Council of University System Faculty
CUSF Meeting of April 16, 2003
MINUTES
CUSF
GENERAL MEETING AT SU
April
16, 2003
Delegates
Present
Drs.F. Alt (UMCP), P. Alt (TU), A. Arthur (CSC), V. Brannigan (UMCP), W.E.
Chapin (Past-Chair), R. Chennette (UMB), J. Collins (UMBI), J. Gelatt (UMUC), S.
Gibson (UB), B. Laufer (TU), M. McClive (FSU), B. Noonan (UMES), W.E. Orser (UMBC),
A. Pandey (SU), D. Parker (Chair), L. Richardson (UB), M. Siegel (TU), W. Stuart
(UMCP), J.Stevenson (UMCES) , J. Tenney (UMBC – Alternate)
Delegates
Absent J. Organ (BSU)
Delegates
Excused: P.
Alreck (SU), Z. Berge (UMBC), C. Burry (UMB), R. Michael Garner (SU – Alt.),
S. Havas (UMB), S. Jacobs (UMB), R. Jagus (UMBI), J. Lombardi (FSU), M. Mumper (FSU
– Alt.), A. Norcio (UMBC), K. Olson (UMCP), C. Smith (UMCP)
Guests
Dr. Ellen Zinner, SU (Assistant to the President), Dr. Ruth Robertson,
USM
Dr. Parker called the
meeting to order at 10:00 am and welcomed Dr. Ellen Zinner, Assistant to SU
President, Dr. Dudley-Eshbach. Dr.
Zinner invited all to take some time and tour the campus this time of year.
Discussion surrounded the budget cuts taking place at SU.
There have been three open community meetings at SU to talk about the
restructuring plan, which is posted on SU’s website, and each of the divisions
of the school (5 areas) looked to see how monies could be saved.
Two areas minimally impacted were academic programs and faculty.
Additionally, there will be no new computers and no new vans.
Two furlough days (fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003) will take place in
March 2004 and May 2004 for everyone. Fifteen
(15) positions were cut; 8 of which are individuals that are retiring; 7 will be
let go beginning July 1, 2003. The
President has asked Faculty Senate and Staff Senate to poll the campus
communities to see how many days individuals are willing to take in terms of
furlough days.
Questions about the SU
restructuring plan were raised and Dr. Zinner made an effort to address CUSF’s
concerns about the plan, e.g., pay reduction and laying off of employees.
CUSF thanked Dr. Zinner for her time.
Chair’s
Report:
President and
Chancellor’s Council Issue at hand is the budget.
The Governor has not signed the budget as of today, and no one knows how
much more will be cut.
Regent’s Meeting
(4/11/03)
Regent Faculty Awards ceremony took place.
Dr. Robertson reported that it was well attended and the BOR and
recipients were very pleased.
The CUSF Chair thanked the
Regents for their work on behalf of the System, however, he did share with them
that they needed to do more on behalf of the USM. They agreed.
A question arose about how
many of the Regents lobbied the Governor about the budget cuts.
The Regents clearly understood that they have not done enough.
It was recommended that members of the Regents be invited to CUSF. The
structure of the Regents meeting was discussed (e.g., open meeting discussions
taking place first and closed meeting taking place after the open meeting).
Next year’s CUSF agenda
may include the Regents. What is
our plan? How can CUSF involve them
more? Would it be possible for CUSF
to have a presentation about its activities?
Another issue is that there
will be an on-going effort for CUSF to be involved in Annapolis activities.
Question arose about UMCP
and comments made about USM and Chancellor.
Approval of January 17, 2003
CUSF minutes: Approved
Approval of March 18, 2003
CUSF minutes: Approved
CUSF
Elections
The following individuals were elected to the Executive Committee for the
2003-2004 year:
Chair
Martha Siegel, TU
Vice Chair
Vince Brannigan, UMCP
Secretary:
Bill Chapin, UMES
Elections for at-large
members did not take place as CUSF members who were nominated at the March
meeting were not eligible, because of by-law restrictions resulting from the
election of the officers listed above. The
following individuals were nominated for the at-large position, of which two
will be elected at the May 15, 2003 CUSF meeting:
J. Gelatt (UMUC), R.M. Garner (SU), J. Lombardi (FSU), M. Mumper (FSU),
J. Organ (BSU), L. Richardson (UB)
Report
on CUSF Demonstration:
The Chair reported on
“Thunder Thursday” and the activities that took place.
Dr. Brannigan spoke with the Governor in academic regalia; other faculty
members lobbied different legislators and/or their aides about the proposed
budget cuts. Thanks to everyone who
participated, particularly, Drs. Garner (sign maker) and Gibson (talking
points).
Dr. Robertson conveyed
thanks from the USM about the efforts from CUSF and those present at the rally.
Action
Item: Proposed By-Laws Changes
A motion was made and
seconded to approve John Collins’proposed minor amendments to articles 2.3,
4.2 and 5.1 of the CUSF By-Laws. A
second motion was made and seconded to defer consideration of Dr. Collins’
proposals until the May 15, 2003 CUSF meeting, at which time additional By-Laws
amendments proposed by the Membership and Rules Committee would also be
considered.
Opinions about the proposed
by-law changes need to be distributed to CUSF members within one week time in
order to meet the requirements that proposed By-Laws amendments be distributed
at least 20 days in advance of the May 15, 2003 meeting. If changes are made, CUSF members need to receive them by
April 25. The motion was passed to refer
the by-laws to the Membership and Rules Committee.
Lunch – 12:10 pm
Reconvene – 1:00 pm
Action
Items (cont.):
Policy on Professional
Commitment of Faculty
Removes all language regarding conflict of interest.
Faculty members are required to receive permission when teaching at other
institutions. Faculty members who
act in a consulting role are not required to receive permission.
A motion was passed to
approve the policy in principle, with concern surrounding language about
teaching and other commitments made.
Responsible Conduct of
Research An inventory is being shared across the USM regarding how
institutions follow regulations about conducting research; how concepts are
taught that ensure ethical decision making about human and animal subjects,
ecology, integrity of data, publications, and mentoring; and how we
handle misconduct. Faculty members will probably be asked to respond to
some parts of the survey.
CUSF Lobbying Efforts
Dr. Gibson suggested that CUSF and students engage in more lobbying
efforts in Annapolis. Additionally,
Dr. Brannigan suggested that CUSF put together a budget task-force regarding
strategy questions (200-300 folks) across the state; talk with the various
legislators about what it is that we do on each of the campuses.
A suggestion was made to
send comments to Dr. Brannigan about how to strategize for the next year, (e.g.,
efficiency plays a large role in this particular administration).
Membership
and Nominations
CUSF members were reminded to provide to the Committee comments on their
proposed by-laws changes by April 21 in order for them to be distributed by
April 25.
The CUSF reapportionment
formula reflects that 5 institutions will gain additional members named to CUSF,
and their respective faculty organizations should then be notified to identify
members who would take office August 1, 2003.
The current CUSF membership of 33 will increase to 39 members.
A motion was passed to ask
the CUSF Chair to ask the Vice Chair to make a last-minute change in the date of
the long-scheduled April 18 meeting of the USM Senate Chairs with the Chancellor
and CUSF Executive Committee for religious reasons.
Unfortunately, the Vice Chair was not present during this part of the
meeting.
Adjournment: 1:35
pm.