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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 2, 2002
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: September 23, 2002-Meeting of the University Senate
The continuation of the first meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
Professor Wengert was excused. New senators, Willliam Forbes of the College of Health Professions, Stuart Stein of the College of Fine Arts and Communication and student member Tim Hutchinson, were introduced.
The Agenda was approved as distributed.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO THE SENATE
Interim President Jones noted that he has been on the road throughout the summer and the early part of the school year and has found the views concerning Towson positive. In particular he found the recent visit of newly appointed Chancellor Kirwan to be very positive.
We are very active with alumni, especially within Maryland.
The University rankings in various media are coming out and Towson is showing up well. In the US News and World Report we have jumped to the list of top masters universities in the North. Most institutions in this category are private and better supported than we are. Thanks to all Towson faculty and staff for their energy and hard work.
Professor Zimmerman asked about the impact of the terrible state of the finances in Maryland on Towson. President Jones feels that the shortfall is going to be greater than predicted. The next 2-3 years are going to be very lean times. We started the year with balanced books, but we are preparing for draconian cutbacks.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Professor Gallagher moved, Professor Gissendanner seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the May and June 2002 meetings. The motion passed 21/0/0.
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO SENATORS
Provost Leather noted that the Education Policy Committee of the Board of Regents is moving forward on benefits for non-tenure track (lecturers) and part-time faculty.
There is going to be a stricter mandate on new programs and the budgets of new programs will be scrutinized much more carefully.
Professor Lu inquired how many institutions have benefits for lecturers. Answer: none.
Vice-President Harnage reported that the USM has identified the figure of $39 million for current services and benefits, but this figure is not adequate for next year when escalation costs are figured in. The System is pursuing a supplemental request, of which Towson's share is $1.5 million. However, the state will be severely challenged to meet these needs and we won't know what the budget is until after the legislative session. We have budgeted conservatively and are trying to identify critical needs to document in new capital plans. We have delivered a document to the Chancellor stating our critical budget enhancements. These include the following:
1. Faculty: Faculty compensation to move us to the 85th percentile and the addition of new faculty to support growth and new facilities. We need 100 new faculty positions.
2. Additional general operating funds to support the infrastructure, technology, and the library.
3. Facilities maintenance. Our goal is 2% for maintenance or $200 million. We have asked for funds to solidify maintenance and a total of $24 million to support continued operation of this university.
Professor Nelson asked if all of the 100 faculty positions are new. Answer: Yes. Growth is not going away.
Professor Gallagher asked about need for tuition increase. Answer: the regents support a 4% tuition increase with the caveat that they may have to revisit the issue after the legislative session.
Vice-President Parker reported on a very successful orientation program. We have a bumper crop of resident students this year. Residence halls are filled to 105% of capacity. The large number of students has affected the quality of life for students in terms of crowded residence hall rooms and long lines for services.
Chairperson Holter announced a clarification of the Federal and State policies on security involving criminal background checks for all staff dealing with children. This does not apply to faculty at the present time.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) reported that the following issues are being discussed at CUSF:
1. Ways that we can help increase funding to deal with the budget crisis.
2. Pressure from some faculty to have option of collective bargaining.
3. Concerns about the technology fluency policy.
4. Policies for benefits for non-tenure track faculty. At present some of the statistics are a bit deceptive and it appears that some have benefits when they do not.
(Provost Leather noted that we have over 80 full-time non-tenure track faculty.)
5. Needs to improve K-12 education and articulation from two-year community colleges
Professor Gallagher inquired about a rumor about early retirement and buyouts.
Professor Sullivan (AAUP-Faculty Association) noted their concern for faculty benefits.
He also solicited for renewal of membership in the AAUP-Faculty Association. Send checks for $15 annual membership to Tim Sullivan, Economics, or Jeff Michael, Economics.
Professor Siegel added that CUSF has also gone on record supporting domestic partner benefits.
STATUS REPORT ON PRESIDENT SEARCH
Chairperson Holter introduced Professor James Clements, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.
Professor Clements reported that the committee consists of 25 members, of which 10 are faculty members. It has met over the summer and has engaged the services of the search firm of A.T. Kearney to assist in the search process. The committee has received approximately 70 applicants to date and plans the review process in about 2 weeks. It will decide whom to invite for interviews and will then narrow the pool to 3-5. The committee is still soliciting nominations and questions to be used in the interview process.
