November 7, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Chair Jacqueline Swansinger at 4:05 PM in Fenton 105.
Approval of the minutes
Moved and seconded (Reddy/Stoddart) that the minutes of the meeting of October 3, 2005, be approved. No discussion. Passed by unanimous voice vote.
Approval of the agenda
Moved and seconded (Reddy/Rushboldt) that the agenda be approved. No discussion. Passed by unanimous voice vote.
Report of the Chair
Chair Jacqueline Swansinger referred to the Fredonia Plan (attached to these minutes) and the Executive Summary of the Fredonia Plan and offered to email copies of either document to Senators who were not able to obtain a copy from the table in the front of the room. She then reported that the Senate Executive Board and Pres. Hefner discussed this ‘final' version, and it is here for a ‘first reading'. She informed the body that the Fredonia Plan will be taken up for a vote at the February meeting of the University Senate. The Executive Board, with Pres. Hefner's concurrence, will organize two luncheon meetings in January, close to the beginning of the spring semester, to which Senators, Department Chairs, and interested faculty to discuss and debate the ‘final' version. We hope to offer the chance for faculty to engage, discuss, and provide opportunities to help the faculty and the Senate to take charge of this plan. We want your input in a reflective manner. Details about the topics and dates will be available by the December meeting.
Questions:
Dr. Reddy asked what the phrase "final version" really meant. Dr. Swansinger indicated that her use of the word ‘final' really meant ‘the most recent' version. She expects that good discussion may lead to further changes, and there are still Senate committees working on reviewing the plan.
Report of the President
Pres. Hefner began his remarks by holding up a DFT phone book, proudly proclaiming that a picture of the campus made the cover of the phone book. Also the inside cover has markings that reflect the walkways on campus.
He then moved to an update on his meeting with the SUNY Board Finance Committee. Pres. Hefner said this was the best draft proposed budget he has seen since he came to SUNY. All inflationary increases are covered, plus there are dollars for energy, EDP, full restoration of the $50 million impounded from the last budget, enrollment growth, technology, instructional equipment, funding for "honors colleges" (he assured us Fredonia would be included among those), and the new performance funding. All-in-all this draft proposal is roughly a 12% increase. It is higher than it would be due to several "catch-up" provisions. The Finance Committee, plus about eight SUNY presidents, and five other Board members attending the meeting (including Board Chairman Egan) all expressed support for this draft budget proposal. There will be a meeting next week with the full Board of Trustees, when the draft proposal will be voted upon. BAP II was also discussed at the Finance Committee meeting, and again all there expressed favorable comments. The new BAP will be good for Fredonia. One other note, the SUNY budget request will include a request for a tuition policy but not for a tuition increase. The Chancellor is thinking that it will be a major step to achieve the policy, even without an increase this year. The Governor wants to cover inflationary increases with state funding this year, so the focus will be on getting a tuition policy in place.
Pres. Hefner commented that he feels it is appropriate that the Senate Executive Board conduct the workshops that Chair Swansinger outlined in January, with a vote on the plan at the February meeting.
He reminded all present of the UUP/Fredonia retirement dinner on Nov. 9, and he informed all that the men's soccer team lost in a shoot-out and lost the SUNYAC Championship. But there is good news: because of Fredonia's record, the team has received one of three invitations to compete in the NCAA tournament.
Questions:
Dr. Reddy asked for further information on the role of Interim Chancellor Ryan regarding the budget process. Pres. Hefner extolled the Chancellor, saying he has become an advocate for SUNY. He is working hard with the Board to get them to work in their appropriate role as advocates for SUNY. He breakfasts once or twice a month with the Director of Budget. Rather than going to the Governor's Office asking for permission to ask for what is needed, he gives them advance notice about what he's going to do because it is the right thing to do for SUNY. He has been very capable working with both sides of the aisle with legislators.
