Revised AGENDA
University of Nevada, Reno
2011-12 Faculty Senate
May 9, 2012
1:15 p.m.
RSJ 304
All times are approximate
1:15
1.
Roll Call and Introductions
1:20
2.
Campus Affairs Year-end Report- Duncan Aldrich:
Action/Enclosure
1:50
3.
Chair’s Report – Year-end Update
Information/Discussion
2:20
4.
AFPPP Year-end Report– Dean Dietrich:
Action/Enclosure
2:50
5.
Request to Approve: April 19, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Action/Enclosure
2:55
6.
Certificates for outgoing senators
Information
3:00
7.
Election of the 2012-13 Executive Board –
Candidates Slate
Break ( New senate begins at 3:20)
Action/Enclosure
3:20
1
Roll Call and Introductions
3:30
2.
Welcome from President Marc Johnson
Information/Discussion
4:00
3.
Orientation
Information/Discussion
4:30
4.
Where are we going?
Information/Discussion
4:50
5.
Provost Search Committee
Action/Discussion
5:00
6.
7.
New Business
Informational Items:
Background Check Policy
2,530 (Updated)
Senate Meeting Dates 2012-13
Information/Discussion
Information/Discussion
3:10
2012-13 Senate Roster
Adjourn
Future Senate Meetings
UNR Faculty Senate Website
June 7, 2012
RSJ 304
August 23, 2012
RSJ 304
Future Board of Regents Meetings
NSHE Website
May 31 & June 1, 2012
UNR
July 20, 2012
Tentative – Video Conf.
UNR Faculty Senate Meeting
May 9, 2012
Agenda Item # 2
Link to the Campus Affairs Year-end Report:
http://www.unr.edu/facultysenate/meetings/11-12/Agenda/CAC_Year-end_2011-12.doc
UNR Faculty Senate Meeting
May 9, 2012
Agenda Item # 4
Link to the Administrative Faculty Personnel Policy and Procedure Committee Year-end Report:
http://www.unr.edu/facultysenate/meetings/11-12/Agenda/AFPPP_Year-end_2011-12.doc
UNR Faculty Senate Meeting
May 9, 2012
Agenda Item # 5
April 19, 2012 Meeting Minutes
1. Roll Call and Introductions:
Rafik Beekun (COBA), Mike Bennett (A & F), Todd Borman (IT), John Dell for Julie Hogan (DHS), Sue
Donaldson (COOP), Patricia Ellison (CABNR), Keith Hackett (Pres), Yanyao Jiang (EN), Stephen Lafer
(COE), Kami Larson (SOM), Rosemary McCarthy (JO), Amy McFarland (SOM), Amy McFarland for Catherine
Goring (SOM), Glenn Miller (CABNR), Swatee Naik COS), Vannessa Nicholas (Prov), Louis Niebur (CLS),
Louis Niebur for Leah Wilds (CLA), Elissa Palmer (SOM) Elissa Palmer for Gerald Ackerman (SOM), Crystal
Parrish (DEV), Chuck Price (SS), Maggie Ressel (Lib), David Ryfe (Chair), Valerie Smith (VPR), Marjorie
Vecchio (CLA), Marjorie Vecchio for Isabelle Favre (CLA), Jonathan Weinstein (COS), Claudene Wharton
(Pres), David Zeh (Chair-elect).
Guests: John Cushman (COS), Marc Johnson (Pres), Ann Keniston (CLA).
2. Visit with President Marc Johnson:
Administration has begun the background work towards a capital campaign. Part of the process included
preliminary designs on projects, such as the new Student Achievement Center. They have looked into
renovating Getchell or demolishing and rebuilding new facilities. The biggest issue with the Getchell building
was the amount of space, there was approximately 160,000 square feet of space and only about 75,000
square feet of space was needed for the Student Achievement Building. They would meet with architects to
discuss alternatives and costs.
According to many in the community, the university is the best kept secret. Administration wants to reach out to
the community. There has been a groundswell in the Reno/Sparks area to create a university community and
they were willing to work with the university to make this happen.
Johnson said that he appreciated the broad level of support that he received from faculty, staff, and students.
Questions/Discussions:
We must have a focused message to market to our community. We have a great undergraduate experience.
A question was asked about how the president and we as a senate could help the university move forward in a
positive way?
