Council of University System Faculty

CUSF Meeting of October 20, 2003

Draft Minutes

CUSF General Meeting at FSU

October 20, 2003

Delegates Present: A.Arthur(CSC),Z.Berge(UMBC),V.Brannigan(UMCP),M.Garner(SU),J.Gelatt(UMUC), S.Gibson(UB), S.Jacobs(UMB), J.Lombardi(FSU), M.McClive(FSU), R. Morgan(CES), M.Mumper(FSU), E. Onyeozili(UMES), D.Parker(SU), D.Pryor(TU), L.Richardson(UB), F.Robb(UMBI), C.Stevenson(CES), M.Siegel(Chair), B.Stuart(UMCP), J.Tenney(UMBC), P.Thut(UMB), J.Zimmerman(TU)

Guests:

Dr. Catherine Gira, President FSU, Dr. Stephen Simpson, Provost FSU, Dr. Randall Rhodes, Faculty Senate Chair FSU, Dr. Donald Langenberg, USM, Dr. Gertrude Eaton, USM

Dr. Siegel called the meeting to order at 10:00am.  Dr. McClive introduced FSU President, Dr. Catherine Gira and Provost, Dr. Stephen Simpson.  Dr. Gira welcomed everyone to FSU.  She noted that the Board of Regents met at FSU on October 17, 2003, and passed the proposed tuition increase.  Dr. Gira reported on the three Regent Working Groups that will impact faculty.  The Working Groups are:

Public Corporation, chaired by Regent Johnson

Resource Development, chaired by Regent Wood

Effectiveness and Efficiencies, chaired by Chairman Kendall

Dr. Gira noted that this will be a challenging year for faculty and that these Working Groups, especially Effectiveness and Efficiencies, will require a great deal of educating for the Regents.  Many of the new regents are not from higher education and issues such as Faculty Workload, Time to Degree, etc. are new to them. Dr. Siegel asked how well the Presidents are educating the public on the effects of the current budget cuts to the various campuses.  Dr. Gira noted that some have attempted to get the message out, but much more work needs to be done in this area.  The budget was presented as a flat budget, however with all of the unfunded mandates and various cost increases in healthcare, utilities, etc, it was actually a substantial budget cut. Also, she encouraged CUSF to partner with students for ideas on getting media attention for the budget problems of the USM.

Provost Simpson welcomed CUSF to FSU, and remarked that he was on the original group that helped form CUSF.  He was happy to see that the group was still so robust and active.  Dr. Siegel asked what would be the most effective way for CUSF to have input on the Faculty Workload document and future discussions on this issue.  Dr. Simpson responded that the AAAC would be a good avenue to use for these issues.  Dr. Siegel noted that CUSF should be brought into the loop before documents become final. 

Dr. Simpson agreed and noted that AAAC is sensitive to these faculty concerns.  Dr. Siegel noted that Dr. Richardson would be attending AAAC meetings for CUSF this year and will keep the council informed of issues arising from that group.

Dr. Lombardi introduced Dr. Randle Rhodes, chair of the Faculty Senate at FSU.  Dr. Rhodes discussed the concern of FSU faculty to be proactive in budget issues, instead of reactive.  They are discussing Retrenchment Policies, how to deal with future furloughs, should they be needed and issues arising from outside accreditation bodies. 

The minutes of the September 16, 2003 meeting were approved.

Chair’s Report: Dr. Siegel gave the following information

Report from Board of Regents Meeting- Dr. Siegel reported to the Board that CUSF was working on the issues concerning Faculty Workload, the ART document and legislative action plans.  The Board will be arranging regional meetings with legislatures.  Dr. Siegel encouraged everyone to contact their campus presidents to find out the time and location of these meetings. It will be very important to have faculty participation in these meetings. 

There was discussion of the appeals procedure for bringing concerns to the Board of Regents and the Chancellor.  Also, the issue of evaluation of upper level administrators was discussed.  Dr. Siegel noted that CUSF needs to study any existing evaluation tools that are in place at USM campuses and work toward a uniform document for all campuses.

