Undergraduate Curriculum Forum (UCF)

Minutes March 13, 2003 (amended)

Present:

J. Tait, C. Coron, T. Paddock, S. Bochain, G. DeJarnette, C. Ogbaa, C. Barrett, M. Thompson,, K. Gatzke, R. Page, S. Lueder, M. Colleary, T. Gemme, C. Novosad, C. Durwin, N. Henderson, M. Heidmann, W. Elwood, J. DeMarco, J. Halstead, K. Mauro, T. Vu, S. Jackson, A. Abugri, N. Marano, R. Glinka, S. DiFrancesco, K. Buterbaugh, W. O'Brien, V. Breslin, J. Pang, R. Mugno, L. Cruz, H. Podnar, D. Soneson, K. Burke, W. Shyam

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Jim Tait at 9:45 a.m.

II. Announcements

The library is asking for UCF support concerning the library budget. A proposal will be submitted to UCF and the Faculty Senate. Budget cuts mean less hours and services, such as periodicals, so a 7.5% increase is necessary just to keep the status quo.

The motion to accept and support this resolution was made by Karen Burke and seconded by Bill Elwood.

Whereas, the library is essential to a university's academic mission; Whereas, the library is the intellectual center of the university; Whereas, the undergraduate and graduate programs depend heavily upon the holdings in Buley Library; Whereas, budget cuts in the last year have drastically cut funding for books and other library materials; Whereas cuts in the materials budget for Buley Library will have a devastating effect on its holdings and on academic programs at SCSU; Therefore, be it resolved that the library materials budget be increased by 7.5% for academic year 2003-2004 (from $1,898,965 to $2,042,387).

Mark Heidmann noted that we need to see the allocation before we vote for a budget increase for the library, and made a motion to table discussion on this resolution pending further information on what priorities would be displaced if additional funding for the library were approved. Sandy Lueder noted that it is impossible to know allocation beforehand, and to wait until allocations are determined is to wait too long.

The motion to table was rejected, with only 2 votes in favor.

The motion to accept this resolution of support carried, with 27 in favor, 0 opposing, and 3 abstentions.

The Gen Ed forum requests faculty recommendations for thoughtful student speakers. Please talk to potentially interested students, and send contact information to Cara Hood.

The writing contest will begin shortly, and faculty are encouraged to submit the best L course student essays they have evaluated over the last 3 semesters. Cash and publication prizes will be awarded. For details, contact Mark Heidmann.

III. Approval of Meeting Minutes

The UCF minutes of 2/27/03 were approved, with a few grammatical corrections. Cynthia Coron was thanked for her service as chair, and Susan Tiso for her service as secretary.

IV. Standing Committee Reports

Steering Committee did not meet due to inclement weather.

Notifications Management (NMC) minutes of 3/6/03 were accepted.

New Programs and Innovations (NPIC) did not meet due to inclement weather.

Program Review and Assessment (PRAC) minutes of 3/6/03 were accepted.

There is some confusion over the relationship between assessment and resource allocation. Some communications suggest a direct link, where Deans will allocate resources based on assessment information, and if you do not comply, your department may face cuts. In contrast, Mark Heidmann conveyed a message from Phil Smith that he will be flexible, and will not demand a 5-year assessment cycle. External reviewers are excluded only for this year, and will be in the budget next year. He also will commit to targeted goals and objectives to follow through on assessments.

Troy Paddock noted that there are communication problems between the office of assessment and the Deans that complicate matters. Ken Gatzke noted that a larger problem is the public perception that nothing comes of assessment efforts - they seem to disappear down a black hole. Cynthia Coron noted that a lack of communication about assessment efforts and follow-through among departments contributes to this problem.

Cynthia concluded that, like it or not, assessment is being prescribed, and will not go away. Increasingly, there will be punitive consequences for departments who do not comply. Faculty feedback will be necessary to make sure these assessment requirements are appropriate. Jim Tait promised to make this issue a priority item on the agenda in the near future.

Troy Paddock noted the underlying problem is that some administrators seem to view assessment as an end in itself, rather than as a tool. Rob Page commented that perhaps assessment is becoming an end in itself, and should be treated as such. In business, some assessment efforts are necessary to establish external legitimacy, even if they serve no useful purpose in internal effectiveness or efficiency. Businesses cope with these requirements through established sets of ceremonial activities which establish legitimacy, even if they are not applied and implemented to improve effectiveness. Perhaps we need a set of routine, user-friendly assessment routines to satisfy external examiners, and use a more comprehensive assessment process only when resource commitments justify it.

University-Wide Impact (UWIC) did not meet due to inclement weather.

V. Discussion

Faculty Layoffs

The administration has reallocated all new hire search slots to retaining laid-off faculty. This was the result of efforts by the administration, and public pressure from a number of sources. For example, a lawsuit challenging the Governor has been launched by the unions. Layoffs seem to have targeted union members. Also, layoffs for economic reasons are permitted only if university system declares a state of "financial exigency," which has not been done. The following resolution was proposed by Troy Paddock, and seconded by Sander Lueder:

As the committee responsible for the undergraduate curriculum, the University Curriculum Forum strongly condemns the non-renewal of 21 faculty members, the freezing of 25 searches, and the intention of replacing only 70% of retiring faculty members. Such actions compromise students, programs and the university's mission. We support the tenure track hiring practices of the Southern Connecticut State administration.

The motion was unanimously approved.

VI. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Robert Page, UCF Secretary