President Johnson said that he has been doing several things, beginning with the Presidential address in the
fall and the open forum in the spring. Both he and the Executive Vice President and Provost have been
meeting with several departments to do discuss their nervousness and let them know that things have
stabilized. Enthusiasm was high. The senate could help with this by reinforcing that things have stabilized and
that the university was moving forward. The Governor has talked about rescinding the furloughs and pay
reductions with the Pay Bill which would retain the sunset taxes. Johnson said that continuous and repeated
messaging would help.
Johnson apologized for having to leave early, and if there were further questions or comments send him an
email.
3. Chair’s Report:
Chair David Ryfe said that this would be the last Commission update with this senate, the new senate would
hear more in June.
PEBP met and approved extending health benefits to domestic partners.
Michelle Kelley, Benefits Manager was asked to put together a list of the items that PEBP would use to reduce
the reserve.
With the new funding formula, the university might lose around $2 million. The Funding Higher Education
Meeting was scheduled for April 25, 2012. SRI was the consultant hired by the Legislative Committee to look
at the funding formula, and the committee would be making a recommendation to the Legislature by August
2012.
The NGA metric regarding graduating students was distributed. It appeared that UNLV was more efficient at
this than UNR. This metric was based on first-time, fulltime freshmen. This formula was a redistribution of
funds from the North to the South. There were other metrics, including the quality of the students graduating.
The timeline for the new formula would be 2016. Some concerns were that this would turn into a North/South
rivalry issue. Ryfe said the pie would be smaller, and that there was no sense in fighting over the pie. We
should be looking at other ways to bring in new revenue streams. There was some discussion about how to
count completers.
The Presidential Search Committee voted 5 to 1 in favor of Marc Johnson; it was thought that the Board of
Regents would not disagree with the committee.
There was a request to have Kent Ervin recognized for his outstanding service with the Salary and Benefits
and health benefits work. Could a letter be sent to his dean? Could he be considered for the Outstanding
Service Award?
The commission has begun to build its thinking.
The trend for the past 30 years has been to cut higher education, states have been disinvesting and the need
for universities to recoup those finances was to gain control over their tuition. The cycle included: getting
control over the tuition, having the ability to raise tuition, increasing the student population, more financial aid,
hiring new faculty, increasing grants, thereby having a greater ability to recruit students. The university was
looking to raise Student Full-time Equivalency (SFTE) to 20,000 by fall of 2020. We need to grow in student
population and lower administration costs. If we have fewer departments or combined departments we could
have administrative savings there.
To have 20,000 students by 2020 we would need to a freshman class of about 4,500 first time, full time
students. We would need to market outside of the state to get those students as we already pull most of the
qualified students from Washoe County, and many from Clark County. The commission was looking at how to
market the university to those prospective students. We are affordable, but what else do we want them to see
here?
There was some discussion regarding students being able to get their classes so they could finish on time.
One contributing factor was students’ retaking some classes several times to pass them, however, most of the
time students don’t finish on time because of life issues such as having to work, feeling alienated or
disconnected from campus, and not being academically prepared.
We would be looking at Intrusive Advising.
4. Research and Grants Year-end Report – John Cushman, Chair:
John Cushman thanked the committee for all their hard work. He also thanked OSPA, Charlene Hart, and
Marsha Read.
Cushman summarized the report.
Link to the report:
http://www.unr.edu/facultysenate/meetings/11-12/Agenda/RGC_Yrend_11-12Rev1.doc
Major Findings Listed:
 UNR Office of Research:
 A new Associate Vice-president for Research Services was hired (Snowder)
 A new OSPA Director was hired (Hart)
 Pre/post award Staffing within OSPA is improving in 2012
 Grants specialists have been hired and embedded in several colleges
 Electronic grant routing system is nearing final deployment
 VPR (Read) commended for improved communication and outreach
 UNR Foundation:
 Fundraising in support of research is not a top priority for UNR
 In contrast to peer institutions, seed funding for research is lacking
 Funding for start-up packages, bridge funding, etc. is inadequate
 UNR Offices of President and Provost:
 Strategic discussions and planning about research lacking
 University Research Council lacks visibility and reporting
The office of research has been filling many of the open positions which would help.
MOTION: Price/Borman. To accept the report as published.
ACTION: Passed unanimously.
