HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
Academic Senate Minutes
March 06, 2001
Chair Cheyne called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. on Tuesday, March 06, 2001, in Nelson Hall East, Room 102 (Goodwin Forum).
Members Present: Bockover, Cheyne, Christensen, Dixon, Giovannetti, Kenyon, Larson, Little, MacConnie, Martin, McCrone, McFarland, Meiggs, Sheppard, Smith, Stokes, Thobaben, Travis, Varkey, Wang, Wilson, Yarnall
Members Absent: Bicknell, Burroughs, Fulgham, Novotney, Pecot
Proxies: Benjamin Shaeffer for Goodman; Michael Bezanson for Mayer; Kymber Mayberry for Ogden-Herrera; Kenyon for Knox; Richard Paselk for Thompson
Guests: Randi Darnall Burke, Student Affairs; Steve Butler, Student Affairs; Ken Dutro, Counseling & Psychological Services; Carolyn Mueller, President's Office; Donna Schafer, Research & Graduate Studies; Richard Vrem, Undergraduate Studies
It was moved and seconded (Yarnall/Larson) to approve the submitted minutes of February 20, 2001. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
2. Announcements and Communications
Chair Cheyne announced that earlier this term the university learned of the death of Raymond Boden, a student in Natural Resources and Planning Interpretation who was eligible to graduate this spring had he been able to complete his courses. Steve Butler, Vice President for Student Affairs, has requested that Humboldt State University grant a posthumous degree to Raymond. The College of Natural Resources and Sciences supports this suggestion, as does the Academic Senate Executive Committee. If there is no objection from the Senate, steps will be taken to formalize this request. No objections were voiced. An amendment to the longstanding resolution regarding approval of the graduation list will be incorporated into the Spring 2001 resolution.
The CSU 26th Annual Academic Conference was held in San Diego from February 28 to March 2, which focused on partnerships among the CSU campuses and other entities. Several senators attended this conference. Bob Gearheart, Professor in Environmental Resources Engineering, and Ron Hauser, City Manager, co-presented the Marsh Project for Humboldt State University.
Chair Cheyne announced that 19 of the 23 senate chairs were in attendance at the senate chairs' meeting. The following topics were discussed:
An evaluation of Chancellor Reed is being conducted. Selected faculty and administrators have been invited to comment; however, any CSU employee may submit comments regarding the Chancellor's performance to Larry Gould, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Chancellor Reed will receive a compilation of commentary without names attached; individuals offering input may send a copy to the Chancellor if they wish. Senators may contact Greta in the Academic Senate Office for additional information.
The CSU System will be conducting a faculty workload survey; copies of the survey will be delivered to the Academic Senate Office some time this month. Apparently, recipients have been chosen at random. Since issues of workload are critical and since this survey may influence future decisions regarding workload, it is important that as many completed surveys as possible be submitted.
Accountability was discussed, including the rationale for the expenditure of campus resources on this issue. David Spence has confirmed that this information is being gathered in order to make a case to the legislature for additional resource allocations to the campuses. However, the concern expressed by the senate chairs is that this information may be used to compare campuses and to make resource allocation decisions for campuses based upon such comparisons. The senate chairs emphasized a preference to move away from statistics and to provide narratives, where possible, that are not tied to numbers.
The final topic of discussion was the common calendar. Apparently there is some pressure on the six campuses that are on the quarter system to move to a semester system. No mandate has been issued; however, $12 million has been earmarked to assist those six campuses in moving to a semester system. As a result, there is considerable consternation among chairs that there has been no consultation whatsoever with the faculty and senates on campuses regarding the advisability of moving from the quarter to the semester system. A resolution on this topic has been developed and a copy will be contained in the next packet. The resolution strongly urges the Chancellor's Office to engage in appropriate consultation and cites the statewide documents that give the primary responsibility for the calendar to the faculty and the academic senate.
