UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD

FACULTY SENATE PRÉCIS

September 9 & 11, 2008

12:15 p.m.-1:40 p.m., Auerbach 426

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Attendance:

P	Balco, Cat	P	Frey, Mary	P	Russell, Ingrid
P	Ball, Kevin A.	P	Gray, Edward	P	Shepela, Sharon
P	Beaulieu, Mark	P	Gray, John	P	Siegel, Paul
P	Blett, George	P	Hill, Jonathan	P	Taylor, Melanie
P	Borucinska, Joanna	P	Lashgari, Malek	P	Tetel, Mihai
A	Brown, Jennifer	A	Lei, Yu	P	Weinholtz, Donn
A	Canedy, Charles	P	Machuga, Susan	A	Westfall, David
P	Case, Karen	-	Mellodge, Patricia*	P	Williamson, Daniel
P	Comiskey, Anne	A	Mori, Akane	A	Zimmerman, Christopher
P	Decker, Robert	P	Padberg, Carol		Present/Absent
P	Fang, Clara	P	Pedro, Joan		Attendance: 81%( 25 out of 31 )
		P	Petry, Elizabeth		*Elected Senator 9/18/08

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chair Weinholtz welcomed the Senators and guests to the 1st Faculty Senate Meeting of the 2008-2009 Academic Year.

Senators were asked to review the draft of the Faculty Senate committees that was included in the meeting package.

The Senate discussed possible new business for Senate Meetings. Of the 14 listed topics, the Senate brought down to eight, with suggestion to further focus topics at the Faculty Senate Executive meetings.

Chair Weinholtz presented the goals to the Senate and will presented them to the Regents September 12, 2008.

Senators discussed the Sabbatical Committee and how representation from the Faculty is sought. It was suggested that the appeal for names be made in the Spring. Also, create a grid for faculty and distribute to the entire Senate. Anne Comiskey agreed to serve another year on the Sabbatical Committee.

A memo calling for nominations for the Faculty Grievance Committee was distributed to all the Senators, and all full time faculty via e-mail.

Presenter:

The Senate welcomed H. Frederick Sweitzer as the new Assistant Provost and Dean of Faculty Development. He spoke to the Senate about his “paperless” vision. He spoke of the possibility of using Blackboard as a method of conducting communication business like the Greenberg Grants, Sabbatical, etc. There may be Technology grants to support this process. Of concern is passwords and compatibility in hardware and software.

He also spoke about his commitment to the Diversity Committee. What he sees as the first step is to build a diverse candidate pool. Look at which search strategies are or are not working; Gather information in a database (simple process of dumping a spreadsheet into an Access Database, for example). This year he plans to involve Chairs, Deans and the Provost in discipline-based strategies; develop resources, and strategies to keep secure the hired individual. Specifically, possible plans: a Human Resource brochure, a website for adjuncts, and others.

Orders of the Day. (The Senate adjourned until September 11.)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Attendance:

P	Balco, Cat	P	Frey, Mary	P	Russell, Ingrid
A	Ball, Kevin A.	P	Gray, Edward	P	Shepela, Sharon
P	Beaulieu, Mark	P	Gray, John	A	Siegel, Paul
P	Blett, George	P	Hill, Jonathan	P	Taylor, Melanie
A	Borucinska, Joanna	P	Lashgari, Malek	P	Tetel, Mihai
A	Brown, Jennifer	A	Lei, Yu	P	Weinholtz, Donn
P	Canedy, Charles	P	Machuga, Susan	P	Westfall, David
P	Case, Karen	-	Mellodge, Patricia*	P	Williamson, Daniel
P	Comiskey, Anne	P	Mori, Akane	P	Zimmerman, Christopher
A	Decker, Robert	P	Padberg, Carol		Present/Absent
P	Fang, Clara	P	Pedro, Joan		Attendance: 81% (25 out of 31)
		P	Petry, Elizabeth		Elected Senator 9/18/08

Reconvene

Senate held a moment of silence in remembrance of Maria’s husband, Candido Marques who passed away the previous Tuesday.

