FACULTY SENATE PRÉCIS

October 9, 2007

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

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Attendance:

P	Ball, Kevin A.	P	Gray, Edward	A	Patterson, Jerimiah
P	Beaulieu, Mark	P	Gray, John	P	Petry, Elizabeth
A	Borucinska, Joanna	P	Hill, Jonathan	A	Russell, Ingrid
p	Brown, Jennifer	P	Lei, Yu	A	Shepela, Sharon
A	Canedy, Charles	P	Machuga, Susan	P	Siegel, Paul
A	Carey, Elen	P	Mayer, Howard	P	Sumukadas, Narender
A	Comiskey, Anne	A	McMiller, Darryl	P	Weinholtz, Donn
P	Davis, Robert	P	Mohamed, Osama	A	Westfall, David
P	Decker, Robert	P	Mori, Akane	A	Williamson, Daniel
P	Diehl, Susan	A	Nolan, Dennis	=	Present/Absent Attendance: 64% (20 out of 32)
P	Fang, Clara	P	Oliver, Peter

Chair Weinholtz welcomed Senators to the second meeting of the 2007-2008 Senate. He directed the following business:

• Senators were directed to the Faculty Senate website for up-to-date Committee Membership. http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/facsenate/committees.htm

• Grievance Committee membership proposal to the Senators attention. This was Handout A in the package given to the Senators. The Senate approved the nominations unanimously. Membership follows:

	NAME	EXT.	TERM EXPIRES	E-MAIL	LOCATION
	Ellis, Don - Chair	4912	Fall 2008	dellis@hartford.edu	A&S, HJG E215
NEW	Buckberrough, Sherry	4741	Fall 2008	buckberro@hartford.edu	A&S, H 426
NEW	Intrilligator, Barbara	4772	Fall 2009	intrilliga@hartford.edu	ENHP A223D
NEW	Gangaway, Janet	5266	Fall 2009	gangaway@hartford.edu	ENHP D 401E
NEW	Schloss, John	4547	Fall 2010	Schloss@hartford.edu	A&S EH 204A
NEW	Carey, Ellen	4616	Fall 2010	ecarey@hartford.edu	HAS V116B

Chair Weinholtz also advised the Senate that we are still waiting from the Deans on the FPM wording on the Supervision of relatives.

• Memorial Services for Professor John Roderick, will be held October 11 at 12:15 p.m. in Wilde Auditorium. As per previous communications, Senate will not meet this Thursday so that Senators may attend this Service.
• Donations from Faculty Senate to Ramsey Award -- If any Senator would like to make a memorial gift for Faculty Senate and Emeriti secretary, Gordon Clark Ramsey, they may do so through the Faculty Senate and it will be used toward the Gordon Ramsey Excellence Award given out early to part-time faculty.

Presentations

Benefits Task Force – J. Kagan/K. Case, Faculty Representatives on the Committee

Professor Joel Kagan and Professor Karen Case came to update the Senate on the Benefits Task Force (BTF), in which they represent the faculty.

Professor Kagan gave a brief history of the BTF. He described it as a “watch dog committee,” where recommendations are discussed, and where he believes the number one goal is “To provide an employee benefits program that protects participants from catastrophic financial conditions.” The Taskforce makes recommendations to the President (Walter Harrison). He said the committee began in 1982 with Professor Ann Costello as the first member.

Originally focused on Health Care Benefits, the Taskforce currently deals with all benefits issues. The Taskforce current Structure includes 6 voting members: two (2) Faculty members, two (2) Staff members, one (1) Finance representative, one (1) HRD representative, These are three year term with a maximum of two sequential terms. The Taskforce is chaired by the Vice President for Finance VP of finance (who carries the tie breaking vote). Consulting members are sought as needed. Faculty members elected by FTF (election run by Fac. Senate) and Staff members elected by FTS (election run by Staff Assoc.)

Also as of two years ago, Chris Monroe is the Consultant/Agent, replacing R.C. Knox.

· Major effort to disseminate information to faculty/Staff

§ Letters from VP of Finance

§ UNotes

§ Workshops, Benefits Fairs, Presentations, etc.

§ Material on-line – HRD

· Current Issues

§ Wellness – More than lectures.

§ Medical Insurance Tier System

§ Vacation Policies

§ Flex Spending Accounts (FSA)

Past Year Decisions:

· Multi-year plan to increase employee premium contribution rates

· First year 21/79, Second year 22/78

· HMO plan replaced by “Core” POS plan

· Increase in adoption assistance benefit

· Voluntary Phased Retirement plan for eligible staff

· Enhanced vacation benefits for new regular full-time staff

· Remain with United Health (Core/Enhanced) for 2008.

· AARP Plan F (underwritten by United Health) for retirees - 2008

Professor Kagan directed Senators to the HRD web site: http://www.hartford.edu/hrd/ where documents can be found. A discussion was held regarding the likelihood of losing good faculty to other institutions specifically because of the health coverage cost benefits.

