Council of Faculty Chairs Senate Committee Chairs Meeting
MINUTES
APRIL 17, 2008
9:00AM–
11:00AM
MEETING CALLED
BY
Elizabeth Bjork, Academic Senate Chair at 9:02am.
TYPE OF MEETING
Council of Faculty Chairs and Senate Committee Chairs
PRESENT
ABSENT
2121 MURPHY HALL
Elizabeth Bjork (Senate Chair), Michael Goldstein (Senate Vice Chair/ Chair-Elect) Vivek
Shetty (Immediate Past Chair), Ines Boechat (SCC), Sachiko Cochran (SCC), Ian Coulter
(SCC), Robert Frank, Jr. (SCC), Sylvia Hurtado (SCC), James Miller ( SCC), Daniel
Mitchell (SCC), Mark Moldwin (SCC), Claudia Rapp (SCC), Jan Reiff (SCC), Eugene
Volokh (SCC), Shane White (SCC), Antronette Yancey (SCC), Ralph Frerichs (CFC), Gary
Gray (CFC), Cheryl Keyes (CFC), Robert Fovell (CFC), Joyce Newman Giger (CFC),
Duncan Lindsey (CFC), Ray Knapp (CFC), Francis Longstaff (CFC), Richard Muntz
(CFC), Robert Rhoads (CFC), Stan Schein, (CFC), John Yagiela (CFC)
Phil Bonacich (SCC), Stuart Brown (SCC), Jan DeLeeuw (SCC), Robin Fisher (SCC),
Andrea Ghez (SCC), Carlos Mechoso (SCC), Diana Messadi (SCC), Barry O’Neill (SCC),
Keith Stolzenbach (SCC), Nick Brecha (CFC), Ann Carlson (CFC), Gyula Gazdag (CFC),
Muriel McClendon (CFC)
SENATE STAFF
Jaime Balboa, Ryan Watson
GUESTS
Vice Chancellor, Legal Affairs, Kevin Reed; Assistant Chancellor, Antoinette Mongelli
CONSENT CALENDAR
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
ELIZABETH BJORK
The minutes from the February 14, 2008 meeting were approved unanimously.
n/a
REPORTS FROM FACULTY EXECUTIVE CHAIRS
FACULTY EXECUTIVE CHAIRS
DISCUSSION
Duncan Lindsey (Public Affairs): FEC Chair informed the Council that the School is in the process of
searching for a new Dean. Candidates will be visiting the campus today and in the next coming week.
Ralph Frerichs (Public Health): FEC Chair Frerichs updated the Council that the School of Public Health is
facing rising levels of faculty apathy in School service. As faculty in the School are increasingly focused on
grants, salaries, etc., the School is experiencing difficulty in finding faculty to serve on committees.
Members of the Council raised the issue of whether the faculty see their active participation is effective.
FEC Chair Frerichs responded that he feels the problem is even deeper than that, as many of the
committees do not even meet on a regular basis.
VICE CHANCELLOR OF LEGAL AFFAIRS
DISCUSSION
KEVIN REED
Vice Chancellor, Legal Affairs, Kevin Reed: Vice Chancellor Reed expressed his
appreciation for addressing the Council, expressing his sense that the CFC/SCC is a good
body to the issue of academic freedom and animal rights protests.
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Vice Chancellor Reed initially presented his general philosophy in approaching the issue of
animal rights protestors, expressing his belief in the protections of the first amendmen t,
while also conveying his sense that the protestors have often crossed a line in posting
faculty members home addresses and cell phone numbers on the web. Vice Chancellor
Reed conveyed to the Council that this behavior is not the kind of conduct the university
will idly allow. However, he also expressed the unfortunately not the type of conduct that
can be easily stopped by law.
Vice Chancellor Reed also announced that in February, former federal prosecutor John
Houston, a highly respected litigator that has led the Office of General Counsel, filed a
lawsuit requesting a temporary restraining order against the offenders. A further hearing is
set for Monday, April 21st. The temporary order mandates that individuals are to not
threaten or damage animal researchers’ property in anyway, while also protecting family of
faculty members and putting a space restriction around their homes (within 50 ft. during the
day, and 150ft. at night). The order also mandates that there should be no trespassing or
violating of municipal noise regulations and that the personal information of researchers
may not be posted online. Next week the University will request a preliminary junction
regarding the merits of the case, extending the order to apply to individuals even if they are
not named in the case. This will give campus police greater authority to enforce the order.
