FACULTY SENATE PRÉCIS

March 6 and 8, 2007

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

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Present: Senators Ball, Beaulieu, Borucinska, Carey, Comiskey, Davis, Desplaces, Eppes, Fang, E.Gray, J.Gray, Katrichis, McMiller, Mohamed, Mori, Nolan, Oliver, Petry, Shepela, Siegel, Sumukadas, Weinholtz, and Williamson. Attendance: 71% (23 out of 31). Guest: Professor Woody Doane

Absent: Canedy, Decker, Dehl, Larson, Mayer, Padberg, Russell and Westfall.

Chair Katrichis called the seventh meeting of the 2006-2007 Faculty Senate to order.

• Chair Katrichis announced a Faculty Workshop on student plagiarism to be held April 18, sponsored by the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education.
• University Ad Hoc Diversity Task-Force – Katherine Black, Assistant Provost and Dean of Faculty Development greeted the Senators and enlightened them on the recent developments from the committee commissioned by the President and Provost, the Advisory Committee on Faculty Diversity. This committee was commissioned in January 2007 by the president and provost, at the request of the Faculty Senate.

This committee includes faculty representatives from each school and college and from Faculty Senate. It is Chaired by Assistant Provost Katherine Black. The members are as follows:

Karen Case – ENHP Woody Doane – Hillyer Hiro Fukawa – HAS Monica Hardesty – A&S

Deb Kidder – Barney Darryl McMiller – Faculty Senate Osama Mohamed – CETA Akane Mori – Hartt

The Committee was established this fall with the task of evaluating where the University stood in comparison to “our peers,” and to develop goals and strategies to meet those goals going forward. The Committee began by describing diversity. Literature the committee read suggested that what is most important from an educational perspective is diverse perspectives. The Committee agreed those perspectives must be tied to the University’s mission in order to be successful. That diversity can come from gender, race, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and so forth. While all of these perspectives are important, this committee has been asked to focus on race.

Assistant Provost Black said the committee addressed the following:

· Where are we now? 12% of the faculty are minorities; we have hovered at 8-11% for the last five years.

· Where do we stand in comparison to peers (private, independent, suburban, selective universities in the Northeast)? Average = 10.9% (range = 5% to 15.3%)

o Attrition (defined as leaving the University before achieving tenure or leaving the tenure track).

· Across the last 8 years, the average for non-minority faculty is 10%, the average for minority faculty is 7%.

o There does not appear to be a retention issue, but we are dealing with low numbers .

· She continued defining what the Committee means by diversity: President Harrison would like the Committee to focus on race, particularly African-American and Hispanic faculty. She said Asians are not under-represented in higher education.

· President Harrison would like to see the percentage of minority faculty mirror the percentage of minority students (currently, faculty at 12%, students at 20%). This is a long-term goal;

· The Committee suggests an intermediate goal, e.g., 15% that can be achieved over the next 5-10 years. A Senator argued that the goal is too conservative. We should set a higher goal.

· The Committee believes the key is permeating the search process, which is owned by the faculty, convincing faculty the importance of diversity in the University’s mission.

· Going forward: Focus on recruitment and retention. Since the University conducts about 20-25 searches per year, changes in the procedures and processes could reap success.

· Currently, all of our efforts are in the way we write the ad and where we advertise. All ads currently contain the sentence, “Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply” as well as acronyms about equal employment opportunity. Some also describe diverse student body and diversity of Hartford area.

· We may need to target particular disciplines; The Chronicle published data on a number of minority Ph.D.s graduating in particular disciplines, such as Education, Biological Sciences, Psychology and Engineering seemed most promising. Humanities were in very low numbers.

· Target particular universities because of the high number of minorities that graduate from these institutions such as Howard and the University of California system.

· Focus on curriculum; ads (if appropriate for the discipline) should reflect the opportunity to teach diversity courses.

· Data issue: Examine how we collect data. Currently, the University collects data on race only on those individuals invited for on-campus interviews. Data for last three years suggests that in about half of our searches, there is a minority candidate who came to interview. Proposal is to collect such data on all applicants, so we can better track our progress.

Faculty Senators voiced some ideas in addition to ones cited above:

· Approaching Gail King for an Endowment (She is an alumni)

· Include minorities in interviewing committees when possible

· Conduct intense exit interviews with questions that help to better address problems

· Create a Major in African American/Latin American studies. At present there is a African American Studies minor

· Have Faculty Senate play a role in educating colleges, P&T committees, and search committees importance of diversity

· Create competitive salaries

· Have a mission to serve student population

· Use alumni as a tool in recruiting

· Promote a place where diversity is important

· Use the history of hiring women as a guide

· Have administration on board

· Use adjunct population and faculty/staff as a resource for finding candidates

The following Faculty Senate Committees reported:

1. Academic Standards – Senator Borucinska reported that Academic Standards met February 27 and discussed Attendance Requirements, a motion presented to the Faculty Senate on January 21, 2007 by Senator Siegel. Discussion of Section XX of the MAPP pertaining to academic honesty was also discussed. Replacing a paragraph to allow attendance to count will be suggested. A discussion by the Senators followed with various accounts of how some Professors proceed, including contracts of accountability/responsibility with the students. A Senator raised another MAPP issue. Students who sign up for a class but do not show, and later drop the class. The Senator suggests the University is losing resources as well as income when there are students on waiting lists for those same courses.

