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| Temple University Faculty Senate |
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Faculty Senate Steering CommitteeTuesday, October 7, 2008
Attendance: Karen M. Turner (Pres.), Paul S. LaFollette (V. Pres.), Bonnie Averbach (Secy.), Robert M. Aiken (Past-Pres.), David Baron (Med), Joan Delalic (Engr), Marge Devinney (CLA), Pauline Hurley-Kurtz (Ambl), Michael W. Jackson (STHM), Luke Kahlich (BCMD), Stephanie Knopp (Tyl), Mark Rahdert (Law), Joan Shapiro (Educ), Joel Sheffield (CST), Jay Sinha (FSBM), David Waldstreicher (Fac. Herald), Cheryl Mack (Coord) 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm.
2. President’s Report -Turner: Turner announced the guests for the next Representative Senate Meeting: Sandy McDade, of the Office for Sustainability has been confirmed; Julie Phillips will present an update on the Gen Ed rollout and Provost Lisa will do her monthly Q and A session. There will also be a motion to change the Committee for Faculty of Color from an Ad Hoc to a Standing Committee. With respect to our request to the Lectures and Forum Committee to sponsor a lecture by William Dunkelberg, the Chair of the Committee stated that the Committee does not sponsor lectures. It only funds them. Tony Wagner has been confirmed for the November 19 agenda to talk about the economy and how it impacts on the way we do business at Temple.
3. Guest: Provost Lisa: Provost Lisa presented the Strategic Plan to the Academic Affairs Committee on October 6th. It was accepted. The proposal will now go to the Board of Trustees for review. Baron mentioned that there have been complaints, from neighbors, about the behavior of some of the Temple students who live in Yorktown. Apparently there are noisy parties. The neighbors are complaining and want the students out of Yorktown. The Provost said that Temple does not own Yorktown housing but will ask the Temple Police to check there periodically on weekends.
Aiken mentioned that there have been other incidents involving Temple students. For example, a party was raided where underage drinking was found. He suggested that possibly someone higher up has to address some of the issues. Turner pointed out that Student Government members have complained that the faculty is not engaged with the students or in student activities such as Homecoming. Turner mentioned that so far, we have not had official Senate relations with students and that we should have collaboration between faculty and student government. Turner informed students that they are welcome to attend Senate meetings. This may be another area to investigate. The Provost agreed. LaFollette suggested a faculty contact person with student government. Baron mentioned that there is a real concern with drugs and alcohol. A discussion followed of the many problems that some students have such as drinking alcohol, the stress from being away from home, and financial stress, among others. The Provost suggested that open information seminars be given by members of the Department of Psychiatry: Alcohol intervention and prevention, parental intervention and medical information. We do have a drug and alcohol task force run by students. The Provost mentioned that she has just completed a Cornell and Temple survey on student drinking. One major difference which came out from the survey is that Temple students on the average were afraid of legal problems, but Cornell students were not. Baron: Chronic drinkers cannot stop smoking. Jackson: Gambling is a rising problem among students as well as athletes. Provost mentioned that the student athletes live a tough life. She feels that the Faculty Senate should get involved in this with the students. Knopp asked if there the university tracked problems with individual colleges. The provost responded that it hasn’t been broken down by schools, however the problem is widespread. She will try to break down more data to schools and colleges. Turner suggested that the results be shared with schools and colleges. We should give thought to what we can do as a Senate. Maybe we should talk to students first. Temple Student Government wants to meet with the Faculty Senate Steering Committee. LaFollette proposed that there should be an official contact for TSG. He thinks that it should be an official position. It was also mentioned that better advising is needed; faculty are great as mentors but not as advisors. Michael Jackson asked about how long faculty can meet with students after late classes. In particular, before the class is over, the computers are shut down and the cleaning staff people begin coming into the classroom and staff members come in to shut down computers. Answer: Check with Sheri Stahler about the computers. Luke Kahlich asked about what decisions are made about space and how to find out when some people are to be moved. Also, what about others, at the same time? The Provost responded that there is a space problem and there will be a university-wide space committee. Mark Rahdert inquired about the Academic Plan. Joan Shapiro asked about the time when the Provost expected Board approval of the Academic Plan. The Provost mentioned that she was aiming for December Board approval of the Plan. Information will be forthcoming upon approval of the Plan by the Board of Trustees. It was suggested that Faculty Senate help to roll out the new Academic Plan and that collegial assemblies be involved. . Kahlich suggested that the Arts Commission should be involved too. Provost Lisa commented that perhaps there could be a special music and dance presentation for Temple’s 125th year celebration. Michael Jackson suggested special space for skate boarding, which could also be used by neighborhood skate boarders.
4. Vice President’s Report - LaFollette: LaFollette met with Sheri Stahler of Computer Services. We will have an election soon for the Personnel Committee and the University Study Leave Committee. Candidates for the committees should be tenured faculty. Board of Trustee Committees: The following faculty is on the Board of Trustees’ committees:
Committee Approvals: A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously for the following committees
A motion that the Steering Committee resolves that the ad hoc Committee on the Status of Faculty of Color becomes a standing committee was made, seconded and approved unanimously by the FSSC. This motion will be presented to the Representative Senate to be voted on at the October 16, 2008 Representative Senate meeting.
5. Unfinished Business: None 6. New Business: None 7. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 pm Bonnie Averbach, Secretary (With thanks to Cheryl Mack) |
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