September 23, 2009

FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2009
Present: Edward Ashworth, Daniel Belknap, Jason Bolton, Rod Bushway, Joe Carr, Fei Chai, Ted Coladarci, Robert Dana, Michael Eckhart, Cynthia Erdley, Janet Fairman, Robert Franzosa, Todd Gabe, Per Garder, John Gregory, Michael Grillo, William Halteman, Duane Hanselman, Kirsten Jacobson, Cary Jenson, Jeffrey Hecker, Sue Hunter, Blake James, Mel Johnson, Robert Kennedy, Al Kezis, Deborah Killam, Dennis King, Karl Kreutz, Judy Kuhns-Hastings, Larry Latour, Molly MacLean, Wayne Maines, Stuart Marrs, Craig Mason, James McClymer, David Morrison, Harlan Onsrud, Tina Passman, Paul Rawson, Robert Rice, Joyce Rumery, Steven Sader, Dan Sandweiss, Michael Scott, Kathryn Slott, Evelyn Silver, Phillip Silver, Susan Lambrecht Smith, Touradj Solouki, Claire Strickland, Shihfen Tu, Roy Turner, Janet Waldron, James Warhola, Stephanie Welcomer, Mark Wells, Nate Wildes, Vivian Wu, Huijie Xue.
Absent: Andrei Alyokhin, Sandy Berkowitz, Douglas Bousfield, Thomas Brann, Chris Campbell, Steve Cohn, William Congleton, Raphael DiLuzio, Caterine Elliott, Susan Erich, Michael Kinnison, Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, Irv Kornfield, Howard Patterson, Justin Poland.
Senate President Judy Kuhns-Hastings opened the meeting at 3:15 pm.
She announced that the Academic Program Prioritization Working Group formed by President Kennedy will soon have a web-site up and running.
The minutes from the April 22, 2009 Faculty Senate meeting were approved.
Questions and Discussion with Administrators:
President Kennedy announced that the NEASC has approved reaccreditation for UMaine, which is very good news. In conversations with NEASC staff members they wanted to know about our progress on UMaine’s Strategic Plan. One question was about deferred maintenance here on campus. We should receive the official letter in a couple of weeks.
A question was asked about the AAPWG committee and if they had targeted specific programs. Dr. Kennedy responded that there are no specific programs that are either on or off the table of discussion. Also, it is not just academics that are being scrutinized, but that everything is on the table. The committee will also be looking at revenue generating options for UMaine. He is asking the committee and the campus community to look at this in a creative ways.
Jim McClymer said that the Chief Academic Officer’s task force report cited faculty to student ratios and compared ours to averages of our peer institutions.
Sue Hunter replied that UMaine looks good compared to our peer group.
A question was asked about an adjustment in our funding formula.
President Kennedy replied that the Board of Visitors has discussed this in a couple of meetings. The percentage of allocated funds to UMaine will not change. There will be money taken off the top for a Strategic Investment Fund; there is no guarantee for any of the money or how it will be used or whether it will be allocated on an annual or long-term basis.
A question was asked about the five/twelve rule (graduate enrollment/undergrad enrollment) and the data gathering that has been applied to these classes.
Provost Hunter replied that this had come up last spring, but that most of those classes that fit under these criteria have specific well-considered reasons that the enrollment does not meet the standard. Some labs don’t have enough space for 12 students; field trip courses are limited to vehicle space, thesis credits that type of course. We will continue to offer these courses.
A question was asked about the Marketplace at the Memorial Union, the new hours that it is open, and how some of the kiosks are now closed at various times. Also that Wells Central was closed at 2 pm on a Friday afternoon.
Vice President Waldron replied that the Marketplace is always very crowded at noon. Wells, York and Hilltop Commons were renovated with the hopes of relieving the crowd somewhat. We are trying to encourage people to eat in the dining halls in the afternoon. Auxiliary Enterprises are trying to find the right mix for a positive bottom line. If their bottom line falls into negative territory, that could affect their E&G budget. There have been many positive changes and she would be willing to give a presentation to the senate in the future. There were five dining halls on campus, and now there are 3, which has saved over $2 million dollars.