2. Bent/Larsen/Trachtenberg – Senator Oliver reported in Senator Russell’s place. The Bent, Larsen, and Trachtenberg Awards Committee met and discussed the candidates for these awards.  In a letter to the President, the committee recommended the following faculty members:

· Dr. Regina Miller, Professor of Education, College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions, for the Larsen Award.

· Dr. Farhad Rassekh, Professor of Economics, Barney School of Business, for the Bent Award.

· Dr. Harry Workman, Professor of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, for the Trachtenberg Award.

3. Computer and Technology – Senator Sumukadas reported the Educational Technology Strategic Planning Committee is in the process of analyzing surveys of students and faculty, and notes from site visits to other institutions.  The Blackboard upgrade to the Enterprise version is proceeding on schedule, and the hardware and software are now in place.  The hiring search is in progress for a network person.  FCLD is also in the process of hiring a replacement for Ms. Ella Holst, who has left the University.

4. Curriculum Committee – Senator J. Gray reviewed the material that was presented to the Curriculum Committee on March 1 for review. He noted that the Curriculum Committee had found the ENHP Program Review sheet for the Masters of Educational Technology unnecessary. The Blue Sheet for EDT 667 was sufficient for the requested change. A Senator inquired whether AUCT 115 "Health/Society: Weighing In" could be cross listed. There being no other changes or objections, the report was approved by the Senate. http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/facsenate/CC/cur-rept-mar-07.htm

5. Grants – Senator Nolan confirmed the awarding of the Coffin Grants and the Summer Stipends. Announcements of the recipients will be appearing in UNotes. [Post note: http://www.hartford.edu/daily/news.asp?id=2736]

6. Part-Time & Adjunct Faculty – Senator Petry reported on the most recent Faculty Senate Part-Time Committee meeting. Although the Committee feels that the Provost or University Committee’s “intentions are good,” they are not good enough. Many concerns have been raised including number of G3 contracts awarded, representation of part-time faculty (they are not an organized group at the University of Hartford). The Senate Committee as well as the Senators agreed that full time faculty can help. A Senator addressed the negative term of the title “adjunct.” She suggested that reference be changed. (Katherine Black has begun to use the title “part-time faculty.”) Discussion also included administration of 300 to 400 “part-time faculty.” Chair Katrichis mentioned the University’s Strategic Plan, and the role for full-time faculty to play. Additionally, a Dean of “part-time faculty” was suggested as a practical way to oversee this entity of faculty, as well as get better accountability to lower the negative impact on students, and other faculty. A Senator shared an e-mail he received from a part-time faculty where the tone was very morose. The faculty member was disdained by what he called “cost of living” raise. Benefits that include TIAA-CREF for G-3 would be a great incentive according to another Senator.

7. Professional Standards – Senator Weinholtz had previously reported that Professional Standards was crafting new language regarding faculty working in close proximity to relatives for possible inclusion in the FPM and the University Supervisors Manual. He brought the recommendation to the Senate. Encouraging that the same wording should be implemented for staff as well as faculty (i.e., move person who is junior to the other.) Senator Weinholtz is working with the University Counsel in reviewing the language after spring break. It will then go to the Dean’s Joint Committee for a vote.

8. Student Affairs – Senator Desplaces spoke about the focus group report from the Student Affairs Committee. The Committee recommended the need to fill the gap between academic and student affairs with more encouragement by the administration to involve faculty in Student Affairs (making it part of P&T and yearly evaluations). Major concerns by students are safety and a lack of community/school spirit. Associate Provost Colarulli is working to engagement community on developing a community value statement. Senator Desplaces said more information on that topic will be coming soon. He added that the new dormitory will have learning communities for faculty input and involvement.

9. University Scholars – Senator Eppes alerted the Senators to the Undergraduate Colloquium, April 18, at the Harry Jack Gray center.

10. Orders of the Day – meeting was adjourned until Thursday, January 25.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Present: Senators Ball, Borucinska, Beaulieu, Canedy, Carey, Comiskey, Decker, Diehl, Eppes, Fang, E.Gray, J.Gray, Katrichis, Larson, Mayer, McMiller, Mohamed, Mori, Nolan, Oliver, Padberg, Petry, Siegel, Sumukadas, Weinholtz and Williamson. Attendance: 74% (24 out of 31).

