology and Information Fluency
Interim President Jones has brought leaders from the community to talk to small groups of administrators and faculty about the way Towson is viewed in the community and how we view ourselves. To date these individuals have included Barry Rascovar and Donald Hutchinson. As a result of these visits, Professor Jim Roberts of the Political Science Department has invited political candidates to campus for debates.
The Council of Chairs is developing a document regarding items that we want to highlight in discussions with the Towson presidential candidates.
DISCUSSION
Professor Whitman wished to thank Vice President Harnage for saving faculty positions, in light of the recent cutbacks being demanded by the State.
Professor Vatz wished to underscore the need to define ourselves more adequately.
Interim President Jones noted that we are a mature institution and a powerful economic engine in the state.
Professor Gallagher inquired about how the new initiative with freshmen and transfers would affect FTE and enrollment in sections of freshmen classes.
Provost Leather noted that the freshman composition courses are presently held to twenty students, but that there would need to be some adjustment in the Using Information Effectively course enrollments.
The Senate adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
The second meeting of September will take place on September 23, 2002 in the Potomac Lounge.
Respectfully submitted,
James M. 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.