The senate agreed to vote on each group of recommendations and if there was one in that group that they
were uncomfortable with they could pull it.
Recommendations - Group One:
 UNR Office of Research:
 Hire a dedicated Vice-President for Research (2013-2014 biennium)
 Restore funding to Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs
 Hire a dedicated Grants Coordinator or Facilitator (large grants)
 Establish an Office of Research Development (liaison with UNR Foundation)
 Explore and support new, collaborative research opportunities
Questions/Comments:
If the Dean for the Graduate School and the Vice President for Research positions were split it would increase
the number of administrative positions. Was this the recommendation of the committee? Cushman responded
yes.
Faculty have not been rewarded for getting larger research grants, the process or outcomes. There should be
incentives for those things. The amount of Indirect Cost Recovery Money that goes to the Foundation is 3.75%.
A name change was requested for the Grants Coordinator Title as they would perform a higher level of activity.
MOTION: Beekun/Price. To approve this group of recommendations as written.
ACTION: Passed, 2 opposed, 3 abstentions
Recommendations Group Two:
 UNR Foundation:
 Establish a Research Innovation Fund (seed grants, endowed professorships)
 Establish a Research Support Fund (start-up funds, stipends)
 Establish a Graduate Student Alumni Association
A comment regarding the innovation fund was that most donors prefer to give to specific areas.
Each college has an alumni relations person. Cushman responded that this would be a university wide position
for Graduate Students. This person could coordinate with the units, but this would allow for critical mass.
Alumni can make a designated donation to research areas.
UNR is behind for junior faculty, there must be a way to address this issue.
Cushman remarked that peer or aspirant institutions spend around $100, 000 on seed funding. They also have
three times as many faculty members as UNR.
MOTION: Ressel/Palmer. To approve as written.
ACTION: Passed unanimously.
Group 3 Recommendations:
 UNR Office of Integrated Marketing:
 Publish an annual Research Magazine (cost est. $17,000)
 Increase the visibility of campus research activities in the media
Discussion:
Would this be published online or on paper? Cushman said that to publish it on paper, it would cost
approximately $17,000. Not all colleges could afford to publish one, but this would represent all of campus.
This could be used to inform our constituency groups and legislators and used for alumni functions, be
strategically mailed out and sent out online to others. Some special features could be done as well.
Many of these things have been used in press releases, but to be useful we need to know how the target
market would be.
There was discussion regarding the actual costs that might be incurred with this publication.
MOTION: Price/ Borman. To pull the recommendation regarding publishing the Research Magazine and to
approve the second recommendation to increase the visibility of campus research activities in the media.
ACTION: Passed unanimously
There was discussion regarding the actual cost and where the funding for this magazine would come from.
MOTION: Price/Borman. To disapprove the first recommendation and have the committee conduct more
research on the cost of publishing such a magazine.
ACTION: Passed, 5 opposed, 2 abstentions.
Elissa Palmer asked if research committee addressed the issue of digital measures for cross fertilization. Ryfe
said that the Vice President of Research was looking at the data as a way of thinking through how to revamp
our research structure.
5. Academic Standards Committee Year-end Report – Ann Keniston, Chair:
Ann Keniston thanked the committee for their work and then summarized the report.
Link to the report:
http://www.unr.edu/facultysenate/meetings/11-12/Agenda/ASC_Yrend_11-12.doc
MOTION: Palmer/Donaldson. To approve the report as written.
ACTION: Passed, 1 abstention.
The recommendation that the committee brought to the senate:
Student should be required to declare a major prior to the completion of 60 credits.
Discussion:
There could be an advantage to have students declare earlier.
The policy would need to have some teeth in it.
Could a pre-major be set up for those students who could not qualify for their declared major?
This policy would need to be publicized.
This might require more services and staff to help guide students.
MOTION: Price/Borman. To approve the recommendation as written.
ACTION: Passed, 1 abstention.
6. Curricular Review Code Change Endorsement:
An NSHE Code Task Force made a recommendation to alter the process for Curricular Review as outlined in
the code. The recommendation went to campuses and everyone was still in agreement that code addressed
this poorly. The Council of Chairs suggested some revisions; they worked on the document and had several
meetings with Brooke Nielsen, System General Counsel. The revision that Nielsen was taking to the Board of
Regents was included in the packets. The senate has been asked to support this revision, while it is not
perfect, it included more faculty input. One of the problems with any code change was trying to get agreement
from the different institutions. It would need to be general and flexible enough for each institution and yet
legally supportable for NSHE. This revision would give the faculty senate access to financial data to help them
make a decision.