Report of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
Announcements:
- After the campus had a visit from representatives of Ege University in Turkey, an agreement has been reached to begin an exchange program. Thanks go to Dr. John Staples and Dr. Khalid Siddiqui for their assistance. The Faculty Senate at Ege University has already approved the documents. We are in the final stages of checking the documents, and the program will come to the Senate for debate.
- Fredonia University was well-represented at a SUNY-wide meeting on assessment. Drs. Roger Byrne, Jacky Swansinger, and Cheryl Drout attended, and Dr. Drout presented re: program level assessment, as well as being part of a panel discussion.
- For awareness: a follow-up to the Academic Affairs Survey will be undertaken. Two "learning communities" will be created as pilots in the spring semester. These will not be official committees or policy-making bodies, but a gathering of interested persons. Academic Affairs is thinking that they will be dealing with topics related to 1) service learning, and 2) the first-year experience. Both of these topics were mentioned frequently in the Academic Affairs Survey from fall 2005.
- Len Faulk might invite a consultant to campus to look at our Lifelong Learning component in the Graduate Studies and Lifelong Learning Office. No decisions have been made regarding the structure of this area, and we want to be sure we make the right decisions.
Dr. Horvath asked if there were any questions before moving to the Academic Master Plan. There being none, Chair Swansinger asked for discussion re: the Academic Master Plan (revised version 7-Nov-05 attached to these minutes.)
Dr. Julia Wilson asked if the Plan as it will be voted on will include language concerning what was agreed upon at the last Senate meeting, that Mathematics is not promising to do the new [ M.A.T.??? ] program, but will undertake it only if resources are provided. Dr. Horvath indicated that the language wasn't in the Plan itself, but was certainly in the notes she took during the discussion of the Plan.
Dr. James Ivey suggested that the B.A. in Theater should have a Program Review date of 2007/08 rather than "NA". Dr. Horvath asked him if his department had made Dr. Karnes aware of the need for this. Dr. Ivey indicated that probably Dr. Karnes had not been made aware. Then Dr. Ivey moved that the SUNY Program Review for the Theater B.A. be added in the final column of the second page to read "2007-2008." Dr. Feit seconded.
During discussion of the motion, Dr. Ted Schwalbe raised the question that Communication's B.S. in Journalism shows a Program Review date of 2009-2010, and that should be 2010-2011, and moved that change. At this point in the discussion, Dean Ewing spoke to the point that he thought Dr. Karnes had indicated programs that will be reviewed in the next cycle with the "NA," and perhaps that should be used for both the Theater and the Communications (Journalism) reviews at this time. Both Dr. Ivey and Dr. Schwalbe seemed in agreement, and the motions were amended to the concept that Dr. Ewing had espoused. Ms. Eikenberg seconded. With no further discussion, the amended motion passed by unanimous voice vote. There being no further discussion on the Master Plan the vote was taken. The Academic Master Plan 2005-2006 Through 2009-2010 passed by unanimous voice vote.
CALENDAR COMMITTEE
Dr. Mac Nelson reported on the proposed calendar. Two pages of the calendar were passed out at the meeting. (Secretary has no copy to attach.) He began by informing the body that most of the recommendations are ‘vanilla', and follow established guidelines. However, one is more controversial. Registration for this fall semester was on a Sunday. Not everyone loved that. The Committee wrestled with this. Should there be a specific registration day? If yes, which day? The Committee felt that Sunday was, indeed, the best day.
Questions:
Dr. Telly asked if this was the first time that registration was on a Sunday in the fall. Response: Yes and typically only 300-400 students need to register this ‘late' in the cycle.
Dr. Bob Rogers commented that having just gone through advising, it is difficult to advice students well when one is also dealing with classes. Response: the possibility of scheduling advising days has been discussed in the past. The Committee will take any comments on advising scheduling under advisement. Please send comments to Mac Nelson.
Dr. Jacobson commented that it seemed that to achieve scheduled advising days, the only way would be to take days away from vacation. Dr. Nelson answered that the State has a minimum for the number of teaching days in a semester/year. It would, for example, be possible to reduce the Thanksgiving break to three days instead of an entire week.
