Minutes of the Faculty Senate

Meeting convened at 1:01 p.m. by William Recktenwald, President.

ROLL CALL

Members present: Ira J. Altman, Ken B. Anderson, Gary Apgar, Kimberly Asner-Self, Connie J. Baker, Blaine Bartholomew, Rita Cheng (ex officio), Stephen D. Ebbs, James E. Garvey, Qingfeng Ge, Scott Ishman (ex officio), Allan L. Karnes, Meera Komarraju, Timothy Koschmann (for Lisabeth A. DiLalla), John T. Legier, James A. MacLean, Marla H. Mallette, Kitty Martin (for Diane Muzio), James Mathias (for Tsuchin Chu), John W. Nicklow (ex officio), William Recktenwald, Benjamin F. Rodriguez, Jose R. Ruiz, Gerald R. Spittler, Brooke H. H. Thibeault, Nolan Wright (for Douglas W. Lind).

Members absent: Ruth Bauner (ex officio).

Members absent without proxy: Om P. Agrawal, James S. Allen, Lisa B. Brooten, Sandra K. Collins, Stephanie Graves, David M. Johnson, Jyotsna Kapur, Michelle Kibby-Faglier, Mary E. Lamb, Nicole K. Roberts, Stacy Thompson, James A. Wall, S. Jonathan Wiesen.

Visitors and guests: Lauren Duncan (Daily Egyptian), Geoff Ritter (Carbondale Times), Codell Rodriguez (Southern Illinoisan), Todd Winters (Agricultural Sciences).

MINUTES

The minutes from the meeting on October 18, 2011, were approved as presented.

REPORTS

1. W. Recktenwald acknowledged it is a difficult time for the University community with the Faculty Association on strike. However, he had informed the Executive Council that the Senate would meet as scheduled as long as there was a quorum. He also indicated he would not push through any significant business, although there would be an opportunity for discussion.

2. Chancellor Cheng reported on the status of negotiations with the Faculty Association. She stated that every criticism of accountability, transparency, involvement and conversation in a shared governance spirit has been addressed. She believes the bargaining team has done a remarkable job. To put the strike in perspective, Chancellor Cheng reported that there are 131 faculty not teaching classes; there are another 15 from the library who were not scheduled to teach, for a total of 146. This represents 22% of the Faculty Association membership and approximately 6% of the total instructional force on the campus, excluding the Schools of Law and Medicine. Provost Nicklow and his staff are monitoring, with the deans offices, those that are not meeting their classes. At this point, 1.8% of class offerings have been affected; these are the ones they are at this time having difficulty in finding replacements, as some courses are very unusual. She thanked all those faculty who have stepped up to teach additional courses, noting her premise from the beginning was to put the students first.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

1. W. Recktenwald asked about the turnout for the open house held last weekend for perspective students. Chancellor Cheng responded there were approximately 500 perspective students and their families in attendance. The deans, department chairs and Provost's staff all believe the open house was a success.

2. K. Anderson commented that he received an email from a colleague in the Chicago area who had heard that all the faculty at SIUC were on strike. Can a message be sent out that this is not the case? Chancellor Cheng responded that this information has been released on multiple occasions, but the situation gets exaggerated by the press. W. Recktenwald asked if there are any numbers on the classes that have been cancelled. Provost Nicklow responded there are 66 classes for which sufficient replacements have not been found. They have either been cancelled or there has been some facilitation of peer-to-peer learning. In looking at them, they are the upper level classes such as the 500 level physics and math and some Japanese and French. There were a couple of classes like metal-smithing and glass blowing for which finding replacements was difficult. Chancellor Cheng noted that the deans in Science and Liberal Arts have new strategies for making sure there is learning that continues in the classes where competent, qualified [colleague coverage] could not be found.

K. Anderson commented that he has been hearing reports of some faculty showing up in class when there is someone checking and then dismissing the class and leaving once the person doing the checking leaves. Chancellor Cheng responded that there have been some very disturbing types of incidents they have heard about, and Provost Nicklow is working with the deans. Provost Nicklow indicated that some of those incidents occurred Thursday and Friday because it was not known who was going to walk out. Thursday and Friday were really assessment periods to determine what needed to be done this week. A better job has been done this week in terms of replacements, although the number of courses affected is dramatically lower than what was expected.

J. Ruiz expressed concern about the consequences associated with the strike, believing it will have a tremendous impact on the University community as a whole. He is particularly concerned about the effect it will have on the relationships between those faculty who are striking and those who are not. He has heard rumors that some junior faculty are being intimidated by senior faculty. He questioned how they go about mending fences. Chancellor Cheng responded that part of the commitment between faculty and administration while getting back will include a spirit of no retaliation and encouraging everyone to move forward in a collegial manner. She believes most people will see it that way and move forward without animosity. Each college will have to address the issue at their faculty meetings, and the deans' offices and department chairs will need to keep in mind that there are tensions. J. Ruiz asked if the rumor about the senior faculty was true. Chancellor Cheng responded that her office has also heard this concern. K. Asner-Self commented that it was happening before the strike. Chancellor Cheng believes it is something to be aware of, adding that they need to make sure the University's young scholars do not feel any intimidation.

