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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 27, 2003
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: October 20, 2003 meeting of the University Senate
The second regular meeting of the University Senate was held on October 20, 2003 in the University Union, Rooms 314-316. The meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
ROLL CALL
Professors Hartzler-Miller, Tabak, and Zimmerman were excused.
AGENDA
Interim Provost Leather announced that she could address the Discussion Item regarding the Schedule for Graduation Ceremonies in her announcements.
Professor Anthony requested that the proposed smoking policy be added to the agenda as a discussion item. There were no objections.
Chairperson Holter recognized President Caret to make his remarks at this time in order to accommodate his schedule.
President Caret announced that the Board of Regents has approved a tuition increase of 9½% for institutions in the University System of Maryland for the academic year 2004. Towson will levy an 8% increase to cover mandated and fixed cost increases. This will include a small salary increment for employees and a small amount of enhancement money. He also noted that a further increase might be necessary during the budget process next spring. The monies we are spending are at a normal level; the students are just paying more. We are attempting to become more efficient.
He announced the appointment of three (3) new task forces for the following areas:
1. Service Learning
2. Distance Learning
3. Economic Outreach
These task forces will serve more as consultants to look at these areas and make recommendations of actions to be taken.
He also announced that consulting groups are coming to campus to look at Athletics and Development to make recommendations.
In the discussion that followed regarding the tuition increase, President Caret also noted there are some regents who think it should go up another 20%.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the September meetings were approved as corrected.
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO SENATORS
Provost Leather addressed two rumors that have been circulating.
1. The issue of the 9/9 credit load for faculty (referred to by the Board as 3/3 load). Towson University is at the bottom of the Comprehensives in course units taught by core faculty. This has led to criticism by members of the Board. She is asking the deans to provide information on which faculty are on the 3/3 and who are on the 4/4 load. She distributed pages of reports, one showing the productivity rankings of the schools in the system, and the other outlining some of the Regents' concerns.
There is talk about the possibility of going to a 3/4 or returning to a 4/4 load. There has never been any talk about going to a 5/5 load.
The Regents are looking at the whole area of productivity. The principal issue becomes non-classroom productivity. The Board has said that service is part of the job; it can't count as non-classroom work.
We are looking at various ways of increasing productivity through increased teaching load and/or the number of students in classes.
2. The other rumor has to do with requiring faculty to bring in grants and contracts at the amount of 50% of their salaries. This is not true. It will be the responsibility of the colleges to increase grants and contracts 10% per year for the next five years. Some colleges will need to become more involved. Each dean will be discussing targets and goals with the Provost.
Provost Leather also held up the recent Kiplinger magazine noting that it again rates Towson 83 in the 100 best deals.
Graduation Exercises
We will go to six (6) graduation ceremonies this spring; one for each college. We will drop the separate Graduate School ceremony. We will graduate our first doctoral student in the College of Health Professions and will do the hooding at that ceremony.
Professor Whitman inquired about an item on one of the pages indicating that tenure is one of the issues the Regents are considering. Provost Leather stated that this was not of high priority at this point.
Professor Gallagher asked if all faculty from each college would be required to attend the spring graduation ceremony. Mr. Reuling said that they are looking for 60-70 faculty members from each college.
Professor Vatz asked about changes that will be required of the research universities.
Answer: There is some comment about their non-classroom activities. All institutions are being examined.
Professor Ballengee asked if there is any correlation between teaching load and quality such as indicated in the Kiplinger article.
Answer: The Regents have not tied these together.
Professor Lu asked if we would be changing from 3/3 immediately.
Answer: We will be studying and making recommendations.
Professor Ballengee noted that many areas of activities are not covered on the productivity document we are required to fill out.
Answer: Faculty should give us that information to discuss at Provost's Council.
Professor Vatz asked what consequences about the 3/3 load that have caused the anger among the Regents.
Answer: Towson University did not get formal approval by the Regents to change to the 3/3 load. Also, we are flat in terms of FTE productivity and have had to hire more part-time faculty.
Vice President Harnage noted that we have to accept this at face value. While other institutions were increasing productivity, Towson was decreasing. When resources become stretched, these questions come up. There are huge demands for access to higher education in the state looming on the horizon. There is a lot of misunderstanding as to what the life of a faculty member is. We need to address these things rather than trying to fight them.
Professor Anthony asked if Towson is the only comprehensive institution in the System that has the 3/3 load.
Answer. Yes, some have the 4/3.
Professor Sullivan asked if we can address the FTE by instituting larger classes. Answer. We have to be very sure we are not creating one problem to solve another as we believe that smaller class size is part of what makes Towson's education as good as it is. Also, this may not be acceptable to the Regents.
Professor Boules asked if we can go through the formal approval process.
