Date: March 8, 2005
To: The Academic Community
From: Debra Berlanstein, Secretary
Subject: March 7, 2005 - Meeting of the University Senate
The seventh regular meeting of the University Senate was held on March 7, 2005, in the University Union, Rooms 314-316. The meeting was called to order at 4:06 P.M.
Professor Holter moved that we deal with New Business before Old Business out of respect for the guests attending. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the February 7 and 21, 2005 meetings were approved, 16-0-2.
REPORTS OF EX OFFICIO SENATORS
President Caret gave an update on what is occurring in Annapolis. We are currently in a legislative cycle and he has been testifying on Towson's budget. In Maryland the Legislature can only subtract from the Governor's budget. His job is to "beg" them not to reduce the proposed budget. He was there 3 days last week and felt they were good sessions. There are a few small issues being raised (e.g. how we teach reading to our future teachers). Towson is at a crossroads because we believe we should grow, and we represent 44% of the growth slated for all USM institutions (not counting UMUC), but we also need to be sure that the funding will be there to support that growth. We will need more residence halls, more classroom space, more faculty, etc. If the funding is not there, we will remain the same size or even shrink. If we are to grow, state support needs to increase and we will rely less on tuition support. On April 20 the Board of Regents will hold a one-day retreat where the college presidents will present their cases, the philosophy of the system will be discussed and campus growth will be on the agenda.
Professor Vatz asked if all of Towson's tuition dollars go to Towson. President Caret answered that they do, but it is complicated and we don't get the state funding dollars needed. We are currently receiving between $4200 and $4400/per FTE, with $5000 being the suggested level of funding.
Professor Vatz asked if the President had any predictions on growth and funding for Towson.
President Caret answered that it looks like the system wants the comprehensives to grow and Towson to be the growth institution. However, we will go quickly to Plan B if money is not forthcoming.
Professor Ballengee asked whether there were plans for more faculty lines and whether or not we should expect larger classes. Also, she wondered if salaries would be commensurate with teaching larger sections and larger faculty/student ratios.
President Caret replied that we cannot grow without more faculty lines. We need to evaluate whether we should increase the number of tenure track positions, where we stand in relation to the AAUP salary scales, and whether some of the growth will be off-site, such as distance education courses, satellite centers or programs with the community colleges.
Professor Roberge asked whether or not the budget is locked in.
President Caret explained that the Governor and his team with the system put together a budget, and it is not likely to shift too much. After the retreat in April the Chancellor's staff will draft a report on where we are going over the next few months. They are supportive of the no growth/no money stance.
Professor Pitcher asked if there was any real momentum to pass legislation on how we teach reading to future teachers.
President Caret stated that curriculum is a faculty responsibility and we are the experts. Usually legislators will stay out of that area and he is hopeful that it will not get to that stage.
Professor Sullivan reminded the Senators that President Caret's testimony will be posted on the Web.
Provost Brennan announced that a report on the January 12 conference and the discussion board (including directions to participate) are on the web at http://www.towson.edu/provost. The first theme to be discussed there is workload. The System has approved our workload document. There are new initiatives underway to increase summer and minimester enrollment. We have seen erosion over the last two years. We are hoping to offer courses that would be advantageous for our students and students from other colleges including more upper level courses and courses that are difficult to get into in the Fall and Spring. Work is going on for the fiscal 06 budget and more information will be forwarded to the Resource Planning Committee of the Senate. Also a report on advising is being generated by the Associate Deans and Associate Provost Leather which will cover the integration of advising with the degree audit function in PeopleSoft. He is also working with the Deans on a plan for program development, elimination and enhancement.
Professor Sullivan asked about job searches and how successful we have been in our recent searches. He also inquired whether we were losing faculty or having difficulty recruiting in light of the workload and salary issues.
Provost Brennan answered that to his knowledge we have only lost one faculty member related to workload. A counter-offer was made to address that faculty member's concerns, but he chose to accept the other university's offer. There are currently approximately 20-25 searches underway.
Professor Rosecky mentioned that he had heard rumors that there were recruiting difficulties in the College of Business and Economics related to workload and salary.
Professor Vatz stated that a candidate visiting today was confused by the workload guidelines and that it may be a problem as we interview other candidates.
Provost Brennan reiterated that new faculty hires are promised a 3/3 load for the first 3 years and then their records will be evaluated based on their research potential.
Professor Vatz stated that this was a difficult concept to get across.
President Caret stressed that the beauty of Towson and the kind of institution we are is the ability to have a flexible policy.
Professor Siegel stated that it is a confusing message. We need to define what kind of institution we are and what we aspire to be and figure out if we have the potential to become a research intensive university with a 3/3 load.
President Caret stated that with the full-time lecturers we can get to our number with most faculty on a 3/3 load.
Professor Leshnoff wanted clarification that the target range for course load is between 7 and 8.
Provost Brennan answered that the mandated course load is 7.5. This is the institutional average and should not be scrutinized at the department level.
Professor Roberge asked to clarify how we are counting the number of courses and if we are counting them in a way that is beneficial for Towson.
Provost Brennan agreed that his suggestions made sense but that it is a complex situation.
