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University Senate
MEMORANDUM
Date: September 24, 2004
To: The Academic Community
From: Debra Berlanstein
Subject: September 20, 2004 - Meeting of the University Senate
The Senate reconvened on September 20, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the University Union, Rooms 314-316.
Professor Leshnoff , Professor Little, Vice-President Harnage, and Vice-President Rubin were excused.
The meeting was called back into session at 4:05 p.m. by Chairperson Sullivan.
AGENDA
The election of the Member-at-Large was added to old business.
PROVOST'S ADDRESS
Chairperson Sullivan introduced Provost James Brennan.
Provost Brennan's remarks were a preview of his address that will be given on October 6, 2004 at the Convocation. A copy of these remarks will be posted on the University web page. A paper copy accompanies these minutes, as well.
Questions from several of the Senate Members followed.
Prof. Vatz asked whether the faculty could be assured that the same amount of travel monies will be available within the new distribution system through the colleges.
Provost Brennan responded that actually more monies were being made available this semester, including $25,000 new monies for student research that included travel, and hopefully an additional $50-75,000 will be allocated in the Spring.
Professor Storrs clarified that currently the project grant monies cannot be used for travel.
Provost Brennan responded that he will investigate amending those rules in the Spring, and encouraged faculty to save their travel receipts for possible retroactive reimbursement.
Prof. Ballengee asked how the increased number of lecturers relates to how Towson negotiates credit hours production with the University System.
Provost Brennan acknowledged that this is a conundrum and will be resolved in the near future. Currently 25% of the faculty is full-time lecturers. He stated that we need to push for a system to recognize all the facets that go into teaching, such as advising.
Prof. Lu stated that it costs a lecturer $800 per month to purchase family benefits.
Prof. Siegel corrected that the University is no longer using PINS, and commented that the proportion of lectureships is worrisome and cause for concern. She stressed the need for shared governance and cited examples relating to how the Honors College relates to all the colleges as well as the Admission Committee being involved in proposals for increased enrollment.
Prof. Sullivan closed the discussion.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prof. Siegel moved and Prof. Cox seconded to approve the minutes of the May 3, 2004 meeting. The motion passed 20-0-0.
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO OFFICERS
Prof. Siegel (CUSF) CUSF met at UMUC. Generally funding is not coming forth from either the federal or state level to address the increase in students. A report from the Task Force on Financial Aid will be coming out soon and will affect us. A new statewide plan from MHEC will be of concern and a draft will be on the Web soon and Prof. Siegel will let us know when it is available. She mentioned on possibility of more college courses taught in the high schools and that we need to be astute regarding this development. CUSF is also staying abreast of the Salary and Benefits Committee who are looking into retirement plans. She also stressed the importance of submitting Towson faculty to be considered for the Regent's Faculty Awards. There is a Nov. 1 deadline. Also, faculty can be involved in a variety of CUSF committees (online learning, workload) and anyone interested should contact her.
Prof. Zimmerman commented that the faculty can suggest names for these awards to their Dean, who can in turn submit them to the Provost. He urged colleagues to come forth with nominations.
Vice-President Moriarty reported that she has been on campus since August 2 and has met with Student Affairs staff, as well as students and faculty. She also met with the new faculty and attended the Provost's retreat. She is especially interested in how student affairs can partner with the academic affairs unit to enhance both the in-class and out of class student experience. A major part of her vision is that Towson students feel connected to the University. She believes the orientation programs in place are an excellent start. She pointed out that numbers are up in the use of the Counseling Center (a nationwide trend), highlighted the alcohol.edu program for alcohol education and the healthy campus initiative led by Jane Halpern and Maggie Reitz. There will also be a leadership education, program that includes a 6-day off-campus program for first and second year students. There will be a call for nominations for this program shortly. Lastly she announced the name change to "Campus Life" from the former "Student Involvement and Transition."
Prof. Jay Zimmerman (AAUP) announced that the membership drive was in gear and dues are $15. He urges all faculty members to join the AAUP. They are drafting a position paper on Dean's Merit and it was sent out to the membership for comments. It will be edited to reflect some of these suggestions. This response led to contacting CIAT to arrange for an ongoing online discussion list for AAUP issues. It will be set up in the near future. Additionally, the Junior Faculty Committee met regularly over the summer with Provost Brennan, and Prof. Ballengee will report on that committee.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Election of the Member-at-Large.
Prof. Vatz moved that Prof. Cynthia Hartzler-Miller be nominated for the position of Member-at-Large. Prof. Holter seconded.
Prof. Siegel moved that nominations be closed and Prof. Stein seconded.
Prof. Vatz called for the vote.
Prof. Hartzler-Miller was elected unanimously, 20-0-0.
2. Report of the Senate Workload Committee
Prof. David Vanko, Dept. of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences was available for questions.
