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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: March 20, 2003
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject: March 17, 2003 Meeting of the University Senate
The sixth regular meeting of the University Senate was held on March 17, 2003 in Administration Building, Room 424. The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
Professors Gissendanner and Whitman and Student Member Mr. Hutchinson were absent; Vice President Parker, Ms. Berlanstein, Professors Siegel and Zimmerman were excused.
The Agenda was approved as distributed.
The Minutes were approved as distributed.
REPORTS BY EX-OFFICIO SENATORS
Interim President Jones reported on the state of the budget discussions in Annapolis. The House Subcommittee came forward with a proposed $37 million cut for the System. The Senate Subcommittee proposed a $2 million cut. There may be a compromise at around $10 million. Towson has come under the attention of the Governor who has stated that our capital needs must be addressed. Our representatives have been well received by people in Annapolis. There is an enormous amount of good will for Towson.
Interim Provost Leather reported that there is a freeze on all new faculty and staff hires at this point, however, faculty searches that are just beginning will be continued, but no new interview pools are being approved at this point. Towson took the strategy of moving forward the 31 faculty positions and the Dean of COFAC. Staff positions are being held vacant. They are looking at strategies of covering areas where resignations and retirements take place.
She wishes to correct some incorrect rumors circulating:
- There has been no touching of College FY 2003 (current) budgets. We are still in a waiting period for the FY 2003-04 budget.
- She has been disturbed by recent flyers spreading incorrect rumors regarding the Vice President and Chief Fiscal Officer Harnage over the living wage issue.
- She also wants to squelch rumors circulating that classes will be cancelled if war breaks out.
She thinks that the University Strategic Plan needs some updating. (Regarding the Strategic Plan, President Jones noted that most of the items have been achieved.)
Dr. Leather went on to state that Tiger Pride Day in Annapolis was a major success. The students did a phenomenal job of representing the University.
Professor Vatz asked if she wished a Sense of the Senate resolution on the items of her concerns. Provost Leather responded no, not at this point.
Vice President Harnage reported that he is meeting this Friday with the Department of Budget and Management, Office of Capital Budgeting to discuss our capital program. This meeting is in response to a letter we received indicating that the Governor and the department wish to devise a plan to address our facility problems. Our revised capital budget plan is the focus of the discussion. This is a real opportunity for the University and is a result of two variables:
1. We have friends paying attention. The Governor is paying attention.
2. We have spent time identifying what our needs are and how to satisfy them.
We have a great opportunity to make our case.
Vice President Harnage reported that he has decided not to fill the position of CIO for which a search was conducted last year. Considering the fiscal circumstances of the University, he would rather move that money into our technology infrastructure.
Vice President Rubin reported on the good presence Towson University has in Annapolis. The recent Alumni event in Annapolis was attended by many important people. The Towson Advocacy Program to engage alumni is going well. General fund raising for the University is on track. A major part is faculty support for the Faculty/Staff campaign, which is ahead in actual pledges for this year, but we need to raise the participation rate. He also noted the opening of the Field House on April 26.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) will send her report via e-mail.
Professor Sullivan (AAUP/Faculty Association) expressed concerns over the issue of academic freedom regarding some of the issues mentioned by the Provost. He also encouraged faculty to contact legislators regarding the support for higher education in Annapolis. AAUP membership dues are welcomed. The Spring general meeting will take place in early May.
Ms. O'Connell (SGA) thanked the administrative officers for their kind words about Towson Pride Day. She affirmed that it was a great success.
She also reported that the SGA is tabling an anti-war resolution brought to the body today. She encouraged the academic community to attend the forum on the issues of the war this Wednesday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Union.
SGA is gearing up for SGA elections to be held April 22-23.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Motion 02/03:22 Motion to be withdrawn at request of the Academic Standards Committee.
The Senate discussed the proposal to withdraw this motion. Professor Gallagher expressed concern that should the motion be withdrawn it might never come back.
It was agreed to table the motion until the April meeting. A subcommittee was formed to revise it and formulate an amendment to the motion. The subcommittee consists of: Professors Forbes, Stein, and Gallagher.
DISCUSSION ITEM
The University Master Plan
Chairperson Holter turned the meeting over to Mr. Jack Nye who introduced members of the Master Plan Committee for a general discussion of issues. He also noted that Professor Stuart Stein is the University Senate representative to the committee. The discussion was centered around a set a questions which had been distributed to the members of the Senate:
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the existing campus?
2. What is most memorable about the campus? What is least memorable about the campus?
3. Which building or space is the icon of Towson University? Which buildings should be retained at any cost? Which buildings can be removed/replaced?
4. How does parking and transportation affect your ability to work and teach at Towson University? How does it add or detract from the collegiate environment?
5. What are your views regarding the need for additional housing on campus?
6. What is unique about being in Towson/Baltimore that should be reinforced?
7. How can the campus improve linkages with the surrounding institutional, commercial and residential communities in terms of shared resources, retail/professional services, educational opportunities, and cultural events?
8. If a significant donor came to you with a few hundred thousand dollars, how would you improve the campus? What if the donor had several million dollars, how would you improve the campus?
9. What can be done to foster the continued development of the intellectual community on campus?
Vice President Harnage made some opening remarks about the process to solicit ideas from many different groups both on and off campus. The overriding issue is to develop a vision for the physical space called Towson University.
We first discussed a number of perceived strengths of Towson University. These include the tradition of teacher training, the positive attitude of its faculty and staff, the recent signage program, the generally positive impression that the campus makes to visitors, and small classes.
Weaknesses include the lack of well-defined boundaries, the lack of architectural unity, need of spaces for social interaction for faculty and students, and the perceived safety issues at night.
We noted buildings that need major renovation and/or replacing. These include Cook Library, Lida Lee Tall and the Enrollment Services Building.
We also discussed issues related to greater involvement of the Towson campus presence into the business area of Towson proper.
The issue of mobility on campus was brought up. It was generally agreed that it is difficult to get to certain parts of campus by any means other than automobile. The bus shuttle service, as it is designed at this point, is primarily set up to get students from outlying parking lots to certain points on campus. It is not designed to transport faculty and students from building to building on campus.
The discussion went on until 5:55 p.m. at which time Professor Forbes moved, Professor Lu seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
The next meeting of the University Senate will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2003 in Rooms 314-316 in the University Union.
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.