As of now, campus police must check the identity of each protestor to comply with the
restraining order. Despite these changes, the order is not perfect, as the University cannot
prevent individuals that are intent on breaking the law, but hoe that this order will hope to
provide some comfort.
Vice Chancellor Reed also informed the Council that the defendants have filed a
countersuit, claiming that their first amendment rights were violated. The decision is
pending (although it will most likely be months, if not years until the case is resolved).
The University has also brought forward a federal case against the group Primate Freedom
based in Georgia. Although the group does not identify itself as being affiliated with UCLA
Primate Freedom, the post office box for both groups is the same, as are many of their
members.
The second issue Vice Chancellor Reed discussed was the UC’s continuing efforts in
working with the Legislature on Assembly Bill 2296. This bill would give the Regents and
other organizations further tools in facing animal rights’ protestors (in a similar vein along
with reproductive freedom). The bill will undergo some amendments (attached are some
letters in favor and against). Vice Chancellor Peccei will also be testifying for the
Legislature in regard to this matter.
The Vice Chancellor’s office is also getting public records requests from these groups and
their attorneys related to research protocol for involving animals used in research. The
progress on this issue has also been furthered by personal work from Chancellor Block
and Vice Chancellor Morabito in regard to reimbursing faculty. Additionally, campus police
will meet and interview faculty members regarding their safety and monitor the situation
around their properties.
Members of the Council raised the issue of whether anti-terrorism laws are applicable in
this area, as there has been some success in using those laws in regard to attacks against
planned parenthood. The university has been working with the FBI, campus police and
faculty members involved to see if this approach is feasible.
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Members of the Council also raised the question of whether the University has engaged in
coordination and discussion between UC campuses on this issue. Assistant Chancellor
Mongelli assured the Council that the Vice Chancellor’s office is working to set precedent
for other campuses, however each campus has its own method in addressing this issue.
Other members of the Council raised the issue of the anniversary of Virginia Tech,
inquiring about policy changes at UCLA, particularly relating to information about students
who faculty feel are potentially in trouble, and what the legal implications of that are.
Assistant Chancellor Mongelli expressed the sense that, in this regard, the University has
found that people are defining the FIRPA too narrowly. Campus police are also working to
figure out a means of protecting such an open campus, exploring emergency
announcements through text messaging, bullhorns on buildings, and communication
avenues. The Vice Chancellor’s office will be working with Liz Gonguy, Director of Student
Mental Health, on how they are engaging problem.
Robert Rhoads (Education): FEC Chair Rhoads informed the Council that the School is working closely
with Dean Dorr to address the effects of the oncoming budget cuts. Currently, the mandate of the
Undergraduate Teaching Requirements forces latter faculty to teach a certain amount of undergraduate
courses, taking them away from their graduate duties. The requirement has caused serious difficulty in the
School as they can now no longer afford to pay for the replacement faculty to teach these undergraduate
courses. The FEC Chair inquired of the possibility of receiving a waiver or exception to this requirement.
Chair Bjork asked FEC Chair Rhoads to send memo outlining the issue so that the Senate could address the
issue.
John Yagiela (Dentistry): FEC Chair Yagiela informed the Council that the School is in the midst of
changing its pre-doctoral curriculum, working towards the goal of completely revamping it. However, the
School is experiencing a scheduling conflict in implementing the new curriculum. Additionally, the School is
looking into changing their academic calendar.
Cheryl Keyes (Arts & Architecture): FEC Chair Keyes informed the Council that the School is in the
process of exploring various strategies to deal with graduate student admission guidelines. Additionally,
FEC Chair Keyes announced that the Dean Waterman has been appointed to the Downtown Committee,
which will explore means for UCLA to have a visible presence in the downtown area. As USC has
dominated downtown space, the School is looking for spaces that School can take part in representing
UCLA’s involvement in the downtown community.
Francis Longstaff (Management): FEC Chair Longstaff updated the Council on the major issues facing the
School. Primarily, the School is facing the issue of revising their academic calendar in the professional
school, as students are facing the problem in finding internships, as they are filled by the time they are able
to finish their quarter.
Joyce Newman Giger (Nursing): FEC Chair Giger announced that the School lost Dean Marie Cowan, who
passed away in February. FEC Chair Giger also announced that the School’s current interim Dean will be
replaced by appointment of Dean Courtney Rider as the permanent Dean later this year.
Richard Muntz (Engineering): FEC Chair Muntz updated the Council on the work in the School, indicating
that their main ongoing business relates to curriculum matters. The School is working to make adjustments
to the common requirements to help students change majors in first few years. The School is also working
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to reduce the number of units students must take to fulfill their requirements (most are around 185).
