2014-2015 Motions
October 15, 2014
Ad Hoc IT Committee
Motion to Create a New Section of the Faculty Handbook 2.4
PREAMBLE
The University of Maine, the flagship and System’s public research institution, educates 40-50% of the students in the System. Highly specialized training is required of faculty for determining both pedagogy and research. However, as part of the reorganization of Information Technologies (IT) on a centralized model, System-level decisions have begun to impact faculty’s ability to determine what educational technology and learning management systems are available, despite pedagogical needs. But decisions about pedagogy and curricular delivery methods are key to the faculty’s mission at UM and are too highly specialized to be rendered by central IT administrative functions. Indeed, System IT should not have authority to determine what learning technologies should be incorporated into curriculum or courseware, just as System IT has never had authority to choose traditional curricular materials such as textbooks or course resources. Faculty should have primacy in the determination of the curriculum and the delivery of materials in the classroom and the learning processes associated with the academic experience both on and off-campus, including innovation and research in pedagogy appropriate to their disciplines and selection of learning tools and technologies. Redressing the overreach of the System at the earliest possible moment will both establish a proper precedent for respecting the distinct domains of authority at System and campus levels and protect academic freedoms currently enjoyed by faculty.
Motion
Motion to Create a New Section of the Faculty Handbook Devoted to curriculum and the delivery of materials associated with the academic experience, to read as follows:
2.4 The faculty of the University of Maine have the authority and expertise to determine the curriculum and the delivery of materials in the classroom and the learning processes associated with the academic experience both on campus and in distance education. This primacy and responsibility of the faculty also include the responsibility to innovate and to stay current with research in pedagogy in their disciplines. The broad range of tools used in modern education is an important aspect of current pedagogy and must be appropriate to the material and the educational needs of the students. Educational tools for which the faculty have primary decision-making include, but are not limited to, text books, problems solving guides and software, tutorial materials and software and the interactive learning management systems. Decisions related to these educational tools can only be made by faculty who have specific expertise in the material and pedagogy of the field. The cost of these materials may be passed on to the students but should be covered by course related fees, research funds and other faculty guided money when possible to minimize any additional financial cost to the students while ensuring the highest quality educational experience.
Vote: Approved
Program Creation & Reorganization Review
Background:
The University of Maine has no residency requirement and encourages the creation of online programs when appropriate. Associate Provost Jeff St. John suggested an expedited PCRRC process for conversion of face-to-face programs and certificates to online/hybrid format “where no significant curricular changes accompany that conversion.” The PCRRC committee met on Sept. 24, 2014 and approved an option for expedited review, providing that faculty input is sufficiently documented and that the quality of online instruction is not impaired. Applications will be posted on the PCRRC website and faculty will be notified for response. PCRRC will then have the option to expedite the process of approval or to recommend full Faculty Senate review.
Motion:
Motion: The Faculty Senate supports the recommendation that the PCRRC may expedite the review process for conversion from classroom to online/hybrid programs “where no significant curricular changes accompany that conversion,” as proposed by the academic units.
Vote: Approved
November 12, 2014
Academic Affairs Committee of Faculty Senate offers the following motion on the 2015-2016 Academic Calendar
Whereas, the University of Maine has a mission to deliver a fully accredited, 14 weeks of instruction and 1 week of finals a semester to our students to insure the continuity of academic planning and program integrity, it is proposed that all features and dates of the attached Academic Calendar for 2015-2016 be adopted.
This motion proposes that the Spring semester, 2016 has the start date of January 11th; Spring Recess period beginning Monday, February 29th with class resumption on March 14th; and the end of the semester will occur after final exam week ends on May 6th. The reasons for these dates are determined by academic and research scholarship across the University of Maine campus and include:
- Efficient beginning of the semester to insure academic completion of all student requirements as early as possible to accommodate summer internships and coursework (e.g. May and June term), and student employment goals.
- Retention of the timing and duration of Spring Break to insure planning and coordination of student and faculty coordinated research and travel coursework, alternative spring break activities and student athletic spring competition.