Dr. Straight asked how you are getting the total days. He saw 72 teaching days and 77 total days. Response: we must have 15 weeks in a semester, the total days includes exam week (after teaching has concluded.)
Dr. straight followed up asking isn't the minimum 70 teaching days. Response: 75 total days is the minimum.
Dr. Straight: even though there are a couple of semesters on the low side of 70 [teaching days]. Response: yep.
Dr. Telly commented on the advising days idea, saying that he understood that the advising period has been lengthened in an attempt to help the situation. Response: yes, that was the idea. To have scheduled advising days, the question is where do we get the days to use for that purpose.
Dr. McKinney suggested if advising comes at a specific week, perhaps faculty could take into consideration in their syllabi that fact. Registrar Nan Bowser responded that usually registration begins in the first week of November and April, but we always say tentatively because sometimes in the spring it will begin in the last week of March.
Dr. McVicker questioned the rationale for a day off on Easter Monday. This is a state school. We shouldn't be doing such things. Response: this is done to allow our students safer travel back to campus. Traffic on Easter Sunday can be horrific. Dr. McVicker repeated her discomfort with having a state school grant extra time at Easter.
Dr. Jacobson commented that every semester has two days of the week [Sec. lost comment] 15 instead of 14. Response: that is not always the case. Some semesters are down to the bare minimum of 70 teaching days [and we couldn't spare those two days.]
Pres. Hefner interjected that the New York regulations provide for the shortest calendar he has ever been working under. Most states require 160 days/year, including finals week. We have 151-152 usually.
Dr. Jacobson expressed thankfulness for the extension of the advising/registration period.
Dr. Simmons expressed negative feelings toward having registration on Sunday. We need to be mindful of people who are religious. That is their Sabbath.
Dr. Ivey asked if advising on Sunday could begin later in the day, to allow church goers to attend their services. Response: yes, it probably could. Registrar Nan Bowser informed the body that this past registration began at 9:30 AM, and it went on for six hours. Part of this time was a special convocation for new students in the afternoon. We might be able to hold that convocation in the evening. Those doing this work tend to be the Department Chairs, not the general faculty.
Dr. McVicker said that as one of those Department Chairs, Sunday registration is a bad idea. Monday would work, and we wouldn't have to bring in all the CSEA and professional employees who work extra time for this.
Dr. McKinney asked why not do this on the previous Friday.
Mr. Rees offered the point that Friday or Monday registration could put a burden on the parents of student, especially those from some distance away (using Long Island as an example.) He reminded the body that it could be detrimental to have parents have to take off more time from work than would be necessary to bring their students to Fredonia. Many have a two-day trip (8-9 hours one-way) and it is just easier to deal with this over a weekend. Response: Another part of a Friday registration is that it would put pressure on getting the dorms ready and open earlier.
Dr. Jacobson offered that Monday would not have the problem with the parents. The students could be here on the weekend, and the parents would not have to take extra vacation days.
Dr. Schwalbe reported that in a meeting, 20 out of about 28 chairs voted for Sunday registration. Monday is problematic for courses that meet only one day a week.
Registrar Bowser reminded the body that we gave up Labor Day last year to have registration on a Monday.
Dr. McVicker suggested returning to the practice of designating other days of the week during the semester as "Monday". Registrar Bowser interjected that this idea got the least votes from those chairs at that meeting.
Mrs. Wilkes asked if it was acceptable contractually to have CSEA staff come in on Sunday. Pres. Hefner informed the body that it was allowable.
Dr. Tomlinson commented that reassigning other days as Mondays is horrible for science labs.
Dr. Steinberg added that most students now have jobs, and they can't be as flexible with their schedules as perhaps they were in the days when we used to use the reassigned Monday method.
There being no further discussion, Chair Swansinger called for a vote on the motion to approve the proposed calendars presented by the Calendar Committee. The motion passed by voice vote, with a few nays.