Interim Provost Voelker

a) At the last Executive Committee meeting, Senators requested an update on the Pandemic Flu. Today, Interim Provost Voelker spoke of the steps taken. A two-page outline of steps and protocol was supplied to Senators. You may read it below in its entirety.

b) Safety – As part of the Campus Safety Committee an e-mail was sent earlier in the semester encouraging faculty, staff and students to sign up for the Emergency Text Message (UHTXT) mass notification system. This system enables University students, faculty and staff to receive alerts and updates as text messages on cell phones. The Provost said that only 1/3 or so signed up. Senators suggested that the e-mail be sent out often and within small intervals. http://www.hartford.edu/e2/

c) Enrollment -- Provost Voelker shared the following with the Senators in regard to enrollment:

§ $200,000 one-time fund was allocated to Academic Affairs

§ suggested the University look at competitors’ pricing in future, so that we do not price ourselves out of the market.

§ he believes we should continue banking the surplus (if possible) “rainy day fund”

§ a Senator inquired “what is the current cost of bringing in a student?”

Fall 2007 Enrollment as of October 5, 2007
(Fall 2006 Census, and Fall 2007 Census)
	Fall 2006	Fall 2007
	Census	Census
FTUG	4721	4796	75	1.59%
New	1635	1668	33	2.02%
Ret.	3087	3128	41	1.33%
PTUG	858	809	-49	-5.71%
UG Total	5579	5605	26	0.47%
FTGrad	569	539	-30	-5.27%
PTGrad	1137	1114	-23	-2.02%
G Total	1706	1653	-53	-3.11%
Total	7285	7258	-27	-0.37%

Invisible Support Network (ISN) -- Assistant Vice President for Student Health and Wellness, Susan Fitzgerald spoke to the Senate about services the Invisible Support Network provides. She requested the Senators spread the word of this service to faculty and staff that deal with students. She encouraged anyone to call her when in doubt of how to handle particular situations where students may be at risk. Suggestions from the Senate are: listing the Network with phone directory, and continuing dispersing the information about this service as a resource to new faculty.

The following Faculty Senate Committees reported:

1. Academic Standards – Senator Petry reported: This year’s agenda will include a) The committee will be revisiting the issues of attendance with the deans. b) the Curriculum Committee has requested changes to the MAPP, c) review of the code of ethics, and d) wording in the MAPP is being reviewed for outdated mentions of HCW (Hartford College for Women). A revision proposal will be forthcoming from the committee. The Committee will meet October 16.

2. Computer/Technology – An informative discussion was held on open source licensing.

3. Constitution –
1. Senator Decker brought forth the following proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Faculty Senate for its second reading and Senate vote. After discussion, the following was unanimously approved by the Senate:

11.r. The Faculty Diversity Committee shall advise the University on and make recommendations regarding issues of diversity (along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, disabilities, sexual orientation, and gender) in the academic life of the University. Typical activities of the Committee may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 1) promote and advocate that the principles of diversity are incorporated into all faculty hiring and promotion decisions; 2) collect and monitor data to identify and promote best practices for faculty development, mentoring, and creation of a nurturing work environment in order to facilitate faculty success at all career levels; 3) promote dialogue within and across colleges regarding the inclusion of diverse perspectives in the curriculum; and 4) encourage the development of programs and events that address issues of diversity. The Committee shall be chaired by a Faculty Senator and there shall be a representative from each college.

Rationale:

Issues of diversity are important to the faculty, our students, and the University as a whole, especially as we prepare students to live and work in an increasingly diverse society. There is at present no routine University-wide vehicle through which the Faculty Senate and the Faculty of the University can discuss and advocate for attention to issues of diversity. Instead, such matters are most often addressed on an ad hoc basis by the University administration. Creation of this proposed committee would both underscore the commitment of the faculty to diversity and ensure that regular attention is devoted to this important area.

2. Chair Weinholtz brought forth the following matrix outlining the requirements for Senate Committees in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Faculty Senate. Because of the inconsistency, with the goal of streamlining the committees, the Chair has requested the Constitution Committee to review and make their recommendations.

Senate Committee	Chair specified as Senator	Colleges Represented
Academic Standards	NO	“ideally” all
Bent, Larsen, Trachtenberg	NO	“ideally” all
Constitution & Bylaws	NO	Not specified
Computer & Technology	YES	6-8 Member/Cross-Section of Major Divisions
Curriculum	YES	At least one from each
Development	YES	All colleges
Diversity (NEW)	YES	One from each
Grants & Stipends	NO	Not specified
International Studies	YES	One from each
Part-Time Faculty	YES	“ideally” all
Professional Standards	NO	“ideally” all
Student Affairs	NO	Not specified
University Scholars	NO	“ideally” all
Deans Joint		Fac Sen Chair/Vice Chair/two deans
Environmental Task Force	TBD	TBD
Inactive Committees
Admissions & Enrollment	YES	One from each
Personnel Policies	NO	Not specified
Senate/AAUP Liason	NO	Senate Chair and 3 faculty

4. Curriculum – Chair Weinholtz reported on the Curriculum Committee’s report of October 2, 2007. He reviewed the three items before the committee. The Senators approved the report as presented.