Answer: Yes.
Professor Lu noted that many new faculty have come to Towson on the understanding of a 3/3 teaching load. He also mentioned the fact that directing graduate projects does not count in teaching load.
President Caret noted that we have to look at the average; we have to make more trade-offs. We may have to go to larger classes and research output.
Vice President Harnage announced that the revised Master Plan has passed the Finance Committee unanimously. It was then brought to the full board, which adopted it. We now have a long-term vision for the campus.
He also announced that the Department of Budget and Management has taken a firm position that Linthicum Hall should be saved.
He really appreciates the time and energy of all on campus who have worked on these initiatives.
The FY 04 budget has only recently been finalized; it will be disseminated on campus this week. This is the budget under which we have been working since July. Please call him if there are questions.
Vice President Rubin announced that the Faculty/Staff Campaign has begun. He thanked Professor James Anthony for chairing the Faculty side and Mr. Jeff Dudley for chairing the Staff side. He also thanked all for their generosity last year and asks us all to consider increasing our donations this year. Faculty/Staff participation at any level is a powerful symbol.
They are concentrating on the major gifts part of the campaign and are asking all of us to try to identify people who can participate in this way. There are many opportunities for honoring someone or being honored through major gifts.
Vice President Parker announced that the residence halls are over 100% occupied, some with 3 students in double rooms. Seventy-eight percent of freshmen live on campus. We are approaching 40% of students living either on campus or on adjacent living spaces such as Valley View Apartments or Millennium Hall.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) will e-mail her report.
Professor Sullivan gave the report for Professor Zimmerman (AAUP-Faculty Association). The fall general meeting was held on October 15. They are moving to reconstitute some of the standing committees such as Committee A on Academic Freedom.
As usual they welcome new and renewing memberships.
Ms. Pica (SGA) announced that the new Student Life and Faculty Interaction Committees have been formed. They thanked Vice President Harnage for furnishing space for their activities. They are also working on a forum to discuss the issue of tuition increases. They are also working on supplying student representatives for the College Councils.
REPORTS OF SENATE OFFICERS
Ms. Berlanstein (Member at Large) announced that she has been receiving the Constitutions and By-Laws of the College Councils for ratification. She has also been receiving the annual reports of the standing committees.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Professor Anthony moved, Ms. Berlanstein seconded a motion: To receive resolution in memoriam of Professor Linda Sweeting, Department of Chemistry. (Motion 03/ 04-6).
Dean Gerald Intemann read the resolution:
WHEREAS Professor Sweeting taught in the Chemistry Department since 1970 where she made outstanding and significant contributions to the Department, College, and University and was instrumental in the development of the Chemistry Department.
WHEREAS she was nationally recognized as an authority for her years of research activity in the field of triboluminescence, involved many undergraduate students in her research, and received numerous research grants.
WHEREAS she published several dozen research papers and presented numerous poster sessions at local, regional and national chemical society meetings.
WHEREAS she conceived, developed and taught new Chemistry courses, including Chemistry for Non-Scientists, Professional Ethics for Scientists, and Instrumentation (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, which was another area of her expertise).
WHEREAS she was instrumental in introducing microscale techniques into the organic chemistry courses.
BE IT RESOLVED that the University Senate at Towson University is saddened by her untimely death and extends its sympathy and condolences to the members of her family.
The motion passed unanimously.
2. Professor Sullivan moved, Professor Vatz seconded a motion: To confer Faculty Emeritus status on the designated persons listed on the attachment (Motion 03/ 04-7).
Faculty Retired as of January 1, 2003:
| Name | Department | College |
| Ghitter, Rosalyn | Communication Sciences & Disorders | CHP |
| Hirschman, Edwin | History | CLA |
| King, Algin | Marketing | CBE |
| Legault, Suzanne | English | CLA |
| Matlon, Ronald | Mass Communication & Comm. Studies | COFAC |
| Windler, Donald Biology | CSM |
Faculty Retired as of June 30, 2003:
| Name | Department | College |
| Alexander, John | Computer Science & Information Science | CSM |
| Johnson, Robert | Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences | CSM |
| Logue, Brenda | Mass Communication and Comm. Studies | COFAC |
| Piotrowski, Harry | History | CLA |
| Ryon, Roderick | History | CLA |
| Scholnick, Myron | History | CLA |
| Smith, Robert | Elementary Education | COE |
| Van Osdell, John | History | CLA |
Faculty Deceased in AY '02-'03:
| Name | Department | College |
| Hilton, Richard | Biology | CSM |
| Hinkle, Dennis | Secondary Education | COE |
| Horne, William | Electronic Media & Film | COFAC |
Professor Anthony read the names into the record.
The motion passed unanimously.
