Seton Hall Universityfaculty Senate

SETON HALL UNIVERSITYFACULTY SENATE

Meeting of September 5, 2014

1:00 p.m.

Beck Rooms

Walsh Library

Agenda

1. Sign in for quorum

Mary Balkun, C Lynn Carr, Gita Das Bender, Rick Dool, Patrick Fisher, Amy Hunter, Nathaniel Knight, Diana Alvarez-Amell, Tin-Chun Chu, Martha Easton, Jonathan Farina, Sean Harvey, Mark Molesky, Mehmet Sahiner, Kelly Shea, Kyle Heim, Theresa Henry, Hongfei Tang, A.D. Amar, Elizabeth McCrea, John Shannon, Anca Grecu-Cotet,Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj, Luke Stedrak, Gerard Babo, Beth Bloom, John Irwin, Alan Delozier,Judith Lothian, Judith Lucas, Judith Egan, Mary Patricia Wall, Eric Johnston, Philip Moremen, Benjamin Goldfrank, Irene De Masi, Mara Podvey, Richard Boergers

2. Call to order

*The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m.

3. Communications from Provost Robinson

Dr. Robinson discussed this year’s enrollment and related figures. Freshmen enrollment is 1265, which is in the predicted 1250-1275 range. Average SATs are up 9 points to 1131. Our yield was 13%, compared to 15% last year. The freshmen retention rate is 85%. Enrollment of transfer students is down by 90. This drop was anticipated and budget planning reflects those lower numbers. Dr. Robinson stated that in comparison to last year, graduate enrollment is up with 884 graduate students enrolled this semester compared to 853 in the previous academic year.

Dr. Robinson stressed the importance of enrollment rates, as Seton Hall University is 90% tuition driven. The University is seeing competition for its students as its reputation increases. Peer or stronger schools have comparable or greater discount rates; lesser competitors are exceeding our discount rate.

Dr. Robinson expressed that although the university has lost 90 transfer students, enrollment rates are positive. The university met enrollment goals at an undergraduate level and stabilized the number of graduate students. The university’s current plan is to maintain the enrollment range that we currently have at the undergraduate level. The retention rate went up for freshmen students. The student population will grow by retaining current students. 2600 beds are currently filled on campus, which is a 97% occupation rate.

Questions:

Q: A Senator asked Provost Robinson about the possibility of cost-of-living raise.

A: Dr. Robinson stated that he has previously discussed this issue and that the plan is for a 2% raise. He stated that the university is currently looking into this matter and that a decision should be made relatively soon.

Q: A Senator asked Provost Robinson what is the desired ratio of graduate to undergraduate students nationally.

A: Dr. Robinson stated that he felt that it is best to have graduate students make up 1/3 of the campus population or less. However, he discussed the proliferation of graduate programs in universities in the 80s and 90s. Dr. Robinson stated that Seton Hall University has a substantial number of excellent graduate programs. Dr. Robinson expressed he would like to shift the university’s ratio by growing the undergraduate population deliberately and gradually, while maintaining the current number of graduate students. Dr. Robinson stated he would like to monitor current graduate programs to assure that they maintain their level of excellence.

Q: A Senator mentioned the funding that is placed into graduate Centers of Excellence and asked if this funding could be extended to other departments.

A: Dr. Robinson stated that selective investment in high-performing Centers of Excellence is part of the University’s strategic plan. By definition, not all departments can be considered Centers of Excellence. Dr. Robinson expressed that the university will regularly review Centers of Excellence and continue to fund and move forward with the strategic plan. However, the university is still strongly committed to departments outside of the Centers of Excellence.

4. Approval of agenda without objection

5. Approval of thedraft minutesof the June 6 meeting without objection

6. Executive Committeereport was received without objection

7. Reports of standing and special committees

a. Academic Facilities Committee report

*This report was added shortly prior to the meeting. Dr. Stern summarized the report for the Faculty Senate.

b. Compensation and Welfare Committeereport

c. Faculty Development Committeereport

i. The committee discussed the possibility of amending the description of the committee, as stated in Faculty Senate By-law XIX, which currently reads:

The Faculty Development Committee shall make recommendations to the Senate on matters relating to the professional development of faculty members, such as research, publication and travel support, and other University policies affecting faculty members’ professional development.

Motion: The committee would like to explicitly add teaching and service to the description so that it better reflects all areas of Faculty responsibilities. Therefore, the committee proposes the following change to the Faculty Senate By-law:

The Faculty Development Committee shall make recommendations to the Senate on matters relating to the professional development of faculty members, such asresearch and publication, travel support,teaching, service, as well asother University policies affecting faculty members’professional development.

This serves as a first reading of the proposed change.

d. Faculty Guide and Bylaws Committeereport

* Dr. Balkun stated that the committee met on Wednesday, September 3. The committee’s main item of business is to make revisions to the Faculty Guide.

e. Graduate Studies Committeereport

*Dr. Kelly Shea, chair of the committee, stated that the committee is currently reviewing the number of graduate students and the ratio issue mentioned by Dr. Robinson. Dr. Shea stated that the committee is also reviewing faculty work and the added commitment of assisting graduate students. Faculty work with graduate students on their theses and dissertations, but this additional work is not formally written into their contracts. In addition, the committee is examining the issue of graduate course evaluations.

f. Library Committeereport

g. Program Review Committeereport

*Dr. Balkun, chair of the committee, stated that the committee requested individual evaluations from the Dean of Arts & Sciences for each A&S program in the Spring of 2014, but originally received group evaluations. The individual evaluations were submitted over the summer and the committee hopes to review them all during the fall.

8. Committees with no reports

a. Academic Policy Committee

b. Admissions Committee

c. Calendar Committee

d. Core Curriculum Committee

*Beth Bloom, chair of the committee, remarked that members are needed from the School of Education.

e. Faculty Grievance Committee

f. Instructional Technology Committee

g. Nominations, Elections, and Appointments Committee

h. Intellectual Property Task Force

9. Committee Motions

a.Faculty Development Committee

i. The committee discussed the possibility of amending the description of the committee, as stated in Faculty Senate By-law XIX, which currently reads:

Motion: The committee proposes the following change to the Faculty Senate By-law:

This serves as a first reading of the proposed change.

* A Senator asked what the committee meant by faculty service. Dr. McCrea gave an example describing how faculty may need specialized training in certain areas such as interviewing for a new faculty member. Service could include faculty training on the best way to interview for a potential colleague. Dr. McCrea expressed that although the proposed change includes adding service to the By-Law, the focus will be more on teaching and research.

10. Old Business

None

11. New Business

None

12. Communications

None

13. Adjournment

*The meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m.