Maryland's Public System of Higher Education

Council of University System Faculty

CUSF Meeting of November 21, 2005

MINUTES

CUSF meeting of November 21, 2005

UMB (Saratoga Street Garage)

Present: Martha Siegel_(Chair, TU); Lee Richardson_(Past Chair, UB); Alcott Arthur (CSU); John McMullen_(At-Large, FSU); Kim Rotruck (FSU); Rahim Ashkeboussi (FSU); R. Michael Garner (SU); Paul Flexner (SU); David Parker (SU); Patricia Alt (TU); Douglas Pryor (TU); Stephanie Gibson (UB); Elizabeth Mulroy (UMB); Joyce Tenney_(UMBC); Dennis Coates (UMBC); Patricia Young (UMBC, alternate); John Collins (Secretary, UMBI); Frank Robb (UMBI, alternate); J. Court Stevenson (UMCES); Frank Alt (UMCP); Vincent Brannigan (UMCP); William Stuart (UMCP); E. William Chapin (Vice Chair, UMES); Joyce Shirazi (UMUC); Adelaide Lagnese (UMUC); A. Deloris James (UMUC)

Not Present: Joan Langdon (BSU); Marymal Holmes (BSU); Robert Scott (FSU, alternate); Memo Diriker (SU, on leave); Harry Womack_ (SU, alternate); Joyce Little (TU); Jay Zimmerman (TU, alternate); Stephen Jacobs (UMB); Paul Thut (UMB); Rosemary Jagus (UMBI); H. Rodger Harvey (UMCES); Raymond Morgan(UMCES, alternate); Denny Gulick (UMCP); Emmanuel Onyeozili (UMES); John Gustafson (UMUC)

Honored Guests: David Ramsay (President, UMB); Irwin Goldstein (VCAA); Joseph Vivona (VCFA)

Dr. Siegel called the meeting to order at 10:00am. Following a round of introduction, Dr. Mulroy introduced UMB President David Ramsay. Dr. Ramsay welcomed the group and gave a brief summary of recent developments at UMB. He then led the group to another room in order to view a panoramic vista of the UMB campus and environs, pointing out the sites of planned future expansion. Dr. Ramsay noted that UMB is a major employer (behind only Johns Hopkins University) in Baltimore.

The minutes of the October 20 CUSF meeting were unanimously approved with no further changes.

Report from System Office of Academic Affairs: Dr. Goldstein described the November 7 meeting of USM campus presidents with Governor Ehrlich. The Governor talked about future needs of the State. He noted that military base closings in Virginia will bring new people to Maryland, and we need to plan for their educational requirements. The Governor thanked Chancellor Kirwan for the work done by USM. He was especially pleased with the Efficiency and Effectiveness report. The Chancellor thanked the Governor for his support and reported on some recent USM developments. The Governor then stayed for another hour, listening to campus Presidents’ reports on various activities and developments. Among the topics covered were enrollment demands, changing demographics of the student population, the need to provide more access to lower-income students, partnerships with community colleges, economic development (especially on the Eastern Shore), research grants and partnerships with other organizations.

Dr. Goldstein also reported on the November 15 joint meeting of USM officials with campus vice presidents for Academic Affairs and Administration. The vice presidents reported on what they were doing on the campuses and System officials coordinated the reports and presented them as items (e.g., smoother transitions of students in their programs, dual admission) for coordination among the users that might lead to greater effectiveness and efficiency.

Dr. Goldstein also reported on the November 16 meeting of the BOR Educational Policy Committee. The most significant item was the recently approved agreement between UMB and UMCP to create a School of Public Health. Also very significant was the OCR approval for UB and Towson to develop a joint MBA program. It was reported that the UMUC presidential search is in its final stages, while FSU’s has started and BSU’s will start soon. BSU has been designated a growth campus. The Chancellor recently had a very frank and productive meeting with the BSU faculty.

Dr. Brannigan brought up the issue of increased health care costs to state employees due to benefit cuts. Faculty compensation has been reduced at the same time that faculty teaching workloads have increased. It was agreed that this is a real problem that must be emphasized when talking with state officials and legislators. This situation creates problems with faculty recruitment and retention. It was noted that, due to budget freezes in recent years, USM faculty salaries have fallen far behind those of comparable faculty in non-USM institutions. Catch up pay is required. Dr. Goldstein said that Dr. Siegel should bring these issues directly to the Chancellor. Dr. Garner urged the groups to lobby the Governor since he is facing an uphill battle for reelection. This matter was referred to the CUSF Legislative Affairs Committee.

Report from System Office of Administration and Finance: Mr. Vivona gave an informative presentation on USM’s FY 2007 Budget and four-year Business Plans. He noted that the next wave of new students will include more minorities, more lower-income people, more who are the first in their families to attend college. Although these students will be highly motivated and capable, their SAT scores will be lower. Maryland has the nation’s highest (71%) rate of high school juniors taking the SATs. Another factor is that many faculty are nearing retirement age. There will be certain growth areas, such as linguistics. Dr. Robb asked if graduate programs are included in USM’s future plans. Mr. Vivona replied in the affirmative, saying that this is very important. Dr. Siegel brought the discussion to a close with questions about needed improvements in state retirement programs and other benefits. She asked if there is any plan for further assault by the state on health benefits. Mr. Vivona replied no, although unions are weak right now. Dr. Brannigan pointed out that there are many full-time, long-term, "temporary" (contingent) employees who get no health benefits. The presentation, with questions and discussion, continued until lunch break at 12:15pm.

The meeting resumed at 12:40pm with a report from Dr. Stuart on the K-16 work group. Dr. Siegel asked the CUSF committee members to communicate with each other between CUSF general meetings. Everyone on CUSF should be on at least one committee and the chairs should prepare monthly reports for the CUSF general meetings. The CUSF web site includes a list of committees, their charges and an initial membership roster. Dr. Collins will contact all CUSF members shortly to help update and verify this information.

Dr. Chapin, Chair of the Membership and Rules Committee, reported on the results of the CUSF reapportionment survey that is required every three years. He reported that, due to an increased number of faculty, UMB would be entitled to increase their CUSF delegation from three to four next year. There were no other changes.

Dr. P. Alt presented the most recent draft of the proposed Substance Abuse Policy for USM faculty. It was moved and agreed unanimously to accept this draft for discussion of final modifications. A lengthy discussion and parsing of the document took place. A motion to delete parts III-B-2 and III-C-4 was defeated by an 11-10 vote. A motion to accept a slightly modified version of the document was approved by a vote of 13-6, and the discussion ended at 1:42pm. It was agreed that copies of the final, approved draft will be distributed to CUSF delegates.

Dr. Siegel reminded the group that the January 20 CUSF meeting at USM will occur at the same time and place as the workshop for new department chairs. Marci McClive of FSU is chairing the Department Chairs Workshop.

She thanked Joyce Tenney for taking charge of the student research days (February 15 and 16) in Annapolis. Ms. Tenney gave a brief report and asked for proposals for the presentations.

Dr. P. Alt reported on the upcoming Regents Faculty Awards. The review committee will meet on December 13 to evaluate the applications. She said that there were far fewer applications than in previous years.

Dr. Brannigan talked briefly about the status of emeritus faculty. He suggested that we need a revision to the ART document to include some mention of emeritus status.

Dr. Parker talked briefly about full-time, contractual faculty who have no benefits. A discussion followed. It was agreed that all campus representatives will get information on benefits to full-time, non-tenure-track faculty and pass it on to Dave Parker as soon as possible.

The meeting adjourned at 2:03 pm.