ACADEMIC COUNCIL
Minutes
August 22, 2013
Present: Kirk W. Beisel, Olaf E Böhlke, J. Christopher Bradberry, Charles B. Braymen, Laura
L. Bruce, Susan A. Calef, James Jay Carney, Lucinda R. Carroll, Stephen J. Cavalieri, D.
Roselyn Cerutis, Bartholomew E. Clark, Thomas F. Coffey, Marianne B. Culhane, Diane M.
Cullen, William M. Duckworth, Robert W. Dunlay, Pamela A. Foral, Venkatesh Govindarajan,
Anthony R. Hendrickson, Eleanor V. Howell, William J. Hunter, Gail M. Jensen, Maorong
Jiang, Bridget M. Keegan, Erika L. Kirby, Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., Thomas L. Lenz, Sandor
Lovas, Jeffrey J. Maciejewski, Mark A. Malesker, George W. McNary, Nicholas A. Mirkay,
Edward A. Morse, Michael G. Nichols, Martha E. Nunn, Edward R. O’Connor, Karen A.
Paschal, Victor A. Padrón, James E. Platz, Enrique Rodrigo, Sonia M. Sanchez, Margaret A.
Scofield, David L. Sidebottom, Garrett A. Soukup, Jos V. M. Welie Marlene K. Wilken, and
Jinmei Yuan.
Excused: Murray J. Casey, (proxy, Caron J. Gray), Cindy L. Costanzo, (proxy, Kimberly S.
Redd), James S. Jansen, (Proxy, Andrea M. Jahn), Mark A. Latta, (Proxy, Thomas R. Meng),
Lori B. Rubarth, (proxy, Lindsay Iverson), and Tammy O. Wichman, (Proxy Ilya G. Berim).
Absent: Karl A. Bergmann, Charles S. Bockman, Alicia K. Klanecky, Sanjeev K. Sharma and
David S. Vanderboegh.
Guests: Joseph E. Simmons, S.J. and Rene L. Padilla
Call to Order:
Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., President of the University, called the meeting of the Academic
Council to order at 4:00 p.m. in Room 404 of the Hixson-Lied Science Building.
Welcome New Members and Provost:
Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., welcomed the new and returning members of the Academic
Council and made two introductions. Edward R. O’Connor was introduced as the new Provost of
the University, and Joseph E. Simmons, S.J., was introduced as an assistant to the President.
Approval of the Agenda for the Present Meeting:
Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., asked for one change to the agenda; there being no objection, the
agenda was approved by general consent.
Reflection:
Joseph E. Simmons, S.J., offered the reflection.
Election of the Secretary of the Academic Council:
Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., called for nominations for the position of Secretary of the
Academic Council. Dr. Thomas F. Coffey reported that the Faculty Council voted unanimously
to nominate Prof. George W. McNary, J.D., as Secretary of the Academic Council. There being
no other nominations, Prof. McNary was elected by general consent.
Approval of the Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council of April 25, 2013 with attachment and the
minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council of May 2, 2013 with attachment were
distributed with the agenda. There being no objections, the minutes were approved as distributed
by general consent.
Comments by the President:
Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., thanked the Council on their work on behalf of the University. He
said he was amazed and marveled at how the Faculty take an interest in our students, and in the
role we play and the expectations placed on Faculty. He noted that we are excellent in the way
we treat the students but not so to others on the Faculty and to the Staff. He noted that it is
Faculty’s nature to be critical, but he wanted to reaffirm the Jesuit Care of the Person, He is
delighted with Dr. O’Connor in his first few days on Campus. Fr. Lannon also discussed the
Planning Process; he congratulated Dr. Caron Grey on a recently reported patient outcome and
mentioned that Planning work has been done in every college and school, and over 200 people
have been involved. He made note of his recent email on planning in the School of Medicine.
With the Alegent-Creighton system being sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), there
are many challenges to be faced to bring all of the hospitals into one system. CHI announced a
new Board of Directors, combining the old Alegent-Creighton Health board with the CHI
Nebraska board. There is an ongoing conversation about the future size of Alegent-Creighton
Health and how health care will look in the future. Part of the Strategic Planning Process will be
on our relationship with CHI and Alegent-Creighton and how it will deliver health care. This is
an extensive process involving The University, Alegent-Creighton Health and the community.