The CSU is involved in a project to align lower-division core requirements in its 20 high-demand majors to facilitate student transfer from community colleges and from one CSU campus to another. Presently, there are seven disciplines involved in this effort: business administration, biology, sociology, nursing, political science/government, speech communication, and information systems. The CSU is prepared to fund additional disciplines in the top 20 CSU majors. As stated in the February 26, 2001, memorandum from Jacquelyn Kegley, Chair, Academic Senate of the CSU, to the Academic Senate of the CSU and campus academic senate chairs:
Faculty members who are interested in taking the lead in identifying other faculty members in their discipline throughout the system and guiding a process likely to yield agreement on a common core of lower-division courses are invited to submit a proposal for the alignment of lower-division major requirements.
Of the top 20 majors, those disciplines not yet represented include, in order of number of degrees granted: liberal studies, psychology, English, criminal justice, communications, kinesiology/physical education, child development, art, computer science, history, health science, social work, electrical engineering, social science and civil engineering. Anyone interested in making a proposal, please contact Greta in the Academic Senate Office for additional information.
3. Committee and State Senate Reports
Statewide Senate - The annual retreat provides an opportunity for faculty, senior administrators, the staff in the Chancellor's Office and the trustees to meet and discuss any issues of concern. Senator Snyder stated that since the attitude the trustees take toward the CSU is largely formulated by the Chancellor's staff, senators would do well to provide a faculty perspective regarding the Chancellor's evaluation by writing letters to the Board of Trustees.
Student Affairs - There is a resolution on the agenda today.
Senate Finance - A listing of additional funds available has been included in the packet as an information item. Also included in the packet is the final account balances from 1999/2000. The OAA Budget Committee met and reviewed the proposals that were submitted; recommendations have been forwarded to URPBC. The URPBC will meet March 16 to review all proposals.
Educational Policies - The Committee is completing its work on the Service Learning Proposals policy which should be coming to the senate soon, and also is completing its work on the resolution on procedures for proposing a new degree program. The Committee currently is working on the procedures for the review of graduate programs for self study.
General Faculty - A run off election is scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday. Senators were notified and asked to inform others that Steve Carlson has decided to withdraw his name from the one seat on the HSU Foundation Board of Directors. Senators were reminded that tomorrow's brown bag colloquium will present Yvonne Everett, Department of Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation, and Lilianet Brintrup, Department of Modern Languages. The Alexander von Humboldt Conference, which is an international and interdisciplinary conference, will be held on campus this June.
OAA - The enrollment census shows that our target of 7200 for the annual full time equivalent student, and the figure upon which our budget is based, has not been reached. The actual enrollment figure was 6838, which is approximately 5 percent less than the objective. It is not known if there will be any pay back this year; Vice President Stokes thought not. However, the budget situation based on enrollment figures for next year will be extremely tight. Vice President Stokes expressed appreciation to the faculty for their active participation in the recruiting process. One hopeful sign is that the admitted first time student number is up by almost 300 from last year.
Discussion included 1) will the budget be known in time to avoid cancelling classes after students have enrolled; [Vice President Stokes stated that last year the budget was known in early April; however, since next year's target has been lowered, she was not sure when budget information for next year will be known.] 2) concern was expressed that YRO at this point may be spreading the same workload over a longer period of time; [Vice President Stokes stated she is aware of this.]
CFA - The CFA and the Faculty Development Coordinator are sponsoring a copyright workshop Friday, from 8:30 until Noon, in NHE 106. All are invited. Another session will be scheduled later this term. A copy of the schedule will be sent by email to all senators.
CFA Chapter President Travis encouraged all senators to evaluate the Chancellor. The President of CFA will be distributing a letter to Unit 3 members discussing the importance of the evaluation process. Information for evaluation purposes must be received by March 23. The first reading of a resolution to the Board of Directors calling for the local campuses to prepare for job actions for next year was introduced at the executive board meeting. Since it took so long for impasse to be imposed last year, CFA members did not feel prepared to address the issue of imposition. While there was some mobilization of activities on many campuses last year, the plan is to be better prepared this year. CFA intends to have completed all necessary steps required by law by next fall so that, if necessary, they will be able to go to fact finding. An emergency meeting is scheduled for late March to determine if the resolution should be endorsed.
Associated Students - No action items were discussed at the last meeting; however, action will be taken on the budget after spring break,
Faculty Affairs - There are two resolutions on the agenda today.