Absent: Davis, Desplaces, Russell, Shepela and Westfall.

Faculty Chair Katrichis reconvened the meeting.

Conversation with President Harrison and Provost Randall. -- Provost Randall discussed what she sees as the Interim Provost’s agenda (Potential Projects)

1. Graduate program: 3 year plan. Over the next three years, Peter Diffley, our first full-time Dean of Graduate Studies, will develop an interconnected and mutually supportive graduate community. This year the University will enhance graduate recruitment and admissions activities. This effort will result in a best practices manual to help departments attract more qualified graduate students. In addition, a new graduate studies website, an online admissions application, and an electronic enrollment management system will be developed. Next year, Dean Diffley and the Graduate Council will implement the best practices and begin to explore key aspects of graduate professional development. It is planned that in three years, Dean Diffley and the Graduate Council will focus on issues related to graduate retention, time to degree, and placement.
2. Interdisciplinary Initiatives:

a) Digital health initiative. Cathy Corathers, a consultant with Corathers Health Consulting, met with faculty last month to explore their interest in digital health. There will be a March 30^th debriefing to determine the extent of faculty interest and resources needed.

b) Internationalization of campus. A significant expansion of study abroad opportunities has taken place over the past year. We now need to work on two way exchange: bring more students and faculty here, and send more students and faculty abroad. We also need to find housing for international scholars.

c) Preceptor program. The University introduced this program to help with retention. Funding to increase the number of preceptors for next year is in place.

3. Focus on Retention

a) Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). The CLA shows value-added education at the University of Hartford. It shows how we compare in the performance of our freshmen and seniors to our peer institutions and how much value-added education we provide our students from freshmen to senior year.

We have our freshmen data (given in fall); we will have our senior data this summer. The Associate Provost just completed a sample with over 100 students taking test.

b) National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). NSSE tells us how engaged our students are in five categories. We are looking at the data and identifying areas for improvement. We will re-administer both NSSE and CLA to see what improvement we’ve made. We need to do this before NEASC self-study.

c) Development of residential communities. Student Affairs and the Office of the Provost are in process of developing a number of themed communities for students in the residential halls.

4. Faculty Salaries. We need to continue to review faculty salaries: part-time and full time faculty support and issues. A senator asked about faculty salaries and how the 3% merit monies were distributed. The monies are not cost of living increases and not distributed across the board. The deans, with oversight by the Provost, have discretion in how the monies are distributed. In addition to merit monies, about 1.3% to 1.7% is distributed to each college as part of the President’s Compensation Plan. Again, each college distributes the monies differently. President Harrison indicated that it is probably time to re-visit and possibly to do a sophisticated study on how we compare with our peers in terms of faculty salaries. He indicated that we would need to compare individual colleges for a refined analysis.
5. Technology Strategic Plan. We need to implement our technology strategic plan with a commitment of resources from the technology fee. The Technology Strategic Planning Committee will have a draft plan this semester.
6. Faculty diversity initiatives. We are interested in increasing the diversity of our faculty. Katherine Black just met with the Faculty Senate and her committee is exploring ideas generated by senators.

President Harrison congratulated University of Hartford Provost Donna M. Randall on being named the new president of Albion College in Albion, Mich., effective July 1. He said it speaks well of her, and of the University of Hartford as the organization she currently represents. The search for the position of Provost will start in the fall. He believes due to the academic calendar, that this will make the most sense. During the summer a search committee will be assembled, with the goal of making the appointment in winter ’08. [Post note: this schedule has been altered to begin assembling the search committee before the Provost leaves.]

President Harrison explained the retiring Secretary of the University Charles Condon’s dual responsibilities. He is Secretary of the University, which deals mostly with Board of Regent issues, as well as General Counsel to the University. President Harrison would prefer filling both positions with one individual, but realizes that may not be the case. The President hopes for a replacement before Mr. Condon retires August 15, 2007.

Military commission act, N.Y. Times. President Harrison spoke with the Senators about the Military Commissions Act and the request by the Senate for a statement (op-page letter) to be initiated by the President (he is still planning on submitting such a letter). He said that an op-page letter addressing much the same concerns had appeared in the New York Times the previous Sunday. He agreed to share it with the Senators via the Office of the Faculty Senate.

President Harrison said the Performing Arts Center (PAC) groundbreaking would be April 17^th at 11:00 a.m.; and open for fall 2008.

The President is planning a visit to New York on April 12 to speak to alumni. Barney School marketing group made up of three professors are also going to support the President in this visit.

New Business

Senators requested an update from the Director of the WELFund.

The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. The next Faculty Senate Meeting will be held April 10 and 12, 12:15 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., A426.

Respectfully submitted,

Maria Marques, Recorder