Chairperson Holter inquired about the Senate concern that it be an open search. Professor Clements stated that the committee wants an open search, but has deferred a final decision on this until the time of consideration of the 5 final candidates and will base the decision on the circumstances and the considerations of the candidates' wishes.
Professor Vatz asked if the committee had discussed the question of whose agent the president is, the Board of Regents' or Towson's. Answer: This has been discussed. Professor Clements stated that in his mind the president represents the University. Professor Vatz directed the committee to ask that question directly of the candidates.
Professor Lu asked about the schedule for closing the application process. Answer: This is fluid at this point, but they are asking applicants to apply by October 16. They are going to begin reviewing applicants, but are still accepting applications.
The Chancellor has stated that he wishes to be an active participant in the search and wishes to help in any way he can. Professor Gallagher expressed caution regarding the Chancellor's role in the search.
Ms. O'Connell inquired about the number of students on the committee. Answer: 3. She asked that the SGA be involved. Mr. Crusante (a student member of the search committee) stated that he thinks the committee is on track on this issue and plans to meet with student groups.
The discussion continued at some length over the issue of an open search and "degrees of openness."
Professor Siegel spoke for a level of thoroughness in the search that would include search committee members' visiting the campuses of the applicants and interviewing people off the reference list.
At the end, Professor Clements assured the Senate that the committee would do its best in the selection of Towson's next president.
Chairperson Holter thanked him and the other members of the committee for coming to the Senate and making its report.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Professor Vocke moved, Professor Chen seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Honors Programs Board. (Motion 02/03-1).
Professor Joan Mc Mahon spoke to the motion. Professor Gallagher asked why the report did not contain some of the information required by the Senate such as attendance of members, action items and pending items.
Professor Siegel moved that all reports be returned for revision to include these information items. Professor Gissendanner seconded the motion.
It was pointed out that there is a suggested format in the Senate By-Laws for writing annual reports: Section O, # 9.
Professor Sullivan moved a substitute motion that we accept the reports contingent that the required information be sent in as outlined in Section 0-9.
The substitute motion passed 19/0/1.
2. Chairperson Holter asked that we defer the annual report of the Student Appeals Committee until next meeting since the chair of that committee had to leave for class.
3. Professor Vocke moved, Professor Sullivan seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Faculty Research and Development Committee (Motion 02-03-2).
Professors Susan Radius and Luz Mangurian spoke to the motion.
Professor Zimmerman asked that the report break down awards of research money and assigned time. Professor Radius noted that there were very few awards of assigned time.
There was also discussion of inclusion of attendance issues since some faculty cannot attend all meetings, but send in their recommendations.
The committee was asked to submit an amended report to include the requested information.
The motion as amended passed 20/0/0.
4. Professor Chen moved, Professor Sullivan seconded a motion: To receive the final report of the ad hoc Honorary Degree Procedures Committee (Motion 02/03-3).
Professor Ray Castaldi spoke to the motion and thanked the members: Dan Leonard, Ellen Stokes, Michael Seganish and the late William Horne.
Two amendments were requested:
To add "for Programs and Planning" after the title of the "Associate Provost." In the final sentence of the report: to add "for five academic years" at the end of the sentence.
The motion to receive the report passed as amended: 19/0/0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Composition of the University P & T Committee.
Chairperson Holter explained the problem that there is a discrepancy between the makeup of the committee as stated in the Senate By-Laws and the Faculty Handbook. The error is in the Handbook. This year's committee was correctly elected according to the provisions in the By-Laws, but there have been objections because it does not adhere to the provisions in the Handbook that members represent different colleges.
There was general discussion of how to solve the problem.
Professor Dianne Taylor, the outgoing chair of the committee, asked if the Committee could meet and begin to carry on business.
It was decided for the Chairperson of the Senate to appoint a subcommittee to discuss the problem made up of Professor Sullivan, Professor Taylor and one member of the University P & T Committee who will be going off the University P & T Committee in 2003. This report will be brought to the next Senate meeting for discussion.
2. Academic Calendar for 2004-2005.
Mr. William Reuling spoke to the issue.
Vice President Parker expressed concern that the proposed calendar provided no holiday on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, creating hardships on students who need to travel that day.
The question was asked why Towson begins before certain other institutions in the System. Mr. Reuling pointed out that College Park schedules final exams on Saturday.
The issue was discussed at some length.
Professor Siegel moved, Professor Vocke seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM.
The next meeting will be October 7, 2002 at 4 PM in the REGULAR rooms: UU 314-316.
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.