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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: October 6, 2004
To: The Academic Community
From: Debra Berlanstein
Subject: October 6, 2004 - Meeting of the University Senate
The Senate met on October 4, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the University Union, Rooms 314-316.
President Caret, Vice-President Rubin, Vice-President Harnage, Professor Little, and Professor Stein were excused.
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chairperson Sullivan.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairperson Sullivan raised the issue of the C- grade and explained that we had received the report from the Academic Standards Committee but we did not have a clear idea of how we should proceed to a conclusion.
Prof. Zimmerman remarked that he thought the conclusions of the Academic Standards Committee were clearly in favor of retaining the C-.
Prof. Roberge moved to place the issue on the agenda for the November meeting.
Prof. Zimmerman suggested we should invite the Chair of that committee back to the Senate meeting in November.
Prof. Cox seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed 21-0-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS The minutes of the September 13 and 20, 2004 meetings were unanimously approved.
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO SENATORS
Provost Brennan reported that we are in the process of getting guidance from the USM regarding the budget for fiscal year 06, including the tuition and fee structure. A draft is circulating of reports to the Regents from the Efficiency and Effectiveness (E&E) Committees. Some of the proposals do have academic consequences, e.g. 12 credits to be taken non-traditionally in the form of internships, online courses, etc. Other issues include a cap on credit limit for the degree and incentives or disincentives for students regarding progress toward the degree.
Convocation is scheduled for October 6 at 4 p.m. and the Provost will elaborate on the President's 2010 vision and translate it into a tactical plan for the Academic Division.
A draft of the workload statistics for last year has been submitted. We provided data for full time core faculty as well as data for lecturers. We are hoping that both kinds of data will be accepted. It appears that we are on track to reach the right target area.
Professor Ballengee asked if Provost's Brennan's convocation remarks will be posted on the Web. Provost Brennan replied that they would.
Professor Sullivan asked if there was any update on the MBA proposal.
Provost Brennan reported that there is an agreement with the University of Baltimore for 2 additional tracks for a joint degree in Business Security and Sports Management. Courses would be offered on both campuses and joint faculty would report to one director. We have approved the program and UB has sent it to their Board of Visitors. It should go to the Graduate Council in November and then to the Board of Regents in December. UMUC is also submitting a proposal for a program in Global Business Management and there is concern that we don't overlap.
Professor Leshnoff asked to clarify if instructors were included in the workload statistics.
Provost Brennan responded that we have compromised and reported the numbers in two ways, with just core faculty numbers and also combined numbers including instructors. The average core workload is not above 7 at this point.
Vice-President Moriarty reported that she is making it a priority to work with students and find effective ways to engage them in the Towson University community. This includes identifying committees where students are needed and making certain they are trained appropriately for work on these committees.
Provost Brennan stated that the football games and the marching band have been wonderful and encouraged faculty to attend.
Professor Vatz echoed that sentiment.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) reported that the revised reappointment and tenure document was passed by the BOR Education Policy Committee and will go to the Regents in October. She believes it will serve us well. CUSF is keeping abreast of the upcoming E&E report and the MHEC state plan, since there are some prominent politicians in the group working on that. CUSF is also sending a letter to the Governor regarding health care costs and the COLA.
Professor Zimmerman (AAUP) reports that they have finished a position paper on Dean's Merit and shared it with the Provost. They are still working on setting up an electronic discussion board for AAUP issues.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Informational item: Draft of "Consensual Relations with Students" Policy (Provost Brennan)
Provost Brennan presented the reasons that this document has been written. Several unfortunate incidents have taken place during his short time at Towson. He saw legal problems at his former University and feels strongly that we need to have a clear policy to prevent that from developing here. This policy will be presented to the President's Council and it is necessary to protect the University. The faculty-student relationship is a power relationship and it is these power issues that create the need for this policy.
Professor Vatz requested that the word "amorous" be removed from the first paragraph. He also suggested that the last sentence not end with "dismissal."
Provost Brennan agreed with striking the work "amorous" but felt that we should keep "dismissal" to remain explicit about what will occur if the policy is violated.
Professor Tabak added that this is a hot topic in the corporate world due to increased liability and that it is important to be proactive.
Ms. Dupas asked the Provost whether he was going to consider other opinions.
Provost Brennan stressed that we must have a legal statement immediately that will include all students, undergraduate and graduate. It will cover the time period that the faculty member has any supervision over the student. If there is a pre-existing relationship, the faculty member will need to recuse him/herself from any situation that involves any academic judgment over the student.
Professor Zimmerman commented that the term "future" was vague and asked that it be clarified.
Provost Brennan agreed to check with legal counsel regarding the wording.
Professor Lu questioned which body would receive this policy.
Professor Vatz offered a point of information that the Senate is an advisory body and that all our decisions can be overturned by the President or the Provost.
Ms Accardi asked for clarification regarding the policy and a relationship between a student and faculty member when they have no academic connection.
Professor Siegel stated that the document was somewhat unclear, particularly the use of the phrase "future relationship". She asked that a reference to the section of the Faculty Handbook regarding due process be included in the document.
Provost Brennan agreed with that suggestion.
Professor Vatz called for a sense of the Senate resolution "to support the "Consensual Relations with Students" document without the word "amorous", as well as the inclusion of the reference to the Faculty Handbook.
The motion passed 20-1-0.
2. Motion 03/04-23:
To approve the ratification of the College Constitution and By-Laws of the College of Health Professions.
Dean Exner was available for questions. Two typographical errors were pointed out on page two.
Professor Lu made a motion to approve the constitution. Professor Vatz seconded. The motion passed 21-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Motion 04/05-4:
To confer Faculty Emeritus status on the designated persons on the list attached. .
Chairperson Sullivan acknowledged the many contributions of those listed and read their names into the record.
Professor Siegel moved and Prof. Zimmerman seconded to confer Faculty Emeritus status on the designees. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Motion 04/05-5:
To receive the annual report of the Library Committee.
Professor Zimmerman, Chair was available for questions.
Ms. Berlanstein moved and Prof. Roberge seconded to receive the report.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. Motion 04/05-6:
To receive the annual report of the Admissions Committee.
Prof. James Hull, Chair, was available for questions.
Prof. Vatz made the motion to receive the report. Professor Fisher seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
4. Motion 04/05-7:
To receive the annual report of the University Curriculum Committee.
Ms. Eleanore Hofstetter was available for questions.
Prof. Roberge made the motion to receive the report. Professor Culpepper seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
5. Motion 04/05-8:
To receive the annual report of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Professor Cox was available for questions.
Professor Wengert made the motion to receive the report. Professor Culpepper seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
Professor Zimmerman made the motion to adjourn. Professor Siegel second.
The Senate adjourned at 5:20 p.m.