Governance Officer
Dr. Barneva reported that the editorial changes in the Bylaws have been incorporated into the web version. If anyone has problems with the revision as it appears on the web, please let her know.
She continued that Article IV, Section 4, describes terms of office as being 3 years, and paragraph "b" stipulates:
When on leave of at least a semester's duration, an elected member of the University Senate shall be considered to have resigned form the University Senate unless that senator has indicated in writing to the Governance Officer that he/she will continue to meet the obligations of the University Senate during the leave. The vacancy will be filled as described in Article IV, Section 3 (elections).
Dr. Barneva asked Senators to please be aware of their obligations in this Section of the Bylaws.
She concluded by urging those divisions that do not have a full complement of Senators to please ask around and try to find faculty willing to serve.
CCC Committee
Dr. Reddy referred to two attachments that were with the posted and circulated minutes of the meeting of October 3, 2005. The first "CCC Committee Recommendation for ‘Strengthened Campus-Based Assessment' in the Areas of Written Communication, Critical Thinking and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning" is a motion being made by the Committee. The second, "Thinking about and doing ‘strengthened campus-based assessment'--- a review of some of the issues" is informational. There is more to this process than just approving the motion presented. We're going to have to look at issues such as appropriate compensation, and getting the very best input from faculty to develop assessment methodologies, not to mention how do we assure getting a real, honest go at any nationally normed tests we might use from those students who are invited to take them as part of our 20% sampling.
Questions:
Dr. Jacobson asked which area is the one that there has no available nationally-normed test. Response: Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning. While there are tests out there, they have difficult issues associated with them, due to the criteria SUNY is using.
The issue arose about SUNY Central offering to pay for such nationally normed testing. Dr. Rogers replied that he asked Provost Salins about that at the recent SUNY University Senate meeting, and the Provost ducked the question. Dr. Reddy said all we have is what they have put in writing. They will provide funding for testing a 20% sampling for a nationally normed test.
Dean Givner spoke to the compensation point, arguing that there are other kinds of assessments that are just as intensive and should be rewarded/compensated similarly but are not. This is a broader issue than just for general education assessment.
Dr. Rogers asked if we are putting together a plan that will cost more than what SUNY Central is willing to pay for. Response: Critical thinking will be okay, because it will be a nationally normed test. Anything over the cost of a 20% sampling using a nationally normed test in the other two areas will come out of Fredonia's budget.
Dr. McKinney expressed a concern since she has been struggling with Dr. Gee to figure out how to deal with the statistics courses and this assessment. Dr. Boynton sent around a memo that was clear, but Drs. McKinney and Gee can't figure out how we're going to be able to compare results if different tests/tools/methods will be used for various courses within this area of the general education assessment. Response: We will not be comparing the outcomes from the different courses at all. All stats courses will be doing it. Dr. McKinney responded by expressing concern that she may be going about this process in a wrong way. Dr. Reddy assured her that these assessments can be done at various times for various outcomes being measured. The area of Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning includes math courses, statistics courses, and computer science courses; therefore we need a broader approach to assessing outcomes.
Mr. O'Brien asked how the University planned on using the ACT for assessing the Critical Reasoning area, since students take the ACT before coming to Fredonia. Response: we will obtain the test and administer it to a 20% sample of our students. Mr. O'Brien followed up asking how will you get a random sample. Response: we still have to work that out, the ‘how'.
Dr. Grady spoke to that point, arguing that asking for volunteers isn't going to give us a true random sample. Response: We will invite randomly... unfortunately we have to work in the real world. Dr. Grady followed up expressing concern that the Writing area will be assessed at such an early point in their academic lives, realizing that the more students are expected to write the better at it they get. Response: because there is only one required course in writing in our general ed program, with no follow up course, we decided we had to do it at that point.
There being no further discussion, Chair Swansinger called for a vote on the motion brought by the Committee. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Faculty & Professional Affairs Committee
Dr. Barneva gave the report for Ms. Burke, who is on leave. She outlined the activities of the Committee, indicating that they are looking at using the "Gallery Walk" approach in the Library to generate ideas for their spring forum. They are also reviewing the Fredonia Plan.
