Minutes
Faculty Senate Meeting
May 7, 2014
Professor Nelson called the meeting to order at 2:38 PM
Present: Professor Candy Nelson, Lacey Wootton, Barlow Burke, Daniel Abramson, Jon
Douglass, Todd Eisenstadt, Artur Elezi, Larry Engel, Bryan Fantie, Joe Graf, John Heywood,
Clement Ho, Iris Krasnow, Jun Lu, Gwanhoo Lee, Stacey Marien, Glenn Moomau, John Nolan,
Arturo Porzecanski, Gemma Puglisi, Jerzy Sapieyevski, Chris Simpson, Mathew Taylor,
Elizabeth Worden, Provost Scott Bass
Chair’s Report – Candice Nelson
Professor Nelson welcomed all senators to the meeting. She stated that she would like to
welcome all the new senators and asked for them to stand and introduce themselves. The
attending new senators were: Professors Andrea Pearson from CAS, Stephen Sylvia, the
incoming chair of the CFA, Billie Joe Kaufman, Associate Dean for Library and Information
Services for the WCL Pence Library, and Tony Ahrens from CAS. Professor Nelson thanked the
new members for their willingness to serve on the senate.
Professor Nelson stated that this was the first year that the senate has practiced being paperless
and the savings was around $1800.00 dollars.
Professor Nelson also stated that the results from the Family Work Life Balance Survey have
been distributed and the task force will be meeting again in the fall to address the responses.
About 40% of the faculty responded to the overall survey and a little less than 30% answered the
open ended questions. The committee will report back on the results in the fall.
Provost’s Report – Scott Bass
Provost Bass stated that Dean Phyllis Peres is absent and he is not certain when she will be
returning. He stated that Phyllis is very important to him and as a member of the community.
Abby Puskar will be taking the position of the Assistant to the DAA and Provost Bass stated he
is covering Dean Peres’s duties at this time. He asked all to be patient as they work through this
difficult time.
Provost Bass stated that the enrollment numbers are in and completed. The application total this
year was 15,000 which was down 2,000 from last year and 3,000 from the year before. This year
we did introduced the new University Honors Program and are continuing with the Fredrick
Douglass Distinguished Scholars Program. We have a phenomenal number of applications
interested in these high intensity learning experiences. We have also created several other
scholars programs and we are pleased to say that the target number was 1,700 deposits. This
meets the number set of 1,600 students; the difference includes those who accept elsewhere or
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drop for other reasons. As of close the deposit number was 1,933 deposits. This was much more
than the expected yield. This does create new challenges in providing housing, special programs
and of course instructional offerings. This is good news and tells us the interest of the students
seeking a high quality undergraduate experience. He also stated that in regards to the special
populations that the university has tried to maximize in terms of racial and ethnic distribution the
total minority in the upcoming class is 31.7% , up slightly from 29.6%. The Asian population is
now up by 32%, Hispanic up 29.7% and African American is 1.5%. The international population
is up by a small percent of roughly 7% to include both citizens and permanent residents. First
generation increased to about 11.3 % which is 25% of the class. Pell eligible is up 27% to be
21% of the class. There has been growth in all regions; however California and Massachusetts
are now about tied. All schools have had a growth in enrollments with the largest being SPA and
Kogod and the least being SIS which already has large numbers.
Provost Bass said that undergraduate enrollment is strong but graduate enrollment is still weak
and is a great concern.
Provost Bass stated that he has finished the tenure and promotion decisions. He stated he will be
in 6 graduations and he is looking forward to them and the guest speakers. There might be a need
for a special summer senate meeting and he stated he will go through the Executive Committee
first and then request a senate meeting for all those senators who can attend.
Provost Bass reminded the senate that the 2 year budget cycle begins this year.
Senate By-Law Changes – Lacey Wootton
Professor Wootton stated that when preparing for the senate election cycle a few items came up
that need to be adjusted.
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Article II. Membership – language clarification on who can run for senate seats to
include term faculty with a contract to accommodate a two year senate term and language
to define new senators terms to begin on June 15
Grievance Committee Representation – Language to clarify that all units are
represented on the committee
Committee on Information Services – adding term length of a staggered two-years
The Senate VOTED and the changes to the by-laws were passed 21 in favor, 0 opposed and 2
abstentions.
