FACULTY ASSOCIATION MEET AND CONFER
Thursday, November 14, 2002
3:00 p.m.
CSU 285
(Administration Chair)
NOTES
Attendance:
Faculty:
Georgia Holmes, Roger Severns, Paul J. Hustoles, Pat Earle,
Donald Larsson, Gregg Marg, Winifred Mitchell, Richard Swanson, Mary Visser
Management:
Richard Davenport, chair, Karen Boubel, Margaret Healy, Dean
Trauger, John Winkworth, recorder
1.
Reorder/Additions—
President Davenport opened the meeting and asked if there were any additional
items or any requests to reorder the agenda.
FA Secretary Hustoles asked if there could be a brief discussion
of the surplus computer memo from MnSCU.
2.
Discussion of University Priorities (AD)—
President Davenport has a detailed list of six university priorities being
prepared for distribution. Standing
committees will be used, augmented by additional individuals when appropriate.
President Davenport talked about the creation of teams to
work on the various priorities.
Specific charges will give focus and direction to each team, asking for such
things as timelines, directions and resource requirements.
For example, working on the diversity priority there will
be representatives from a wide range of campus and community groups.
At our next time, after this information is distributed, we
will have a more complete discussion of the priorities.
President Davenport hopes that teams will be established yet
this semester. Each group will be charged with developing an implementation
plan. These plans are expected
to be two to three years in duration.
3.
FA President’s Report (FA) (Standing Item)—
FA President Holmes distributed an e-mail from IFO Director of Governmental
Relations, Russ Stanton. Entitled
“The New State Government—Stark New Realities for Faculty,” the document contains
an unvarnished assessment of the new State government including the likely
opposition to the ratification of employee contracts because of domestic
partner benefits. He goes on
to state that there will be big budget cuts, and higher education budget
cuts will be on the table. FA
President Holmes reported that there was some good news.
In answering a student questionnaire, Governor-elect Pawlenty
stated that he would not take away financial aid dollars to support private
colleges. She also mentioned
that the semester is quickly slipping away and reminded the group that there
will be an FA social on 25 November at Maggie’s.
4.
President’s Report (AD) (Standing Item)—a.
Commission on the Status of Women:
The Commission has been authorized to hire a consultant to
do a survey on the campus climate.
A nationally known expert, Bernice Sandler, has agreed to work with us.
President Davenport has requested continuity in membership
for two years so there will be continuity to complete the survey.
The survey project should take no more than two years to complete.
This consultant will look at what was done previously and
what needs to be done now. On
9 December she will be here to participate in a two-day planning retreat
with the Commission. b.
Presidential Retreat:
President Davenport reported on a presidential MnSCU retreat
focused on team building. There
was recognition by the whole group that the current model of one vote for
each institution is an unfair model.
Our challenge is to develop a weighted model that will take into account
student enrollment. The Chancellor’s
work plan of 21 goals was challenged by consultant Steven Covey.
The Chancellor did a masterful job in defending his approach
in what was a candid discussion of the issue.
c. Presidential
Reminder:
Richard Holbrooke, the former United States ambassador to
the United Nations, is coming on Monday, 18 November, to give the Premiere
Lecture.
5.
Senior Vice President’s Report (AD) (Standing Item)—
Senior Vice President Boubel had two comments in her report.
One was about our increasing stature in the Midwest.
She has been receiving calls from various external agents
asking for our participation in prestigious activities.
The second was her praising the faculty in the academic departments
for their excellent work in identifying criteria for the research incentive
funds. The FA applauded the
effort and requested greater lead time in the future.
6.
MnSCU/Legislative Relations (AD/FA) (Standing Item)—
FA President Holmes mentioned talking with Student Relations Coordinator
in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Clark Johnson, about meeting
with newly-elected local State Representatives Howard Swenson, and Tony Cornish,
and State Senator Jule Rosen.
President Davenport mentioned that on 12 December there is a legislative
visit on our campus. Invitations
are being sent out. He welcomes
FA participation—two FA representatives will be included.
Part of the time of their visit will be spent touring the
campus.
7.
Budget (AD/FA) (Standing Item)—
Vice President Trauger talked about the Budget Sub Meet and Confer’s efforts
to get a fair and equitable distribution of equipment dollars.