G. Apgar reported hearing from faculty who have crossed the picket line because of their student focus and who are very unhappy with the tactics that have been used to insure they are in the classroom; then, they have to sign a verification form assuring that they have done all their committed responsibilities in the prior week. He believes there is a morale problem growing among those who are doing their job. Provost Nicklow responded that he has talked with the deans about how they can assist in that process and possibly make it a little more flexible. However, he wants to make sure that those who are in the classroom are paid. He is therefore attempting to be very systematic in order to minimize errors. J. Ruiz pointed out that the responsibility should have been delegated to the chairs and deans from the beginning.

Chancellor Cheng was asked if she knew the distribution across campus with respect to the number of faculty who walked out. She responded that there are hot spots, and they knew there would be from the beginning. There is no one striking in Business, one in Agriculture and very few in Engineering. Liberal Arts has some departments where no one is striking and others where there are a good number. Some departments are being covered by their chairs and program directors. There are courses that are specialized and therefore difficult [to cover]. They are finding the University is not very deep in some fields because, unfortunately, the hiring freeze has been so long that there are not enough people in some disciplines.

B. Rodriguez commented that the current situation could have been much worse had the other three unions not settled with the University. He believes the bargaining teams on both sides should be commended.

REPORTS (cont.)

Chancellor Cheng also reported: a) the pension discussion is continuing in Springfield. She sent W. Recktenwald a copy of the letter [sent to the Governor] that was signed by the presidents and chancellors from around the state. They will be watching this issue closely, as this discussion is very important for all; b) performance funding discussion continues as well. There are four discussions in which she and A. Karnes are participating. A campus committee was put together to keep the lines of communication [open] and to seek input. She also chairs a subcommittee that is looking at unresolved issues. The full committee that she and A. Karnes participate in meets once a month, and then A. Karnes is a member of the [Faculty Advisory Council to the] IBHE; that board will be reacting to and approving the recommendations that come out of the full committee. Those recommendations will then go to the Governor as early as January, but perhaps early spring; c) the University received some positive press in the New York Times on November 4 on closing the gender discrepancy in science. Also, the debate team won first place at the University of the Pacific. Only 12 universities were invited to compete; d) grants so far through October are $37.2 million; that includes a $250,000 contribution from the Illinois Soybean Association for a state of the art undergraduate greenhouse teaching and research facility. The College of Science had a $3.25 million effort for science education with several of the local school districts, as well as the Boys and Girls Club and Shawnee Community College [training for 20 math teachers].

3. Provost Nicklow reported: a) with respect to the New York Times article the Chancellor mentioned, he wanted to point out that SIU is in the company of Harvard, Carnegie-Melon and MIT; b) the 50th anniversary celebration of the Center for Dewey Studies is on November 9; c) the Rehabilitation Institute had a ceremony a week and a half ago acknowledging two new endowed professors; d) he wants to thank everyone who was involved with the open house in any way. It was a hit, and they received lots of positive feedback; e) he commended all those who are helping out with covering classes on behalf of students to help minimize the impact [of the strike].

4. A. Karnes reported that the Faculty Advisory Council to the IBHE will meet on November 15, with the focus of the meeting being on performance funding. There will be a meeting on campus on November 10 for the local group to look at metrics. He indicated that he will be suggesting a range of metrics to the local University group, and then those will be sent on to the Board staff. He believes that most of them will be incorporated into the actual performance funding model. A final meeting of the Performance Funding Steering Committee is scheduled for November 30, so they have to have their input to them by November 21. He is unsure if they will conclude on November 30 because there seems to be some disagreement around the table. The plan, however, is for the Board of Higher Education to vote on performance funding formulas at its next meeting on December 4. If not, then it will have to wait until February; so, in the next few weeks there is quite a bit going on with performance funding.

K. Anderson asked what metrics A. Karnes is proposing. A. Karnes responded that most of the metrics have to do with degrees--degrees conferred, and degrees conferred on different types of people (sub- populations). [The committee] is proposing what are called "momentum points", measurements such as, for example, a student who makes it through at least 24 credit hours (research shows) is much more likely to eventually earn a degree. There are also some remedial student metrics that are momentum points; for example, if they get into school and have to take a remedial course, do they successfully complete those courses and successfully complete a college course in that same subject within a specified period of time. A. Karnes indicated there are some metrics on research activity as well. Chancellor Cheng added that the group has agreed that there should be mission differentiation and that there will be a limited number of measures that everyone will be judged against. However, based on mission, there might be different weighting in the model for different institutions. The consultants to the process are pointing them pretty directly towards the Tennessee model, which is in its sixth iteration of performance funding.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

W. Recktenwald reported that there was lengthy discussion on the group, Faculty for Sensible Negotiations (FSN). He pointed out that the Faculty Senate's Operating Paper states that faculty are "encouraged to make recommendations on any and all matters without limit [emphasis added] to the Faculty Senate...." He added that the Executive Council has had no formal contact with the FSN, but he encourages people to have lively discussions between themselves. He believes that once the dust settles, [the Senate] will be looking to meet from time to time and share ideas with not only the Faculty Association, but the Non Tenure Track Faculty Association, the Faculty for Sensible Negotiations and other groups on campus. He would encourage people to come to Senate meetings even if they are not Senators. G. Apgar noted that he recused himself (as did S. Ebbs) from the discussion on the FSN because he serves in a quasi-administrative role.

