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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 22, 2004
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: December 1, 2003-Meeting of the University Senate
The fourth regular meeting of the University Senate was held on December 1, 2003 in the University Union, Rooms 314-316. The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
ROLL CALL
Professors Fisher, Forbes, Whitman, Provost Leather, and Vice President Harnage were excused. Professor Joyce Little, newly appointed to the Senate to fill the final semester of an at-large position, was introduced.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
It was requested to move the Discussion Item regarding the Presidential Task Forces to the beginning of the agenda in order to accommodate President Caret. There was no objection.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Professor Siegel moved, Professor Zimmerman seconded a motion to approve the November minutes as corrected:
In Professor Zimmerman's report for the AAUP: the discussion of the items mentioned took place at the fall general meeting.
The issue of the treatment of accumulated sick leave: It is treated differently in the two different retirement systems (Maryland State Retirement and TIAA-CREF).
Old Business
Motion 03/04-18: To approve the ratification of the College Constitution for the College of Business and Economics.
Three corrections to the constitution were announced by Professor Keesling. The motion to ratify passed 19/0/0.
Motion 03/04-19: To approve the ratification of the College Constitution for the College of Education.
It was agreed to send the constitution back for changes and bring the constitution back for the February meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEM
A memo describing the mission and the membership of the three University task forces (Distance Education, Service Learning, and Economic Outreach) was distributed in our packets. President Caret noted that these task forces would act like consultants. They would do their work in a few weeks and make their reports. These reports would be sent to the Senate as information items.
Distance Education: Professor Gallagher expressed concern about the financial implications of Distance Learning. Professor Siegel asked that the television environment not be disregarded.
Professor Zimmerman asked if "Distance Learning" could also include students on campus. Answer: Yes.
Economic Outreach: Professor Holter asked about Economic Outreach: What is the faculty role? Answer: It is looking at bringing the resources of the University out into the community, both business and non-profit. The campus has suffered from weak links to the business community, e.g. we don't have engineering, how do we take our expertise to businesses of that sort?
Service Learning: Professor Gallagher noted that many departments have independent study courses, but employers like to see "Service Learning" on transcripts.
Professor Sullivan inquired about the composition of the Economic Outreach Task Force. Answer: They tried to identify people on campus who had expertise in the field.
Chairperson Holter thanked President Caret for providing the information.
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO SENATORS
President Caret announced that the Provost Search Committee is interviewing the first of four candidates. They are very pleased with the pool.
The news from the System President's Council is that it looks as though the System will be spared additional cuts, but there will be no new money. Therefore, the predicted 5% increase in running the University and the possible 2.5% salary increases will have to come from existing funds.
There are a number of studies and task forces taking place regarding higher education including a capacity study of USM campuses and new facilities.
There is rumor of a bill by Delegate Frosch that would guarantee 5% increases for the System if we would take all students and not raise tuition more than 4% per year. Another rumored bill from Chairman Busch would guarantee a base funding.
The Regents have formed 3 work groups to study:
1. Efficiency and Effectiveness including faculty workload and the use of facilities.
2. Resource Development including ways of becoming more entrepreneurial.
3. Operating as a public corporation using existing legislation established when the System was created and see how we can be more privatized.
A university president has been put on each of these task forces.
Professor Anthony inquired about the rumors of salary increases for faculty, staff, and all state employees. Answer: That is unclear at present. It was noted that some institutions are taking furloughs at this point.
Professor Siegel inquired about the funding guidelines for each institution. Answer: They take peer institutions and look at salary levels at different types of positions. Towson uses the 75th percentile as a target. The problem is that it is based on total funding. We are the least well-funded institution in terms of state allocations and depend more on tuition.
Vice President Parker noted that our pool of peers is so large that it is almost impossible to change any of the percentages by small changes of allocations.
Professor Lu asked how far Towson is from being designated a Research Intensive Institution. Answer: Fairly far away. Perhaps 5-10 years. It would require the production of more doctoral degrees and grants and contracts.
