University Senate Links
University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 25, 2002
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: October 7, 2002-Meeting of the University Senate
The second meeting of the University Senate was held on October 7, 2002 in Rooms 314-316 of the University Union. The meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
Interim Provost Leather was excused.
There was one correction to the list of student members. The correct list is as follows:
Mark Crusante
Jeremy Horine
Tim Hutchinson
Bobbie O'Connell
Changes to the Agenda:
1. Professor Vatz of the College of Fine Arts and Communication read the following Senate Resolution:
Whereas Bill Horne was a beloved and well-respected member of the Electronic Media and Film Department;
Whereas Bill Horne was a beloved and well-respected member of the Towson University community since 1989;
Be it resolved that the University Senate of Towson University expresses it profound sympathy to his family, friends, and colleagues.
2. Professor Nelson asked that a discussion of the new e-mail policy be added as Discussion Item 2. There was no objection.
The agenda was approved as amended.
The minutes of the September meetings were approved as corrected: The list of the student members' names in the September minutes is incorrect.
REPORTS OF THE EX OFFICIO SENATORS
Interim President Jones announced that there is an absolute freeze on state positions with the exception of faculty, student employees, and positions funded through outside sources.
It is predicted that there will be nearly a $100 million shortfall for the USM for the next fiscal budget. We are beginning to prepare strategies for cuts if and when they come. The Senate Budget Advisory Committee is to be involved. We are taking things very seriously.
Professor Whitman asked if there is any way to prepare for any cuts in faculty positions. President Jones replied that there is a 5% reduction through attrition in staff. He sees no faculty cuts this year, but doesn't fully know at this point.
Vice President Harnage announced that the campus master plan must be updated before September 2003. We have received bids from several firms. An interview schedule will start soon. He will then set a schedule for the process.
Professor Siegel asked how decisions will be made since there is no structure for participation by the University community. Answer: There will be committees from the Senate, students, and the neighborhood. We will identify issues and alternatives.
President Jones said that the Senate has no planning committee for this sort of thing. The deans, chairs, and faculty must be involved. Vice President Harnage assured the Senate there would be opportunities for interaction.
Professor Sullivan asked at what point we would be implementing PeopleSoft. Answer: The Chancellor's office has implemented it and it is now being implemented on campus. Vice-President Parker said that Admissions just went live.
Vice President Parker noted that we have increased the number of co-curricular programs. We hosted a diversity retreat this past week which included 50-60 multi-ethnic students. This coming week is National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week beginning Sunday with a candlelight walk, a presentation by Catalyst Theater, and various educational programs.
Vice President Rubin thanked the academic community for its participation in the Faculty/Staff Campaign. We are ahead of where we were at this point last year. Participation is moving up. He encourages all of us to participate.
Professor Siegel (CUSF): No report. The first meeting is one week from today.
Professor Sullivan (AAUP) reminded us of the membership drive. He also reminded us of the election coming up in November and urged us all to vote.
Ms. O'Connell (SGA) announced that all appointments to Senate committees have been made. The SGA is also working on a resolution regarding reading day.
Professor Siegel suggested that minutes of the University Senate meetings should be sent to all council chairs. It was noted that minutes are posted on the WEB.
Professor Berlanstein (Senate Member-at-Large) reported that Senate annual reports are coming in.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Professor Sullivan moved, Professor Siegel seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Student Appeals Committee [Motion 02/03-2].
Professor William Smith spoke to the motion.
After a brief discussion the question was called. The motion passed unanimously 22/0/0.
2. Ms. O'Connell moved, Professor Cox seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Extended Programs Committee [Motion 02/03-5].
Dean Howard Nixon answered questions regarding the motion.
Professor Gallagher questioned that this committee discussed compensation of faculty. President Jones stated that this committee only makes recommendation regarding compensation policies, not compensation itself.
The question was called. The motion passed 21/0/1.
3. Professor Stein moved, Professor Zimmerman seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Information Technology Committee [Motion 02/03-6].
Professor William Sadera distributed a small correction to the report and spoke to the motion.
The question was called and motion passed unanimously 22/0/0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Discussion of the composition of the University Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Professor Sullivan distributed a list showing the current make-up of the committee and a proposal to require that in the next election the 2 vacancies be designated to the CSM and to CBE, respectively.
President Jones noted that such a plan would presume a change in the By-Laws.
Associate Vice-President Esslinger noted that when the committee met last week two members volunteered to vacate their seats and be replaced now. He also said that the University Archivist Nancy Gonce said she had a record in the Archives showing that the Senate voted in May, 1999 to approve the University P & T document, which also included a revision of the makeup of the committee.
Professor Chen suggested that we not wait two years, but perhaps we should just let members draw straws now for replacement.
The discussion centered on the pros and cons of having the make-up of the committee representative of the different colleges or having an at-large election.
President Jones again noted that any change of the committee would require a change in the By-Laws. Professor Gallagher asked that we pursue the question of the document in the Archives to see what the Senate actually passed in 1999.
Chairperson Holter will research the Archives for this material and then the Senate can make a decision.
2. Discussion of the new e-mail policy as it relates to faculty.
Professor Nelson noted that there is a problem because most faculty are violating the policy by sending information regarding student grades over e-mail.
President Jones explained that our new policy is necessary, otherwise we are in jeopardy of lawsuits under the Buckley amendment and the University cannot defend any faculty or staff if that policy is violated.
Vice President Harnage stated that we must have policies to protect the institution and the individuals.
There was considerable discussion about the implications of this policy on our interaction with students. It was generally agreed that faculty need to alert students to the policy in their syllabus and not agree to any communication by e-mail that would violate the policy.
One Senator inquired about the issue of communicating anything about someone's physical condition (e.g. why a professor or student was missing class.) Professor Forbes noted that there is a new Health Insurance Privacy Protection Act (HIPPA) coming down the pike and that our policies should be in compliance with that as well.
Professor Siegel asked that the University change its policy of using Social Security numbers as Identification Numbers.
President Jones suggested that the Senate may want to invite some experienced people in the field to come and talk about the implications of the laws regarding e-mail.
3. Professor Nelson moved, Professor Vatz seconded a motion: To instruct the Information Technology Committee to examine the policy and make recommendations for improvements. [Motion 02/03-7].
There was some discussion of the motion. The question was called and the motion failed: 6/14/2.
Professor Gallagher proposed that an open letter regarding the e-mail policy be circulated to students, chairpersons, and to faculty and that it be published in the Towerlight.
Professor Siegel again brought up the request that the University abolish the use of Social Security Numbers as Identification Numbers. Mr. Harnage noted that with PeopleSoft, this practice would be discontinued.
The Senate will reconvene in two weeks on October 23, 2002.
The meeting was recessed.
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.