J. Ruiz indicated he has seen various emails from the FSN that imply that Faculty Senate [will be] involved in collective bargaining. He does not know if the Senate [has such a mandate]. W. Recktenwald responded that the Principles of Agreement state that the Senate "will continue to represent those faculty members not included in the bargaining unit, i.e., Medical and Law School faculties, non-tenure track faculties, directors and departmental chairs as it has traditionally." He noted that the Senate is a body that can change its rules and regulations. He added that the emails that were sent (which he did not receive) may have inferred that a connection had already been made. He did have a brief conversation with Mike Eichholz well after those emails went out, and M. Eichholz just indicated that the group was in the planning stage and would be talking to him [at some point]. W. Recktenwald reiterated that the Senate's Operating Paper states that faculty are encouraged to "make recommendations on any and all matterswithout limit [italics added] to the Faculty Senate...." The Senate can either take or reject them, though he believes by the time the group gets around to making those recommendations, there will be a different Senate president and possibly a different Senate.

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE -- None.

FACULTY STATUS AND WELFARE COMMITTEE -- None.

COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES -- K. Asner-Self, Chair

K. Asner-Self reported the committee put forth two names for the Search Committee for Dean of the College of Education and Human Services: Benjamin Rodriguez, Associate Professor, Psychology; and Matthew McCarroll, Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

ELECTION TO COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES

W. Recktenwald postponed action on this item until there is a larger number of Senators in attendance.

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE -- S. Ebbs/S. Graves, Co-Chairs

1. S. Ebbs presented for approval the Resolution to Recommend Approval of the RME for the Addition of the Specialization in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management in the Recreation Major, College of Education and Human Services (included as Attachment A to the Agenda). He explained that there are two driving motivations behind the RME; the first is an increasing demand in the marketplace for individuals trained in this area and increased demand among students for the training. Also, there is no specific specialization [in outdoor recreation leadership and management] in the major. Secondly, the governing body--the Wilderness Education Association (WEA)--is moving from an affiliation model to an accreditation model. Having a formal specialization that coincides with the accrediting agency would keep SIU's program position [strong, as the program has been affiliated with WEA for a long time]. A. Karnes asked if the department dropped any specializations. S. Ebbs responded that the program only has two specializations currently, and this would just be a third. A. Karnes asked if "management" absolutely has to be used in the title. S. Ebbs was unsure, although it could be dictated by the accrediting organization.

Resolution was approved on a voice vote.

2. S. Ebbs presented for approval the Resolution to Recommend Approval of the RME for the Addition of Minors in Sustainability and Geographic Information Systems to the Department of Geography and Environmental Resources, College of Liberal Arts (included as Attachment B to the Agenda). He explained that the primary motivation for this is to capitalize on the current buzzword ("sustainability") in the marketplace. Also, skills such as geographic information systems are becoming more and more in demand in a wide range of areas. The department already has majors in those particular areas, and through the RME is seeking to add a minor in sustainability and a minor in geographic information systems. K. Anderson expressed concern about the use of the term "sustainability" because it is so broad and impacts so many other departments. He wondered if the UEPC took into consideration groups that are teaching in subjects like ecology and chemistry that might also have an interest in sustainability. Limiting this to one department might be misleading to students. S. Ebbs responded that the committee did not specifically consider that by allowing one unit to use the word, it gives them ownership. He believes sustainability is more a concept, [a connotation driven somewhat by the unit's use of the term]. He pointed out that the department already has a major in sustainability. As far as he is aware (and Provost Nicklow agreed), there is no standing policy that would prevent another program from incorporating the word into its [majors or minors].

Resolution was approved on a voice vote.

BUDGET COMMITTEE -- -- None.

OLD BUSINESS -- None.

NEW BUSINESS

W. Recktenwald asked Senators to think about ways to reinforce with the students the faculty's commitment for their success. A. Karnes suggested the students be treated to a free concert or some type of celebration once the strike is over. Chancellor Cheng agreed that [everyone] needs to look for ways to put [the strike] behind them and get students reconnected to the campus in a positive way. S. Ebbs wondered if there might also be a way to turn it around and send a positive message, such as telling what percentage of faculty are actually here [teaching] and how many are voluntarily doing overload duty, etc.

ANNOUNCEMENTS -- None.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

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