Vice President Rubin asked that as we approach the end of the calendar year the faculty and staff consider pledges to the faculty/staff campaign. They have recently had a leadership giving meeting and are trying to identify people to give to particular areas.
Vice President Parker announced the appointment of a task force to examine health issues on campus. Professor Maggie Reitz and Dr. Jane Halpern are co-chairs. They will examine health in the broadest sense and identify both curricular and co-curricular services. The report is due in the spring.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) reported on public testimony to the Mandel Committee and a report to the Busch Committee.
The legislature is interested in the ability of faculty to raise money through grants and contracts and gifts.
CUSF is also studying capacity in three different areas:
1. Maintain the rate of acceptance of transfer students. This is a high priority item and they are concerned about the impact on this.
2. Off Campus/Off site centers. How would faculty be deployed and how do we control quality.
3. More pressure for collaborative programs with community colleges.
Professor Patricia Alt represents Towson University on the MHEC Faculty Advisory Committee. Professor Siegel serves ex officio.
There is work on redrafting the ART document. She thanked Professor Zimmerman for helping on that. It will be submitted to legal counsel.
There have been several complaints of university presidents violating USM policies (not President Caret). One president received a no confidence vote from the faculty.
CUSF is preparing a set of talking points on faculty issues. This will be distributed within the next two weeks.
They are planning a Legislative Action Day on February 16, 2004 in Annapolis.
On the issue of merit pay: they have asked the Chancellor to clarify how this package would be distributed.
Professor Zimmerman (AAUP/Faculty Assn.) No report.
Ms. Pica (SGA) announced that the SGA has been working on budget issues: how to distribute money to groups.
REPORTS BY OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE
Chairperson Holter announced that in the spring each college will have their own graduation ceremony. She asked the Senators to send e-mails as to who will represent their college for both the January and the May graduation ceremonies.
She also announced the open forums for each of the Provost candidates and urged Senators to attend. Professor Vatz, a member of the search committee noted that there is no more important a position on campus in terms of the faculty. We should make a good showing at these meetings.
Chairperson Holter also announced a Senate retreat to be held on January 9, 2004. An agenda will be e-mailed over the holidays.
The discussion of any possible changes to the charges of the Graduate Studies Committee will be postponed until the Senate Retreat.
Ms. Berlanstein (Member at Large) had no report.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Professor Gallagher moved, Professor Sullivan seconded a motion: To approve the proposal to change the name of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to the Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies. (Motion 03/04-21).
Professor Barbara Laufer, Chairperson, spoke to the rationale, which had been distributed. The rationale included the present confusion of the name with the Department of Communication and Communication Studies as well as the insensitivity of the term "Disorders."
The question was called and the motion passed unanimously--21/0/0.
2. Professor Siegel moved, Professor Gallagher seconded a motion: To receive the annual report of the University Assessment Council (Motion 03/04-22).
Professor Pitcher answered questions regarding the report. She explained the program that awards faculty $1,000 fellowships for the improvement of teaching. They also hold a conference where the recipients share their research with other faculty. The committee examines assessment plans for new programs both undergraduate and graduate.
The question was called and the motion passed unanimously: 21/0/0.
3. Professor Gallagher moved, Professor Stein seconded a motion: To approve the ratification of the College By-laws for the College of Health Professions (Motion 03/04-23.)
Professor Karla Kubitz, Chair of the College Council, answered questions regarding the motion.
Professor Lu asked that the documents include a date when they were approved by the College.
Dean Exner asked that it be sent back to the College for revision.
The motion was tabled until the February Senate meeting.
4. Professor Boules moved, Professor Ballanger seconded a motion: To approve the ratification of the College Constitution for the College of Science and Mathematics. (Motion 03/04-24.)
The question was raised as to whether the constitution had been submitted to a formal faculty vote. It was also suggested that the document spell out the membership and procedures of the College P & T Committee. The motion was tabled until the February meeting.
Professor Vatz moved, Ms. Shectel seconded a motion to adjourn.
The Senate will reconvene February 2, 2004.
Chairperson Holter reminded the Senate of the Retreat on January 9, 2004.
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.