4. Resolution Regarding CR/NC Grading for Graduate Students Taking Undergraduate Courses (#12-00/01-SA)
Chair Cheyne announced that after the packets were disseminated, information was presented that identified issues that need to be addressed before the resolution is heard by the Senate; thus, this resolution will be returned to the Student Affairs Committee. However, senators may use this opportunity to pose any questions or render any comments on the resolution for the committee's consideration during its deliberations. No comments were voiced.
5. Resolution Regarding Revision of the Procedures for Processing Complaints of Misconduct, Including Unlawful Discrimination (UML 00-03) (#11-00/01-FA)
It was moved and seconded (Giovannetti/Little) to place the resolution on the floor.
WHEREAS, The Academic Senate of Humboldt State University has been requested to review UML 00-03 (Procedure for Processing Complaints of Misconduct, Including Unlawful Discrimination); and
WHEREAS, Humboldt State University's procedures for filing complaints must be consistent with other procedures already in place including grievance procedures in collective bargaining agreements, personnel documents such as the Management Personnel Plan, and our campus student grievance procedures for filing complaints other than discrimination or misconduct; and
WHEREAS, Clarity of institutional procedures for filing complaints is important to aid in the resolution of disputes, and in protecting complainants, respondents, and the institution from frustration and potential legal liability; therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University recommend that the attached revision of UML 00-03 be approved; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University recommend that the President request commentary on the attached revision of UML 00-03 from the respective collective bargaining units and from Associated Students; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University request that any substantive changes to this revision that may result from consultation be brought back to the Academic Senate for comment.
Senator Bockover provided background on this resolution stating that no substantive changes had been made to it since the last senate meeting; the changes made were for clarity and consistency and some additional information was added to the table.
There was no discussion. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
6. Resolution Regarding Adoption of the Counselor Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures (#13-00/01-FA)
It was moved and seconded (Larson/MacConnie) to place the resolution on the floor.
WHEREAS, The Academic Senate of Humboldt State University has been requested to review the Counselor Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures; and
WHEREAS, Humboldt State University's policies and procedures for evaluating counselors in the retention, tenure, and promotion process must be consistent with Appendix J of the Faculty Handbook and the Unit 3 Collective Bargaining Agreement; and
WHEREAS, The document developed by the counselors is consistent with Appendix J and the Unit 3 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and is a well developed, thoughtful, and lucid statement of the policies and procedures for evaluating counselor faculty in the context of the retention, tenure, and promotion process; therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University recommend that the attached Counselor Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures (Revised 02/27/01) be adopted and implemented; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University commend the counselor faculty for their professionalism in preparing the attached document that is a well developed, thoughtful, and lucid statement of the policies and procedures for evaluating counselor faculty in the context of the retention, tenure, and promotion process.
Senator Bockover provided background on the resolution stating that the policy was reviewed by the University Faculty Personnel Committee and has been pending in the Faculty Affairs Committee for over a year. The policy, written by the counselors, is consistent with Appendix J and the CBA, and was based on the Librarians' personnel policy.
Through friendly amendment the last resolve clause was revised to read "preparing the attached document, which is a well developed, . . ."
Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
The revised resolution reads:
WHEREAS, The Academic Senate of Humboldt State University has been requested to review the Counselor Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures; and
WHEREAS, Humboldt State University's policies and procedures for evaluating counselors in the retention, tenure, and promotion process must be consistent with Appendix J of the Faculty Handbook and the Unit 3 Collective Bargaining Agreement; and
WHEREAS, The document developed by the counselors is consistent with Appendix J and the Unit 3 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and is a well developed, thoughtful, and lucid statement of the policies and procedures for evaluating counselor faculty in the context of the retention, tenure, and promotion process; therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University recommend that the attached Counselor Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures (Revised 02/27/01) be adopted and implemented; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University commend the counselor faculty for their professionalism in preparing the attached document, which is a well developed, thoughtful, and lucid statement of the policies and procedures for evaluating counselor faculty in the context of the retention, tenure, and promotion process.
It was moved and seconded (McFarland/Travis) to make this an emergency item for immediate transmittal to the President. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED.
It was moved and seconded (Meiggs/Wang) to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting adjourned 4:35 p.m.