Vice-President Rubin reported that we are working hard to raise more money. A capital campaign will be coming shortly and we are trying to decide what goal should be set. He encouraged faculty to pass on any leads of possible donations to the University and partner with the administration in that process.
Vice-President Clements held his report in the interest of time.
Professor Siegel (CUSF) CUSF will meet on March 15. The 3-day undergraduate research days in Annapolis were successful. She thanked President Caret for stopping by. There are some bills in the House that need our attention including those dealing with teaching reading, American Sign Language as a foreign language, and HB 964, that has some frightening ideas that need our attention.
Professor Zimmerman further discussed the academic freedom issues related to HB964. The National AAUP has notes on their website discussing this bill see http://www.aaup.org/Issues/ABOR/aborintro2.htm. Pat Shaw visited from the National AAUP and it has come to their attention that we are in violation of AAUP rules, since all members are required to be members of the National AAUP. This is being investigated.
Professor Holter asked if there were any specifics that could be shared regarding the academic freedom legislation.
Professor Siegel gave the example of the legislation requiring faculty to present all dissenting points of view on an issue.
Mr. Schlosser (SGA) reported on the SGA initiative to lobbying for capping tuition costs and he will be testifying in Annapolis to this end. The SGA is trying to increase participation in campus events. This Thursday is Tiger Spirit Day with events planned leading up to the first lacrosse game. He also announced that invitations are going out for Towson's Elite on April 28 (Minnegan Room), a program to increase faculty/student interaction.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Motion 04/05-17
To accept the proposal for a Master of Science in Integrated Homeland Security Management and Certificate in Risk Assessment and Management.
Prof. Jin Gong was available for questions. He presented an overview of the program and explained that there is representation from four colleges. Extensive research was conducted about what was currently available across the country and what was needed. There are only a few existing programs and they do not necessarily address the needs of the workplace. A committee of outside consultants was called together for input about how to best design the program.
Professor Rosecky asked which college would actually house the program.
Professor Gong replied that it would be shared by four colleges and housed in CGER.
Professor Siegel expressed concern that the program director be someone with an academic appointment and was uneasy about the precedent of housing a program in CGER.
Provost Brennan explained that this was a unique program that involved four colleges of the University, without any one college taking ownership. It will have a program director with an academic appointment and its placement in CGER allows it to keep this intercollegiate arrangement. We are responding to an opportunity in a very competitive graduate market and this structure was a logical organization. There will be academic oversight of the program.
Professor Lu stated that all courses were developed by faculty members, and an advisory committee will oversee the program with a member from each of the four colleges.
Professor Zimmerman asked about resources including space allocation and library resources.
Professor Gong pointed out the budget in the proposal for library resources.
Provost Brennan remarked that much of the program will be held offsite at government work sites.
Professor Rosecky asked that the title of the program be changed, specifically its use of the word management. He said that often the AACSB makes assumptions about any program with that word present.
Professor Storrs suggested that perhaps the title should read "Certificate in Assessment and Management of Risk."
Professor Lu moved to call the question. Professor Siegel seconded. The motion carried 19-0-0 to accept the proposal with minor editorial changes.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Motion 04/05-16:
Continued discussion: To accept the proposed changes to Chapter 3, Part IV of the Faculty Handbook
Professor Goins reminded everyone that we are still in the Committee of the Whole from the previous meeting.
Professor Vatz reported that he had queried the COFAC faculty for reactions and the overall sentiment was negative regarding the 4 levels of merit which many viewed as adding a disproportionate amount of work for larger departments. They also felt that the proposed changes would make Towson a campus that is overly concerned with P&T issues.
Professor Zimmerman pointed out that although he agrees with some of those points the new document the transparency it offers makes him think we should go ahead with the document.
Professor Siegel suggested that a middle road may be to strike portions that we disagree with, e.g. the dual system, but keep the remainder of the new changes.
Professor Zimmerman noted that most people seem to agree that the rank committees will stay in place in the departments.
Professor Taylor referred to the existing document and pointed out that the changes the committee has put forward do not include any changes regarding those departmental committees.
Professor Sullivan stated that the fear is that there will be separate tracks of evaluation and that the Department P&T committee and the Deans and Chairs will write separate recommendations.
Professor Lu suggested that more discussion needs to take place regarding the role of the Chair and the Dean. They are not the same, and the Chair is with the faculty on a daily basis.
Professor Rosecky suggested that if the Chair is to write a separate evaluation, then he should not be a voting member of the committee.
Professor Vatz stressed that the Chair should be cooperating with the committee and his remarks should not be a surprise to the committee.
Professor Roberge commented that the advantage to each party writing letter is that all positions are put in writing.
Professor Cox mentioned the importance of being mindful of the P&T calendar when considering any changes.
Professor Sullivan noted the lateness of the hour and suggested we continue the discussion at the next Senate meeting on April 4. He asked that people forward some options in writing to him that we can then consider at that meeting.
Professor Siegel suggested forming a small subcommittee to put these ideas in writing.
Professor Siegel moved to adjourn. Professor Zimmerman seconded. The vote was unanimous and the Senate adjourned at 6:05 P.M.
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