Faculty Senate Minutes January 27, 2022

January 27, 2022, 3:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Present: T. Moretti (Chair), D. DeFino (Secretary), M. Bard, G. Barry, D. Brophy, B. Gaines, H. He, A. Howerton-Fox, M. Hughes, A. Kelso, R. Lacey, E. Mariola, , C. Martins, H. Park, S. Petrovic, A. Rosenfeld, O. Soluade, M. Veyvoda

Excused: M. Draeger, J. Klein, N. Gao

Guest: C. Awosan

T. Moretti called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.  Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes for the 12/2/21 meeting of the Senate were approved via email on 12/7/21

Announcements

None

Discussion Item: Committee on Inclusive Curriculum

Members of the ARTLC outlined concerns about the recent formation of the CIC by S. Furlong (CDO), in particular how it would likely repeat work already done by ARTLC; the Senate urged members of ARTLC to meet with the CDO to discuss a way forward, and report the outcome of that conversation to the Senate

Discussion Item: Fall Faculty Survey

The Senate reviewed the results of the survey and identified a number of key take-aways; an executive summary will be drafted and distributed to College faculty, along with the full survey results.

Discussion Item: Data on Cancelled Classes

At a recent UGC meeting, J. Stabile reported that Peoplesoft indicated as many as 25 Fall 2021 sections with 18 or more class meetings cancelled, and urged chairs to inform faculty of the requirement to report course cancellations; the Senate feels that it is the job of the administration, not chairs, to remind faculty of cancellation policies, and to approach individual faculty when irregularities are discovered, rather than raising the issue as a general concern

Discussion Item: Sustainability Resources

Members of the Committee on Environmental Sustainability sought suggestions for helping the College to realize the priorities identified by the committee; the Senate made a number of suggestions, including the appointment of a faculty member as a Director of Sustainability who would receive regular remissions/stipends, and meeting with the Office of Finance to discuss budget carve-outs

Discussion Item: Core Cap Overrides

A number of chairs raised the issue of Core sections being raised beyond the 25 hard cap without the consent of chairs; the Senate asked chairs to investigate where those decisions had been made, and in how many cases

Discussion Item: Senate Chair Transition

T. Moretti suggested that outgoing Senate chairs commit to training incoming chairs in the various duties and functions of the job; the Senate agreed this was an excellent idea

Discussion Item: Iona University

At the College Council meeting on 2/9, the Council will vote on a Board proposal to change the Iona charter from College to University

Discussion Item: Letter of Reasonable Assurance

D. Brophy asked permission to query the delay in the delivery of adjunct faculty appointment letters (aka: letters of reasonable assurance) during the Spring 2022 term; the Senate agreed

There being no other business, T. Moretti adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m.  The next Senate meeting will be held on 2/24/22 at 3:30 p.m.