Dr. Siegel reported on the progress of the Student Project Day in Annapolis.  She is pursuing the logistical needs of this possible event, and noted that it would be a positive statement to legislators about research and creative efforts that take place on the USM campuses.  Dr. Zimmerman noted that this should highlight the faculty involvement with the students in their research projects, and that the selection of the projects would be crucial for the success of this project.  It will require involvement from all of the USM campuses.  Also, ways for getting the Executive Branch of the legislature involved was deemed critical for success this type of program.  Dr. Siegel is working with the USM Legislative Liaisons on this.

Regent Florestano was interested in seeing CUSF work with the ART document, to incorporate information on faculty involvement in community outreach and services.

At the Board meeting, Dan Purcell, acting chair of the Student Council, reported that the students will be responding to the tuition increases, and they want to see the student evaluations of faculty used more intensely in faculty evaluations.  After much discussion of this matter, the issue was tabled by the chair in the interest of time.

Dr. Siegel reported that Effectiveness and Efficiency Working Group will be looking at Regional Centers and faculty workload at these centers.

Additional Reports: Dr. Richardson reported that the AAAC primarily discussed faculty workload.

Dr. Siegel requested all CUSF members to review Retrenchment Policies at their institutions.  Also, each campus should submit a brief statement of the financial hardships suffered, due to the recent budget cuts, and each campus should submit a copy of the basic faculty appointment letter.  The appointment letters should be sent to Dr. Parker.  He is working on the section of the ART document dealing with appointments and hiring

Dr. Brannigan reported that the Senate Chairs meeting was rescheduled for October 24, 2003.  He will send out a reminder and agenda.

System Report:Dr. Siegel introduced Dr. Gertrude Eaton, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs. Dr. Eaton distributed information on the Regents Faculty Awards.  CUSF needs to establish a 5 member committee to review the nominations. Dr. Brannigan suggested that past award recipients would be good candidates for this committee. Dr. Langenberg noted that it would be good to have past recipients at the Student Projects Day in Annapolis, to highlight the excellence of the faculty work in the system.  Regents Faculty Award Nominations are due to USM by December 1, 2003.

The New Chairpersons Workshop will be held on January 16, 2004 at USM.  A letter will go out shortly to notify campuses of this meeting. As this was not offered last year, those department chairs that are new within the last two years will be invited to attend.

Old Business: Faculty Workload Document

Dr. Eaton reported that a request came for additional information on what the Faculty Workload Report covers.  The document The Workload of the University System of Maryland Faculty, was developed by the System office to give a basic description of  who faculty are, and a simple discussion of the guidelines for faculty workload. She reported that this had been reviewed by campuses and CUSF, but now it has been requested that the document be reexamined.  There was lengthy discussion on the document and how it measures workload.  It was suggested that there needs to be a section describing what the average per week workload of faculty, and a description of what a teaching hour means. Also, it was suggested that a section describing the exceptions of faculty carrying more than the average should be added, as there is a section describing those that have exceptions for carrying less than average.  In the interest of time, the chair referred this issue to the Academic Affairs Committee, to be discussed at lunchtime.

MEDN Dr. Donald Langenberg expressed his thanks for the support of CUSF.  He is chairing the Maryland Education Data Network (MEDN), which was founded to develop a comprehensive data network for collecting student data and statistical  educational data for students from K-16 and beyond.  Currently there is no comprehensive network to collect educational data, and make it available to students, parents, teachers, professors, administrators and public policy makers.  The vision is to have a comprehensive student record online from kindergarten through college, regardless of the number of schools or colleges a student attends.

 Dr. Langenberg distributed information on the Futures Working Group, which will develop clear definitions and explanations of the elements needed for the MEDN and will respond to issues such as privacy and confidentiality, accessibility and cost.  He noted that project will probably require 5-10 years, or more.  Some states have started this process, or are looking at it and they be consulted in the planning process.

The MEDN has members from USM, MHEC, technical advisors and members from institutions from around the state.  They are looking for input.  Think about functionality, what you would like to see in the system and concerns.  Contact Dr. Langenberg at dnl@usmd.edu with questions, comments and concerns.

November 19, 2003 at UMBC, Albin O. Kuhn Library, Room 767.  A parking pass is needed for parking at the meters on the Walker Avenue Gargage.  Please contact Joyce Tenney, tenney@umbc.edu, if you did not receive a pass at the FSU meeting.