One million one hundred thousand dollars are available for
equipment purchases in FY2003; there is no certainty about available dollars
in subsequent years. He hopes
he will receive a recommendation from the Budget Sub Meet by the early part
of December. He mentioned that
we do not want to rush the process.
A good healthy discussion of the issues is needed.
Professor Don Larsson suggested that departments, in anticipation
of the pending allocation, should be working on developing their priority
equipment lists. Vice President
Trauger clarified the equipment definition.
On another budget item, President Davenport reported that
MnSCU presidents will meet on 2 December to identify various ways to meet
the budget challenges that await us.
FA Vice President Severns asked about tuition increases.
In MnSCU’s budget plan, tuition budget increases are assumed
to be no higher than 3%. This
action would severely limit our options.
For example a 10% appropriation cut would mean an increase of 15-18%
just to stay even. At present
our tuition level is right at the average for all AASCU public institutions.
8.
Recurring Items (AD/FA)—a.
Consultants: No report.
Summaries of consultants are made available to the FA at the
end of the year. b.
Administrative Searches:
Dean of Education candidates are coming to campus in late
November. On the search for
a Vice President for Advancement, we are getting a good pool of candidates.
Twelve to sixteen weeks was the time frame originally established
and we are on target. It is an
attractive position to candidates. We hope for a spring start.
c. Campus
Master Plan:
President Davenport reported on the number of forums that
have been held. Some have been
good, some have not. An additional
session of 1-1/2 hrs has been scheduled for next week (Wednesday, 20 November,
from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in CSU 101).
There will be no presentation—just questions and answers.
We should talk about academic buildings and not specific college
buildings. We will continue to
grow but we do not currently have the space.
We really need new classroom space.
The thing that is lacking in the Master Plan is a philosophical
basis—the principles driving the plan are not evident.
If the goal is to push traffic to the perimeter, then we should
do it. Nothing is included in
the Master Plan about the future of athletics, recreation, and human performance.
Everyone has an issue.
Some important dysfunctions were uncovered in the Master Plan.
We are taking these forums very seriously.
The consultants have come back and participated in some frank
discussions. The architect
admitted the plan developers did not talk with the Deans, which is why some
of the conclusions are not on target.
d. Accreditation
Update:
No report was given.
e. Parking:
According to President Davenport there is not enough information
in the Master Plan about parking.
We need to decide how to handle this issue.
A better transportation system is needed.
President Davenport talked about the European Village project
at University Square that might include a faculty/staff lounge.
This project is in the very early stages.
A meeting with faculty will be organized to get faculty ideas.
The developers do want to work with us on a number of matters
including their hope that the University can provide them with some parking.
The proposed number of parking spaces for the project does
not match the size of the development they are planning.
We are hoping for additional parking revenues while an additional
120 parking spaces are needed for the development.
Retail participation in this project would increase tax revenues,
thus helping our traffic situation.
The Attorney General’s office has been slow to respond to our request
for information on a related matter.
The project goes to the City Planning Committee on 20 November, and
to the Council soon after that.
The FA asked about parking permits as part of the plan.
With housing included in the project, parking will be less
plentiful. Faculty and students
currently parking in retail places will need to look elsewhere.
The project has a residential component that will require
additional parking spaces. Our
Residential Life Master Plan includes a plan for three apartment buildings
near the corner of Ellis and Stadium that will mean an additional 450 cars
coming out onto Stadium Road.
The alternative is to work with the City to get an alternative.
The second issue concerning the placement of these units is
the proposed space would result in the loss of tennis courts and the third
practice field: Would this action
violate the contract with the Minnesota Vikings?
The new facility would be air conditioned and more acceptable
to the Vikings who have not been crazy about staying in Gage.
A third question:
Do we need more on-campus housing with all the new community housing being
added? The Master Plan needs
to speak to these issues and decide on our approach.
We need more land.
Neigborhood residents are uneasy with the traffic, road placement issues.
Vice President Healy mentioned that there will be a town meeting
to talk about these issues.
Vice President Trauger reported that the Parking Advisory Committee has
sent forth a recommendation to continue the faculty/staff priority for next
year. He will check to see
if their recommendation is for a permanent change.
Once clarified, Vice President Trauger will send a recommendation
to the President. On the Master
Plan, President Davenport mentioned the need to extend the time of Library
operations. Maybe a coffee house could be added.
Computer labs need to stay open longer.
