Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Attendance: Karen M. Turner (Pres.), Paul S. LaFollette (V. Pres.), Bonnie Averbach (Secy.), Robert M. Aiken (Past-Pres.), David Baron (Med), Z. Joan Delalic (Engr.), Marge Devinney (CLA), Michael Jackson (STHM), Luke Kahlich (BCMD), Stephanie Knopp (Tyl), Lois Millner (SSA), Mark C. Rahdert (Law), Charles Ruchalski (Pharm), Joan P. Shapiro (Educ.), Joel B. Sheffield (CST), Jay Sinha (FSBM), Roberta Sloan (SCT), Roy Stevens (Dent.), David Waldstreicher (Fac. Herald), Cheryl Mack (Coord)
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 1:10 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes:
The minutes were corrected and accepted.
3. President’s Report: Karen M. Turner
Turner made and asked for suggestions for guests and or topics for future meetings of the Steering Committee.
Some possible guests and topics are: Bill Black, Senior Vice Provost of Enrollment Management, Larry Alford, Dean of the University Libraries, John Bennet, Director of Disability Services, the head of the Diversity Council, Diane Maleson, Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Faculty Affairs and Eleanor Myers, We would like to obtain information on the Advanced Structural Plan for the Campus, the Middle States Evaluation, and the Graduate School. Also it was mentioned that our committee should visit the new buildings on campus: Tyler School of Art and Alter Hall, the new home of the Fox School of Business.
Turner mentioned that Provost Lisa is speaking at Schools and Colleges. The Provost is concerned about the decrease in enrollment from Community Colleges and the fact that as a group, the number of African-American women is decreasing.
- A long discussion took place on faculty issues, and the quality of faculty life at Temple. Turner suggested that we form an ad hoc committee to look into the academic quality of life of all Temple faculty. After more discussion on faculty issues, Turner suggested the formation of a sub-committee to draft a charge for the proposed ad-hoc committee. Ruchalski, Rahdert, and Millner volunteered to be on the sub-committee. They will give a report at our next meeting.
- Turner raised the issue with the Provost and the President that, with the election of President Obama, it would now be a good opportunity for faculty to have conversations with other faculty about diversity. It was suggested that Turner come up with some ideas on how to accomplish this.
Turner is looking into future opportunities to give thought about diversity, race, ethnicity, and gender.
There is someone from Office of Multi-cultural Affairs who speaks about inter-cultural dialogues.
Shapiro mentioned that social classes must also be part of the conversation. Millner is involved with a diversity team, which researches the diversity climate at schools.
- Sinha asked how our faculty can make a difference and have our voices heard with respect to the contract negotiations. LaFollette responded that we can speak as individuals, who could have discussions on a listserv and post on a website, but not as a committee. Aiken replied that the charge to the Faculty Senate has to do with academic policies only. It was suggested that we can speak, as a body, of costs of impasse, where not having a contract may lead, and the effect on the morale of the University as an institution.
4. Guest: Provost Lisa
- The Provost has been speaking to small groups at different schools/colleges about the Strategic Plan.
- A question arose about The Graduate School, Graduate Board and decentralization.
The answer was that one of the problems is that the Graduate Dean has all of the responsibility but no funding. Provost Lisa is trying to identify and track the graduate students and the funding sources. All of the MBA’s, MS degrees and MFA’s are considered in one pot; there are different types of Masters Programs and different types of PhD Programs. More data is needed and an evaluation of all Programs is needed. The Graduate School was giving out money it did not have. This year it was 600K over budget. Support is needed for graduate students.
Jackson mentioned that some graduate students have not yet received tuition remission. Delalic suggested that graduate students should get partial tuition remission depending on the percentage of overhead on the grant,
- The provost then discussed some of the financial problems in the University and mentioned that she and her team are taking a 10% cut in the administrative part of her portfolio. Millner mentioned that stopping Dean Searches seems to contradict the goals and objectives of the University. With respect to Dean Searches, Provost Lisa is holding off until she knows exactly what kind of package she can offer a candidate. She also mentioned that some other universities are in a similar financial bind.
- Kahlich asked about the recognition and role of service for faculty, who are willing to give service as we move forward. The Provost mentioned that many faculty members want to participate in the changes that are under consideration. Faculty participation is important. Provost Lisa replied that she is thinking about balance in the tenure and promotion and merit process. But she is not yet ready to discuss this issue. Sloan mentioned that in her Department’s external review, the reviewers said that Temple’s Tenure and Promotion procedure was burdensome and not ‘Arts friendly’. The Provost is aware of that and is working on the issue.
- Sheffield raised the issue of course fees. In many cases, the fees need to be raised. These are needed to cover certain course expenses. Knopp mentioned that at Tyler, the fees are supposed to cover the cost of material with which the students work. However the present fees do not cover these costs. In addition many of the fees disappeared when the courses were renumbered. The Provost replied that this issue is under the purview of Tony Wagner.
It was mentioned that there should be a mechanism to review each course to see what the fees should be. The Provost stated that the issue has to be revisited and the structure of the ‘fee committee’ has to be revisited.
- Baron asked how we as a committee can work with Provost Lisa. She replied that we have to work together and think creatively, moving forward in a strategic manner and we must keep our optimism going forward. We have to decide where we should start in our strategic plan. She suggested that we tighten our belts, keep on fundraising and write to our senators and congressmen to invest in Temple and in North Philadelphia.
- Kahlich brought up graduate education. He mentioned the gap between K-12 and higher education and that there is a gap between undergraduate education and graduate education. The provost is looking into periodic program review of the graduate programs.
- Averbach mentioned the fact that some transfer students are not prepared to take courses in some disciplines, such as science for example. Provost Lisa replied that this is a complex issue. It is hard for a student who is not financially well off to have to take extra classes and not graduate on time. She mentioned that the University welcomes the diversity of these students. Sheffield mentioned that he has the same problem with some students who are not prepared to take biology even though these students have passed the prerequisite class at a Community College. The Provost is slowly working on the core to core articulation agreements with the Community Colleges to have more substantial math classes.
5. Unfinished Business:
None
6. New Business:
None
7. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 PM
Bonnie Averbach, Secretary