Another comment about the changes at the Union focused on the food offered in the evening and students who study at the library really have no where to go to have a snack that is close by to the library.
There was an announcement made regarding Tom Longin and his open session with the campus community to discuss Dr. Hunter’s reappointment to Provost. Some faculty did not receive notice of the meetings; the senators were assured that this notice would be sent to the faculty conference on First Class.
Roy Turner asked about the recent switch to using Google Mail. John Gregory replied that all students’ accounts had been switched over this summer. Dr. Turner stated that as TA’s use e-mail and some of Google’s accounts had been compromised did this threaten certain FERPA issues. Dr. Turner also thought that perhaps the system had signed an agreement with Google this past summer for the service. Mr. Gregory said that he would check on it.
Dr. Bob Dana then gave a presentation on students who are at a high risk of failing school. He said that 470 student have been identified as having social, connectivity, familial problems that might put them at a higher risk to flunk out of school. Most are in-state students, about 120 are out-of-state students. He asked for the faculty’s help in identifying these students, the ones who are not attending class, have flunked the first exam, the ones that seem confused. He said that the faculty could either contact his office or their associate deans who are in contact with his office on this issue.
Wayne Maines, Director of Safety & Environmental Management, gave a presentation on UMaine’s preparations for the H1N1 virus. He encouraged everyone to get a flu shot. UMaine is planning for an emergency response center. There are many challenges to this outbreak ad the CDC issues new guidelines every day. If H1N1 appears on campus it will come in 3-week waves of outbreaks. His team meets every week to go over plans of action. He also said that if it becomes necessary, he will be asking for volunteers to assist with the emergency response center which he thinks will be held at the field house, probably on November 9 and 10. He asked faculty to help by encouraging students to wash their hands and get a flu vaccination.
Associate Provost Marrs addressed the COOP Plans that were requested earlier in the semester. He said that many different plans had been submitted. He said faculty knows best how to handle their classes and they know best how to come up with a plan to deliver class lessons in case of an outbreak.
James Warhola asked about the Provosts’ contract and whether it would be for the standard 5-year term. Evelyn Silver replied that it would be the standard system agreement.
Committee Reports:
Board of Trustees Rep – Dr. Robert Rice
Three Task Force reports were distributed this summer. The Board of Trustees met here on campus in June and also in July. The focus of those meetings was on the 3 arenas addressed by the reports. The current report is the “Final Report and Implementation Plan of the New Challenges, New Directions Initiative.” There is also a focus on revenue generating enrollment. The Chancellor will be holding open meetings at all campuses this fall and public comment is being solicited. He will be on the UMaine campus on October 28.
The BOT met September 14 in Bangor. Items of interest include the hiring of Linda Silka, Professor of Economics and a financial update of the system.
Full details will be given on October 30 in Bangor.
There are two assumptions for planning:
Tuition will be held at 6% this year.
State appropriations in 2011 are -2%, in 2012 and 2013 at 0%, and in 2014 is +1%
Gifts and funding are down by 11.34 million this year, including 6.4 million from the UMFoundation.
Bennett Hall will undergo renovations worth $883,000, $543,000 for equipment. The BOT is preparing and anti-TABOR resolution. There is a Retiree Benefit Taskforce looking at maybe restructuring the way things are being done now.
Opportunity Maine is a program that will pay part of a student’s school loans if that person stays in the state of Maine after graduation.
Two Unions have settled with no increase in compensation.
Unofficial enrollment numbers show we are down 200-400 first-year students; official counts will be available in mid-October.
The Board of Trustees will meet again in November.
Academic Affairs – Dr. Tina Passman
The committee will meet on September 24. They have projected assessment goals for the next year. For Fall 2009 they would like to review two-thirds of degree programs and 10 gen ed areas. They hop to have ninety percent of the programs and all gen eds reviewed by Fall 2010.
