Executive Council Meeting: 12/12/2001
December 12, 2001, 1:15 pm, Room 260B
Present: Dan Jacoby, Carole Kubota, Linda Watts, Mary Abrums, Kelvin Sung, Ray Lou and Kevin Laverty
Guests: Chuck Jackels
Professor Sung brought up the issue of Campus security; Ray Lou said it might be discussed in a global way-at a later date.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion for approval of Nov 7th EC meeting minutes (Professor Watts), second the motion (Professor Jacoby), minutes approved.
Brown Bag Proposal
Professor Jacoby suggested developing an informal brown bag on a regular basis, maybe every other week for works in progress.
Professor Sung-CSS has some experience with this, it generates comradeship among faculty.
Barbara will develop a calendar for all GFO meetings and activities to be put on our website and the brown bag schedule could be added to the website.
Winter Quarter Calendar
Professor Kubota informed the EC that we will be updating the website and posting the current faculty list. EC meeting dates were set: January 9th, January 23rd, February 6th, February 20th, March 6th and March 20th, members will determine the best time for meetings once program meetings and class scheduling are considered. Winter Quarter calendar will be finalized at the next meeting.
Professor Jacoby expressed his intent in getting more attendance at GFO meetings, a discussion followed on whether scheduling GFO meetings on the same day as faculty meetings, may get critical mass at these meetings.
Brotman Award
Professor Kubota distributed a handout describing the Brotman Award for Instructional Excellence. This award is to recognize the accomplishments of programs and departments in advancing excellence in teaching and learning among undergraduates. The EC discussed signing off on a letter nominating UWB Academic Services Group for the Brotman Award. The deadline is 5pm on January 12, 2001. Vice Chancellor, Ray Lou affirms the nomination, saying that we have an extraordinary system and that the Academic Services Department works very hard in supporting us all. Carole will write the letter. The award ranges from $10,000 - $35,000.
The GFO Planning Calendar was distributed, everyone found it very useful. Kelvin said that he could put it online.
Faculty Council on Faculty Affairs-Preliminary Report and Statement of Principles from Subcommittee on Lecturer Status.
Professor Jacoby handed out the report on Senior Lecturers and the Tenure Question. Currently, legislation is being drafted that addresses problems inherent in the lecturer and senior lecturer status. A discussion followed covering conditions of Senior Lectures regarding holding office in the Senate, tenure, promotion and academic freedom.
Regarding tenure, Steve Olswang stated at a previous meeting that Senior Lecturers are not a faculty rank and receive no tenure. Professor Jacoby noted the AAUP Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure states that, beginning with appointment to the rank of full-time instructor or a higher rank, [5] the probationary period should not exceed seven years. Note #5 clarifies that the "rank of full-time instructor or a higher rank" is intended to include any person who teaches a full-time load regardless of the teacher's specific title. The question of what safeguards are in place for the full time, seven year period are important, as lecturers are particularly vunerable.
The GFO will discuss a code change in the Handbook for UWB.
Motion proposed and approved
A motion was made to urge a discussion at the Faculty Council for Faculty Affairs to consider academic freedom and security of employment for Senior Lecturers.
Professor Jacoby proposed the motion and Professor Abrums seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Program policy on competitive offers
Professor Kubota handed out the June 2000 GFO Faculty Consultation Procedures Regarding Competitive Offers.
CSS Self-Sustaining Degree Program
Guest, Chuck Jackels, CSS Program Director updated the EC on Self-sustaining BS Degree in Computing and Software Systems. A program history was provided.
The CSS Distance Learning Committee Status Report:
Distance Learning Committee has a working draft of the proposal for faculty approval for a self-sustaining, distance-learning BS in the CSS degree program. There are 20 courses, 2 offered by CSE (UW), 16 offered by CSS (UWB). This program would be distinct from the on-campus state-supported program.
Administration of the Distance Learning program would be housed within CSS. Questions currently being considered include a way to maintain accountability and financial independence from the state-supported program.
The decision must be made that this program be a central part of the mission of CSS and be equal to the regular programs.
The Provost has been informed by the Committee that departments will finish deliberations by Winter Quarter, regarding this program. Content development on courses is ongoing, funded by the Department of Labor. Once approved, the program is ready to go.
Professor Jackels notes that self sustaining degrees elsewhere do not rely on adjuncts and that CSS may best control quality by using tenure track faculty to deliver Distance Learning courses in the new degree program.
Tri Campus Committee
Professor Laverty reported from the UW Faculty Senate the budget challenges from the Senate Committee on Planning and Budgeting, noting state budget forecasts have changed for the worse. Brad Holt of the Faculty Senate stated that the UW will absorb the budget cuts while protecting instruction and research. Professor Kubota received an email from Brad Holt and Sandra Silberstein, Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate asking what UWB is doing about budget cuts. Our Vice Chancellor, Ray Lou replied that we are waiting for the exact size of the cuts to gage our reaction.
Three pieces of legislation the Faculty Senate has passed that may affect UWB:
- Distance Learning legislation would make changes in the handbook, including the final 45 credit campus residence requirement. A review of courses and programs is needed to assure that the outcomes of DL are commensurate with to non-distance learning courses, this new set of classes will be notated with a DL suffix.
- Admission's legislation restates policy since I-200 Proposition. The provost will determine allocations for admission, regarding community college transfers and other groups.
- Honorary degrees-the UW will allow. Nominations for candidates will go through a Senate Committee. Questions arose whether UWB will be able to extend its own honorary degrees.
Minutes submitted by: Barbara Van Sant