Prof. Lu raised the question of how the variations between departments in calculating workload interface with how we report productivity to the USM.
Prof. Siegel asked if the Senate could see the recommendations that were sent to the Board of Regents regarding calculating faculty workload.
Prof. Pitcher commented that the document being considered by the Board could answer some of the questions being asked.
Prof. Stein asked how things like independent study are handled.
Prof. Vatz moved and Prof. Tabak seconded the motion that the Senate receive the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Workloads. The motion passed unanimously 18-0-0.
Prof. Siegel moved and Prof. Tabak seconded the motion that the Senate accepts the italicized recommendations of the committee. Discussion followed.
Prof. Pitcher stated that the methods need to remain diverse, but we need guidelines.
Chairperson Sullivan stressed the importance of peers reviewing your work.
Prof. Pitcher stated that individuals can be involved in their workload plan.
Prof. Siegel stressed that these guidelines made locally by departments need to be consistent with the Board of Regents requirements.
Prof. Zimmerman commented that it is very important that everything be written down and out in the open.
Prof. Lu asked if different course levels, 500, 600, etc. are counted differently.
Associate Provost Leather answered that 1 course unit = 3 credits no matter what.
Prof. Siegel pointed out that the rules have not changed with changes in our functions, e.g. more graduate student teaching.
Jay Zimmerman asked that the committee react after the Board of Regents comes back with a response.
Prof. Fisher asked for clarification regarding bullet number one and what is meant by "open and inclusive".
Prof. Vanko explained that in the past some departments had a small group making decisions. The inclusion of the statement was meant to insure full participation.
The motion was called. It passed 18-1-0.
3. Status Report of the New Faculty Committee
Prof. Ballengee reported that the committee met over the summer with Provost Brennan and had some excellent conversations and sharing of ideas.
Provost Brennan stated that the education of a provost was accomplished.
3. Motion 03/04-33) Status of the Academic Standards Committee study regarding elimination of the C- grade.
Prof. Craig Johnson, Chairman of the Academic Standards Committee was available for questions. Ms. Accardi questioned the fairness of keeping the C- if there is no A+ on the other end to balance.
Prof. Johnson explained that not many other schools would be able to understand a grade over 4.0 on a transcript. He stressed that grades are a measure of student performance and that keeping the C- may help some faculty do that effectively.
Prof. Lu moved and Prof. Roberge seconded the motion to accept the report. The motion passed 20-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Motion 04/05-1. To change the name of the "College of Graduate Education and Research" to "College of Graduate Studies and Research".
Dean Gong was available for questions. He stated that the name has caused confusion with the actual subject of Education. This is a name commonly used across the country at many institutions.
Prof. Lu moved and Prof. Cox seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 20-0-0.
2. Motion 04/05-2. To approve the separation of the Department of Marketing and Management into two departments: Department of Management and Department of Marketing and E-Business.
Prof. Louise Laurence was available for questions. She explained that the departments had merged years ago, it was an unhappy merger and since then they separated back into two departments but it was never officially recognized by the Senate.
Prof. Siegel moved and Prof. Cox seconded the motion to accept the separation. The motion passed unanimously 20-0-0.
3. Motion 04/05-3. To approve the transition from interdisciplinary study to Department of Family Studies.
Dean Rita Marinho and Prof. Karen Eskow were present to entertain questions. Dean Marinho stated that the program began in 1999 and has grown significantly to include 165 majors. She believes the program deserves the status and recognition of being a full department. Discussion ensued.
Prof. Zimmerman asked how many faculty members were in the department and whether or not the bureaucratic transfer had been approved.
Prof. Eskow answered that there are 2 tenure track faculty and 1 full-time lecturer. They have extensive expansion plans.
Prof. Stein moved to table the motion until the next meeting. Prof. Hartzler-Miller seconded. The motion was defeated 7-11-1.
Discussion continued. Prof. Pitcher expressed concern that this would open the door for lots of other programs to ask to become departments.
Prof. Culpepper asked if there would be a financial impact. Provost Brennan explained that the impact would be minimal but the monies would be handled differently. He supported the motion and said that becoming a department provides a platform for future growth that is expected.
Prof. Hartzler-Miller asked if having a Chair would be an increased expense.
Provost Brennan said they would make the adjustment and it did not amount to much money.
Prof. Zimmerman commented that if it was a department it would be easier to recruit new full-time faculty. Prof. Eskow agreed.
Prof. Siegel expressed concern about the implications this move would have on the program directors of other interdisciplinary programs.
Prof. Vatz stated that we should not feel rushed to vote on this motion.
Prof. Roberge stated that this clearly had support from the Dean and the Provost and that we had all the information we were likely to get to make this decision.
Prof. Zimmerman moved and Prof. Cox seconded that we call the question.
The motion passed 14-2-4.
The Senate adjourned at 6:30 P.M.