Vote: Approved
December 17, 2014
PCRRC Motion Regarding Process.
For Faculty Senate. December 17, 2014
Background: The Program Creation and Reorganization Review Committee (PCRRC) of the Faculty Senate reviews all proposals for creation, elimination and reorganization of academic units. A major responsibility of the committee is to notify all faculty and solicit comments to evaluate the impact of proposed changes across campus, including the impact on course availability, departmental collaborations, university accreditation and funding sources. Faculty Senate anticipates unnecessary harm if the faculty, who most understand academic systems, do not fully participate in these processes.
Motion: The Faculty Senate seeks assurance that standard procedures as detailed in the PCRRC Policy Manual will be adhered to during APRIP and all other proceedings, with the support of the University of Maine Administration and the University of Maine System. To this end the Faculty Senate requires that documents be submitted to the PCRRC at Stage 2 of the Fifteen Stage Process for program creation and reorganization, and at the initiation of the Program Elimination Procedure.
Vote: Approved
Motion: University of Maine Faculty Senate Support of a University of Maine System General Education Transfer Block Process
The University of Maine Faculty Senate hereby:
(a) supports the UMS General Education Transfer Block as set forth in Section I of this document;
(b) specifies in Section II of this document those UMaine courses that a UMaine student transferring to another UMS campus must complete in order to meet the minimum requirements of the UMS General Education Transfer Block (i.e. the University of Maine General Education Transfer-Out Block);
(c) specifies in Section III of this document additional University of Maine General Education Course Requirements that students transferring from another UMS campus must additionally fulfill beyond the courses officially certified by the originating campus as fulfilling the UMS General Education Transfer Block;
(d) explicitly recognizes in Section IV of this document that incoming transferring students that have met the UMS General Education Transfer Block may be required to take additional General Education courses required by an academic degree major, and
(e) recognizes the authority of the faculty on all other UMS campuses to make similar curriculum matter determinations for their own campuses in a mutually supportive fashion in furthering the best interests of students on each and among the UMS campuses.
Vote: Approved
See background at UMSGenEdTransferBlockAtUMaineVer9
Academic Affairs Committee (12/10/2014)
prepared by Senators Thomas C. Sandford and Richard Borgman.
Prior Learning Assessment Motion
The Faculty Senate of the University of Maine accepts the “Revised Recommendations and Next Steps for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) in the University of Maine System” (attached) subject to the following limitations/concerns:
The system schools must agree to a common cut-off score for a test to be accepted in transfer. Until there is a common cutoff score, AP, CLEP and DSST exams are “subject to approval” at the departmental level for them to be accepted as meeting program requirements. If not they will come in as free electives only.
15 credit limitation on credits earned as a result of CLEP/DSST exams.
15 credit limitation on Credential Review credits
15 credit limitation on Military credits
15 credit limitation on Academic Portfolio Assessments
Course credit earned at another system school as a result of prior learning evaluation must be identified in some manner so that UMaine can enforce our 15 credit limitation.
If PLA credit for a course that is transferred is unacceptable to accreditation criteria or state licensing, then the PLA credit may be disallowed for that program or reassessment for credit.
The processes and policies of academic portfolio assessment are consistent across all campuses and approved by all campuses before the PLA policy is implemented. Until that time Credit awarded at another system school will be subject to review at the University of Maine before acceptance.
Approved with edits (in bold italics).
Vote: Approved
Additional background PLA final copy june 2013a copy
January 28, 2015
Academic Affairs Committee
January 28, 2015
Calendar Motion 2 for 2015-2016
Background:
As the Faculty Senate determines the academic requirements of the University of Maine, we had passed a calendar motion on December 17, 2014 which named a 14 week semester for both Spring and Fall of 2015-2016 with the Spring semester start date to occur on January 11th, and final exam week with ends May 6th. This motion rewrites the start date of Spring Semester and adds one week. All other features, including Spring Break, shall remain as previously determined.
