College Senate
MINUTES OF COLLEGE SENATE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2003
Motion to approve the agenda: B. Simon/Courtney
Motion to approve minutes of October 20, 2003. S. Kershnar pointed out that he wanted to strike the part where it stated he said restructuring was a management decision. He did not state that. V. Conover wanted the minutes to reflect the commentary and concern of the potential for increased workload expressed so nobly by M. Nelson. M. Karnes wished to add K. Tillery's name to the guest list. The amended minutes were approved Nelson/Karnes.
SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTSJ. Chilberg reported on charges to charges to Academic Affairs and Faculty and Professional Affairs. He reported for Bob Rogers on the University Plenary session, which rejected the policy on SUNY-wide assessment. Candace Young presented at the Plenary about assessment at Truman State in Missouri, which was well done and about value-added assessment.
TASKFORCE FOR ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN ACADEMIC GOVERNANCEC. Davis reported on the attached hybrid model, which was based on feedback from the straw ballot. He is seeking a charge to continue the work and come back with the specific language and by law changes required. N. Feit inquired about the history of this and whether there was some sort of dissatisfaction with the current system. C. Davis replied that it was designed to enhance participation. N. Boynton said that things were a bit out of whack in terms of representation. S. Kershnar questioned why it is a good thing to do in terms of representation. Reddy clarified by stating each department will be represented unless over 25 then will have two. J. McVicker said that interdisciplinary programs needed to be represented and how it may affect the committee preference list. T. Steinberg questioned whether the new structure might mean we will get reluctant senators. R. Byrne questioned where Economics was on this. C. Johnsen wanted to increase the amount of students on Senate and asked Chilberg the procedure. Chilberg said that the item can be forwarded to exec committee before and we can get it on agenda. N. Boynton wanted to be sure that her comments about representation and getting senators was certainly not meant to impugn the Arts. MOTION TO CHARGE THE COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE WORK AND CREATE NECESSARY BYLAW CHANGES Approved with three nays and two abstentions.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENTPresident Hefner reported that NCATE was here and expressed appreciation for the tremendous work. In 3 months should come the finalization of the process. Thanks and appreciation to all involved. He will be attending SUNY President's meeting on Thursday and Friday and should have some more information on next year's budget. The Assembly Higher Education Committee is looking at the 5-year capital construction plan, which is a good sign. As for system wide assessment and the Board of Trustees, the committee on Academic Standing of the Board voted 4-1 to work with statewide Senate on the issue. There is a task force formed to look at club sports and their role on campus. The play HAY FEVER was quite enjoyable. This weekend will be the Hillman Opera as well as being the beginning of the hockey season.
Also, there will be a look at policies and strengthen them relating to affirmative action. J. McVicker questioned whether the officer is full-time. The President replied there have not been resources but it has been discussed.
REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRSA. I. Musah thanked the campus for its work on NCATE. The teaching evaluation policy needs to be deployed at the department level. He entertained questions on the attached policy on structural realignment. T. Steinberg presented a list of specific concerns about the proposal. Among them were the issue of justifying a new dean in the current financial climate, the need for another administrator, certain perceived favored departments, faculty imbalances, and especially the belief that the argument has been made to show that the restructuring is necessary. Musah responded about efficiency problems and line of functions as well as two deans not being enough for the amount of work. R. Antosh questioned the necessity of the proposal. Musah responded as well to the question of money in that there will be the same amount of administrators; they will be realigned. The question of departmental imbalances was that Education/Business have more components to deal with.
There was a great deal of open discussion. Would the workload of Education and Business would be too much. There were departments missing from the chart (that will be rectified). B. Simon questioned where Interdisciplinary Studies go. S. Kershnar said that he supported the Senate voting on the proposal. Chilberg responded that we only vote as recommendation (sense of the Senate). It is an administration call. We have the opportunity to question and comment. There were further comments on specifics of the structure. A. Wilson expressed concern about the availability of deans to students. Musah responded that the goal was to make them more visible. R. Antosh expressed concern about resource allocation. A. Zevenbergen asked whether we have enough time before the December meeting to engage in information gathering. Musah said to look to the issue of strategic planning and we will have opportunity to speak to individual departments.
C. Telly made a statement about the lack of communication on certain issues. For example, the J term was not discussed. Now we are doing a restructuring and it is rather confusing relating to the pace and rationale. Musah said this was in place before he got here. Telly responds that the discussion about details later is a monumental task. How could a newer person on campus know much about the campus? Management theory would tell you to wait to do this until you have a better understanding of the organization. He wants to know what the details are and clarification. Musah responded that there certainly have been many different opportunities for communication.
MOTION TO EXTEND MEETING 15 MINUTES-Lee/Carney Musah will revise and listen to concerns. There will be a revision for the December meeting.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Faculty and Professional Affairs -K. Tillery reported that the Children in the Workplace Policy has been revised. The third reading and vote will be in December. The part-time faculty forum was held and 12 people showed up.
Academic Affairs-K. McMahon-the SLN committee is moving slowly as they lost two members. They have interviewed students and faculty who teach SLN and a report will be forthcoming.
REED LIBRARY REPORT R. Gadikian talked about the Advisory Committee meeting and the attendant concerns about staffing, budgeting, and space. There will be a policy to comply with concerns relating to the Patriot Act. There have been no requests for information from any law enforcement-but of course he couldn't tell you if he had. C. Louison complimented the library on the good job dealing with the Patriot Act.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Johnsen/Klein
Meeting adjourned at 6:00. Minutes submitted RAY RUSHBOLDT-COLLEGE SENATE SECRETARY
Minutes submitted by RAY RUSHBOLDT-College Senate Secretary