REPORT TO FACULTY SENATE OCT. 9, 2007 --Faculty Senate Curriculum Meeting held Oct. 2, 2007

AUC

Code	Title		Changes	NOTES
AUCT 125		Forensic Sci: CrimeSc to Ctm	STPC	Request to create “From Crime Scene to Courtroom” course designed as intro to science for non-majors with emphasis on application forensic science in law enforcement and legal systems. It will also provide an additional AUCT lab-science option for students from across the University.
DRA 170		Acting	CNCC, CLC, CDC, CPC, CTC	Request to eliminate prerequisite to widen the number of students able to take this class. Change the course number from DRA 264 to DRA 170; 100-level course assumes no prior knowledge. Also to change course title to reflect focus on practical acting techniques.
ENG 335W		Writing as Self-Creative	CNCC, CLC, CPC	Requesting a change in course number change, level change and prerequisite to bring in students more on the same writing level.

LEGEND

NCPA=New Course for Permanent Approval*	CDC=Course Description Change*
STPC=Special Topics to Permanent Course*	CPC=Course Prerequisite Change
CD=Course Deletion	CTC=Course Title Change
CCC=Course Credit Change*	ACCL or DCCL=Add/Delete a Course Cross-Listing
CNCC=Course Number or Code Change	STCC=Special Topics Course Creation*
CLC=Course Level Change*	O=Other:

5. Development – Chair E.Gray is in the process of setting up a meeting with Don Rizzo, V.P. to encourage faculty involvement in Development Efforts.

6. International Studies Committee Report – Senator Oliver reported that the Committee will have its first meeting in early December. One of the committee’s agenda items this year will be the issue of access to Study Abroad programs for students of all financial means. This issue has been raised in Senate and at the Executive Committee.

7. Part-Time Faculty – a) President Harrison extended an invitation for Senator Siegel, who is the chair of the Senate’s Part-Time Faculty committee and a member of the provost's advisory committee on PT faculty to serve on one of the strategic planning sub-committees. He is asking the President another member of the Part-Time Faculty Committee could accept this offer. b) Discussion continues on use of e-mail for surveying PT faculty. Clearance is being asked of Assistant Provost and Dean of Faculty Development Katherine Black. c) Modest financial assistance is also being sought to conduct Focus Groups, i.e., pizza and soda. d) Survey of all department chairs (or department in charge of hiring PT faculty) is also planned.

8. Student Affairs – Chair Oliver and the Committee will work for follow-up on last year’s faculty service issues, dealing with Academic Life, Student Life, and Student Government. The committee is scheduled to meet October 16.

9. Old business -- In regards to the Military Commissions Act response voted on last year at the Senate, President Harrison has suggested a University-wide forum to address the issue. We continue to encourage him to write an Opinion Editorial piece.

10. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. The next meeting of the Faculty Senate will be November 8 and 13, 12:15 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., in A426.

Respectfully submitted,

Maria Marques

University of Hartford

Pandemic Flu Response Plan

Update – October 8, 2007

Previous Status Report

. The Pandemic Flu Response Plan (the Plan) Summary was presented to the Officers and to the Board of Regents (May 2007).

See http://www.hartford.edu/pandemicflu/

Recent Activities

. Ongoing monitoring of CT Flu Watch and the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This monitoring is conducted several times a week and is a component of our Plan.

See http://www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/site/default.asp

. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (10-8-07)

“…So far, the spread of H5N1 virus from person-to-person has been very rare, limited and

unsustained. However, this epizootic continues to pose an important public health threat.”

See http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/current.htm

. The Plan summary was presented to the Connecticut Conference for Independent Colleges (CCIC) for their review.

. The Plan was incorporated into the University’s Situation Management Team’s (SMT) Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (rev September 2007).

. The updated SMT Plan was submitted to the Capitol Region Emergency Planning Council (CREPC) for review by “first responders” and other agencies. This action is new annual State regulatory requirement.

. CREPC Emergency Support Function ESF-21 (Collegiate entities) monthly meetings are focused on emergency planning that includes the possibility of a Pandemic Flu event. These meetings have University of Hartford representation (Have been attended by Young, Carlson, Brophy, Colarulli and others).

. Instructions for the potential use of Blackboard for communication during an emergency event, for faculty and staff, have been developed. These instructions will be published before the end of the Fall 2007 Term.

. Detailed action steps and protocols for each of the 4 major components of Pandemic Flu response planning (as identified by various government agencies) have been drafted and are under review. There major components and the “chair” are:

1. Planning and Coordination: Lee Peters

2. Continuity of Student Learning and Operations: Chuck Colarulli & George Brophy

3. Infection Control Policies and Procedures: Mary Norris (Health Services)

4. Communications Planning: Marcy Cain

See http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/collegeschecklist.html

Next Steps

. Continue ongoing monitoring of Ct Flu Watch and CDC web sites.

. Continue attending monthly and special Pandemic Flu sessions sponsored by CREPC and others.

. Plan a University-wide Pandemic Flu event exercise during the Spring 2008 Term.

. Assess progress in the 4 major Pandemic Flue Response Plan component areas and progress on other SMT planning activities and report results to the Officers, faculty, and staff.