Council of University System Faculty
CUSF Meeting of May 15, 2003
MINUTES
CUSF GENERAL
MEETING AT UB
May 15, 2003
Delegates
Present:
Drs. P. Alt (TU), A. Arthur (CSC), W.E. Chapin (Past-Chair), J. Collins (UMBI),
C. Burry (UMB), R. Michael Garner (SU), S. Gibson (UB), S. Havas (UMB), S.
Jacobs (UMB), J. Lombardi (FSU), B. Laufer (TU), M. Mumper (FSU – Alternate),
B. Noonan (UMES), J. Organ (BSU), W.E. Orser (UMBC), A. Pandey (SU), D. Parker
(Chair), L. Richardson (UB), M. Siegel (TU), J. Stevenson (UMCES), J. Tenney (UMBC
– Alternate)
Delegates
Absent:
None
Delegates
Excused:F. Alt (UMCP, V. Brannigan (UMCP), R. Chenette (UMB), J.
Gelatt (UMUC), R. Jagus (UMBI), K. Olson (UMCP), C. Smith (UMCP), W. Stuart (UMCP)
Guests:Dr. Ron Legon, Provost, UB; Dr. Ruth Robertson, USM, and Dr.
Nancy Shapiro, USM; Dr. Rolande Murray (CSC – Faculty Senate Chair)
Greetings from the
Campus
Dr.
Parker called the meeting to order at 10:00 am and Dr. Stephanie Gibson
introduced the Provost Dr. Ron Legon who welcomed CUSF members to UB. Dr. Legon
reiterated the importance of CUSF and asked members for creative ideas and
feedback regarding these trying times in the budget, i.e., projected $74 million
dollar cut across the USM, tuition increases, and how to preserve programs.
Questions arose about how UB will manage the budget crisis.
The Provost discussed that the three schools are in the process of trying
to get the faculty involved in shared governance.
The Business School is presently in discussion with the administration
about shared governance, and the issue, at present, is unresolved.
A plea from CUSF went out to Dr. Legon to share CUSF’s strong belief
that shared governance is critical to the USM’s mission.
Another question arose about how to incorporate faculty into the budget
crisis. At UB, cuts were done from the bottom up – 6% budget
reduction – working with division chairs, plans were approved at the campus
level. Now, UB must go beyond the
6% reduction and are in the process of figuring out how to divide the additional
cuts between the divisions. The
Provost expressed his belief that sharing information with the parties involved,
particularly in these times of budget crisis is crucial.
Approval
of Minutes -
April 16, 2003 minutes – approved with changes.
Elect
at-large members:The two members elected were: R.Michael Garner, SU; and Lee
Richardson, UB
CUSF
By-Laws Changes
Action:
Proposed By-Laws changes
John
Collins – Proposed changes: web
site administrator be a member of the EC
Discussion
surrounded those in favor of and those against the proposed changes.
The importance of the position was not disputed.
Term limits, election, voting privileges were the issues surrounding the
main points made. One suggestion
made was to invite the webmaster to the EC meetings, they would not be able to
vote, and inquiry would be made for remuneration for the work done.
Suggestion
was made that the CUSF Chair speak with the Chancellor’s office about
receiving remuneration for the web site administrator.
Committee
of the Whole – Straw Poll:
Non-voting:
yea
Member
of EC: nay
Compensation:
yea
Appointed
by the EC: yea
Reappointed
annually by the EC: yea
Web
site administrator must be a member of CUSF: nay
Motion
was passed to commit the web site administrator issue to the Executive
Committee.
Action: Committee on Membership
and Rules
Motion was passed to vote on all housekeeping issues with
renumbering
Article
2.2 – Reapportionment – to make sure that each institutions has at least 2
representatives – it helps the reapportionment process more streamlined.
Motion
was passed to accept Article 2.2
Article
2.3 – motion was passed to accept Article 2.3
Article
2.4 – motion was passed to accept Article 2.4
Article
2.5 and 2.6: Each delegation shall
appoint and identify to the Executive Committee one member as the delegation’s
campus liaison.
Change
food to refreshment
Motion
was passed to accept Article 2.5 and 2.6
Article
2.7: The first subsequent meeting of the academic year
Motion
was passed to accept the remaining by-laws package in its’ entirety.