Fr. Lannon reported that a search committee is being formed for the School of Medicine Dean,
with a goal of a report in December. There will be a search committee for a new Vice-President
for Student Life. The current Vice-President, Dr. John C. Cernech will retire in December; he
has held the position for many years and, given the timing of the search, it is likely that there will
be an interim Vice-President appointed. Lastly he discussed with the Council the change in the
Vice-President for Information Services; Brian A. Young has accepted a position which he will
leave for on October 1. Mark Mongar, Assistant Vice-President for Information Technology,
will be the interim Vice-President for Information Services while the University organizes the
search for a replacement.
Report of the Faculty Council:
Dr. Thomas F. Coffey, President of the University Faculty, presented the report from the Faculty
Council. The Faculty Council reviewed the attachments and agenda items for the Academic
Council. Dr. Bartholomew E. Clark, was elected Secretary of the Faculty Council, and as such
will serve ex officio as representative for the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, The
following members of the Faculty Council were elected to the Executive Committee of the
Academic Council: Dr. James E. Platz for the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Charles B.
Braymen, for the College of Business Administration, Edward A. Morse, J.D., for the School of
Law, Dr. D. Roselyn Cerutis, for the School of Dentistry, Dr. Marlene K. Wilken for the School
of Medicine, and Dr. Cindy L. Costanzo, for the School of Nursing. The Faculty Council
recommended unanimously that Prof. George W. McNary, J.D. be nominated for the position of
Secretary of the Academic Council. The Faculty Council recommended unanimously that
Edward A. Morse, J.D., be appointed as Parliamentarian of the Academic Council. The Faculty
Council went over the list of dates for meetings of the Academic Council and for the Executive
Committee of the Academic Council. There will be a special election in the College of Nursing
to replace Dr. Marlene K. Wilken, who is now with the Center for health Policy and Ethics in the
School of Medicine. The Faculty Salary Study will be a Faculty Council agenda item in
September, Computing issues, particularly Administrator Rights, has been raised as an agenda
item. Dr. D. Roselyn Cerutis, gave a report on the Faculty Commons and highlighted some
community-building opportunities for faculty members, and shared handouts on those
opportunities. The Faculty Council discussed the addendum on raises for Faculty Contracts that
are proposed to be given out in October. Given the numerous versions of Faculty Contracts and
the need to simplify, this is an area that needs to be looked at. The Faculty Council noted that the
new Schedule of Classes is going forward, and this may present opportunities to evaluate the
changes implemented, and future changes may be proposed. The Faculty Council has been
contacted about providing twelve Faculty Council members to assist in review of the Strategic
Plan; the Faculty Council will work to provide those names. The proposed name change of
University College to some other name was brought up with no consensus of on a substitute. The
next item was the review of the changes proposed to the University Statutes in the May
Academic Council meeting; these will be discussed later today when they are brought forward.
Lastly, the Faculty Council discussed the areas it would like to prioritize for 2013-2014. They
will distribute a list of priorities to the members of the Council and ask the members of the
Council to respond with suggestions on such priorities.
Appointment of Parliamentarian of Academic Council:
Dr. Thomas F. Coffey reported that the Faculty Council had voted unanimously to recommend
the appointment of Edward A. Morse, J.D., as Parliamentarian. Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.,
following this advice, appointed Edward A. Morse, J.D., to the position of Parliamentarian.
Schedule of Meetings for Academic Council for 2013-2014:
The proposed dates for the 2013-2014 Academic were presented for informational purposes and
to clarify some meeting dates that were changed to address a new Chair installation.
Introduction of Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management:
Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., introduced Mr. Tim P. Norton as the new Assistant Vice president
for Facilities Management. Mr. Norton described his background and briefly discussed his
favorable opinion of the Campus.
Changes to University Statutes:
Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., asked for reconsideration on several of the proposed changes to
University Statutes that had been passed at the May Academic Council meeting. After a long
discussion on each of the points, the following were agreed to, subject to the Motion at the end.