Library Manual Update – Candy Nelson
Professor Nelson stated that when University Librarian Nancy Davenport and Assistant Librarian
Rachel Borchardt met with the BOT the question was raised about merging the two manuals so
there will only be one. The library faculty agreed to move in this direction. There will be one
manual with an appendix that talks about the continuing appointment librarian faculty. This
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combining issue will go to the BOT at the next meeting and any subsequent changes that come
from this merger will come to the senate in the fall before going to the BOT.
Academic Regulation Changes – Lyn Stallings
Professor Stallings stated that she is returning with the Internships section with some language
changes and the changes to the table.
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Proposed by Kogod is to change the table language as “Average weekly interned hours”
– students may vary their scheduled hours as long as they meet the overall total required
at the end of the semester.
Maximum number of internship credit hours is six credits and academic units may
require less if they choose.
The instructor is responsible for the assessment of the students’ performance which may
include an assessment by the workplace supervisor. Workplace supervisor assessment
may only count for no more than half the final course grade.
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The language changes for the Academic Regulations was VOTED on and was passed 22 in
favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention.
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Revised tables with two different increments were presented. Table one up to 26 hours
for 6 credits and table two 30 hours for 6 credits.
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The new Table 2 with 30 average hours interned per week for 6 credits was VOTED on and was
passed 16 in favor, 5 opposed and 2 abstentions.
Amendments to Sections 5.5 Deans List
Professor Stallings stated that with the addition of SPEXs it was requested that the students in the
Washington Mentorship Program have a dean’s list notation for this program. The addition of
adding the language “degree or non-degree program during the regular term” was added to
accommodate this request. Additional language was added to address the summer term
requirements to receive this honor.
The senate VOTED and the amendment was passed unanimously in favor, 23-0-0.
Amendments to Section 5.8 Academic Probation and Dismissal
Language was written to clarify the already in use process for probation and dismissal and how a
petition is used when probation has been reached.
The senate VOTED and the amendment was passed unanimously in favor 23-0-0.
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Conflict of Time Commitment (COTC) – Barlow Burke
Professor Burke stated that as per the request of the senate he gathered a committee to review the
previous document for COTC. The committee met and created the document that is different
from the previous document in that it puts the reporting requirements within the unit. This is in
compliance with section 26(c) iii of the Faculty manual that states the reporting is to be to the
dean or the head of the unit. The committee also created a draft form of two questions to be sent
to faculty annually via email.
The senate VOTED and the COTC form was approved 22 in favor 0 opposed and 1 abstention.
Professor Sapieyevski stated that for the record it was agreed that the questions for Conflict of
Interest being prepared by Osprey would be available for the senate to review as part of passing
the proposal to move forward with the process.
Professor Nelson stated that the questions would be included in the pilot over the summer.
Senate Committee Reports:
Committee on Faculty Actions – Stacey Marien
Librarian Marien stated that the first Open CFA Meeting was held last week with the updated
CFA/DAA Guidelines. Professor Aufderheide and Librarian Marien will be leaving the
committee this year. She also stated that this will be the year for academic units’ guidelines to be
reviewed by the CFA.
Professor Simpson stated that he feels that there should be some form of median available to
faculty on how people are judged.
Professor Marien stated that she would recommend addressing this issue with the new incoming
chair of the CFA.
Professor Silvia stated that this is the purpose of the individual unit guidelines and that since the
CFA will be reviewing them this upcoming year that when the individual units are reviewing the
guidelines that hard work is put into making them clear for the upcoming faculty who will be
reviewed.
Professor Simpson stated that the guidelines are important but it is the interpretation of the unit
guidelines by the CFA that is the issue and this needs to be clarified and written down.
Professor Silvia stated that the CFA does follow the guidelines provided by the units and the
extra “check” that the committee has is the representative from the unit who is a member of the
CFA.
Professor Abramson asked if he was clear in understanding that the unit guidelines are reviewed
by the CFA.
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Professor Silvia stated that the CFA does review them and then sends their recommendations on
to the DAA. He asked Provost Bass if the guidelines ended with the DAA or continued to the
Provost.
Provost Bass stated that the final approval would be with the Provost.
Committee on Information Services – Chris Simpson
Professor Simpson stated that this past year the committee created a three person chairmanship to
improve productivity of the committee. The committee also limited the meetings to one hour,
developed a Wordpress site and created a committee listserve. The committee also made a point
to liaison with many of the other technology committees across the university.
