Faculty Senate Minutes October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024, 3:30p.m., ZOOM

Present: A. Rosenfeld (Chair), D. DeFino (Secretary), D. Brophy, C. Carlson, K. Engemann, G. Grimaldi, M. Higgins, M. Hughes, L. Ivanov, J. Klein, N. Kyaw, S. Petrovic, A. Qayyum

Excused: M. Bard, B. Gaines, J. Haber, Y. Kang

A. Rosenfeld called the meeting to order at 3:33pm. Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes for the Faculty Senate meeting of 10/10/24 were approved via e-mail on 10/16/24

Announcements

None

Update: Upper Level Course Caps

After concerns were raised by the Workload Committee, the Senate, CAA, and department chairs about the decision to raise SP25 upper-level course caps to 35, the Provost has agreed to return those caps to previous levels

Discussion Item: Faculty Handbook

The Senate Chair and various members of faculty leadership met with the Provost and General Counsel to go over revisions to the Faculty Handbook; along with a review of suggested changes put forward by the Senate, RTA, the Provost and Counsel, the discussion highlighted the need to include all information regarding all faculty ranks—including adjunct faculty—within one centralized handbook

Discussion Item: SHS Liaison Report

M. Higgins met with members of SHS to discuss the activities of the Senate and to solicit comments on faculty concerns; among the issues raised by SHS faculty were:

1. Slow turnaround times for copying through Minuteman, and the need for a dedicated contact person (C. Carlson subsequently identified Rafi as potentially that person)
2. The absence of budgeting for food at department and school events
3. Issues with faculty review (faculty observations, contract renewal procedures) in departments with few tenured faculty
4. Whether Core assessment might count toward service credits
5. Concerns among clinical and adjunct faculty that compensation in all faculty ranks be considered together

Discussion Item: Proposed Changes to the University Council Consitution

The Senate reviewed changes recommended by its working group and M. Callaghan; during the discussion, minor modifcations were suggested; all recommended changes will come up for a vote at the next Senate meeting

Discussion Item: Follett Access

Follett will present the results of its Iona usage study at the 11/6 General Assembly meeting; in preparation for that conversation, the Senate discussed several concerns, including making the opt-out option more transparent, looking at real costs based on actual usage, and issues with access to print materials

Discussion Item: Director of Libraries

Following the retirement of R. Palladino, the position of Director of Libraries has been dissolved; questions were raised about how this would impact library operations, and the work of the Libraries & IT Committe

Action Item: Valedictorian & Faculty Speaker of the Year Selection Committee

By unanimous consent, the Senate appointed A. Rosenfeld and C. Carlson to serve as the two Senate representatives; the Senate will solicit self-nominations for the three general faculty seats; the Senate will also be in contact with the Honor Council, who will appoint two of their members

Action Item: University Faculty Awards Committee

In order to select three faculty members to serve on this committee, the Senate unanimously agreed to solicit volunteers from among the previous year’s winners
There being no other business, A. Rosenfeld adjourned the Faculty Senate meeting at 5:06 pm. The next Senate meeting will be held on 12/5/24 at 3:30pm.