Dean Kathleen Skerrett called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. in the Brown-Alley Room of Weinstein Hall. Julie Laskaris moved approval of the minutes of the Arts and Sciences faculty meeting from October 9, 2013. Suzanne Jones seconded the motion and the faculty voted to approve. Bill Ross moved approval of Academic Council Actions from November 5. Con Beausang seconded the motion and the faculty voted to approve. Sydney Watts noted that Arts and Sciences faculty will be voting on one of the Academic Council discussion items later in the meeting from the November 5 Academic Council, but that the minutes approval does not approve the upcoming motion.
Associate Dean Libby Gruner reported on the Focus on Teaching initiative. The Advising Center is partnering with the PETE Committee on several lunchtime programs, such as the November 14 program on study abroad. Libby also asked faculty to contact her if there is interest in creating conversations or reading a book about pedagogy. She also encouraged faculty to review the Focus on Teaching webpage on the Arts and Sciences website.
Dean Skerrett asked Provost Steve Allred to lead a discussion on the Endowed Chair Draft Policy. Provost Allred stated that he presented the policy to University Faculty Council on November 1 and received several helpful suggestions that he has already incorporated. The new version was distributed to those in attendance. The primary purpose of the policy is to ensure that the university honors the intentions of donors for endowed positions in a consistent manner and that income from endowed chair funds and other gifts designated for support of faculty and administrative positions are used effectively in supporting the University’s academic mission.
The review has been related to a larger project of reviewing gift agreements across the university. The Provost and others have found various discrepancies, such as changing the name of the chair, where the funding is designated, etc. He noted that several questions were raised at UFC, such as the role of search committees. The Provost reviewed various aspects of the draft policy, including the formation of search committees, vacancies, requirements for the endowed chair, etc. Provost Allred pointed out that terms for endowed chairs vary within the different schools, but the process of determining the term is now consistent with this policy. He noted that this was a challenging paragraph to negotiate with the Deans, but it finally came together to meet the various schools’ needs.
After this review, the Provost asked for questions. Provost Allred noted that this policy does not affect specific chairs, such as distinguished chairs, in departments. Those policies and procedure are up to the departments and the Deans. The policy does not address compensation for chairs.
Beth Crawford asked about Paragraph 5, addressing the terms of an endowed chair. She does not understand the need for the change or what is the motivation to make this change. The Provost replied that he respects how things are done differently in the various schools. However, he sees the policy as an opportunity to move towards a faculty member holding the chair until retirement. Some schools want to be able to offer an endowed chair with terms to retirement and this policy allows for this provision.
Michelle Hamm raised the question of how this policy would be interpreted in the future. The Provost pointed out that it is not an absolute statement, but that you need to read the entire paragraph. Dan Palazzolo, Hugh West and others noted that the word, "normally" is problematic. Why is it better to use "normally?" The Provost reiterated that after studying this issue for the past two years, he feels that the policy should move towards holding the chair until retirement. His thoughts on this have been influenced by other peer school policies and that such a policy may increase the value of the chair. The Provost is still respectful of rotating chairs. Dan Palazzolo and Beth Crawford noted that rotating chairs is often a way to reward high-performing faculty. Hugh West also asked about the use of the word "normally" in Paragraph 2 under Terms of Appointment, in regards to a one-semester appointment.
Linda Boland asked if the faculty could propose a language change to the draft. The Provost encouraged direct emails to him in order to propose language changes, but he is also seeking input from all the schools. Hugh West asked if the faculty and UFC will be able to review future changes in the policy.
Sara Pappas asked about specific chairs in departments and the Provost noted that those decisions will be made within the school.
Regarding the discussion of language, such as the use of the word “normally”, the Provost asked for a show of hands and the informal vote showed that a majority of faculty in attendance at the meeting are in favor of dropping or changing “normally.”
Con Beausang asked about the second sentence in Paragraph 5 and if there is an opportunity for faculty input in the selection of a chair. The Provost noted that earlier paragraphs addressed that involvement.
Tom Bonfiglio pointed out a discrepancy regarding "service" between Definition A and Paragraph 3 under Terms of Appointment.
The Provost encouraged faculty to send him suggestions and changes. He will need to complete his tour of other schools and recognizes that it will not be completed this semester. He summarized the discussion by stating that the main areas of concern center around wording.
Hugh West also mentioned that negotiations or nominations for endowed chairs are in process now and how will this draft policy affect those nominations. Dean Skerrett recognized that the process should not have started, but she will meet with the departments to discuss a final policy. Sydney Watts, chair of the Arts and Sciences Nominating Committee, presented a proposal to amend Arts and Sciences representation on the University Faculty Council. (See full proposal below.) ______________
Proposal to Amend A&S Representation on the University Faculty Council
A&S REPRESENTATION ON UNIVERSITY FACULTY COUNCIL The University Faculty Council (UFC) consists of seventeen members, ten of which are nominated and elected from the faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences. According to the Guide to Faculty Governance, each school determines the election procedures of its representatives. Currently, all A&S members of UFC are elected at-‐ large. There is no divisional representation on UFC. This form of representation allows for multiple members of a single division or department, and may exclude members of a division or department in A&S.
PROPOSAL #1: To amend the A&S faculty representation on the University Faculty Council to two members nominated and elected from each of the tripartite divisions of A&S and four members nominated and elected at-large from A&S.
All members will be nominated and elected from all eligible voting members of the A&S faculty. The divisional representatives will be nominated and elected by all full‐time faculty in each of the three respective divisions, and colleagues with faculty status including those with continual annual renewable appointments in each of the three respective divisions. At-large members will be nominated and elected by all full-time faculty who have continuing annual renewable appointments or who have been granted faculty status.
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Sydney stated that the proposed change is to take six positions to represent the various tripartite divisions. Four positions would be at-large. This will result in more evenly distributed representation from Arts and Sciences. Michelle Hamm proposed an amendment that the representation from within each division should come from different departments. Abigail Cheever seconded this amendment.
Michelle Hamm’s proposal was accepted as a friendly amendment, stated as the following: Tripartite representation should not come from the same department.
The Arts and Sciences faculty voted in favor of the proposal, with the inclusion of the friendly amendment.
Dean Skerrett thanked the faculty for their participation and the meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucretia McCulley
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