Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting

November 28, 2001

 

http://www.scsu.ctstateu.edu/organizations/facultysenate

 

 

The sixth meeting of the 2001-2002 year was called to order at 12:18 PM.

 

Members Present:

Brownell (Art), Lavin (Art), Puerschner (Chemistry), Ullian (Communication), Coburn-Enquist (Communication), Jirsa (ComDisorder/MFT), DaPonte (Computer Science), Nwachuku (Couns/SchPsych), Fullmer (Earth Science), Corbett (Education), Cairns (Ed Leadership), Petrie (English), Hood (English), Johnson (English), Mee (Exercise Science), Rinehardt (Exercise Science), Verplaetse (Foreign Language), Judd (History), Dunklee (Jounalism), Bielefield (Library Science), Schofield-Bodt (Library Services), Wu (Library Services), Prince (Marketing), Brin (Math), Wallace (Nursing), Prince (Part-time faculty), Young (Part-time faculty), Volkman (Philosophy), Broadbridge (Physics), Paulson (Political Science), Sherman (Psychology), Bulmer (Public Health), Cusato (Science Ed/Env Stud), Dripchak (Social Work), Brucker (Special Ed/Reading), Major (Special Ed/Reading), Watts (Theatre)

 

Members Absent:

(Accounting), Maloney (Athletics), Martinelli (Biology), Lawler (Counseling), Thorson (Econ/Finance), (Education), Hernandez (Foreign Language), Sakalowsky (Geography), Petto (History), Nodoushani (Management), Bennett (Math), Moss (Music), (Part-time faculty), (Part-time faculty), Kahlbaugh (Psychology), Grants (Recreation/Leisure), Haymes (Social Work), Skoczen (Soc & Anthro)

 

Presidentıs Report: (Attached)

President Paulson called attention to the draft Academic Strategic Plan, available online at http://www.southernct.edu/faculty/index.php?file=acastrplan.html. The current draft was produced by the Deans, but there is work in progress to involve the faculty in the production of the final Academic Strategic Plan. Richard Gerber, representing the Office of Academic Affairs, will meet with the Senateıs Executive Committee in order to discuss a proposal.

 

 

Announcements:

 

UCF Update:

G. Puerschner reported that debate on the proposed Writing Board continues. At the meeting of November 29, the UCF plans to vote on the formation of the Board, along with a proposed amendment to make the Board a standing committee of the UCF rather than an autonomous standing committee. The content of the Writing Program will be debated and voted on separately.

 

Standing Committee Reports:

  1. Rules: Technical changes to documents regarding the Graduate Council should be ready for a vote by the next Senate meeting.

 

  1. Personnel Policy: John Kavanagh met with the committee to discuss a possible resolution related to the AAUPıs recently circulated petition and to discuss changes to P&T documents.

 

  1. Student Policy:  There is a resolution available for discussion under New Business regarding Student Disruptive Behavior.

 

  1. Technology:

 

  1. Academic Policy: The committee continues its work on the issues outlined in the November 7 minutes.

 

  1. Elections:  Results of recent elections will be available shortly.

 

  1. Finance: Travel funds have been exhausted, but unused money is being freed up and redistributed for new travel requests in the order in which they are received.

 

Old Business:

  1. Rules: Accountability of Senators (Vote for the Record)

 

Because any proposed change to the By-Laws requires a 2/3 vote of the membership, the Secretary went through a roll call to determine how many Senators were present. It was determined that 36 of 50 Senators were present at the time of the vote. The measure would need 34 votes to pass, leaving a margin of only two votes.

 

In light of this, P. Major moved that the vote be postponed until December 12. The motion passed by voice vote.

 

New Business:

  1. Student Policy: Student Disruptive Behavior (Attached)

 

R. Jirsa moved to recess as a Senate and reconvene as a forum to discuss the proposed language of the resolution. The motion passed by voice vote.

 

The forum discussion included the following points:

·      The committee consciously chose not to explicitly define what sorts of behavior would be ³disruptive,² since any such definition would risk leaving something out.

·      While students have a right to due process, faculty may remove a student from a class on a given day. However, prohibiting a student from returning to subsequent sessions of the class would require procedures allowing for due process, including the procedures outlined in the proposed resolution. If the relationship between the University and the student is like a contract, then it cannot be unilaterally dissolved without due process.

·      Perhaps there should be a specific document that states the binding policy of the university on these matters. C. Schofield-Botd explained that the Board of Trustees ultimately sets policy on these matters, and it is not the intention of the committee to add or revise those rules that are currently in place. The Student Code of Conduct, the Dean of Student Affairs, the Academic Vice-President, and perhaps the Student Handbook are relevant sources of information on the current policy. Some Senators argued that a clear statement of the policy should appear in a document recognized to be ³legally preeminent.²

·      The committee should make it clear whether this is a statement of policy or merely a conveying of advice. On the one hand, if the resolution directs publication of these guidelines and is submitted to the University President for approval, it would have the force of policy. On the other hand, if there is no need or intent for a new or revised policy (as suggested above), then perhaps the resolution should avoid language implying a mandate. In either case, it seems the guidelines should be published in the Faculty Handbook.

·      Faculty should be made aware of their potential liabilities in case of inaction in the face of disruptive behavior. In general, it would be good to have a more clear statement of faculty liabilities in such circumstances. However, such a statement may go well beyond the charge of the committee.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 1:35 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Richard Volkman

Secretary of the Senate