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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: June 6, 2003
To: The Academic Community
From: James M. Anthony, Secretary
Subject May 5, 2003-Meeting of the University Senate
The eighth regular meeting of the University was held on May 5, 2003 in the University Union, Rooms 314-316. The meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m. by Chairperson Norma Holter.
Professor Chen, Vice Presidents Parker and Rubin, Student member Hutchinson were absent. Professor Vocke was excused. Professor Roseanne Christian served as a substitute for Professor Gissendanner.
AGENDA: Professor Berlanstein moved to add the proposed By-Law changes for the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee as a discussion item. There was no objection.
Professor Sullivan moved, Professor Siegel seconded a motion to add the resolution of the College Constitutions as New Business. Professor Siegel distributed a motion that she intends to move. The motion passed 15/3/0
MINUTES (April 7, 2003) were approved as distributed.
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO SENATORS
Interim President Jones spoke about the potential for further budget cuts. There is a possibility of an additional cut of $60 million to the USM. Towson may have to move to a more serious strategy. Everything is still on the table, but such cuts could result in program cuts, furloughs and or retreats in our operation. The University Administration is approaching it with calm good sense and will keep the Senate budget committee informed.
He also mentioned there is a document moving through the system regarding limits on off-load teaching.
Interim Provost Leather noted that a deep budget cut would mean some major programmatic cuts. Given the budget situation, there is an issue as to whether we should take any new program proposals to the program committee, e.g., the Doctorate in Applied Technology. We have presented the Masters in Accountancy to the committee. The program in Forensic Chemistry will begin in the Fall.
Such budget cuts could also mean no more new sections at a time when enrollment is growing.
Towson will not agree to any exchange of faculty to other institutions next academic year.
The good news is that the University will continue the three-year computer replacement plan for staff. The standard will be to get people to Windows 2000, to start streaming video, and to accommodate PeopleSoft.
President Jones added that our drafts for capital budget and our design for capital development are in place. We are in the queue.
Vice-President Harnage said we are trying to estimate what is happening. Going into the General Assembly we were given one number for cuts for Towson and those numbers have been planned into the budget. Coming out of the General Assembly there was an additional budget cut assessed on the system. The State's matching contributions to the supplemental retirement program 401A will be stopped. This $14 million is on the table as a number.
We have been given some flexibility in the hiring freeze, but are expected to be frugal in hiring.
The $60 million figure is only in the newspaper at this point.
We feel that the principles that we have been using up to this point for dealing with the cuts are still valid, but obviously if a larger figure comes down, we are talking about serious losses.
Professor Sullivan wants to emphasize that salary freezes and cuts to deferred compensation to retirement plans represent salary cuts. After several years we are talking about real damage. Vice President Harnage said that the powers-that-be are aware of this. It does have impact on all of us personally.
Professor Whitman noted that it would seem that 3 years of salary freeze is virtually guaranteed.
Vice President Harnage continued his report in discussing the status of the master planning activity. Today they are working with Precinct 3, the Athletic core. Detail work is going on as we speak. Some very creative ideas have come forward. We have been very open and inclusive with our neighbors. Some communication paths are more friendly than they had been. We will begin sharing the ideas with the campus very shortly.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) reported that the budget issues have been the major concern. CUSF has been trying hard to organize and will have a CUSF person assigned to every member of the legislature.
They have looked at professional responsibility of faculty regarding off-load teaching. There is still a commitment to the K-16 plan. We can't improve the K-12 system without improving teacher training programs. They are working on redirecting some monies now going to K-12 education to go to the USM and community colleges.
Provost Leather noted that in her opinion, based upon meetings with Lt. Governor Steele, this administration is not interested in the Higher Education portion of the K-16 initiative.
She also wants the University Senate to go on record to congratulate Professor Siegel for having been elected chairperson of CUSF.
Professor Sullivan (AAUP-Faculty Association) congratulated Ms. O'Connell for having been elected SGA president.
The Spring meeting of the AAUP-Faculty Association will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday in UU#309.
The elections are in the process of taking place. Ballots have been distributed. There are 3 at-large Senate seats open. The person who comes in 3rd will serve a two year-term. There is also an at-large seat for membership on the Assessment Council.
Ms. O'Connell (SGA) reported that the SGA elections have been concluded. The attendance at Tiger Fest came to 16,000. SGA also participated in a rally on the budget at Lawyers' Mall in Annapolis.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS TO THE UNIVERSITY SENATE
Chairperson Holter announced that Professor Tabak will represent the Senate at the Commencement ceremony for the College of Business and Economics.
She also wanted to express on behalf of the Senate thanks to Interim President Jones and Interim Provost Leather for their service during the past year.
President Caret's transition advisory team is being formed. The Senate needs to select a representative. Professor Siegel nominated Professor Tim Sullivan. Professor Sullivan was elected 17/0/0.
Member-at-Large Berlanstein announced that all but one annual committee report has been turned in.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Professor Vatz moved, Professor Anthony seconded a motion: To accept the report of the Senate Ad Hoc Nominating Committee (Motion 02/03-24).
Professor Siegel asked if there had been thought given to excluding current officers from serving on the committee.
There was a suggestion to delete the word "permanent" in the first sentence.