Motion:
- We hereby approve a change in the Academic Year Calendar for 2015-2016. The new calendar permits a new three-week Winter term, the standard two-week March Spring break, and preserves a 14-week semester plus exam week. The purpose of the Winter term is to promote retention of undergraduate students.
- As a consequence, we will commence Spring semester classes on the day after Martin Luther King Day which is 1/19/16 and will end the semester on 5/9/16. Commencement will occur on 5/14/16.
The impact of the new Winter term on May term enrollment is of interest for pedagogical reasons as May term will be pushed forward by one week from these changes. Hence, we request that the Provost’s office inform Faculty Senate regarding enrollments in the new Winter Term to compare with the 2016 May Term enrollment.
February 25, 2015
Sexual Harassment Policy at the University of Maine
Academic Affairs Committee
February 25, 2015
Motion 5: The Faculty Senate of the University of Maine endorses the attached letter to President Hunter and Provost Hecker.
Vote: Approved
Academic Affairs Committee
February 25, 2015
Motion 1: The Faculty Senate of the University of Maine recommends President Hunter convene a Presidential Task Force with full participation of all stakeholders including faculty with specialized expertise in sexual harassment, assault and discrimination, representation of faculty senate, the director of Victim Advocacy, graduate and undergraduate students, public safety, community members (e.g., Spruce Run/Womencare and Rape Response Services), and representation of the administration. The charge of this task force will be to develop a comprehensive policy on sexual discrimination that balances the interests of the institution with a clear interest in victim advocacy and is clearly based upon the policy guidelines issued by the Office of Civil Rights, learned groups such as the American Association of University Professors, pertinent research, and best clinical practices that are widely accepted.
Vote: Approved
Academic Affairs Committee
February 25, 2015
Motion 2: The Faculty Senate of the University of Maine recommends creating an independent office of victim advocacy and the immediate hiring of a Director of Victim Advocacy appropriately credentialed and trained who reports directly to the president. The Director will be charged two directives in mind:
- The health and well-being of students.
- The needs of the institution to report and act upon instances of sexual discrimination.
Vote: Approved – Yea 15, Nay 5, Abstain 6
Academic Affairs Committee
February 25, 2015
Motion 3: The Faculty Senate of the University of Maine recommends the sexual discrimination policy that requires a statement in all class syllabi that defines faculty and teaching assistants as mandated reporters be rescinded.
We recommend a new policy be developed including a new statement to be included in all class syllabi that reaffirms our concerns about the issues of sexual and gender discrimination, and encourages faculty and teaching assistants to recommend students who share their concerns about instances of sexual or gender discrimination to a confidential Office of Victim Advocacy.
Vote: Approved – (Yea 16, Nay 4, Abstain 2)
Academic Affairs Committee
February 25, 2015
Motion 4: The Faculty Senate of the University of Maine recommends nearly all reports of sexual harassment and discrimination be addressed to the Director of Victim Advocacy and treated as confidential. The Director may work with the complainant to consider available options that include disclosure to non-confidential sources. Exceptions to the confidentiality rule would be clearly stated as a matter of policy and include cases where harm is imminent. Such policy would be modeled after similar policies that guide the relationships of therapists and clients.
