Faculty Senate Minutes November 4, 2021

November 4, 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, A. Howerton-Fox, M. Hughes, A. Kelso, R. Lacey, E. Mariola, C. Martins, H. Park, S. Petrovic, A. Rosenfeld, M. Veyvoda

Excused: O. Soluade

Guest: Y. Kang

T. Moretti called the meeting to order at 3:37 p.m.  Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes for the 10/7/21 meeting of the Senate were approved via e-mail on 10/27/21

Announcement

• The Iona University chapter of the AAUP recently held elections; results will be shared with membership shortly
• Upon review, the administration has decided to apply across-the-board salary increases for this AY to faculty tenured and/or promoted last AY

Discussion Item: Faculty Service to the College

Y. Kang asked whether faculty felt that their service contributions to the College were valued, and if not, what could be done about it; it was agreed that questions to that effect would be included in the Fall Faculty Survey

Discussion Item: Middle States Update

The site visit and subsequent report from the evaluation team yielded positive responses; a few recommendations will need to me addressed before the next review cycle, but no concerns need to be addressed this cycle; an accrediting decision is expected within the year

Discussion Item: Fall Faculty Survey

The Senate reviewed the recommendations of the Survey Working Group; several revisions were suggested; the survey will go out before the end of term 

Discussion Item: Adjunct Promotion Procedures

D. Brophy and D. DeFino met with D. Wheeler to review proposed changes to the language approved in Spring 2016; changes were drafted and distributed to the deans and Provost for further comment

Discussion Item: Inclement Weather Protocols

The Senate discussed policies for weather-related class cancellations and shifting to online course delivery, in light of J. Stabile’s response to faculty migrating courses to Zoom due to the weather event of 10/26; the Senate will draft a letter to Dean Stabile seeking clarification of policy and urging a more proactive administrative response to weather-related disruptions

Discussion Item: Recommendations from the Shared Governance Working Group

The Senate working group reported that its preliminary recommendations have been reviewed by governance committee chairs, and some recommended modifications suggested; the recommendations will now we shared with SGA and SAC for perspectives on student and staff representation, and the re-purposing of College Council

Discussion Item: Honorary Degree and Commencement Speaker Proposal

The Senate reviewed its proposal that the Trustees and Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees add a faculty member as an ex-officio member to that BOT committee; a suggestion that the proposal include language about the importance of achieving consensus between the Board and the faculty was discussed; T. Moretti will draft new language and put it to a vote via email

There being no other business, T. Moretti adjourned the Faculty Senate meeting at 5:48 p.m.  The next Senate meeting will be held via Zoom on 12/2/21 at 3:30 p.m.