Issue #1
Motion #1 of May 2, 2013:
That the changes under Presidential Search (§1.A.3; pages 4-5) be accepted, with the
following exceptions:
•all occurrences of a change from “shall” to “may” or an addition of “may” in the
place of “shall”;
•all occurrences of a change from “selected” to “nominated”
Discussion #1:
Fr. Lannon suggested returning to the previously proposed language to address the need for the
Board to have flexibility to quickly make an offer to hire a new President, similar to what
happened in his selection. Returning to the prior model would allow the Board to be able to
select a candidate either quickly, or using the process in place where there is a less time
constrained circumstance. After protracted discussion, it was agreed to return to the wording of
the 2009 University Statutes, with the issue brought up at a future meeting of the Academic
Council as a substantive item, in regard to the issue of flexibility. The Council agreed to the
following:
Agreement #1:
That the changes under Presidential Search (§1.A.3; pages 4-5) be reversed, and that the
language would remain the same as the previous (2009) version of the University Statutes.
Issue #2
Motion #5 of May 2, 2013:
That the Provost and each Vice President section contain the following as Section b: “To
aid in the selection of this officer, the President shall form a Search Committee consisting
of two faculty members elected by the Academic Council, two staff members elected by the
Staff Advisory Council, one student member elected by the Creighton Students Union, and
three additional members appointed by the President of the University.”
Discussion #2:
Having the option to appoint two to four additional members at the President’s option, provides
needed flexibility in the selection processes of the various officers. The Council agreed to the
following wording:
Agreement #2:
That the Provost and each Vice President section contain the following Section: “To aid in
the selection of this officer, the President shall form a Search Committee consisting of two
faculty members elected by the Academic Council, two staff members elected by the Staff
Advisory Council, one student member elected by the Creighton Students Union, and two
to four additional members appointed by the President of the University.”
Issues #3 and #4
Motions #8 and #9 of May 2, 2013
That the words “aided by input from the faculty and staff members and the students of the
respective School or College” be added after the stricken words “three years” in §2.A.4.;
page 18.
That the Faculty Council does not endorse the removal of the sentence: “Ordinarily, a
Dean should not serve more than ten years.
Discussion #3 and #4:
Considerable discussion on the proposed Dean’s Evaluation model and the desire to have yearly
evaluation of a Dean, but not have too burdensome a process, while keeping each of the
constituency’s involved, and getting a voice, resulted in the compromise language. It also was
agreed that the issue of term limits for Deans could be brought up again at a subsequent meeting
as a substantive item.
Agreements #3 & #4:
A performance review of the Dean shall be conducted annually by the Provost, with
extensive evaluation every three years by the Provost aided by input from the faculty, staff
members, and students of the respective School or College in accordance with the bylaws
of each School or College. Ordinarily, a Dean should not serve more than ten years.
Motion:
Following the discussion on the proposed changes, the following Motion was made:
That the proposed changes be adopted, subject to review by the General Council, Andrea
M. Jahn, Dr. Thomas F. Coffey, and George W. McNary.
Motion passed unanimously.
Fr. Lannon noted that the previous changes to address the role of the Provost meant that Dr.
O’Connor would chair future meetings of the Academic Council. A question was asked on how
the President will be connected to the Faculty now that the Provost is taking over. Fr Lannon
said that he was not happy and that in his opinion the Academic Council was still a Committee
on the Faculty Handbook. He wants to have the Academic Council be a source of innovation
ideas. Distance Education is becoming very big. One option to address the original question was
for the President to update the Academic Council every other meeting. He wants the Academic
Council to talk about interdisciplinary action and leave the changes to the Faculty Handbook to
the Faculty Handbook Committee. Fr. Lannon would like to take better advantage of our time; at
St. Joseph’s this committee was able to come up with ideas. He wants to dream with us on ideas.
The Arts and Sciences Senate offers an example of what he is proposing. He sees more vibrancy
and ideas coming from that body. He wants the Academic Council to reframe itself on how it
wants to proceed. In finishing he said we do great things and it is a privilege to be President and
he is grateful for the opportunity.
Announcements:
There were no announcements.
Old Business:
There was no old business.
New Business:
There was no new business.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
George w. McNary, J.D,
Secretary, Academic Council