Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting

April 3, 2002

 

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

 

The twelfth meeting of the 2001-2002 year was called to order at 12:17 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), Petrie (English), Johnson (English), Mee (Exercise Science), Rinehardt (Exercise Science), Hernandez (Foreign Language), Sakalowsky (Geography), Judd (History), Petto (History), Dunklee (Jounalism), Bielefield (Library Science), Schofield-Bodt (Library Services), Wu (Library Services), Prince (Marketing), Bennett (Math), Brin (Math), Wallace (Nursing), Prince (Part-time faculty), Dobbins (Part-time faculty), Young (Part-time faculty), Volkman (Philosophy), Broadbridge (Physics), Paulson (Political Science), Sherman (Psychology), Kahlbaugh (Psychology), Bulmer (Public Health), Grants (Recreation/Leisure), Cusato (Science Ed/Env Stud), Brucker (Special Ed/Reading), Major (Special Ed/Reading), Watts (Theatre)

 

Members Absent:

(Accounting), Maloney (Athletics), Martinelli (Biology), Lawler (Counseling), Thorson (Econ/Finance), (Education), Cairns (Ed Leadership), Hood (English), Verplaetse (Foreign Language), Nodoushani (Management), Moss (Music), Jexey Jack (Part-time faculty), Dripchak (Social Work), Haymes (Social Work), Skoczen (Soc & Anthro)

 

Visitors

James Tait (UCF)

 

The minutes of March 13, 2002 were approved.

 

UCF Update:

J. Tait reported that the UCF continues to work on its Constitution. He also noted that the UCF has discussed issues relating the Academic Strategic Plan. In response to Tait’s suggestion that the Constitution might not be finished until next fall, some Senators expressed grave concern that the Constitutional issue should be at the top of the UCF’s agenda, since it was supposed to be finished some time ago.

 

Standing Committee Reports:

1. Rules:

·      No report.

 

2. Personnel Policy:

·      No report.

 

3. Student Policy:

·      No report.

 

4. Technology:
• This Spring’s round of computer upgrades has been completed.
• There will be a Q&A meeting regarding banner on April 10 in the AVP room from 1:00-2:00.
• Banner registration is going forward as planned.

 

5. Academic Policy:

·      The committee is examining the proposed split of Sociology and Anthropology. We hope to have a suggestion for how the Senate shall advise on this matter by the next Senate meeting.

 

6. Elections:

·      Self-nomination forms have been mailed to all full-time faculty regarding elections to university wide committees.

 

7. Finance:

·      There is currently more money requested for travel than is available in the full-time travel account.

·      The part-time travel account balance is about $500, with no requests pending.

·      Faculty should have received information regarding withholding for summer pay.

 

Old Business:

 

Rules: Motion to change the Constitution, VIII A (attached to 2-13-02 agenda)

Control of the floor was turned over to P. Major, Chair of the Rules Committee.

 

The point of this amendment to the Constitution is to make it easier to pass amendments to the Constitution, in light of the well-known difficulties we have had over the past few terms. The current By-laws state that such a resolution must pass by 2/3 of the Senate membership. Because it is always the case that many members cannot attend a given meeting, this requirement has made it virtually impossible to pass any changes to the Constitution.

 

Some faculty expressed a concern that the proposed change made is possible for a minority of the Senate to change the Constitution. J. Fullmer suggested that the following clause be added to the proposed revision: “provided that those voting in favor constitute a majority of the full Senate membership.” The committee accepted this language as a friendly amendment.

 

On a roll call vote, the motion passed: 36 yes, 2 no.

 

Rules: Motion to change the Constitution, VI B (attached to 2-13-02 agenda)

This motion is intended to make it easier for the faculty at large to overturn Senate action. When the Senate expanded its definition of “faculty” to include part-time faculty, it had the implication that some 400 votes would be required to overturn Senate action. This is a virtual impossibility.

Some Senators noted that it should be very difficult to overturn the Senate’s action, especially if part-time faculty are given the same weight in the voting as full-time faculty. Other Senators worried that setting a raw number at 240 would create a policy that needed to be revisited every few years.

 

It was accepted as a friendly amendment that the proposed new wording should read as follows:

 

The Elections Committee shall conduct the referendum. A minimum of 240 faculty votes, or 50% plus one of those voting, whichever is greater, is required for rescinding any Senate action.

 

On a roll call vote, the motion failed: 34 yes, 5 no.

 

Rules: Motion to change the Constitution, VIII B (attached to 2-13-02 agenda)

This motion is intended to merely clarify the language of this passage.

 

On a roll call vote, the motion passed: 39 yes, 0 no.

 

New Business

 

Personnel: Changes to the P&T Document

The floor was turned over to A. Bielefield, chair of the Personnel Committee.

 

The following nine changes to the P&T Document were each passed on separate voice votes:

 

Resolution #1:

III.A.1.b. In addition, a promotion recommendation for an eligible member may be initiated by the DEC no later than September 28.