Additionally, as Engineering is becoming more multidisciplinary, there is a new requirement of technical
breadth, which requires student to take courses outside their major. The School has also approved a
change to the writing requirement (will now be called the “engineering writing requirement”). The course will
qualify for the Writing II requirement however these classes may be in the school of engineering or a Writing
II course that already exists.
Mark Moldwin (Honors, Awards): Honors, Awards, and Prizes Chair Moldwin updated the Council on the
work of the committee, announcing that they are in their busy season. The 2008 acceptance letters were
distributed to 10,000 UCLA undergraduate applicants, with 45,000 rejection letters. The Committee is also
reviewing applications for merit scholarships, and expresses thanks to all faculty who involved in
participating in recruitment processes. Out of 55,000 applicants, 500-600 oft the top students to apply, which
will then be down-selected to about 200 students; the committee is hoping for a final acceptance of about 75
students.
Robert Frank (Planning & Budget): Council on Planning & Budget Chair Frank announced that the Council
is working on the continuation of its usual analysis and comment for several systemwide proposals. The
Council is also continuing to monitor the budget situation. The Council is generally in support of the
systemwide proposal of priorities put forth by Hume, which includes a protection and hopefully extension of
graduate student support, and an extension of faculty salaries. The Council is experiencing some frustration,
as they have requested to be briefed on how UCLA will respond to potential budget cuts, and have so far not
received a clear answer. In response to lack of action planning, the Council is working to develop a set of
budget priorities for UCLA. The primary feature is an emphasis that cuts to all parts of the budget are to be
in play, not just those that are set to be marginally altered this year. The Council is also supports the
continued raising of faculty salary levels between UCLA and other comparative institutions, to ensure
competitive future and optimal recruiting environment.
Robert Fovell (L&S: Physical Sciences): FEC Chair Fovell announced that the College of Letters &
Science is planning for a 17.5% cut to departmental budgets. Although Vice Chancellor Olsen has indicated
cuts will be around 5-7%, these cuts will have a more profound effect on departmental budgets, as the
School cannot touch faculty salaries.
Ines Boechat (CODEO): CODEO Chair Boechat discussed the salary equity report currently being done by
UCAT; the data will be collected about faculty equity at all campuses. The Committee has also raised
concern about the level of diversity on Senate committees, and will meet with ConC later this afternoon and
provide them with a list of faculty members from underrepresented groups on campus. Additionally, the
Committee is in the process of selecting the recipients of the 2008 Fair and Open Academic Environment
Award, of which they received 24 nominations for the award.
Jeanne Giovannoni (UEPRRC): UEPRRC Representative Giovannoni announced that the Committee will
resume their all-day seminar on pre-retirement issues and medical benefits. They have received
overwhelming interest in the event and will conduct another seminar later in the Spring. The seminar will be
presented in joint cooperation with the Senate, Campus Human Resources, and the Emeriti Center.
Shane White (FWC): Faculty Welfare Committee Chair White informed the Council that the Committee has
sent out the Faculty Welfare Alert and is collecting responses from faculty across campus. This year the
survey was distributed to all faculty, as the Committee felt that it was important in improving communication
with non-senate faculty, and improving understanding about what the Senate does as there is a growing
sense of disenfranchisement in majority non-senate departments. On a systemwide level, the budget is a
prominent issue. The Committee has engaged divisional FWC chairs, and has felt frustrated by the
responses from UCOP administration. In regard to the UCOP restructuring, the Committee feels absolutely
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stonewalled by the lack of information received after repeated requests.
Daniel Mitchell (CAP): CAP Chair Mitchell updated the Council on regarding CAP’s work perception of the
lack of the mentoring of junior faculty, as CAP has noticed that self statements in dossiers often only include
mentoring of doctoral students and not other junior colleagues. Chair Mitchell would like to encourage the
mentorship of junior faculty as an aspect of the dossier review process.
Eugene Volokh (Academic Freedom): Academic Freedom Chair Volokh informed the Council of the
ongoing work of the Committee, announcing that the Committee has invited Assistance Chancellor Mongelli
and UCLA chief of police to present to the Committee the kinds of protections offered against lawbreakers.
The Committee has also expressed their concern about the inadequate compensation for damage that
faculty members have endured as a result of animal rights protests.
Ian Coulter (International Education): International Education Chair Coulter updated the Council that EAP
is facing a 15% budget cut. The campuses of Irvine and UCLA have been tasked meeting with Graduate
Council to further discuss the role of graduate students in EAP. The Committee is also working on a
strategic development plan, which they hope to complete this year.