Vote: Approved – Yea 14, Nay 5, Abstain 3
April 1, 2015
Dr. Susan J. Hunter
President
University of Maine
April 1, 2015
Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement at the University of Maine: Defining UMaine’s Mission
Dear President Hunter,
On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the University of Maine, we recognize the distinctive value of research, scholarship and creative achievement in the State’s only comprehensive research university. With its Carnegie ranking of Research-High, and its status as a top-100 public American Research University on a number of key measures, the State can take great pride in the University’s accomplishments and the competitive niche that it fills in the University of Maine System. As a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution, the University of Maine performs both basic and applied research that advances knowledge and fuels innovation. It fills critical research needs in the State of Maine through its Experiment Stations, Cooperative Extension outreach, and a broad mix of high-quality programs in the sciences, engineering, technology, arts and humanities. Through its quality faculty and cutting-edge research infrastructure, the University is constantly improving its ability to compete for federal grants and contracts and its capacity to serve business and industry. The University’s efforts are strongly focused on Maine’s priorities, conducting research in all of the State’s targeted technology sectors, emphasizing technology transfer and commercialization as indicated by the rapid growth of its patent portfolio and spin-off companies. The creativity and ingenuity of the University community fuels Maine’s Creative Economy, contributing to thriving communities, good jobs and a better quality of life for all. Graduate and undergraduate students play a central role in all of these efforts as they prepare to participate in building Maine’s future prosperity. The University of Maine is the Flagship campus of the University of Maine System and one of the State’s most valuable public assets; it must play a fundamental role in shaping Maine’s future and providing quality opportunities for all Maine citizens. In celebration of the University’s 150th Anniversary, we ask that the University of Maine adopt the following position statement. We also request that you send it to the Chancellor with the request that the University of Maine System adopt the statement and include it in the University of Maine System Policy Manual.
Sincerely Yours,
Members of the Faculty Senate Committee on Research and Scholarship
POSITION STATEMENT ON RESEARCH
As the State’s Land Grant and Sea Grant institution, and the State’s only comprehensive research university, the University of Maine is obligated to contribute research to the State, Nation, and World. To sustain this primary function, the University will actively encourage and support research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of its faculty, staff and students. The University of Maine is therefore committed to the following aims of research, scholarship, and creative achievement.
- To fulfill the primary obligation of the University to create and advance new knowledge for the benefit of society.
- To explore and develop new industries and creative enterprises, new applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and new frontiers in all fields of knowledge.
- To provide members of the faculty and students with the encouragement, resources and opportunities required to pursue inquiry and intellectual growth, and to foster an environment conducive to creating, growing and validating new ideas.
- To recognize that quality instruction at both the graduate and undergraduate level depends to a great extent on research, and that this relationship between instruction and research is a distinctive characteristic of the University.
- To train undergraduate and graduate students in the methods and ethics of research, and to recognize that research is inseparably linked to graduate study.
- To contribute to the solution of problems by rendering effective service to the State, Nation and World.
April 29, 2015
Only the motion will be listed below, all background will be in a link.
Motion: IT Support for Cloud-Based Secure Storage to Students, Faculty and Staff
Motion: The Faculty Senate calls on the University of Maine and the University of Maine System to provide
- Updated security policies and guidance for file storage enabling students, faculty and staff to safely store necessary information on university provided network drives; and
- Cloud-based secure storage and retrieval (with backup) for all data and local files produced, especially those containing sensitive data, to ensure the safety and security of student and administrative information, and accessible at any time though a secure network connection.
To ensure the safety and security of information and provide timely support to students and staff, this program must be in place prior to the start of the 2015-16 academic year.
Vote: Approved
Motion: IT Support for Departmental Administrative Staff
Motion: The Faculty Senate calls on the University of Maine and the University of Maine System to
- Determine and implement policies and procedures for managing computers supported by central IT staff, including mechanisms and schedules for update and replacement;
- Provide as-needed training support for software used by administrative assistants and other departmental staff; and
- Charge IT to first perform an inventory of hardware/software used by UM admin staff and then undertake an analysis of the data to establish the state of non-academic computing at UM, both its hardware and software.
To ensure timely support of administrative staff, and by extension students and faculty, this program must be implemented prior to the start of the 2015-16 academic year.
Amendment: In consultation with the Ad Hoc IT Advisory committee and appropriate committees of the Administration representative of the faculty and staff.
