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FACULTY SENATE MINUTES, FRIDAY JANUARY 31, 2014

3:08-4:30 p.m., 1066 McGOWAN HALL

Senators present: Tom Kent, Alex Dawoody, Bill Conlogue, Sr. Katie Clauss, Agnes Cardoni, Sr. Mary AnnZimmer, Sarah Kenehan, Shelby Yeager, Lori Swanchak, Rick Hoffenberg, Stephanie Wise, Linda Partridge, Annette Fisher, Kerri Tobin, Jen Barna

Excused: Phil Jenkins, Alex Vari, James Eckler

Others present: Charles Truitt, Andrea Novak, Sheri Skretski

Minutes submitted by: Linda Partridge, Rick Hoffenberg, Agnes Cardoni

TOPIC / DISCUSSION / ACTION
REVIEW OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 8 MEETING / No discussion. / Minutes were approved as read.
OLD BUSINESS
Faculty Development Funding
Learning Commons
NEW BUSINESS
Code of Conduct
Moodle
Clinical Faculty Proposal
Merit Restructuring
Parking
Additional Senate Meeting / Concern has been raised about cuts in funding and the different valuation placed on scholarly activities. We should ask chairs about the value accorded to poster presentations at conferences for FARs, as reflected in the small amounts available to support poster presentations. Attending conferences is now devalued to only $200 per faculty member per year, but we can ask department chairs or deans for additional money. The question arose whether we could save up over the years, i.e. “bank” monies. Could those who haven’t requested funds for a number of years ask for extra funding? The problem is that nothing is left in the Faculty Development budget by the end of the academic year.
The task force presented a draft statement. Senators discussed editorial changes to the statement’s form and content; sought a balanced emphasis on past events vs. future senatorial responsibilities; and “volunteered” another Senator to serve on the task force.
Linda Partridge announced that a revised iteration of the Code of Conduct is being sent to the Policy Committee for approval. It is essentially the version that was crafted by the Faculty Senate task force last year, with a few additions (for instance, a paragraph on consequences).
Some faculty had raised concerns about problems with the transfer of Moodle systems, and the apparent need for more technical people to support the change. Linda Partridge spoke with Kathy Lewis, who believes we are past the log jam. If not, the Senate could lend a voice in requesting extra support.
Lori Swanchak and Stephanie Wise presented a proposal to change wording in the Faculty Handbook regarding promotion of clinical faculty. Nine different departments have clinical faculty. The new language clarifies criteria: clinical faculty members are responsible for teaching and service, but research/scholarship is, instead, professional expertise. The “appropriate graduate degree” is to be determined by each discipline.
Linda Partridge announced that The Merit Restructuring Committee has set a two-phase agenda. (1) The Committee proposes to work to combine the annual Self-Evaluation document (for non-tenured faculty) and Faculty Activity Report, both to be due late spring: and (2) the Committee plans ongoing discussions about criteria listed in the two documents in order to assure that they are aligned with one another and with Rank and Tenure language. The Senate agreed that the agenda is appropriate and the Merit Restructuring Committee should proceed with these discussions.
Linda asked for a discussion about Merit Restructuring Committee membership. Who should be selected to serve, and how? Tenured faculty? Non-tenured? Clinical? A suggestion was made that instead of electing representatives by college, they should perhaps be elected by rank.
Faculty have complaints about new parking restrictions. / We will initiate dialogue with the Faculty Development Committee, and Sr. Angela Kim will be invited to the next meeting.
Discussion will be continued at the next meeting.
No action required.
No action required.
The Senate voted to bypass the required second reading. A motion to support the revision regarding promotion of clinical faculty, and expedite its move to the Policy Committee, was then made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
The discussion will be continued at the next meeting.
A Senator will contact the Parking Committee.
Because of the backlog of issues, the Senate voted to hold an additional (“short”) meeting on February 21.
ADJOURNMENT / The meeting adjourned at 4:30.