Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Attendance: Karen M. Turner (Pres.), Paul S. LaFollette (V. Pres.), Bonnie Averbach (Secy.), David Baron (Med), Marge Devinney (CLA), Pauline Hurley-Kurtz (Ambl), Michael Jackson (STHM), Luke Kahlich (BCMD), Stephanie Knopp (Tyl), Mark C. Rahdert (Law), Charles Ruchalski (Pharm), Joan P. Shapiro (Educ.), Joel B. Sheffield (CST), Roberta Sloan (SCT), Roy Stevens (Dent.), David Waldstreicher (Fac. Herald)
Meeting Site: The Tyler School of Art
Stephanie Knopp gave us a wonderful tour of the building that included the various departments with their studios and some high tech equipment that is available to students. We saw students at work on interesting art projects. Thank you, Stephanie.
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order about 2:30 PM.
2. Approval of the Minutes
The minutes of February 24 were approved with amendments.
3. President’s Report: Karen M. Turner
Turner mentioned topics and possible guests for future meetings. One possibility is someone from the Library. There might be some follow up from the Provost on the budget.
- With respect to the May 8th meeting (Turner is not sure if Dan Polett will be able to be here) Eleanor Myers suggested that the Basketball Coach would like to speak with us. So he will be our final guest.
- LaFollette has been trying to reach Larry Lemanski with no success. Turner will try to have a conference call with him on Friday to try to arrange something with him.
- Turner will be meeting with the President and Provost. Turner has started thinking about how to have more collaboration between the colleges. There are probably people in different colleges working on projects that are related so it is important to know what other people are doing.
- Kahlich suggested that we talk about the process for graduate study per our discussion with Zemsky.
Turner asked if there was any feedback on the Representative Faculty Senate Meeting with respect to Tony Wagner’s talk about the financial situation of the University and Provost Lisa’s talk about possible changes in the structure of some of the Schools and Colleges.
- Hurley-Kurtz reported there was a meeting with Jim Hilty, Dean of Ambler College, and the Ambler College faculty staff about the possible changes on February 24th. Everyone was concerned about the proposals. Junior faculty are also concerned about tenure and promotion in another college.
- Provost Lisa, Deputy Provost Dick Englert, and Bill Wilkinson, Associate VP for Finance and Space Management, came to Ambler on Wednesday February 25th to discuss the proposed realignment of Ambler College and other possible changes at the Ambler Campus. The proposals under discussion are:
- The Ambler College will be realigned with another college. A possible new School of Environmental Design, to be comprised of the current constituents of Ambler College (Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Department, the Community and Regional Planning Department and the Center for Sustainable Communities) may be moved as a cluster to another college.
- All operations in Fort Washington may be moved to Ambler.
- Student Housing at Ambler may be closed.
- There will be a commitment to maintain the Arboretum at Ambler.
After a broad and open discussion, Provost Lisa, Englert and Wilkinson joined Dean Hilty and other Ambler College representatives for a tour of the College and Arboretum facilities and gardens.
Turner responded that we have to have enough time to discuss this. The faculty will not buy into this change unless they talk about it.
LaFollette mentioned that it is the job of the Faculty Senate to look at changes and we should be heard by the administration and advise the administration on policies.
4. Vice President’s Report: Paul S. LaFollette
- After some discussion on the nomination of a candidate for the President’s Committee on Tenure and Promotion, a motion was made and seconded to recommend Tricia Jones (College of Education) for this position. There was unanimous approval for the motion.
- The nominating Committee, which has the charge of selecting a slate of officers of the senate, has approved the following slate for officers of the Faculty Senate:
- Karen M. Turner for President
- Paul S. LaFollette for Vice President
- Joan P. Shapiro for Secretary
A motion was made and seconded to accept this slate. There was unanimous approval for this motion.
5. Unfinished Business:
None
6. New Business:
None
7. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 PM.
Bonnie Averbach, Secretary