Constitution & Bylaws – Dr. Michael Grillo
Dr. Grillo encouraged members to read the Constitution & Bylaws of the Faculty Senate.
Research & Scholarship – Dr. Touradj Solouki
The committee needs more members and a student representative.
Finance & Institutional Planning – Dr. Craig Mason
The committee will hold its first meeting on September 29 and will meet on alternating Fridays.
University Environment – Dr. Daniel Belknap
No report as of yet.
Library Advisory Committee – Dr. Howard Segal
No report.
Service & Outreach – Dr. Deborah Killam
The committee needs more members.
Committee on Committees – Dr. Shihfen Tu
The committee needs members from the College of Engineering and Business, Public Policy & Health. The committee already has nominated two names for the Cultural Affairs Committee and needs to nominate one person to the Athletic Advisory Board.
PCRRC – Dr. James Warhola
The committee is almost full but needs a rep from the College of Education & Human Development.
Ad Hoc Committee for General Education – Dr. Tina Passman
Please check the UPCC Folder on First Class for the up-to-date forms. The UPCC schedule is also posted on the folder.
Student Representative from Student Government Nate Wildes reported that he knows students who are willing to serve on the senate’s committees, please contact him. Also the the Student Government is working with the Chancellor on the New Challenges, New Directions document.
MOTION:
(The 60 day period having been observed, this is the final senate vote on the changes to the Constitution and Bylaws.)
Proposed Change to the Constitution of the Faculty Senate
Old Version
Section 1. Officers. At a meeting in April of each year, the Senate shall elect, from among the
faculty members, the following two officers for a term of one year: Vice President/President-elect, and Secretary. Any tenure-track or continuing appointment faculty member, who has been on the University of Maine faculty for at least two years, is eligible for election to these offices. Newly elected officers shall begin their duties on July 1 following their election.
Section 2. Succession of officers. The Vice President/President-elect shall succeed to the office of President. The President and Vice President/President-elect may not succeed to the same office but the Secretary may succeed to the same office.
NEW Version
Section 1. Officers. At a meeting in April of each year, the Senate shall elect, from among the
faculty members, the following three officers for a term of one year: President, Vice President, and Secretary. Any tenure-track or continuing appointment faculty member, who has been on the University of Maine faculty for at least two years, is eligible for election to these offices. Newly elected officers shall begin their duties on July 1 following their election.
Section 2. Term limits. The President and Vice President may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
Proposed Change to the Bylaws of the Faculty Senate
Old Version
ARTICLE I. ELECTION OF SENATE OFFICERS At the March meeting, the Committee on Committees shall present candidates for Vice President/ President- elect, at least one candidate for Secretary and Board of Trustees Representative and at least one candidate for each position on the committee on Committees. The agenda for the April meeting shall include the names of those nominated. There shall be an opportunity for nominations from the floor at the time of the election in April. Each office shall be voted on separately by secret ballot, where there is a contest, and a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary for election. In the event that no candidate receives a majority, a second vote shall be taken between the two highest candidates. In the event the Vice President ‘s office becomes vacant prior to the expiration of the term, the Senate shall hold a special election. At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate, the President shall inform the members of the vacancy, ask the Committee on Committees to secure nominations, and set the time for the election at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the full Senate. At the time of election, the procedure shall be as outlined in the paragraph- above. In the event the Secretary’s office becomes vacant prior to the expiration of the term, the President shall in consultation with the Executive Committee, appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term.
NEW Version
ARTICLE I. ELECTION OF SENATE OFFICERS At the March meeting, the Committee on Committees shall present candidates for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Board of Trustees Representative and at least one candidate for each position on the committee on Committees. The agenda for the April meeting shall include the names of those nominated. . . . In the event the President’s office become vacant prior to the expiration of the term, the Vice President automatically becomes President of the Faculty Senate. In the event the Vice President ‘s office becomes vacant prior to the expiration of the term, the Senate shall hold a special election. . . .
The motion passed. The vote was:
Favor: 24
Against: 1
In Absentia: 2
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Dr. Stephanie Welcomer, Faculty Senate Secretary.