A senator asked why curricular review did not refer back to the strategic plan of the institution. Ryfe said that
institutions were supposed to conduct curricular review all of the time and that this request could be made with
our negotiations of the academic planning process.
Discussion:
Discussion included: not having the senate act as a rubber stamp, making changes and then shelving the
document, improvements have been made, written by attorneys so NSHE was less likely to incur lawsuits over
the process, making changes now with the code rather than waiting until we go through the process again, and
issues with persuasion across all institutions.
MOTION: Ressel/Wharton. To endorse the recommendation as written.
ACTION: Passed, 2 opposed.
Ryfe would write a short memo to Brooke Nielsen letting her know that our senate endorsed the policy.
Does the senate track things they approve, for example, the TAG policy?
Ryfe responded that yes the senate does track them. TAG, however, for Math and Statistics was not handled
correctly and Executive Vice President and Provost Hardy has asked the College of Science Dean to figure it
out.
7. Consent Agenda:
March 15, 2012 Meeting Minutes
UAM revisions:
2530 Background Check
2660 Faculty Workload
Sue Donaldson said that there was an issue with number 4 and number 10 and asked to have that as a caveat
in the motion to approve.
MOTION: Larsen/Donaldson. To approve the consent agenda with the fix for the Background Check Policy as
a caveat.
ACTION: Passed Unanimously.
8. New Business:
None
Meeting adjourned 4:00 pm
UNR Faculty Senate Meeting
May 9, 2012
Agenda Item # 6
Executive Board Candidates Slate & bios
Chair-elect:
Swatee Naik
Name:
Swatee Naik
Title:
Professor
Department: Mathematics and Statistics
Number of years at UNR:
Eighteen
Educational background:
Ph.D., Mathematics, Indiana University, 1994
UNR committee leadership roles:
 Mathematics and Statistics Chair 2007-08: Departmental administration, including budget, personnel,
curriculum and program assessment.
 Core Mathematics Director 2005-07: Oversight for all aspects of the Core Mathematics program;
specifically, developing and presenting an annual orientation for instructors, facilitating coordination
between different sections of multi-section courses, directing and overseeing the activities of the
course-coordinators, K-12 curriculum alignment, and curriculum development and assessment for
general education mathematics.
UNR service:
 Faculty Senate 2009-10, 2011-present: Participate in monthly meetings, study and comment on issues,
participate in discussion college-wide as well as with the senators, represent college of science in the
faculty senate.
 Professional Development Leave Committee, 2011-present: Reviewed and ranked sabbatical leave
applications for academic year 2012-13, wrote summary reports for assigned cases. Met with the
committee to finalize rankings and prepare reports for the provost.
 Graduate Council, 2009-10, Faculty Senate representative: Participate in monthly meetings,
discussions and decisions related to graduate studies at UNR.
 Invited Panelist, Academic Faculty Evaluation Workshop 2011, “Preparation of the Self-Evaluation”:
Participation in a panel of experienced faculty members to provide advice and suggestions regarding
annual self evaluations.
 Core Board, 2005-08, member
 Core Mathematics and Natural Science Subcommittee, member, 2005-07
 Chair or member of various committees in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
 Member of search committees in the College of Science
Recent service or organizational experience outside UNR:
 Conference Program Organizer, AMS Conference, Las Vegas, (2010 - 2011): Co-organizer of a twoday AMS Special Session on Knot Theory and Three-Manifolds, joint with C. Herald and S. Jabuka
from UNR, April 30- May 1, 2011. Invited speakers to the conference, helped prepare program
schedule, arranged for activities and conference dinner.
 National Science Foundation Review Panel (2011, 2008, 2006): Review of 60+ grant proposals,
participation in a three day panel in Washington, D.C.
 Referee for journals including: Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, Bulletin of the
London Mathematical Society, Algebraic and Geometric Topology, Journal of Knot Theory and its
Ramifications.
 Reviewer for Mathematical Reviews, published by the American Mathematical Society.