Professor Sullivan led the Senate in applause for those faculty who have retired.
3. Professor Stein moved, Professor Sullivan seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Academic Standards Committee (Motion 03/ 04-8).
Professor Craig Johnson answered questions on the report.
Chairperson Holter complimented the committee on its heavy workload. She asked about the proposals for screened majors, inquiring if this was an increasing trend. Answer: It is more of a trend in certain colleges, such as Education and Business where it is an issue of dealing either with accrediting agencies or with a large number of majors.
The Provost asked if the Academic Standards Committee is getting into evaluating screening proposals. She wasn't sure if this is a charge of the Academic Standards Committee. Professor Gallagher noted that this has traditionally been the purview of the Academic Standards Committee. It was placed under them originally to make sure screening plans contained the means to accommodate students who are screened out. Professor Vatz asked how the +/- grading had affected the number of appeals the committee receives. The answer is that they only get a certain number of appeals in this area.
The vote was called and the motion passed 18/0/0.
4. Professor Boules moved, Professor Fisher seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Admissions Committee (Motion 03/ 04-9).
Professor James Hull answered questions on the report.
Chairperson Holter asked about the $35 admission fee and the decision to leave it unchanged. Professor Hull stated that the committee did not feel it was in their purview to recommend a change in this fee. Some Senators felt the University should consider raising it to bring it more in line with what many Universities charge. Provost Leather said that a request to change it should come through Academic Affairs.
The vote was called and the motion passed 18/0/0,
5. Professor Anthony moved, Professor Lu seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Extended Programs Committee (Motion 03/ 04-10).
Ms. Eleanor Hofstetter spoke to the report.
It was noted that the committee is now inactive since the dissolution of the College of Extended Programs.
The vote was called and the motion passed 17/0/0.
6. Professor Sullivan moved, Professor Cox seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the Student Appeal Committee (Motion 03/ 04-11).
Professor William Smith spoke to the report.
Chairperson Holter asked about how this committee dealt with enforcement of the Academic Integrity Policy and what the jurisdiction of the Student Academic Integrity Committee is. It was noted that the Student Academic Integrity Committee reports to the Vice President of Student Affairs. When questioned, Vice President Parker stated that the original proposal setting up the Student Academic Integrity Policy called for the creation of a separate committee to deal with its enforcement. In practice, he thought that this committee could possibly report to the Student Appeals Committee if the Senate so desired. Mr. Reuling noted that originally there was concern that the workload might be too excessive to assign to the Student Appeal Committee. After some questioning as to what was in the original motion passed by the Senate, it was recommended by the Provost that we go back and check the Senate minutes and archives to see what the original statements were. Vice President Parker noted that he saw merit in having both committees appointed by the Senate.
The vote was called and the motion passed 18/0/0.
7. Professor Fisher moved, Mr. Zimmelman seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the University Curriculum Committee (Motion 03/ 04-12).
Since there was no representative from the University Curriculum Committee present, it was decided to table the discussion of the report.
8. Professor Sullivan moved, Professor Fisher seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the University Promotion, Tenure/Reappointment Committee (Motion 03/ 04-13).
Professor Diane Taylor was present to answer questions.
It was noted that the committee only requires approval of departmental P & T documents that have been changed by the department.
When asked about the status of the Ad Hoc Merit Committee report, Professor Taylor noted that they have only recently received the report and are in the process of studying it.
They are also looking at new appeals documents and at the merit document, but are not ready to make any recommendations to the Senate.
Provost Leather noted that the deans are looking at changes to the P & T calendar and will present recommendations to the University Promotion, Tenure/Reappointment Committee.
The vote was called and the motion passed 18/0/0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
9. University Smoking Policy. The issue of whether to make the University smoking policy more restrictive was brought up at the request of Vice President Parker. One proposal is to prohibit smoking within 30 feet of the entrance to any building with designated smoking areas. It was noted that there is opposition to spending any money providing shelters or other facilities to accommodate smokers. Professor Gallagher expressed the concern of how such a policy would be enforced. Professor Vatz noted that many of these policies become self-enforcing, given a consensus within the academic community. Vice President Parker noted that when they began prohibiting smoking in the residence halls, enforcement was handled through peer-pressure.
Mr. Reuling suggested that there needs to be designated smoking areas so that it would be clear where smoking would be allowed. Mr. Zimmelman stated that one problem is where these areas would be located.
Professor Sullivan questioned one statement in the document about the dangers of second-hand smoke.
Vice President Parker summed up the discussion stating that there seems to be consensus on campus that we need to do something to prohibit smokers from congregating around entrances to buildings.
The Senate adjourned at 5:43 P.M.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, 2003 at the regular location.
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 the meetings are located in Cook Library in the Media Resource Services area on the second floor.