Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Present:
Karen M. Turner (Pres.), Paul S. LaFollette (V. Pres.), Joan P. Shapiro (Secy.), Robert M. Aiken (Past-Pres.), Joan Delalic (Engr.), Michael W. Jackson (STHM), Charles Jungreis (Med.), Stephanie Knopp (Tyl.), Robin Kolodny (CLA), James Korsh (CST), Laurie MacPhail (Dent.), Mark C. Rahdert (Law), Charles Ruchalski (Pharm), Roberta Sloan (SCT), David Waldstreicher (Fac. Herald),
Absent:
Adam Davey (CHPSW), Tricia S. Jones (Educ.), Luke Kahlich (BCMD), Jay Sinha (FSBM), Cheryl Mack (Coord.)
Call to Order:
The meeting began at 1:09 PM
Approval of the Minutes:
The Minutes from January 26, 2010, were approved with two amendments and two abstentions.
President’s Report: Karen M. Turner
President Turner made a few announcements:
- She is trying to reschedule President Hart’s visit;
- The Provost will be here next week unless President Hart will be able to join us;
- Last week President Turner attended a meeting focused on Banner chaired by Michelle Masucci (CLA). A Banner super users group is being established. Tricia Jones (Educ.) wants to be involved. There is a need for faculty from diverse disciplines to serve. Stephanie Gillin, the Provost’s Chief of Staff, and Karen Turner will send an email discussing the various committees associated with Banner that need faculty input. President Turner suggested that Banner presentations be held at collegial assemblies.
- President Turner mentioned a return visit to FSSC with Peter Jones, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies. He is not ready to come to us to discuss the student feedback forms as there are trial runs being conducted to make comparisons between online and in-class returns. Currently 40% of the online forms are being returned compared to 80% in-class forms. Bob Aiken (Past-Pres.) reminded us that Peter Jones had promised more than the information on the student feedback form.
- President Turner asked for a report from Michael Jackson (STHM) on the Service Breakfast Proposal. He passed out to the FSSC a handout that described the FRES- Breakfast (Brunch). The plan is to ask the collegial assembly of each college/school to select three faculty who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the recognized service areas including faculty, students, university, community, industry and/or global service. Michael Jackson also spoke of finding sponsors for the event and of bringing to Temple a high energy master of ceremonies, such as Don Tollefson, Fox 29 sports anchor. Considerable discussion followed. Some comments were:
- Nominations from different areas would be good, such as service in the college and service in the university;
- Faculty members, not deans, should select the recipients;
- If there is an awards’ committee in a college/school, the members should select the winners;
- The scope of the service should be considered, and it should not just focus on Temple;
- There may be a concern from a winning faculty member that they become branded as a service person. This may not be seen as positive in their school or college;
- There was a brunch given by the Provost for General Education faculty that might be used as a model. Dessert was served and some award winning faculty presented an overview of their courses;
- Brunch rather than breakfast might be the way to go;
- A variety of gifts were mentioned for the awardees including a certificate, free coffee for a reasonable period of time, and even course release time;
- Senior/junior service awards were discussed. In some schools/colleges, service is not encouraged at all until a faculty member achieves tenure. The cultures of the different colleges/schools need to be taken into account;
- The size of the college/school was considered. There was some discussion of a proportional formula for selecting award winners;
- Another suggestion was that we consider dove-tailing this event with the 25-Year Club Dinner;
- Michael Jackson wanted more feedback. Karen Turner thought that the listserv for the FSSC should be used.
- President Turner then turned to the agenda for the Provost’s visit to the FSSC next week. She mentioned the need for an update on the Search for the Senior Vice Provost for Research Administration and for Graduate Education. She also thought we should ask for updates regarding activities that emanated from the Provost and FSSC Retreat.
Vice President’s Report: Paul S. LaFollette
The Vice President said that self-nominations for the various committees were trickling in. There are now nominations for the University Budget Review Committee and for the University Tenure and Promotion Advisory Committee. However, he asked that the representatives go back to their constituents and find more members for the University Tenure and Promotion Advisory Committee, the Personnel Committee, and the University Honors Program Oversight Committee.
It was decided that Paul LaFollette would convene a meeting of the Ad Hoc Faculty Life at Temple Committee and then the committee would choose a chair.
Paul LaFollette asked us to turn to Marina Angel’s (Law) concern about the nomination and election rules for selecting officers for the Faculty Senate. There followed much discussion regarding the interpretation of the bylaws regarding the nomination process. Eventually, a motion was put forward by James Korsh(CST) to support Paul Lafollette’s interpretation of the bylaws. This motion was seconded and there was a unanimous vote in favor of the motion. Marina Angel will receive some feedback on this discussion and motion from Karen Turner.
The Nomination Committee, chaired by Robert Aiken (Past- Pres.), now consists of Mark Rahdert (Law) and Joan Delalic (Engr.). They will work on the slate of officers.
Unfinished Business:
Robert Aiken (Past-Pres.) would like some feedback on the Honors Program from Peter Jones, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies. Karen Turner will check her files on this issue. She will also see if Peter Jones is available before Spring break.
Roberta Sloan (SCT) asked that the new Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement, David L. Unruh, be invited to an FSSC meeting.
Adjournment:
The meeting ended at 2:25 PM
Joan P. Shapiro
Secretary
