Faculty Senate Minutes September 9, 2021

September 9, 2021, 3:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Present: T. Moretti (Chair), D. DeFino (Secretary), M. Bard, G. Barry, D. Brophy, M. Draeger, B. Gaines, N. Gao, H. He, M. Hughes, A. Kelso, R. Lacey, E. Mariola, H. Park, S. Petrovic, A. Rosenfeld, M. Veyvoda

Excused: A. Howerton-Fox, C. Martins, O. Soluade

T. Moretti called the meeting to order at 3:42pm. Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes for the 5/13/21 meeting of the Senate were approved via email on 9/30/21

Announcement

At the 9/22 College Council meeting, the Council will discuss the Land Acknowledgement Statement drafted by the Environmental Sustainability Committee

Discussion Item: Middle States Update

The Middle States report is nearly complete, and the evaluation team site visit is scheduled for 10/25-10/28

Discussion Item: Budget Prioritization Taskforce

The Taskforce is drafting its final recommendations to President Carey; emphasis will be placed on opportunities to raise revenue, rather than make cuts

Discussion Item: Restoration of 403(b) Contributions

The Senate is in the process of drafting a letter to the Budget and Human Resources and Compensation committees, and the Office of Finance, requesting that the College retroactively restore matched contributions lost during the 6-month pandemic suspension

Discussion Item: HR&C Concerns about Recent HR Policies

The Senate reviewed concerns expressed by HR&C regarding recent examples of the HR office developing and disseminating new policies without consulting the committee; the Senate tabled discussion for its next meeting

Discussion Item: Recommendations from the Shared Governance Working Group

The Senate working group shared its recommendations for adjusting faculty membership on standing committees, as well as suggestions to revamp the College Council; the Senate tabled discussion for its next meeting

Action Item: Committee Vacancies

The Senate confirmed the following elections and appointments to fill committee vacancies:

Enrollment Management: Y. He
HR&C: W. Bottiglieri
Budget: M. Gioiosa
Core (STEM): B. Gaines
BoT Facilities: A. Eodice

The following positions remain unfilled:

Athletics (A&S)
Core (LSB)

Election results are pending for an open RTA slot
Item remains open

There being no other business, T. Moretti adjourned the Faculty Senate meeting at 5:51 pm. The next Senate meeting will be held via Zoom on 10/7/21 at 3:30 p.m.