Faculty
Senate meeting minutes, Nov. 2
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Adrian Reuben at 7:45 a.m.
on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The October minutes were approved.
Senators present:
Basic Sciences: Dan Knapp, Harry Margolius, Philip Privitera, Jerry
Webb
Clinical Sciences: Peter Carek, Denis Cope, Mark George, Leonie Gordon,
Mark Lyles, Charles Kellner, Ronald Mayfield, Lyndon Key, Paul Pritchard,
Adrian Reuben, Maria Lopes-Virella
Dental Medicine: Jon Rampton
Health Professions: Deborah Keil, David Ward, Andrea White, Richard
Hernandez
Library & Informatics: Bobbie Carlson, Elizabeth Connor, Peggy Schachte,
Jennie Ariail
Nursing: Elaine Amella
Pharmacy: Deborah Carson, Jason Cooper, Ann Spenser
Staff: Kim Vo
Reuben made a statement to the senators that the senate should be a
proactive body that identifies and addresses faculty concerns. Each senator
should make themselves known to their constituents, so as to act as a liaison
between the Faculty Senate and the department personnel, producing awareness
of recent development and/or issues concerning the Faculty Senate.
Reuben obtained a vote of support for the new president of the university.
Reuben discussed having another Faculty Senate retreat. Plans
are under way to hold a faculty retreat in either February or March.
Reuben and Vo will poll the faculty senators about ideal dates/times.
Reuben asked senators to sign up for Committees (academic, university,
governance, and faculty).
It was suggested that at the next executive committee, officers would
discuss rebalancing the responsibilities of each faculty senate committee.
University Affairs Committee:
Vice-chair, Knapp discussed the revised term of appointment document.
A subcommittee of the University Committee (Knapp, Thierry Bacro,
Carson and Luis Leite) met with the deans Keefe and Early to discuss the
wording of the document. The meeting resulted in what many felt was
additional protection for the faculty, because of wording suggested by
the dean.
In the final sentence “For tenured faculty, the granting of tenure implies
continuous appointment with the same term of appointment,” the use of the
word “implies” versus an alternative word will be explored.
Below is Table 1, the draft revision of the Term of Appointment Section
of the Faculty Handbook.
Other Business:
Reuben discussed a recent development involving the faculty handbook
as a contract for the faculty. The Board of Trustees approved the requirement
of all initial contract letters to faculty to include a statement about
the faculty handbook serving as a contract. Faculty will read and sign
a statement that they agree with the terms of the faculty handbook and
it is viewed as a binding contract among faculty and administration.
Reuben asked the faculty senate to stop debating the issue of legal
counsel and to take action now. Discussion included polling the faculty,
approaching the faculty for money, and contributing an honorarium to a
fund.
It was discussed that we would need to work out the details for the
collections of funds, obtaining legal counsel, and exploring other institutions
that had obtained legal counsel. A motion was made to form a committee
to work on these details and to establish the groundwork for obtaining
legal counsel.
Faculty Affairs Committee: No report
University Affairs Committee: No report
Governance Committee: No report
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 am.
The next meeting will be Dec. 7, beginning at 7:45 a.m.
Table 1
Draft Revision - Term of Appointment Section of the Faculty Handbook
Oct. 6 (Additions in bold print.)
6.1.3 Term of Appointment
Appointment of faculty members with respect to term is of three types:
1. A twelve (12) month appointment
2. A nine (9) month appointment
3. Appointment for other specified periods of time
Appointments are made on an annual basis: Twelve (12) month appointments
usually begin July 1st. Appointments for time periods other than twelve
(12) months span the academic year of the college of primary responsibility.
The initial letter of appointment and/or contract and subsequent written
notification of reappointment specifying the salary, rank, term of appointment,
and tenure status, is given by the department chairman or other responsible
administrative officer with the approval of the vice president for academic
affairs and provost.
Any change in term of appointment for non-tenured faculty must be based
upon documented evidence of financial exigencies or need for curtailment
or discontinuance of programs, departments, colleges or positions.
Every effort to make suitable reassignments of affected personnel will
be made by the responsible administrative officers should the faculty desire
to retain his or her original term of appointment. The recommendation
and rationale for faculty term of appointment changes must be written by
the dean or responsible administrative officer and submitted to the provost
for approval. Following approval by the provost, written notice of the
intention to change the term of appointment of a non-tenured faculty member
shall be given, to the extent that appropriated funds are available and
legislation permits, as follows:
A. At least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the contract
for faculty under his or her initial faculty appointment.
B. At least six (6) months prior to the expiration of the contract
for faculty appointed under a second-year contract.
C. At least one (1) year prior to the expiration of the contract for
faculty under a third (3rd) year or subsequent-year contract.
For tenured faculty, the granting of tenure implies continuous appointment
with the same term of appointment.
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