UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD

FACULTY SENATE PRÉCIS

December 11, 2007

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

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Attendance:

P	Ball, Kevin A.	A	Gray, Edward	P	Patterson, Jerimiah
P	Beaulieu, Mark	P	Gray, John	P	Petry, Elizabeth
P	Borucinska, Joanna	P	Hill, Jonathan	A	Russell, Ingrid
p	Brown, Jennifer	A	Lei, Yu	P	Shepela, Sharon
P	Canedy, Charles	A	Machuga, Susan	A	Siegel, Paul
A	Carey, Elen	P	Mayer, Howard	P	Sumukadas, Narender
P	Comiskey, Anne	P	McMiller, Darryl	P	Weinholtz, Donn
A	Davis, Robert	P	Mohamed, Osama	P	Westfall, David
P	Decker, Robert	P	Mori, Akane	A	Williamson, Daniel
P	Diehl, Susan	P	Nolan, Dennis	A	Zimmerman, Christopher
P	Fang, Clara	P	Oliver, Peter	=	Present/Absent Attendance: 72% (23 out of 32)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chair Weinholtz welcomed Senators to the fourth meeting of the 2007-2008 Senate. He reviewed the results of the Provost’s Sabbatical Committee, of which Senator Comiskey is a member. Senators discussed the funding and availability of sabbaticals. Eight full-year sabbaticals and 13 semester sabbaticals were granted for the 2008-2009 Academic year.

The following committees reported:

• Academic Standards – Senator Petry reported that she had submitted the needed paperwork for the Proposed Policy regarding attendance to the Provost’s Office for changes in the MAPP. Working with Student Affairs and Dean Horvath on Academic Honesty issues.
• Professional Standards – Senator Shepela told the Senate that Professional Standards Committee will be discussing intellectual property rights.
• Constitution & Bylaws – Senator Decker presented an initial proposal for discussion. Due to lack of time at this meeting, the proposal will be discussed at the January 2008 meeting.
• Curriculum – Chair Weinholtz reported the Curriculum Committee reviewed, discussed, and is presenting the materials listed in the package report for Senate’s approval. The report was approved unanimously.
• Computer and Technology – Senator Sumukadas addressed the issues brought up at the Executive Committee regarding standardization of equipment in general purpose classrooms.  A sub-committee of the Academic Technology Strategic Planning Committee recommended, and the Provost approved, 6 or 7 new smart podiums this fiscal year.  The sub-committee is also working on standardizing the operating instructions for the podiums.  Senator Sumukadas also looked into the concerns of faculty in acquiring e-mail addresses for part-time faculty.  He relayed that all they have to do is “ask for it.”  As per current procedure, ITS sets up email accounts when it receives official notification and a request.  Part-time faculty need not go to ITS in person, but may optionally go to request an orientation of the e-mail system.  Additionally, Senator Sumukadas mentioned that some senators were concerned about the safety of pdf files that will be e-mailed to those staff and faculty who have direct deposit.
• Diversity Committee -- Senator McMiller reported the following membership for the committee: (the Art school representation has not been filled) Jack Banks, A&S; Deb Kidder, Barney, Theodore Sawruk, CETA, Joan Pedro, ENHP, Nat Reeves, HARTT, and Woody Doane, Hillyer. Darryl McMiller, Hillyer, is chair.
• International Studies Committee Report – Senator Comiskey, after the Committee’s December 6 meeting, said the committee will work on the possibility of acquiring scholarships and further investigate the possibility of other ways to help students that may not be able to afford study-aboard, i.e., having people donate “frequent flyers” points…
• Student Affairs -- Senator Oliver reports that the committee is beginning the process of creating a “values statement” regarding academic honesty for the University of Hartford community.  We are also waiting to meet with Dean Horvath to learn her ‘charge’ by President Harrison to identify community values.
• University Scholars – Chair Weinholtz reported that even though the deadline had been extended by two weeks and additional students targeted, there were no applications.
• Environmental Task Force – Senator Borucinska’s Committee met and their conclusion on the current recycling at the University will be presented to the Senators at the end of the meeting (see below).

PRESENTATIONS:

Abigail E. Adams (Anthropology) Co-chair and member Charles E. “Chaz” Button (Geography) of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability for Central Connecticut State University came to share with the University of Hartford’s Senate their experience with starting an Environmental Sustainability program at CCSU, and specifically to help us spearhead our Environmental Task Force.

Professor Adams spoke about “the right thing to do” concept adopted at the management level being an important factor in the success of the program. She said that the University hired a consultant to create an institutional plan. Crediting having Facilities as co-chair, Purchasing department involvement, and the President’s support for their success, she explained the need for support right at the beginning; the need for ownership, and the culture change that must take place. She spoke of the use of literature in various campaigns among other strategies, and concluded that recycling mandates affect all of us (check the DEP web page http://www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp), public and private institutions. She also explained that sustainability does not necessarily mean derivability.

Professor Button spoke on securing funding from various entities, i.e., inside contractors such as foodservice, and outside sources such as Stop & Shop. He suggested that in labeling bins and containers, pictures be used (in addition or instead of words) for easier and more accurate recognition.

He also suggested Senators consider joining such organizations are Focus on the Nation.org.

You may find more information on CCSU’s web site: http://www.ccsu.edu/CCSUSustainability/default.htm

CCSU is holding a “Inaugural Symposium on Global Sustainability and Climate Change” January 29-31, 2008. Senators and their classes were invited to be part of the audience. Senator Weinholtz offered to spread the invitation to all University of Hartford faculty. A registration form was handed out, as well as where to find it on the web.

This presentation was followed by Senator Borucinska’s summary of where she sees recycling at the University of Hartford. The Environmental Task Force had drawn out in each building where recycle bins or other containers were present.

Although the University has some recycle bins, their placement, or upkeep left such to be desired. The residence halls for example, lacked …; others were contaminated by regular garbage, possibly due to lack of a bin for “garbage,” or not properly labeled.

Senator Borucinska and the Environmental Task Force met with Mr. John Michalewicz, Director of Plant Services Facilities, and they will continue to work with Facilities to create a plan to present to the President.

Orders of the day.

Thursday, December 13

Due to a winter storm and the University closing at 12N, the Faculty Senate meeting was not reconvened and therefore adjourned. The next meeting of the Faculty Senate will be Thursday January 24 and Tuesday January 29, 2008, 12:15 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., in A426.

Respectfully submitted,

Maria Marques