Professor Simpson stated that the committee brought forward several resolutions to the senate
this past year to include adding student photographs to course rosters used by professors. The
committee also looked at accessibility to the AU web site. This would include learning about
classes and how to enroll in them. The committee made contributions to policies concerning
social media, “bring your own device’ (BYOD) and e-portfolio discussions. Also discussed but
tabled was a draft resolution concerning the Fair Information Policies and Practices.
Professor Simpson said that the list of topics for next year included: studies of online learning
and hybrid teaching policies and practices, developing proposals concerning Information
Services matters for next year’s university budget, review of intellectual property issues, active
participation in decisions concerning updating AU’s Learning Management Systems, follow
through on needed reforms in accessibility of AU’s public website and review of policies
concerning “big data” and data mining affecting AU students and faculty.
Committee on Faculty Grievances – Scott Parker/Candy Nelson
Professor Nelson stated that due to the confidentiality of this committee Professor Parker
provided a report that stated that the committee received four grievances and have completed and
delivered to the president three of the four. One case did not meet the criteria for review. Three
other additional cases have been discussed as possible complaints but have not been filed at this
time.
Committee on Learning Assessment (COLA) – Joe Graf
Professor Graf stated that the university has made great strides to bring in a culture of
assessment. Participation is very wide spread amongst the units. The committee has been very
busy with Middle States and learning outcomes and has begun talking about curriculum
mapping.
Provost Bass stated that the senate has approved a template for institutional learning outcomes
and stated that there are some steps from there to begin looking at opportunities in the
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curriculum. He asked the committee to begin prior to outcomes some initial assessment to see if
these things are available in our curriculum for all students.
Professor Graf stated yes and that the committee is working on getting the outcomes out to the
units for review and comments.
Provost Bass stated that he has asked the deans to work over the summer and bring back to the
senate quantitative literacy. This was discussed at the fall leadership retreat and there is a report
that was done by a task force. There is still not a specific recommendation to bring to the senate
but it is being drafted.
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) – Larry Engel
Professor Engel stated that the committee approved 74 programs. Another 5 programs had been
reviewed but rejected and sent back for revisions and then approved and moved forward so the
total proposals reviewed was 79. The committee did not work last summer but will be working
this summer. The committee did meet the two week turn around deadline for the majority of the
proposals and Professor Engel thanked the membership for this accomplishment.
Graduate Curriculum Committee (GCC) – Jun Lu
Professor Lu stated that the GCC has been meeting the two week approval process successfully.
The committee has reviewed 46 course proposals and 10 program proposals. 6 proposals were
approved after revisions. Of the approved programs one was an online program and 10 were new
programs. The fast track certificate approval process was approved by the senate and there was
only one certificate approved through this process. Professor Lu stated that all the members of
the committee will be returning and that Professor Lu will remain chair through the summer until
an election can take place in the fall.
Committee on Academic Budget and Benefits (CABB) – John Nolan
Professor Nolan stated that the committee met five times during the year and CABB reviewed
several benefit issues. They consisted of reviewing the health care costs and agreeing to increase
the co-pay, implementing a smoke free campus and the university began implementing the
Family Care benefit with Bright Horizons.
Professor Nolan stated that the second issue that was looked at by the committee was retention.
The issue was discussed because of how it affects the budget in terms of revenue. They met with
VP Stallings who told them there is a study in process addressing this concern. The committee
learned that there is a small group of students that leave because they are not doing well
academically but there is also a group that leaves because they do not feel challenged. Some also
leave for financial reasons. If you come across a student that is struggling with some personal
issues he reminded the senators to refer them to the Care Network.
Professor Nolan said that the third item the committee addressed was the multi-year budget
information. This information took a couple of years to obtain but we now have five year trends
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of numbers on people’s salaries in different categories. This information is important because
almost half of our budget goes to personnel each year. We hope to have this information yearly
to watch the trend.
Professor Nolan stated that the final meeting was preparing for the upcoming year and items to
address. AY 2014-2015 is an active budget year and requested that if there are any items that you
would like to see addressed to get them to the CABB early in the fall. He stated that health care
costs will likely increase and there will be some emphasis on wellness/healthy living with
incentives such as getting annual check-ups which might reduce your co-pay. There will be a lot
of construction going on the campus, efficiency and process improvement with purchasing and
grant submission and requesting a course release for the CABB for the active budget year were
the items on the agenda for AY 2014-2015.
For the Good of the Order - Candy Nelson
Professor Eisenstadt thanked Professor Nelson for her hard work chairing the Senate this past
year. Professor Nelson thanked Provost Bass and Dean Peres for their support.
The Meeting adjourned at 4:15 PM
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