Presentations:

1. President Harrison addressed and introduced the new Provost, Lynn Pasquerella. See her bio (LINK to UNotes)

2. Provost’s Report

a. Two searches are underway for Dean of the Hartt School, chaired by Professor Clark Saunders and Dean of ENHP, chaired by Dean David Goldenberg. Lynn noted that this is “a time of opportunity in each of these colleges”.

b. The University Strategic Plan Draft will be presented to the Regent’s later today with the goal of sharing with the entire University community soon after. Lynn’s looks to have the Academic Strategic Plan drive other areas of the University.

c. Goals of the Senate are line with the Provost’s Office:

1. Faculty Salaries

Data Gathering and Analysis

32 -24 New Faculty Hires

2. Part-time and Hourly Salary Reviewed

3. Provost Office is willing to assist with survey regarding Part-time Faculty

4. Provost Office looks to enhance diversity efforts and will be working with Fred S. in setting goals.

5. Sustainability

Coordination with George Brophy’s office to review concept of using electronic process for tenure and promotion review process.

c. Retirement Incentives will be reviewed.

3. Provost’s Question and Answer Session

a. The Chair asked about the Civil Liberties forum. The Provost agreed to take ownership and would be working with faculty members Paul Siegel and Marcia Moen.

b. A Senator raised concerns regarding the possible privacy issues related to electronic submission and review of Promotion and Tenure materials. Lynn agreed to work with George Brophy’s office and a possible faculty advisory board to address these concerns.

c. A Senator thanked the Provost for addressing the Senate Goal regarding salaries but raised concerns about the hiring process of the Music Librarian. It was suggested that policies regarding searches be reconsidered.

d. A Senator thanked the Provost for addressing Part-Time faculty concerns, especially related to the proposed survey.

e. A Senator asked “if salaries are below our peer group?” The Provost mentioned looking at salaries by discipline. First identifying peers, collectively not unilaterally. Lynn has already asked finance for a number of different models.

f. A Senator asked about preparedness of our students? It was noted that often students who decide late are different than those that decide earlier. They tend to struggle more academically. Late registration also creates other concerns based on our current system.

g. A Senator brought up a concern that often faculty leaving the University do so to increase their salary. A 20% increase was mentioned.

h. Questions were raised regarding diverse faculty goals and access to national and international searches. Funds for travel may make goals easier to meet. Another question regarding availability of outside funds to expand faculty diversity. Lynn was not aware of any based on her previous experience. Although there may be money we have challenges with limited grant writers on campus. Lynn would like to support initiatives to increase our grant writing abilities.

i. Handout was available noting “Extended Temporary Contracts: 2008 – 2009”.

j. The Provost noted that the First Year Success Center is operating and the Preceptor Program has been expanded. Lynn has established a “Student Advisory Board”. The Provost’s email address is: comish@hartford.edu.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Administration Liaison—Senator E. Gray

1. The Chair has a meeting set with Don Rizzo for September 16^th.

2. The Chair will serve on the Technology Grants Committee through the Assistant Provost’s Office.

3. The Chair is coordinating with John Carson regarding the University Website.

BLT (Bent/Larsen/Trachtenberg)—Senator Decker had no report.

Curriculum—Senator Russell

1. The Committee has been working over the summer on the electronic submission of “Blue Sheets”. There have been challenges but a pilot program with about 40 faculty, staff, and deans is underway. A tracking process has also been implemented. If anyone is interested in piloting the electronic system they are welcome to contact Professor Russell.

Environmental & Sustainability –Senators Borucinska and J.Gray

1. The Committee has not yet met this academic year.

2. It was noted that Norm Young, Director of Facilities has agreed to serve on the Senate Committee. SGA will also have representation.

Faculty Affairs—Vice Chair Shepela told the Senate that the part time faculty survey is ready. She also explained the previously mentioned gathering of information on Independent Studies. in the Fall. From last year, the Committee (Faculty Affairs Committee) will also undertake discussion on required FPM changes on Sabbatical procedures, whether they are voted full year vs. half year applications. This last item is in the Provost’s hand at present.

Faculty Diversity—Senator Pedro

1. The Committee has not yet met this academic year.

2. The Chair was interested to hear about Assistant Provost Fred S. initiatives at Tuesday’s Senate Meeting.

Grants (& Stipends)—Senator Williamson

1. The Chair is looking forward to the Committee’s upcoming work.

Student Affairs—Secretary Petry

1. The Committee will focus on the Attendance Issue and Academic Honesty Policy this year. The Attendance proposal approved by the Senate last year will be presented to the Council of Deans this fall.

General Comments:

1. Concerns were raised regarding general security issues with electronic information.

2. Concerns were raised with challenges of photocopying at the library. A question was asked if a student could be hired to facilitate the copy process.

3. Questions were raised about the cost and timing of hours at Gengras.

There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. The next meeting of the Faculty Senate will be October 9 and 11, 2008, 12:15 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. in A426.

Respectfully submitted,

Maria Marques, Recorder (9/9/08)

Elizabeth Petry, Secretary (9/11/08)