Parliamentarian Candidates:
Crystal Parrish
Name:
Crystal Parrish
Title:
Director, Trustee Operations
Department:
Development and Alumni Relations
Number of years at UNR:
Chuck Price
Seven
Brief Educational background:
B.S., Business and Economics, Rocky Mountain College (Billings, Mont.),
Summa Cum Laude, 1988
Past committee leadership roles:
Staff liaison to several Foundation Board committees (see below)
Brief summary of other service or experiences that support your nomination:
Through my role as Director of Trustee Operations for Development and Alumni Relations, I direct the
operations of the University’s Foundation Board and its Executive Committee, and serve as staff liaison to
several of the Board committees (Development, Governance, Investment, Nominating, Public Affairs and
Advocacy). I ensure compliance with Nevada Open Meeting Law requirements and Foundation policies,
including the bylaws. I am well-versed in the rules of running a meeting, setting agendas and providing support
materials and information to Trustees. I feel this experience would translate well in service as Parliamentarian
on the Faculty Senate Executive Board.
Name:
Chuck Price
Title:
Director, Joe Crowley Student Union
Department:
Joe Crowley Student Union
Number of years at UNR:
18
Brief Educational background:
MBA from Columbia University with an emphasis on Finance and Strategic
Planning,
MS in Higher Education Administration from State University of New York
(SUNY) Brockport,
BS in Business Administration from SUNY Brockport.
Past committee leadership roles: Faculty Senate 2011-2012, Faculty Senate Executive Board 2011-2012,
Faculty Senate 1999-2002, Faculty Senate Executive Board 2000-2002, University Planning Council 20012002, Numerous Faculty Senate committees, Student Services committees.
Brief summary of other service or experiences that support your nomination:
I have been actively involved with faculty concerns since I started at Nevada in 1994. My previous experience
on the Faculty Senate and Faculty Senate Executive Board provided me the opportunity to work with academic
faculty on mutual concerns and challenges.
My style is to listen and gain insight before collaborating with others on solutions. I worked with faculty,
students and others to plan, design, build and open the Joe Crowley Student Union; it was a valuable
experience in listening to the needs of others before making decisions.
I consider it a privilege to serve on the Executive Board.
At Large Candidates:
Rafik Beekun
Patricia Ellison
Mariah Evans
Glenn Miller
Name: Rafik Beekun
Title: Professor of Management and Strategy
Department: Managerial Sciences
Number of years at UNR: 23
Brief Educational background: B.A. (Economics and French) (Columbia University); M.A. (French) (Columbia
University); MBA and Ph.D. in Management (University of Texas).
Past committee leadership roles:
Chair, International Business Major Oversight Committee, College of Business (2011-present)
Chair, College of Business Assessment Committee, (2008-2010)
Chair, Managerial Sciences Curriculum Committee, (2001 - 2004)
Chair, Bylaws Committee, Managerial Sciences Department, (1995-1996).
Brief summary of other service or experiences that support your nomination:
During my 25 year academic career (including two years at another university), I have taught around 125
formal courses and over 100 executive management courses involving more than 10,000 undergraduate and
graduate students as well as executive leaders. As an advisor in the College of Business, I have also been
very active in advising and mentoring students from across the campus, and have participated in multiple
outreach programs to Nevada high school students interested in business via the Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA) annual regional and statewide competitions. I have also been a judge at the International Intel
Science Fair (ISEF), and had the distinction of being the judge who selected the eventual national winner. In
addition to my service, teaching and outreach activities, I have served as Department Head and as the CoDirector of the Center for Corporate Governance and Business Ethics at UNR. I am a co-editor for a special
issue of the Journal of Management Development, serve on the advisory boards of multiple international peer
reviewed journals, am an author of many refereed scientific publications including five books, and have served
on many Masters and Ph.D. committees. Although my areas of focus are in strategy, leadership and ethics, I
am a passionate advocate of a liberal arts education, having graduated from a liberal arts college myself
(Columbia), and having studied Latin and Greek for 5 years. I am convinced that my breadth of experience in
teaching, research, outreach and service has provided me with the right background to represent the best
interests of our diverse UNR faculty, and would enjoy the privilege of serving as a member of the Faculty
Senate Executive Board. Finally I believe in maintaining our country’s competitive edge in education in all
fields, and am passionate about defending the rights guaranteed to all of us as American citizens (both my wife
and one of my sons having been US NAVY veterans.)