Planning & Budget
Chair Swansinger reported for Dr. Simon who had to leave the Senate early due to a class commitment. The Committee expects to react to the Fredonia Plan by December. Please continue sending comments to the Committee's Blackboard site (or send them via email to Dr. Simon, who will post them on Blackboard for you.)
The Committee will also be meeting with Mr. Tramuta and Dr. Faulk to learn more about enrollment management and how it relates to planning.
The Chair called for a motion to extend the meeting for 10 minutes. The motion came from Reddy/Jacobson and passed by unanimous voice vote.
University Faculty Senator
Dr. Rogers said the SUNY University Senate is looking into ways of generating positive publicity for SUNY.
A lobbying group (headed by Carl McCall and Bill Scheuerman) is looking into the Academic Bill of Rights. The Community Colleges equivalent to the SUNY Senate and the SUNY Student Association just passed resolutions rejecting the move to adopt it.
After the breakout sessions at the recent plenary, the Chancellor supported reducing the number of adjuncts and increasing the number of tenure lines, and he called the Academic Bill of Rights "an agenda looking for a problem". The campuses are worried about the Federal Electronic Monitoring issue, and SUNY Central is trying to work with the faculty of the statutory College of Ceramics (located at Alfred University) over governance issues that have arisen since Alfred University moved to eliminate separate governance structures for that College. A resolution was passed supporting the faculty at the College of Ceramics. Provost Salins reported that Mission Review II has had a successful implementation. The Provost is in favor of increasing the volume of research and stipends for graduate students, and wants to increase SUNY's role in the training of teachers. Dr. Rogers added that this last goal seems to be aimed at the University Centers (which really don't want to be training teachers) and cutting into the role of the comprehensive colleges. Dr. Rogers took the opportunity to ask the Provost how SUNY Central was being assessed, and never got a real answer. There was some comment about ‘internal assessment' from the Chair of the University Senate, but nothing from Provost
Salins other than a joking "We're perfect!"
The Chair asked for a motion to extend the meeting for another five minutes. Reddy/Simmons moved/seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Dr. Grady asked for an example of the shoddy treatment of the faculty at the College of Ceramics. Pres. Hefner related that the position of Dean of the College had been vacant for about five years, and that Alfred University had snubbed SUNY Central in its attempts to have Betty Capaldi visit the campus or serve as interim Dean. The faculty at the College of Ceramics feel they are being treated like second-class citizens.
Dr. Stoddart commented on Margaret Spellings (Secretary of Education) comparative statements and [this portion of the comment was not heard by the Secretary] pieces (being raised concerning the Federal Electronic Monitoring issue). Dr. Reddy indicated that issue is more a Patriot Act/terrorism related action aimed at determining what subversive activity was happening on campuses, allowing the government agencies instantaneous access to every campus server.
The Chair asked for another motion to extend the meeting for three minutes. Antosh/Pickreign moved/seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Dr. Telly indicated he wished to have a full discussion of the J-TERM/Shortened Summer Session course, as was called for in his motion last meeting. He also said he didn't understand why this had to be new business that would come at the end of a long meeting. Chair Swansinger said the motion had been voted on and passed at the last meeting, and was completed business, therefore anything new would come under new business.
Dr. Reddy added that there is a procedure in the Bylaws that allows a group of Senators to petition to put an item on the agenda, and that would be appropriate. Dr. Telly then moved to have a discussion of the issue. He said that if we couldn't discuss it since this was implemented without full consultation or approval or full discussion by the faculty, he wouldn't bring up the issue again. Chair Swansinger suggested perhaps a more specific motion might be more helpful. She then indicated a second was still needed. Hearing no second, the motion died. Dr. Telly then commented on how he was disappointed with the Senate.
The Chair asked for a motion to adjourn. Reddy/Pickreign moved/seconded. The Chair adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Vincent Courtney
Faculty Secretary