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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 3, 2003
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: December 2, 2002 Meeting of the University Senate
The fourth meeting of the University Senate was held on December 2, 2002 in Rooms 314-316 of the University Union. The meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
Professor Gallagher, Interim Provost Leather, and Vice President Rubin were excused.
The minutes of the November meetings were approved as corrected: [p. 1] "Beijing Polytechnic Institute" should read "Beijing Polytechnic University;" [p. 3] Chairperson Holter's report: e. final sentence should read "The Chancellor noted that in Wisconsin when the university system put caps on Ôenrollment' the legislature responded with further cuts!"
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO SENATORS
Interim President Jones mentioned that Interim Provost Leather was absent because she broke her foot.
A serious dynamic in higher education in Maryland has been initiated by the community colleges. Due to what is seen as overcrowding at the four-year institutions, the community colleges think they should be authorized to offer four-year degrees. Anne Arundel Community College has asked that four-year institutions automatically admit students to programs of their choice. There will be future meetings on this. Interim President Jones also noted that Towson University has plenty of room in the disciplines where there is a critical need, for example, for teachers.
The administration is working on the final numbers on the first budget cut and will have a plan by Wednesday, December 4.
There will be a 3.5% cut in the general operating budget. There is a hiring freeze, except for instructional faculty. Hopefully, we can contain it without affecting the academic programs. There are predictions that there may be more cuts to come.
Chairperson Holter inquired about the "critical areas," particularly in programs like educational leadership. It is predicted that 55% of the principals will be retiring in the next five years. Are we graduating enough teachers and principals? This is a problem all over Maryland.
Question: Are we still identified for growth? Answer: It is too early to tell; it depends on funding.
Vice President Harnage took questions.
Chairperson Holter asked if the hiring freeze excludes instructional faculty. Answer: Yes.
Cuts include 3.5 % in the general fund, a $1.2 million reduction in our fund balance accumulation. A 1.5% one-time bonus will be given only to those making less than $60,000. The remainder will be reverted to the State.
We are developing a strategy to protect the business of the university. Vice President Harnage does not think Towson will have to cut academic programs. He will send an e-mail when more information becomes available.
Vice President Harnage asked the Senate to identify an individual to serve on a technical working group for the Master Plan. Chairperson Holter asked for any volunteers-interested members to e-mail her.
Professor Vocke asked about the status of construction at 7800 York Road. Answer: It is on schedule to be completed this spring. The building will not be occupied in stages, rather, the move will wait until the entire building can be occupied. The move is projected to take place just before summer school begins. Professor Lu asked if it would be ready for summer school. Answer: Yes.
Ms. O'Connell noted that there is a student representative on the building committee.
Vice President Parker passed.
Chairperson Holter passed.
Member-at-Large Berlanstein passed.
SPECIAL MOTION
Professor Nelson read a resolution expressing sympathy to the family and friends of Associate Professor Richard L. Hilton, who recently passed away. The resolution passed unanimously.
Whereas Richard L. (Dick) Hilton was a beloved and well respected member of the Department of Biological Sciences and,
Whereas Dick Hilton was a beloved and well respected member of the Towson University community since 1972,
Be it resolved that the University Senate of Towson University expresses its profound sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues. Professor Sullivan (AAUP-Faculty Association) announced the Fall General Meeting to be held December 10, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the University Union 309-310. He also reminded faculty that dues ($15) may be sent either to Professor Sullivan or Professor Jeff Michael, both in the Economics Department.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) will e-mail the report from CUSF.
Ms. O'Connell (SGA) announced that the SGA has been compiling a wish list of characteristics for the next president of Towson University. It also passed a resolution regarding the search process.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Professor Cox moved, Professor Stein seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the University Promotion & Tenure Committee. (Motion 02/03-19.)
Vice President Esslinger answered questions on the motion.
Professor Chen asked about the large number of departments for which there is no indication of approval of P & T documents. Answer: It is assumed where there is no formal approval indicated that the department in question did not make changes in their document for this year.
Professor Zimmerman requested that the department indicated as "CIS" be changed to COSC.
The question was called. The motion passed 22/0/1.
A question was asked regarding a Senate representative to the Ad Hoc Merit Committee. Professor Nelson has been appointed.
2. Professor Sullivan moved, Professor Chen seconded a motion: To transition the Ad Hoc Budget Committee to Resource Planning & Advising Committee. (Motion 02/03-20.)
Professor Bharat Jain spoke to the motion.
There was a question regarding the membership and voting rights of members, particularly ex officio members. The non-voting members must be specified as part of the description of the composition of the committee.
The Provost and Senior Vice President & Chief Fiscal Officer would be the only non-voting members.
Mr. Crusante questioned whether the graduate student representative should be appointed by the SGA president.
Professor Siegel questioned how graduate interests are administered. Interim President Jones said that the administration of graduate programs are handled through academic departments.
Professor Zimmerman supported the idea of having both undergraduate and graduate students represented. It was suggested to retain the alternating undergraduate and graduate representation and to have the graduate representative appointed by the president of the Graduate Student Association. Professor Zimmerman proposed that the student representatives (undergraduate and graduate) be alternated by even and odd years.
Professor Chen supported the idea of having both undergraduate and graduate students represented each year.
3. Professor Lu moved, Professor Zimmerman seconded a motion: To amend the motion to increase the membership of the proposed Resource Planning and Advisory Committee to include one undergraduate student selected annually by the SGA president and one graduate student selected annually by the GSA president. (Motion 02/03-21).
The motion to amend passed 23/0/0.
The question was called on the principal motion. The motion passed 23/0/0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Discussion included some of the following thoughts:
1. What is the role of the University Senate? What does the Senate do?
2. How to define the relationship between the President and the Senate?
· What are the responsibilities of the Senate as stated in the Constitution? Is the Senate too passive a body? The Senate has always been an advisory body with committees providing oversight over the business of the University. The Senate should consider the state of the University and make recommendations to the Office of the President.
· Have the areas over which the Senate has oversight been narrowed in recent years? Most of the Senate's oversight comes through its committees. We have backed away from micro-management. Professor Chen asked that the list of responsibilities be revised. Answer: They have been. This is what we have been doing in the committee restructuring process.
· Concern over long-range plans for academic programs. Interim President Jones noted that there are new guidelines for new programs that now require more feasibility studies and examination of real dollar costs associated with the new programs.
· Concern over library resources to support new programs. Mr. Crusante moved, Professor Siegel seconded a motion to adjourn.
The next meeting of the University Senate will take place at 4:00 p.m., iMonday, February 3, 2003.
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.