Vote: Approved
IT Support for Departmental Administrative Staff 1
Motion: IT Support for the Academic Mission
Motion: The Faculty Senate calls on the University of Maine and the University of Maine System to prioritize proper financial support of academic IT at UM by directing appropriate resources to meet the teaching mission of UM, including directing technology funds collected under the Unified Fee, to provide and tri-annually update:
1) Networked computers in classrooms for teaching;
2) Dedicated technology-enhanced classrooms supporting technology-intensive teaching;
3) A high-speed (FCC’s current definition) wireless campus network system that provides reliable access for students and faculty in any size classroom;
4) Updated and modern display technologies in large classrooms and rooms identified for technology-intensive teaching;
5) Hardware and site-licensed software sufficient to facilitate research, teaching and student learning; and
6) Short- and mid-term plans for technology migration into classrooms, to be developed and annually updated jointly by the Faculty Development Office and IT and presented to the Faculty Senate each spring semester, with progress reports to be presented to the Senate each fall semester.
To ensure timely support to students and faculty this program must be in place prior to the start of the 2015-2016 academic year.
Vote: Approved
IT Support for the Adademic Mission-
Motion(s): PCRRC regarding the new B.S. in Cybersecurity Program
Motion 1: The Faculty Senate supports the recommendation of the PCRRC, in support of the University of Maine System (UMS) B. S. in Cybersecurity Program Proposal, while questioning the premise that this can necessarily be accomplished at no additional costs.
Vote: Approved
Motion 2: The Faculty Senate supports the recommendation of the PCRRC, in support of the University of Maine B.S. in Cybersecurity, as presented by the School of Computing & Information Sciences (CIS), if financial needs are met.
Financial Consideration: The B.S. in Cybersecurity will require additional faculty resources in order to teach computer science courses that are part of the Cybersecurity curriculum. A total of twelve COS courses are part of the required courses. While most of these courses are existing courses, several are not offered on a regular basis. The School of Computing and Information Science does not have the faculty in order to offer these additional courses. The following resources are needed:
Academic Year 2016: Section money to offer COS 221 in Spring 2016.
Academic Year 2017: Section money to offer (1) COS 221 in Spring 2017 and (2) COS 336 in Fall 2016, and (3) for COS 140 in Fall 2016 in case it’s enrollment exceeds 100 students.
Starting in Fall 2017, we will need a full-time faculty.
Mechanisms of intercampus cooperation and costs of long-term addition of course sections need to be considered. PCRRC supports the proposal contingent on resolving financial issues.
Vote: Approved
Cybersecurity_motion_Revised_April_27_B2
Cybersecurity_motion Adendum Financial Consideration
Motion: Motion on Statement of Principle in Regard to Block Transfer of General Education Courses from campuses of the Maine Community College System
Motion: The Faculty Senate of the University of Maine supports in principle the concept of developing a
General Education Block agreement with the colleges of the Maine Community College System – an agreement to be modeled on the UMS General Education Transfer Block, which would in addition include an assessment framework to ensure that community college students who made use of the transfer block would have completed general education courses at the 100 and 200-level that meet the expectations of all participating institutions and provide a good foundation for student success throughout the state of Maine.
Vote: Approved
GenEdBlockMotionWithCommunityColleges
Resolution: Resolution to Enhance University of Maine’s leadership in furtherance of Greater Energy and Environmental Sustainability
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Maine Faculty Senate calls upon the undergraduate student government, the graduate student government and the Faculty Senate at the University of Maine to each appoint an ad hoc committee to work with each other to develop a common motion that their representative bodies might all mutually and strongly support with the goal of placing the University of Maine in a national leadership position towards expanding investment in renewable energy sources by the campus and our State, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, exploring and developing means to eliminate or reduce the adverse consequences of renewable energy generation, and exploring and developing means to adapt to climate change.
Vote: Approved
InSupportOfCampusSustainability
A majority vote was required to return the following motion, originally presented at the February 2015 Full Faculty Senate, to the floor.
Vote: Approved
Resolution: A Resolution from the University of Maine Faculty Senate calling upon the Administration and Board of Trustees to Support Divestment from the Top 200 Publicly Traded Fossil Fuel Companies
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Maine Faculty Senate, in support of Divest UMaine, calls upon the University of Maine System’s Board of Trustees to stop any new investment in fossil fuel companies and to set a goal of full divestment within 5 years.
Vote: Approved (Yea 14, Nay 8, Abstain 3)