 

Resolution #2:

III.A.2.a. If a non-tenured member so requests, he/she can be evaluated before his/her sixth year by [notifying] making written notification to the DEC by September 15.

 

Resolution #3:

III.C.3.g. Prior to transmitting the file to the appropriate Dean, the DEC shall afford the member an opportunity to examine his/her file for accuracy and completeness in the presence of a member of the DEC. [At this time, the member may place in the file]. The candidate shall be given a copy of the DEC evaluation and have at least four (4) days to append comments, append a rebuttal, and/or add any additional material to his/her file in support of his/her application for promotion or tenure.

 

Resolution #4:

III.D.2. [The Chairperson shall present the evaluation to the candidate so the candidate may signify that he/she has seen the evaluation. The Chairperson must give a copy of the evaluation to the candidate]. Prior to transmitting the promotion and/or tenure evaluation to the appropriate Dean, a copy of the Chairperson’s evaluation shall be given to the candidate who shall have at least four (4) days to append comments, regarding the Chairperson’s evaluation, to his/her file.

 

Resolution #5:

III.E.1. [At this time a copy of the appropriate Dean’s recommendation will be sent to the member by the Dean]. Prior to transmitting the promotion and/or tenure recommendation, along with the candidate’s file, to the Promotion and Tenure Committee, a copy of the Dean’s evaluation shall be given to the candidate who shall have a least four (4) days to append comments, regarding the Dean’s evaluation, to his/her file.

 

Resolution #6:

III.E.3. The appropriate Dean shall review all professional assessment evaluations before transmitting them to the Academic Vice President [who shall review them, and forward them to the President who shall review them and place them along with the member’s comments in the member’s file]. Prior to transmitting the professional assessment recommendation, along with the candidate’s file, to the Academic Vice President, a copy of the Dean’s evaluation shall be given to the candidate who shall have at least four (4) days to append comments, regarding the Dean’s evaluation, to his/her file. After receiving the file from the Dean, the Academic Vice President shall review it, and forward it to the President who shall review it and place it along with the candidates comments in the candidates file.

 

Resolution #7:

III.G.1.c. In most cases, the contents of the primary file should fit into one [2 ½”] 3-inch loose-leaf binder.

 

Resolution #8:

III.G.3.g. original letter of appointment from the University President.

 

Resolution #9:

V. Sept 14        If non-tenured members so request, they can be evaluated for tenure before their sixth year by notifying the DEC in writing by September 14 (see III.A.2.a).

The resolution passed on a voice vote.

 

J. Prokop (University Police), P. Dilger (Public Affairs) regarding the Barak visit

Security is a major concern regarding an event like this. J. Prokop informed the Senate that the University Police had been in contact with other universities Barak had visited, and was also in dialogue with some protest groups. From these sources, it is reasonable to expect at least some 150-200 protesters at this event. In light of this, and due to the exceptional level of security required for such an event, the administration has decided to close the buildings adjacent to Lyman and to prohibit pedestrian and vehicular traffic in areas adjacent to Lyman on the afternoon and evening of the event (Thursday, April 25). This includes canceling classes in Engleman and Earl halls for that evening. Affected faculty are advised to reschedule their classes for the reading day at the end of the semester.

 

The following questions and concerns came from the Senate floor:

• Will there be added security for the other buildings? Prokop: yes
• How long will Lyman be closed? Prokop: The event preparation will take place from 2pm-3pm, after which point the building will be completely locked down. No vehicles will be permitted after 4:30pm behind Lyman or in Lot 12.
• What is the expected cost of all this? Who pays for it? Dilger: The receipts of the event should cover these costs. A detailed accounting will be provided if requested.
• Will classes have to evacuate Engleman at exactly 4:30? (What about classes that get over right at 4:30? Should they be dismissed early?) Prokop: Yes. Officers will walk through the building to make sure everyone is out right at 4:30.
• Will offices in Engleman also be closed? Prokop: Yes. Everyone must be out of the building.
• Will the library be open? Prokop: Yes.
• Should protester contact you about their plans? Prokop: Yes.
• Can the police be trusted to protect the rights of protesters? Have they been trained in this regard? Can you guarantee that protesters’ rights will be respected? Prokop: I have been in dialogue with several protest groups already, and we will do what we can to ensure that everyone’s rights are respected.

 

President’s Report: (Attached)

 

Announcements:

 

Meeting was adjourned at 2:02 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Richard Volkman

Secretary of the Senate

Richard Volkman

 

Resolutions Passed:

S-02-06 Changes to P&T Document 1

S-02-07 Changes to P&T Document 2

S-02-08 Changes to P&T Document 3

S-02-09 Changes to P&T Document 4

S-02-10 Changes to P&T Document 5

S-02-11 Changes to P&T Document 6

S-02-12 Changes to P&T Document 7

S-02-13 Changes to P&T Document 8

S-02-14 Changes to P&T Document 9