St. Mary’s University
395th Meeting of the Faculty Senate
April 21, 2006
1:30 PM, Cha Cha’s
Restaurant (
APPROVED
Present
Senators O’Connor, Juarez, Maloney, Lesher,
Opening Prayer
The meeting was opened with prayer by Senator Hampton.
Approval of Minutes
for the 394th Meeting
Minutes of the 394th meeting were approved without correction.
President’s Report
President Hampton announced new senators and returning senators. He is still working to fill all slots for the 2006-07 senate.
Meeting with V.P. Manuel
President Hampton discussed the work being done on a revision of the faculty grievance procedure. He stated that language was being crafted to outline procedures for the informal process to be attempted prior to the filing of a formal grievance. The University Peacemakers will be called in to provide initial mediation assistance. Senator O’Connor noted that the current title of “Faculty Review Committee” needs to be changed to something that clearly indicates the functions of this committee such as “faculty grievance committee or “dispute resolution committee.” Senator Juarez said that it was important that the word “grievance” be included in the committee title.
Committee Reports
Committee A
Senator Menger reported on the work of Committee A (Menger, Diaz, Poyo) which has been charged with exploring faculty development issues and funding. He reported that they had a very productive meeting with V.P. Manuel. There have been problems with the quality of research proposals that have been submitted to the Faculty Development Committee. Last year all requests were funded but in the last few years individual funds have been capped at a lower rate. V. P. Manuel hopes to increase funding amounts per grant to improve research proposals. Senator Menger noted that multi-year grants had been abused in the past and that the Faculty Development Committee was no longer giving those grants.
Senator Cutting raised the issue of course load requirements preventing faculty members from applying for research funds. Senator Menger said that this issue was also raised during their meeting. Senator Hampton asked if some of the discussion regarding faculty development could be incorporated into language for the Strategic Plan. Senator Merrell mentioned that when serving as Dean he had recommend that faculty who taught graduate classes or who were engaged in significant research should have a 9 hour teaching load.
Committee C
Senator Cutting reported that the committee planned to meet with Michael Pankey after Oyster Bake to look into issues of excessive watering on campus.
Senator Uhlig reported that the ad-hoc committee on academic excellence (Uhlig, Novoa, Merrell, Boggess) was looking at definitional issues.
President Hampton discussed timing issues of the Strategic Plan. He asked committee members working on language for the Strategic Plan try to get something written by mid May. He noted that nothing has gone to the Board of Trustees and the Board will not be meeting again until the fall. He asked committee chairs to let Senators know when they might be meeting so that all Senators could participate in the discussion.
Senator Pallansch’s ad-hoc committee on governance and community ties provided a handout with proposed language for the strategic plan. She said that this should fit under mission and identity points in the strategic plan. The text of the committee’s report is as follows.
Proposed Objectives for Vision 2012
Relating to University Governance
(Senators Curet, Pallansch, Wolff)
The realization of St. Mary’s University’s mission to,,,,,,,,,,,,requires good and effective governance.
Objectives:
¨
Hold a series of town hall discussions to review
the ideals of governance set out in the Faculty Handbook. Administrators, faculty, and Board of Trustee
members will take part in these discussions.
Committees will be formed to work on ways to reaffirm these ideals and,
if necessary, develop amendments to the governance sections of the Faculty
Handbook that reflect best practices of shared governance.
¨
Study institutional challenges to effective
faculty participation in institutional governance, e.g., workload issues,
institutional award structures associated with involvement in shared
governance.
Issues we discussed:
¨ Target levels of faculty involvement that work against participation in university governance (from AAUP “Assessing the Faculty’s Role in Shared Governance”)
¨ Subsidiarity – definition and understanding of this concept in the University community
¨ Foster a governance structure that is consistent with St. Mary’s University’s Marianist and Catholic identity
University Committee Reports
Alumni Committee
Senator Cutting asked about how much scholarship money is derived from Oyster Bake revenues. Senator O’Connor said he would be able to get that information.
Athletic Cabinet
Senator Oberle asked about changes in academic standards regarding NCAA requirements. President Hampton reported that there had been no official action in this area. This generated a discussion regarding student athletes and requirements for participation in conference play during times such as Good Friday when other students had the time off. Senator O’Connor stated that scheduling issues are concerns in both the President’s and Vice President’s office. President Hampton asked that Senators O’Connor, Uhlig, and Oberle compose a letter reflecting faculty concerns regarding the scheduling of athletic events.
Old Business
President Hampton asked for a vote on handbook revisions of the Research Integrity Policy and revisions of Section 2.10.1 regarding Sabbatical Leave and Section 2.13.2.1 regarding Professional Leave of Absence. Senators asked that the vote be tabled until Senators could take time for further review of the proposals. President Hampton will ask for a vote via email prior to the next Faculty Senate Meeting.
A motion to adjourn was made by Senator Juarez. Meeting was adjourned at 2:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marcella Lesher
Faculty Senate Secretary 2005-06x