Antronette Yancey (Intercollegiate Athletics): Intercollegiate Athletics Chair Yancey informed that Council
that the Committee has been primarily addressing issues surrounding the hiring of a new women’s basketball
head coach. Representatives from the Committee have been meeting with the respective candidates and
have been reassured that academics will play a significant factor in their coaching. Chair Yancey also
announced the success of integrating more athletes in the Public Health minor, in an effort to help expand
the academic scope of athletes on campus.
James Miller (ConC): Prior to addressing the body, Council member Shetty informed the Council that Chair
Miller received the 2008 Dickson Emeritus Professorship Award, which honors the service of highly
dedicated UCLA emeriti professors. Chair Miller announced also the UCLA’s c andidate for the Oliver
Johnson Award did not win, expressing the hope that the Council would present some form of recognition for
those nominated for the award. Chair Miller also announced that ConC has completed its candidate slate for
the search committee for the EVC, and will also be creating a new standing Senate committee on
development/fundraising. The proposal has been presented to the Executive Board will be to the Legislative
Assembly at the June meeting. The membership on the committee will include the Chancellor and Vice
Chancellor of External affairs as ex-officio members, and seven other Senate members appointed by ConC.
CONCLUSIONS
n/a
ACTION ITEMS
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
DEADLINE
n/a
Meeting adjourned at 10:59am.
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Council of Faculty Chairs and Senate Committee Chairs Attendance Record 2007-2008
Name
Bjork, Elizabeth (Senate Chair)
Goldstein, Michael (Senate Vice Chair)
Shetty, Vivek (Senate Immediate Past Chair)
Boechat, Ines (SCC – Diversity)
Bonacich, Phillip (SCC - Charges)
Brecha, Nick (CFC - Medicine)
Brown, Stuart (SCC- UgC)
Carlson, Ann (CFC - Law)
Cochran, Sachiko (SCC - Emeriti)
Coulter, Ian (SCC – Education Abroad)
De Leeuw, Jan (SCC – Comm & Continuing Ed)
Fisher, Robin (SCC – R&J)
Fovell, Robert (CFC – L&S Physical Sciences)
Frank, Robert Jr. (SCC - CPB)
Frerichs, Ralph (CFC – Public Health)
Gazdag, Gyula (CFC - TFT)
Ghez, Andrea (SCC – Faculty Research Lec)
Giger, Joyce Newman (CFC - Nursing)
Hurtado, Sylvia (SCC - CUARS)
Keyes, Cheryl (CFC – Arts and Architecture)
Knapp, Raymond (CFC – L&S Humanities)
Lindsey, Duncan (CFC – Public Affairs/Urban
Plan)
Longstaff, Francis (CFC – Anderson SOM)
Messadi, Diana (SCC - COR)
Mc Clendon, Muriel (CFC – L&S Social
Sciences)
Mechoso, Carlos (SCC - GAC)
Miller, James (SCC - ConC)
Mitchell, Daniel (SCC - CAP)
Moldwin, Mark (SCC–Honors,Awards,Prizes
UgC)
Muntz, Richard (CFC - Engineering)
O’Neill, Barry (SCC – P&T)
Rapp, Claudia (SCC - Library)
Reiff, Jan (SCC - GC)
Rhoads, Robert (CFC – Education)
Schein, Stan (CFC – L&S Life Sciences)
Volokh, Eugene (SCC – Academic Freedom)
White, Shane (SCC – Faculty Welfare)
Yancey, Antronette (SCC-Intercollegiate
Athletics)
10/25/07
12/13/07
02/14/08
04/17/08
X
X
X
EX
EX
X
EX
A
EX
EX
EX
EX
X
X
X
X
EX
X
EX
X
X
EX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
X
X
A
A
X
X
X
X
A
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
X
X
A
X
X
EX
X
X
X
X
X
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
X
EX
A
EX
X
A
EX
X
X
X
EX
A
X
EX
X
X
X
EX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EX
EX
EX
EX
EX
EX
A
X
X
EX
A
X
X
X
A
X
X
X
X
EX
EX
EX
X
X
EX
EX
EX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EX
X
X
X
X
X
A
X
X
EX
EX
EX
X
X
X
X
X
(CFC) = Council of Faculty Chairs
(SCC) = Senate Committee Chairs
X = Present
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06/12/08
EX = Excused
A = Absent without notice
*Due to a staffing error, Senate Committee Chairs were not in attendance at 10/25
meeting
7