A. University level experience:










UNR representative to NSHE Quality Assessment Work Group (Spring 2012 to present)
Committee Member, University Disability Resource Coalition (Spring 2012 to present)
Committee Member, Intercultural Council, Member. (2010 - 2013).
Committee Member, University Faculty Senate, Member. (2001-2003; 2010 - 2013).
Committee Member, University Intercultural Council, (2011-2013).
Committee Member, Northern Nevada Assessment Conference Planning Committee (2009 - 2010).
Committee Member, University Ethics Council (2007 - 2008).
Committee Member, University Technology Committee (2001 - 2005).
Committee Member, University Curriculum Committee (2003 - 2004).
University Senate Liaison, Graduate Research Council (2001).
B. College of Business level experience:


Co-Director, Center for Corporate Governance and Business Ethics (2005 to present)
Committee Member, College Personnel Committee (2007-2008; 2011 to present).
C. Department level experience:

Department Chair, Managerial Sciences Department (1996-1999)
D. Other experience:

Fulbright Senior Scholar to Sub-Saharan Africa (1999-2000).
Name:
Patricia Ellison
Title:
Associate Professor
Department:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Number of years at UNR: 12
Brief Educational background:
BSc Microbiology and PhD Biochemistry, University of Sheffield, UK
Post-doctoral research at Max-Planck Institute, Heidelberg, Germany and Washington State University, USA
Past committee leadership roles:
Chair of Departmental Personnel and Curriculum Committees
Brief summary of other service or experiences that support your nomination:
One year’s service on Faculty Senate
Faculty Senate representative on University Courses and Curriculum Committee
Extensive experience in teaching, academic advising, recruitment and retention activities
Name:
Mariah Evans
Title:
Associate Professor
Department:
Sociology
Number of years at UNR: 6
Brief Educational background: BA, Reed College 1976; MS, University of Illinois 1978; PhD, University of
Chicago 1983
Past committee leadership roles: I do not yet have a great deal of experience chairing committees at UNR, but
I have watched (and learned from) many accomplished chairs running committees and I have begun taking on
these responsibilities. My committee leadership roles include: Chair, Curriculum Committee, School of Social
Research and Justice Studies (2011-present); Chair, Selection Committee for the Director Position, School of
Social Research and Justice Studies (2012). I am not sure if it is relevant, but since coming to UNR I have
chaired/am chairing 3 MA committees, 4 PhD Comprehensive examination committees, and 3 PhD Thesis
committees.
Brief summary of other service or experiences that support your nomination: In terms of the duty of assisting
the chair during discussions by providing background or historical information relevant to the issues, and as
they pertain to executive board discussions and actions, in one of my former capacities in Australia, I was “on
call” to the Commonwealth Parliament, so I have experience mastering and digesting policy-relevant
information quickly. Because I have not been here long, I do not have the extent and depth of personal
historical knowledge that some other colleagues have, but I am not afraid to ask. I have prior experience with
liason work, so I think I could serve effectively as liaison to a senate policy committee. In terms of the duty to
serve on a variety of committees such as selection committees, or attend meetings on behalf of the Senate, I
have served effectively on a variety of committees (with a bit of a specialization in curriculum and technology
issues, but not limited to that).
Name:
Glenn Miller
Title:
Professor,
Department:
Dept. of Natural Resources and Env. Science
Number of years at UNR:
34
Brief Educational background: Bachelor’s in in Chemistry, UC Santa Barbara
Ph.D. Agricultural Chemistry UC Davis
Past committee leadership roles:
Director, Graduate Program in Env. Sciences, 1996-2008,; 2010 present
Brief summary of other service or experiences that support your nomination:
I have involved with faculty advocacy issues with the Nevada Faculty Alliance, and have been chair for
the past two years, and previously for another two-year period, and although I will be stepping down from that
position at the end of this year, this effort has given me broad experience in the nuances of the NSHE Code
and the complexity of interpretation of the Code.
I also have broad experience in both graduate and undergraduate education as well as the research
priorities of UNR. The Faculty Senate has always had a major say in how these critical aspects of UNR have
been administered, and I feel strongly that the FS needs to retain a strong voice in those programs, since they
are the future of the University.
