Faculty Senate Minutes December 2, 2021

December 2, 2021, 3:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Present: T. Moretti (Chair), D. DeFino (Secretary), M. Bard, G. Barry, D. Brophy, J. Klein, B. Gaines, H. He, A. Howerton-Fox, M. Hughes, A. Kelso, E. Mariola, S. Petrovic, A. Rosenfeld, M. Veyvoda

Excused: M. Draeger, R. Lacey, N. Gao, C. Martins, H. Park, O. Soluade

T. Moretti called the meeting to order at 3:38 p.m.  Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes for the 11/4/21 meeting of the Senate were approved via email on 11/17/21

Announcements

• The revised Adjunct Promotion Procedure language was endorsed by College Council on 12/1
• The Fall Faculty Survey is currently open, and will remain so until midnight on 12/14

Information Item: Honorary Degree Proposal

• The Board of Trustees Committee on Trustees and Governance (BoTCTG) has agreed to invite a member of the Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degrees Committee (CSHDC) to present its nominations and rationale to the BoTCTG when it is a topic on the meeting agenda
• The chair of CSHDC has asked the Senate to review procedural language for when the BoTCTG may select honorees without consulting the CSHDC

Information Item: Duties and Responsibilities of the Senate Chair

In preparation for the spring election of a new Senate chair, T. Moretti reviewed the parameters of the position

Discussion Item: Clinical Lines

• The Senate discussed recent cases where the administration has substituted clinical lines for positions initially designated as tenure-track, with particular emphasis on a recent example in the PHL department
• Representatives of RTA, CAA, PHL, and will meet with S. Carey, J. Stabile and S. Furlong to discuss their concerns, which include the importance of equity in hiring and the impact of such changes on future acquisition and retention of talent
• Members of the Senate will meet with S. Carey, D. Wheeler, J. Stabile and L. Richardson to discuss hiring philosophy and plans moving forward

Discussion Item: Shared Membership in HR&C and Budget Committees

The Senate discussed a proposal to include a member of Budget on HR&C; the Senate agreed in principle that this was desirable, and will work with both committees on the logistics of selection, including balloting procedures

Discussion Item: SGA and SAC Shared Governance Recommendations

• The Senate discussed several recommendations made in response to its Working Group proposal, including:
  • balancing constituent representation on College Council
  • adjusting faculty representation on governance committees in a way that keeps the current balance for SAC representatives
• The Working Group agreed to reconvene to re-draft its recommendations based these suggestions

Discussion Item: COVID-19 and Final Exams

The Senate discussed concerns about the rise in campus COVID-19 cases, increased student absences, and their potential impact on final exam delivery; T. Moretti will raise the issue with D. Wheeler

There being no other business, T. Moretti adjourned the meeting at 5:29 p.m.  The next Senate meeting will be held on 1/27/22 at 3:30 p.m.