FACULTY SENATE PRÉCIS

January 23 and 25, 2007

12:15 p.m.-1:50 p.m., Auerbach 426

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Present: Senators Ball, Borucinska, Carey, Comiskey, Decker, Desplaces, Diehl, Eppes, E.Gray, J.Gray, Katrichis, Larson, McMiller, Mohamed, Mori, Nolan, Oliver, Padberg, Russell, Siegel, Sumukadas, Weinholtz, and Williamson. Attendance: 71% (23 out of 31).

Absent: Beaulieu, Canedy, Davis, Fang, Mayer, Petry, Shepela, Westfall.

Chair Katrichis called the fifth meeting, of the 2006-2007 Faculty Senate to order. This was also the first day of class of the Spring semester.

• Chair Katrichis reported on the meeting that he attended where President Harrison and Regent Thomas Groark, who is a Civil Liberties Lawyer and Vice Chair Weinholtz met to discuss the Military Commissions Act. Chair Katrichis told the Senate that President Harrison was willing to be the spokesperson for the University and the Senate if they so chose. A resolution that was written by ENHP, and had been presented to the Senate in earlier meetings was reviewed. After discussion, the last sentence was altered. The Senate was advised that on Thursday there would be a vote on the resolution.
• Resolution reads as follows:

The “Military Commissions Act” signed into law by President Bush permits non-citizen students and faculty to be imprisoned as unlawful enemy combatants and held indefinitely without right of appeal. This provides a strong incentive for non-citizen students and faculty to keep their thoughts to themselves, a condition contrary to the very purpose of a university. The University’s Manual of Academic Policies and Procedures guarantees all students equal opportunity and freedom of expression, but under this law American students have the opportunity to express themselves freely without risk, while non-citizen students can express themselves freely only at enormous risk. The Faculty Senate requests that the University President use resources at his disposal to take a public stand against the Military Commissions Act.

The following Faculty Senate Committees reported:

1. Curriculum Committee – Senator J.Gray reviewed the material that was presented to the Curriculum Committee on January 16 for review. There being no objection, the report was approved by the Senate, as presented.  http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/facsenate/CC/JAN-07-cur.htm
2. Computer and Technology –

· Senator Sumukadas gave an update on the scheduling of the Blackboard upgrade “Enterprise.” It will be installed over the summer.

· Survey – Senator J. Gray spoke of a survey created by ITS and released once. He said that ITS will “send it around” again for those that might have missed it.

3. Professional Standards – Senator Weinholtz reported that Professional Standards has crafted new language regarding faculty working in close proximity to relatives for possible inclusion in the FPM and the University Supervisors Manual. It will be brought to the Senate in February for feedback (rather than a formal reading).
4. Student Affairs – Senator Desplaces said the Focus Satisfaction Survey is being drafted. It will be presented to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and then to the Senate. He also spoke about the University-wide Student Conduct project. He said that 40-45 people will be joining together to discuss this topic of concern.
5. University Scholars – Senator Eppes shared with the Senate the winning project for University Scholars. He said there were three students for this year’s University Scholars involved in one project. A one-page description was included in the meeting package. Senator Eppes pointed out that this is a 3-credit course, where the Professor, who advises, similar to an independent study, is not compensated.
6. Development – Donald Rizzo, Vice President for Institutional Advancement presented an update of the Development office, both in human resources, and in operational strategies http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/facsenate/dev-06-rept.ppt . The alumni donor poll has been a challenge that Mr. Rizzo has attacked. The 6% has been raised to 8%, with a long road ahead. The 50^th Year Anniversary ought to give the University opportunities to re-connect with many alumni.
7. Faculty Retirement Intricacies – Emeriti Wally Banzhaf and Human Resources Director Lisa Belanger came to speak to Senators to discuss and answer questions about faculty retirement. Chair Banzhaf discussed his experience in retiring after over 20 years as a faculty member. Ms. Belanger reviewed resources available to faculty such at HRD and TIA-CREF. Emeriti was also discussed. Planning was advised especially since a faculty member’s name must be presented to the Board of Regents for consideration for Emeritus status. Health insurance for Emeriti, according to Emeriti representative Gordon Ramsey, it is always a top concern with the Emeriti at their meetings. He said that Vice President Beverly Maksin continues to look for reasonable financial options.
8. Orders of the Day – meeting was adjourned until Thursday, January 25.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Present: Senators Ball,  Beaulieu, Canedy, Carey, Comiskey, Davis, Decker, Desplaces, E.Gray, J.Gray, Katrichis, Larson, McMiller, Mohamed, Mori, Nolan, Oliver, Petry, Russell, Siegel, Sumukadas, Weinholtz, and Williamson. Attendance: 71% (23 out of 31).