UNR Faculty Senate Meeting
May 9, 2012 (2012-13 Senate)
Agenda Item # 7
Informational Items:
2,530 Background Check Policy
Senate Meeting Dates:
Senate Roster 2012-13
Background Check Policy for Academic and Administrative Faculty 2,530
Revised: April 2012
Application of Policy
This policy applies to all Academic and Administrative Faculty units. NRS 293B.010 authorizes agencies of
the State of Nevada, including the Nevada System of Higher Education to obtain information on the background
and personal history of persons with whom it intends to enter into a relationship of employment.
Purpose
The University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and all other
constituents. The University performs due diligence by requiring a background check for all new hire faculty
positions. This policy outlines the details of pre-employment post offer background verification for academic
and administrative faculty.
Definitions
1. "Credit history check" means checking the credit history of the selected applicant or employee. (Federal
laws prohibit discrimination against an applicant or employee as a result of bankruptcy.)
2. "Criminal history check" means verifying that the selected applicant or employee does not have any
undisclosed criminal history in every jurisdiction where the applicant or employee currently or has formerly
resided.
3. "Educational verification" means ensuring the selected applicant or employee possesses all educational
credentials beyond high school listed on the application, resume or cover letter or otherwise cited by the
candidate that qualify the individual for the position sought.
4. "Employee" is defined as any person employed by the University of Nevada, Reno whether full- or parttime.
5. "License verification" means ensuring the selected applicant or employee possesses all the licenses listed on
the application, resume or cover letter or otherwise cited by the candidate that qualify the individual for the
position sought and verification of any license required for the position, including verification of the
disposition of such licenses. This includes any motor vehicle driver licenses required for the associated
position.
6. "Limited criminal history check" means verifying that the selected applicant or employee does not have any
undisclosed criminal history in the jurisdiction where the applicant or employee currently resides, or where
the applicant or employee last resided, if the applicant or employee only recently moved to a location near
the University.
7. "Sex and violent offender registry check" means verifying the selected applicant or employee does not have
undisclosed convictions of certain sex and violent crimes in every jurisdiction where the applicant or
employee currently or has formerly resided.
8. “Adverse information” means facts which are discovered as part of the background check which are
unfavorable to the candidate.
Policy Provisions
New Faculty Employees Background checks must be completed on new faculty members as a condition of
employment. Faculty Human Resources will coordinate the background check with a third party vendor.
Depending on the nature of the position, the department may request background information on any of the
following information.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Educational verification.
License verification (Hiring Department will verify)
Criminal history check
Sex and violent offender registry
Credit check for certain positions (Hiring Authority to determine)
Foreign nationals who have been offered employment into appointed faculty positions will be subject to the
following provisions:
1. The verification of education the candidate has cited that qualifies the individual for the position.
2. A criminal history check covering time in the United States if the period of time that the individual has
worked in the United States exceeds one year.
3. A criminal history check in the individual’s prior countries of residence only if the individual’s visa and/or
authorization to work in the United States was issued before implementation of the Patriot Act on October
24, 2001. The University will not require that a criminal history check be conducted in the individual’s prior
countries of residence if the visa or authorization to work was issued or renewed under the provisions of the
Patriot Act.
Use of Background Check Information
The third party vendor that conducts the background check will provide the results of the check to the Faculty
Human Resources Office. If the background check reveals adverse information, the Assistant Vice President,
Human Resources or designee will conduct the initial review of any adverse information. If the adverse
information is job related, the Assistant Vice President, Human Resources will consult with the hiring authority.
The final decision for disqualification/termination from consideration for a position lies with the Appointing
Authority.
Process and Procedures
1. A notice on the university’s job board will inform all applicants that they are subject to a background check
which may include: criminal history, credit history, sex and violent offender registry, education verification,
licensure and employment history.
2. An offer letter of employment must include the following statement: "This offer is contingent on the
completion of appropriate background verification of criminal history, credit history, sex and violent
offender registry, education verification, licensure and employment history.
3. After signed acceptance of the conditional offer of employment, the department will notify Faculty Human
Resources to initiate a criminal background check. The hiring department will determine if any additional
components (credit history, education verification, licensure and employment history) of the background
check will be performed.
4. If the criminal history check indicates adverse information, the vendor will inform Faculty Human
Resources.