CUSF
members were asked to send the new delegate members to the Executive Committee
for next year.
Discussion of
2002-2003 CUSF Calendar
Motion was passed
to accept the 2002-2003 CUSF Calendar Dates and that the Executive Committee
delegate where each meeting take place, e.g., which campus will the meetings
take place.
Discussion and
Action: Policy on Professional
Commitment on Faculty
Dr.
Robertson presented the Policy on Professional Commitment on Faculty.
Discussion surrounded the policy and changes made.
A
motion was passed (14 to 3) that CUSF support the policy with the exception of
the words “three credit hours” in IV.
B. Move to amend the motion to include: statement
under the purpose that the purpose of the document is to prohibit abusers.
Voted down.
Lunch
– 12:00 pm
Reconvene
– 12:45 pm
H.
Discussion: Budget Cuts
Don
Boesch made apologies about not attending.
The Chancellor is not accepting the Governor’s position (accepting $74
million) at this time. What the
Chancellor is looking for are stories from the faculty of those who are leaving
or those who will not be recruited.
Effects
on Academic Programs: This is where
students will come in – will they be able to graduate in 4 years? Cutting down
on the number of sections may not necessarily be a problem, however, when there
are mathematics majors who want to graduate in 4 years, but there are not the
requisite number of courses for those students. These individuals will then have to wait to graduate.
A
question arose as to how campuses are dealing with the budget crisis:
UB –
President has not made decision about where cuts will be made (e.g., across
board, or individually).
UMCES –
Have a $23 million dollar new building, but do not know if they will be able to
open and operate. Have not bought
any new books.
UMES –
Furlough days – depended upon the salary made
Discussion
surrounded how faculty can become involved in the budget process on each of the
campuses.
Suggestion
was made to support the collective bargaining units on each of the campuses.
It was strongly urged the CUSF consider passing a resolution so that all
constituencies work together.
CSC
– Shared governance was discussed with the new President.
A meeting was scheduled in June with the President in an effort to help
him deal with the proposed budget cuts.
FSU
– told campus that a plan was in place, but that she was not at liberty to
tell the campus what was happening
A suggestion was made that the CUSF Executive Committee
craft a letter to each of the USM Senate Chairs regarding the budget crisis and
the importance of shared governance. Furthermore,
we are more than interested parties, and are deeply concerned about these cuts
and the impact that these cuts will have on the USM.
Discussion:
Evaluation of administrators
Suggestion
that a letter go out to all Senate Chairs that this process be put into place.
The CUSF Chair agreed to send the letter to the Senate Chairs,
Brief Reports
VCAA
Search – Recommendations (3) have gone to Chancellor (Provost, Vice
Chancellor’s Office and Regents interviewed the three) – no decision has
been made.
AAAC
– Dr. Mumper reported that Dr. Larry Leak, Asst. Superintendent for MSDE
discussed NCLB, and how this will affect K-12, and the impact this will have on
higher education, i.e., educating those “unqualified” teachers.
It is one of the largest unfunded mandates.
(See handout by Mary Mumper)
Dr.
Collins suggested that it is important that we have an individual attend all of
the AAAC meetings throughout the year.
A
motion was made that CUSF urge the Chancellor of the USM to take all action
necessary to ensure the maintenance of academic standards and credibility in the
awarding of degrees in the Criminal Justice master’s program at Coppin State
College, and report back to CUSF prior to the June 2003 meeting.
The motion was defeated.
CUSF urges the Chancellor
of the USM immediately investigate the published allegations in the Chronicle of
Higher Education (May 15th) as to irregularities in the awarding of
degrees in the Criminal Justice master’s program at CSC and report to CUSF
prior to the June meeting. The
motion passed.
Dr.
Murray stated that Dr. Battle, President at CSC, would make an announcement this
afternoon.
A
question arose about the Governor’s Executive Order concerning all legal
proceedings against state workers. This
issue needs to be addressed at another time
UB
– A meeting will take place Monday, May 19th regarding the lack of
shared governance taking place at the Merrick School of Business Faculty Senate.
Dr. Richardson will keep CUSF informed regarding the outcome.
USM
– Effectiveness and Efficiency Committee – Dr. Robertson asked CUSF members
if there were individuals who would like to serve on the Committee.
Adjourn: 2:00
pm