Present:
Paul S. LaFollette (Pres.), Joan Shapiro (V. Pres.), Roberta Sloan (Secy.), Karen Turner (Past President), Joan Delalic (Engr.), Deborah Howe (SED), Margaret Devinney (CLA), Michael Jackson (STHM), Charles Jungreis (Med.), Jim Korsh (CST), Tricia S. Jones (Educ.) Laurie MacPhail (Dent.), Mark C. Rahdert (Law), Douglas C. Wager (SCT), David Waldstreicher (Fac. Herald),
Cheryl Mack (Coord.).
Absent:
Luke Kahlich (BCMD – on leave for Fall, 2010), Nora Alter (SCT – on leave for 2010-2011),
Adam Davey (CHPSW), Jeffrey Solow (BCMD), Charles Ruchalski (Pharm.), Jay Sinha (FSBM)
Call to Order:
The meeting began at 1:05 pm.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of November 9th were accepted with the addition of Joan Delalic’s name because she was present, but her name was in advertently omitted.
The minutes of October 26th and November 9th were accepted, as revised.
President’s Report:
President Paul LaFollette met this past week with President Hart.
President LaFollette gave the suggested names for the LGTBQ committee members to President Hart.
President LaFollette and President Hart discussed the Temple website, and President Hart expressed concern.
On another topic, President LaFollette encouraged FSSC members to show the new Guidelines for Tenure and Promotion, once the document is received by the members, to their various constituents. It is his hope that the constituents will speak to the senators about any concerns that they might have about the new
P & T Guidelines. President LaFollette expressed some concerns about one change in the transmittal forms; they now no longer will have check boxes but will be composed of text. Everyone agrees that this change is a good thing, but the question arises as to what can and should be redacted in the text.
The discussion about the new tenure and promotion guidelines continued. Provost Englert and President LaFollette are the co-chairs of the new Tenure and Promotion Committee. The deans from the College of Liberal Arts, the Beasley Law School and the Boyer College of Music and Dance, are on the committee.
There are also faculty members who are serving on the committee. The faculty members chosen for the committee were selected by Provost Englert and President Hart. The concern raised about this selection process, which was raised at the Representative Senate Meeting, was discussed.
President LaFollette met with Provost Englert about the retreat tomorrow, November 17th. At the meeting tomorrow, the new bylaws template will be distributed. President LaFollette expressed some concern regarding the process of how the bylaws will be approved. There ensued a discussion concerning this and other pertinent related matters.
Other issues that will be discussed at the retreat are the policies in CLA and CST regarding travel and missing classes. President LaFollette pointed out two letters he received regarding some aspects of this issue, from employees not governed by the TAUP contract. A discussion ensued about the professionalism of managing faculty. Members related how these issues are handled in some of their colleges and schools. President LaFollette asked if there are any other issues that should be brought up at the retreat, and it was felt that discussing some procedures of the UTPAC should be brought forward.
Vice President’s Report – Joan Shapiro:
VP Shapiro encouraged everyone to vote on the current election of members to elected university committees.
There are still openings on various committees so VP Shapiro encouraged members to convince their colleagues to volunteer for these committees.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Some members expressed their concern with university finances and how it will affect the schools and colleges in 2011-2012. They expressed a belief that faculty should have significant input on the 2011-2012 budget. When President LaFollette asked President Hart about the budget, she reiterated that she will keep us in the loop.” A member pointed out that there is a difference between being “in the loop,” and having actual input and influence.
A big issue is the 20/20 plan, how much it will cost, and how this affects university finances.
VP Shapiro said that she felt that accountability was looming large in education. Members agreed that as a group, we hold shared governance and the ability to speak our minds, as being very important to faculty members and to the health of the university.
FMLA policies were discussed.
There was a discussion of the merit process. Some department merit committees did not find that the annual report information was clear and inclusive.
It was mentioned that unless money from the State of Pennsylvania is in Temple’s hands, even allocated funds can be frozen. There was a concern expressed that there is every possibility that funding that is expected may not actually come to the university.
Adjournment:
The meeting ended at 2:40 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Roberta R. Sloan, Ph.D.
Faculty Senate Secretary