5. If circumstances warrant, the faculty member may be allowed to start working before the results are known.
If the background check reveals adverse information, the standard review of this information to determine
job applicability would occur. The faculty member could be terminated if the conviction was deemed job
related.
6. Any decision to accept or reject an individual with a conviction is solely at the discretion of the University
of Nevada, Reno. (All related information will be treated as confidential, and protected as such.)
7. All results of criminal and sex and violent offenders’ convictions or issues are considered confidential and
will be maintained in confidential files within Faculty Human Resources.
8. The hiring department is responsible for any fees associated with any of the components of the background
check process. Faculty Human Resources will help coordinate payment to the vendor.
9. Decisions regarding the withdrawal of an employment offer as a result of a background check may not be
appealed by the applicant.
If Adverse Information Is Reported
10. If the background check indicates adverse information regarding criminal background, credit history,
licensure or employment verification, the vendor will inform Faculty Human Resources. Faculty Human
Resources will provide a copy of the report to the applicant. (All related information will be treated as
confidential, and protected as such.)
11. The Assistant Vice President, Human Resources or designee will evaluate the adverse information to
determine if it is job related and has an impact on the position.
12. Certain types of convictions should automatically preclude hiring individuals into certain positions. For
example, individuals with convictions for theft, embezzlement, identity theft or fraud should not be hired
with fiduciary responsibilities. Individuals with workplace or domestic violence convictions, crimes of a
sexual nature or other behaviors that would be inappropriate in an environment with children and young
adults. This list is not inclusive, but illustrative. Other information revealed in background checks, apart
from criminal convictions may affect campus employment decisions.
13. If the criminal history check reveals convictions which the individual disclosed on the Pre-Employment
Certification, Faculty Human Resources will review the report with the hiring department and jointly, they
will evaluate each conviction, including any additional information the individual provides, before the offer
of employment is confirmed or withdrawn. The existence of a conviction does not automatically disqualify
an individual from employment. Relevant considerations may include, but are not limited to, the nature and
number of the convictions, the amount of time elapsed since conviction, and the relationship a conviction
has to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
14. If convictions are revealed in the criminal history check which the applicant did not disclose on the Pre-
Employment Certification, the offer of employment will be withdrawn and, if employed, the individual will
be separated from employment, unless the individual shows that the report is in error. In the event that the
results of the background check influences a decision to withdraw an employment offer or terminate
employment, Faculty Human Resources will consult with the hiring authority for the unit. The final
decision lies with the appointing authority. Either the hiring authority or the Assistant Vice President,
Human Resources can request the decision be referred to the President for final consideration.
Senate Meeting Dates 2012-13
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Thursday, May 8, 2013
2012-13 Senate Roster
Administration & Finance
Todd Renwick
3
May 2015
Agriculture
Trish Ellison
Glenn Miller
2
1
May 2014
May 2013
Business Administration
Rafik Beekun
1
May 2013
Cooperative Extension
Susan Donaldson
2
May 2014
Development
Crystal Parrish
1
May 2013
Education
Shanon Taylor
3
May 2015
Engineering
Yanyao Jiang
0
May 2012
DHS
Julie Hogan
Vacant
0
May 2012
May 2013
Info Tech
Todd Borman
1
May 2013
Journalism
Rosemary McCarthy
1
May 2013
Liberal Arts
George Thomas
Mariah Evans
Marjorie Vecchio
Leah Wilds
3
3
2
1
May 2015
May 2015
May 2014
May 2013
Library
Amy Shannon
3
May 2015
Medicine
Jamie Anderson
Robert Wang
Catherine Goring
Elissa Palmer
Gerald Ackerman
3
3
2
1
1
May 2015
May 2015
May 2014
May 2013
May 2013
President’s Division
Claudene Wharton
Keith Hackett
2
1
May 2014
May 2013
Provost’s Division
Vanessa Nicholas
1
May 2013
Research
Stephanie Woolf
3
May 2015
Science
Anna Panorska
Pat Arnott
Swatee Naik
3
2
2
May 2015
May 2013
May 2013
Student Services
Chuck Price
2
May 2014
Executive Board
David Zeh
Chair
Chair-Elect
Parliamentarian
At Large
At large
David Ryfe
Ex-Officio
Michelle Hritz Senate Manager