Campus recreation facilities need to be available for longer
periods of time.
9.
President Davenport’s Thoughts on Distance Learning (FA) January Response)—
FA President Holmes mentioned this request from the Planning Sub Meet to
talk about distance learning.
President Davenport will be glad to talk about this subject.
He is concerned about program quality in distance learning
courses. He supports the concept
and believes we need to come up with a self-sustaining model.
It costs a lot to come up with these courses.
We need to provide incentives for faculty.
Implementation of this model could also serve as a potential
revenue stream to support the faculty and faculty development.
10.
Fixed-Terms/Tenure Track Positions (FA)—
FA Vice President Severns asked whether fixed-term faculty were eligible
for the research incentive grants.
He believes they should be eligible.
Senior Vice President Boubel did mention that the initial research
incentive guidelines did not include fixed-term.
The program covers 16% of tenure track faculty.
There are two sides to this issue.
The second issue concerned the replacement of retirements
from tenure track positions with fixed-term.
If the position is permanent, it should be a tenure track position.
Senior Vice President Boubel mentioned that there was a concern
about approving too many probationary positions and then not continuing the
positions because of difficult budget circumstances.
President Davenport supports Senior Vice President Boubel’s
approach. He mentioned that
the easiest solution is to invoke a hiring freeze, although he does not support
the use of a freeze. The FA also
hopes that positions advertised as tenure track will not be filled with fixed-term
as has happened in the past.
What principles were used to guide these decisions?
Senior Vice President Boubel will share the information used
to develop the college priorities.
The FA expressed concern about the cost of searches in the department.
11.
Process for Possible Cuts (FA)—
Professor Swanson presented the FA concerns with the process for making
possible budget reductions.
How are we doing that? He suggested
it be a useful discussion to share ideas.
He went on to say that the administration has things available
today, for example increasing retirement incentives, and increasing the period
of the phased retirement period from a maximum of three years to five years.
He suggests that a number of things could be done now.
Senior Vice President Boubel mentioned that once things become
clear, there will be broader campus discussions.
Once the President has his meeting in early December, there
could be a special gathering to gather budget ideas.
The FA will gather a number of ideas on budget reductions.
A reference was made to animosities created by reductions
in 1974-75. President Davenport
acknowledged that these activities will require broad participation.
He will try to have this meeting before the holidays.
12.
Development Office—Search/Foundation Concern (FA)—
A brief reference was made to a misunderstanding about a fund raising incident
that is being handle separately outside the meeting.
13.
Salary Equity (FA)—FA President
Holmes distributed a one-page document containing a recent history of salary
equity in the system as well as an update of the current status.
She reviewed the information calling attention to various
aspects of the process.
14.
Premiere Lectureship (FA)—
The Committee charged with developing recommendation for the choice of the
speaker was not included in the final recommendation for this fall’s speaker.
Apologies have been extended.
Vice President Healy admitted that the process was wrong.
15.
Academic Calendar 2003-04 (FA)—
Professor Gregg Marg reported that the FA had some concerns with the academic
calendar. The FA does not accept
the change of the fall break day to a non-duty day.
They do not want another duty day at the end of the term.
The FA contends that any changes made in the recommendation
of the Academic Calendar Committee on this matter needs to be brought to the
Meet and Confer. They disagree
with scheduling the Fall Break Day separately from the Education Minnesota
Conference Day. The FA would
also like the opportunity to have a renewed discussion about the winter closing.
The President will take the issue back to the Cabinet for
consideration. He will bring
this issue back to the FA Meet and Confer.
16.
MnSCU Computer Sales (FA)—
FA Secretary Hustoles raised a concern about the meaning of the MnSCU directive
on the prohibition of sales of surplus computers.
Clarification in its meaning is needed.
According to Vice President Trauger the prohibition does not
apply to any on-campus use of older computers for graduate assistants or anyone
else. The restriction is on
the sale of computers off the campus through the surplus sales procedures.
17.
Student Forum (FA)—President
Davenport called attention to the second student forum on Monday, 18 November
in the CSU. The topics are grade
inflation, early registration, the frequency of course offerings, and mandatory
student health insurance. He
applauds the students for their choice of topics and encouraged faculty
to attend.
The meeting ended at 5:07 p.m.
Next meeting: Thursday, December 12; 3:00 p.m.; CSU 285