The final report read as follows:
The responsibilities and procedures for choosing a Senate nominating committee are as follows:
This committee shall be chosen by the Senate Member-at-Large by June 1 of each calendar year and be composed of one Senate member from each of the colleges of the University, plus one student member of the Senate. Each committee member must be a member of the Senate as of September 1 of that calendar year.
The committee shall subsequently choose one or more willing candidates for the University Senate for each of the following positions in the Senate: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Member-at-Large of the Executive Committee, and Parliamentarian.
The Senate will choose from these candidates at the first session of each school year. Candidates may be nominated or self-nominated for all positions from the floor.
Until a new Chair is elected, the old Chair presides. If that person is running for chair again, then he/she should recuse him/herself and turn the running of the election for Chair over to the current Parliamentarian. After the election of the Chair, the new Chair should run the election of the other members of the Executive Committee.
Upon Senate approval, this committee will become a Special Committee of the University Senate.
Professor Vatz called the question. The motion passed 18/0/1.
2. Professor Siegel moved, Professor Sullivan seconded a motion:
To form an ad hoc committee chaired by the Member-at-Large of the Senate with members appointed by the Senate Chair to review the constitution of each of the colleges. The committee shall bring a decision on the legitimacy of each constitution and a recommendation to the Senate as to whether each of the current constitutions is in compliance with Senate regulations and whether it should be approved in its current form if it had not been previously approved. This shall be presented at the first meeting of the Senate in September. Committee membership: one representative from each of the colleges. (Motion 02/03-25).
President Jones provided a little background on the situation. When the College Councils were formed in 1982 they had one year to form a Constitution and By-Laws. A Constitution Committee scrutinized them to see that they were in compliance with the Senate Constitution.
The question is whether colleges have made changes in their constitutions and By-Laws without official approval of the Senate.
Professor Siegel stated that there is a process to be followed and her motion is designed to study and rectify the situation.
Professor Gallagher said that in the past such changes have been brought to the Senate, but apparently this procedure was dropped from the Faculty Handbook. He supports Professor Siegel's motion.
Provost Leather stated that she has asked the deans to look at what needs to be in the handbook regarding the college councils. We need a way to have the Senate review the Faculty Handbook.
Provost Leather suggested that the college councils be charged with doing their own work. We can request the Member-at-Large to ask the college councils to study their constitutions for any changes.
Professor Nelson remarked that the Constitution requires the college councils to take responsibility to bring them to this body.
Professor Zimmerman asked if there are guidelines for college council constitutions. Answer: (President Jones) Yes. The original idea was that each college council would have certain autonomy.
Professor Thavikulwat (from the floor) said that he is pleased that this is being debated, but he asked the question as to whether the present college councils are validly constituted.
The vote was taken. The motion passed 15/4/0.
Chairperson Holter appointed the following senators to this committee:
Ms. Berlanstein, Member-at-Large, Chair
Professor Tabak, representing CBE
Professor Fisher, representing CLA
Professor Blake, representing COE
Professor Anthony, representing COFAC
Professor Lu, representing CSM
Professor Forbes, representing CHP
DISCUSSION ITEM
1. To continue discussion of proposed By-Law changes regarding standing committees of the University Senate.
Student Financial Assistance Committee (formerly Scholarship Committee)
Library Committee
Intercollegiate Athletics Committee
Professor Anthony moved that the Senate move into a Committee of the Whole for purposes of the discussion. There was no objection.
Student Financial Assistance Committee:
It was suggested that the language be modified as follows:
Paragraph 3: Composition: six faculty members, one from each of the six colleges, appointed by the president upon recommendation of their respective college councils, plus two students appointed on recommendation of SGA President. The administrators will serve ex officio, non-voting.
Provost Leather suggested that Lonnie McNew, Associate Vice President for Institutional Research, Enrollment Management and Planning, replace Vice President Rubin.
Library Committee:
It was suggested that the language of paragraph describing the composition of the committee be altered to the following:
The Library Committee shall be composed of six faculty members, one from each of the six colleges; two appointed students (one graduate and one undergraduate); the Ex-officio non voting members are: the Library Director, the Associate Library Director, and a representative from the College of Graduate Education and Research.
Intercollegiate Athletics Committee:
The description of the composition and responsibilities of this committee were approved by the Senate 2/15/97. It would go immediately into the Constitution.
Provost Leather inquired about item I.A. (Participating actively in decisions related to conference affiliation, sports sponsorship, and the selection of an athletic director.) Professor Berkeley responded that the committee has worked independently from the Athletic Director.
The paragraph on Committee was modified as follows:
Faculty Athletics Representative (ex officio, non voting)
Vice President for Administration and Finance or Designee (ex officio, non voting)
Provost or designee (ex officio, non voting)
Two students appointed by the SGA
Six faculty elected from each college
Director of Athletics (ex officio)
Senior Women's Athletics Administrator (ex officio)
Chair, Department of Kinesiology (ex officio)
Director of Campus Recreational Services
Professor Sullivan inquired about the representative to the NCAA. This must be a faculty member. Dean Howard Nixon is currently serving in this capacity.
Professor Forbes moved, Professor Zimmerman seconded a motion to adjourn. The Senate adjourned for the academic year 2002-3.
It thanked the Chairperson for her work this year.
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.