Absent: Borucinska, Diehl, Eppes, Fang, Mayer, Padberg, Shepela, Westfall.

9. Faculty Chair Katrichis reconvened the meeting.
10. Conversation with President Harrison and Provost Randall:

President Harrison addressed the Senate with the following topics:

· The NCAA financial integrity. Faculty Senate is connected with the Athletic board. Professor Jake Carney (Biology, A&S), and Chair of the Faculty Senate Jerry Katrichis are on the board, and receive academic reports regularly.

· President Harrison told the Senate about the Rising Star Breakfast to be held Tuesday, February 13, which this year is being held at the Bushnell, and where he is the speaker. He invited Senators to be his guests at this 7:30 a.m. function. He will be highlighting the University’s 50^th anniversary “a private University with a Public Purpose.”

· The President announced that the state is expected to approve $4 million bond issue to support the new University of Hartford Performing Arts Center (PAC). If the commission approves the funding, construction on the first phase of the project will begin this spring. The President shared the history of the site of the “Old Cadillac Dealership,” of note is its high profile architect Albert Khan, who designed the building complex in 1929.

· The Hartford Art School. President Harrison shared that he was impressed by the renovation and addition to the Art School building. Senator Carey announced there will be a celebration event at the Art School on April 25. More details will be shared as they become available. She also told Senators that weekend workshops on black and white developing will be offered to the adult community to bring out community involvement.

· Renovation on Complex A & C are planned for this summer.

· Elevators will need to be installed in the Commons to create access for handicapped students who will be coming in through the lower level, where the new residence hall Renée Samuels Center will be located.

· The footbridge is in need of renovation. Environmental regulations make it a costly project.

· Downtown housing. The President told the Senators that 65 University students are living downtown at the Temple Street Apartments (previously referred to as the Sage Allen Project). He shared that he was surprised that they were mostly women. He was also impressed with housing design. In the fall, the University will be responsible for 136 spaces.

· Provost Randall began by addressing a question from a senator which led to a discussion on a newly formed Diversity Committee. The committee met yesterday and Provost Randall was very pleased and excited by the exchange of ideas. The Senate joined in and many ideas, pros, cons, legalities, etc. were discussed. It was agreed that the issue is a shared concern and one of utmost importance and priority. “It must not only be embraced, but celebrated,” was one Senator’s comment. The different political, sexual orientation, and gender perspectives are to be respected on all different forms.

It was agreed that the faculty should be more diverse to better reflect the diversity of our student population. Twenty percent of our students are of color. Some of the ideas the Senate discussed as a means of increasing faculty diversity are:

· Identify faculty more strategically, through advertising by broadening searches

· Opportunity each year when hiring 20-25 new faculty

· Use of consortiums such as the CCIC, for networking

· Creating for the “pipe-line;” investing more money in graduate programs with the outcome in focus

· Interdisciplinary – when hiring, think about opportunities for joint appointments

· Hire “All-But-Dissertation (ABD) faculty” to create/maximize the opportunity to keep faculty longer;  consider implications

· Not overburden junior faculty with service responsibilities

· A Senator suggested there be Faculty Senate representation in search committees

· Guidelines, goals, policy created or sought must all meet legal statute

· Increasing diversity needs to be an integrated value system for the University

· All seven colleges must buy into the value system, and work toward solutions

· Curriculum needs to change in sync with the student population as students become more diverse

· Use financial resources where most beneficial

Provost Randall updated the Senators on the SPAM problem she reported at the last meeting. ITS has taken the following steps:

· UNotes will be distributed to students on a “requested” basis. They must sign up as subscribers in order to be on the mailing list.

· Alumni communication will be moved to an outside company. Harris Connect will be the source of the e-mails, and therefore not affecting the University’s SPAM status.

· Development will be using Razor’s Edge by summer to send out their e-mails.

10. Other Business – New Business  

· Military Commissions Act Resolution was presented to the Senate for a vote. The Senate voted unanimously to present the President with the Military Commissions Act Resolution in support of the President speaking out via an editorial (op-page) against the Military Commission Act. Text approved is above.

The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. The next Faculty Senate Meeting will be held February 8 and 13, 12:15 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., A426.

Respectfully submitted,

Maria Marques

Recorder