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Council of University System Faculty

General Body Meeting: Friday, January 23, 2009

A. Chairman Bill Chapin called the meeting of the Council of University System Faculty (CUSF) to order at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2009, at the University System of Maryland (USM), Adelphi, in the Chancellor’s Room.Those in attendance were (31): Chairman Bill Chapin (UMES), Vice-Chairman Martha Siegel (TU), Secretary Joyce Shirazi (UMUC), At-Large Officer Bill Stuart (UMCP), Past-Chairman John Collins (UMBI); other CUSF members Joan Langdon (BSU), Monika Gross (BSU), Alcott Arthur (CU), Kim Rotruck (FSU), Gerry Wojnar (FSU), Keith Conners (SU), Thomas Krause (TU), Stephanie Gibson (UB), Marcelo Cardarelli (UMB), Jeff Leips (UMBC), Keith Eshleman (UMCES), Sylvester James Gates Jr. (UMCP), Ken Holum (UMCP), William Montgomery (UMCP), Arthur Popper (UMCP), Elise Miller-Hooks (UMCP), Robert Johnson, Jr. (UMES), Emmanuel Onyeozili (UMES), Deloris James (UMUC), William Sondervan (UMUC); Chancellor Brit Kirwan, Senior Vice Chancellor Irv Goldstein; Associate Vice Chancellor Teri Hollander; AAUP-MD President Rev. Frank Haig; AAUP-MD Vice-President Art Huseonica; AAUP-TU President Jennifer Ballengee.

B. Bill Chapin reviewed the order of the day and initiated the introductions of
all meeting attendees.

C. Joyce Shirazi moved for approval of the December 16, 2008 CUSF meeting minutes; seconded by Bill Stuart; approved unanimously.

D. Report from USM Senior Vice-Chancellor Irv Goldstein:
1. Budget;
a) We did not get what we wanted for the next fiscal year, but we have the basic needs, i.e., increases in health care and an enrollment increment. The Governor wants another year without a tuition increase. There is $16 million to cover a tuition increment (no increase), which will represent four years with no tuition increase for this Governor. However, the legislature must approve this. It will be a difficult battle as to how it will work out. Each campus has come up with its own E&E and we can point out how much we are saving. The Governor understands that we are a knowledge economy State. If higher education gets decimated in a State like this, it will be detrimental. For the next three months we will be in Annapolis most of the time. Other institutions in the State are taking an enormous hit. We are expecting a Federal stimulus package to help Medicare, Medicaid, etc. It helps to have someone like PJ Hogan around. In response to questions, Irv Goldstein noted that we work well with the community colleges, i.e., dual enrollment programs, etc. Their budget is based in part on our budget. When ours is really hit, it hurts them. ‘But community colleges will get a big hit, because another part of their money comes from the counties, which have been hit. We already have too many remedial courses; therefore we will be very supportive of community colleges and K-12 because they impact us when we get their students. Just taking care of ourselves is the wrong ethic. We will fight that battle and go to their hearings. Regarding layoffs for state employees, it does not impact us. We considered graduate students as students and thus did not include them in the furloughs. Each campus had a dollar amount that they had to meet in the furlough plan. The Board of Regents approved provisions for the furlough plans and then each campus designed their system.
b) The budget includes some mandatory costs (some utilities, inflation, and health care). Enrollment costs, and special initiatives were not included. Regarding enrollment UB and UMUC will grow anyway, without enrollment increase funding. USM grew by 4700 students last year. The data on yield rate does not include economies like this. The data in the past recession showed that if students can not get jobs, they go to graduate school. Graduate school applications are way up. ‘But we need the money to be able to help them. There is hope that in the Obama Administration they will increase the funding size of the Pell Grant and that we may get some actual Federal help. In response to questions, Irv Goldstein added that the Pell Grants are for undergraduate students only. The STEM task force that President Mote is chairing is focusing on a program where we increase the number of new organizations that develop each year as well as internationally recognized research programs in the STEM Area. President Caret is working on how many teachers we can produce and need, etc. The report will note the number of teachers needed and funding. The Governor is very interested in this area and he may try to fund some of these initiatives. New York City has done well with this. They offer scholarships, free education, and the new teachers must teach for five years. Martha Siegel noted that it is a very expensive program with the salaries, etc. Irv Goldstein noted that there will be a conference and we are invited, on April 22, 2009. Dr. Uri Treisman from the University Texas who designed the UTeach program will speak. It is part of the Langenburg Lecture Program at UMUC.
2. Legislature;
a) PJ Hogan indicated he expected legislation involving unions for graduate students and adjunct faculty. The adjunct issue is very strange and we had no idea that it would be put in the bill. The guess is that we would not support a union bill. It is an enormous cost problem. Universities balance their budgets with adjuncts. Most of our Provosts would prefer to correct the deficiencies, rather than have graduate student and adjunct unions. In response to questions, Irv Goldstein noted that the hiring freeze gives Presidents an option to do what they need to do on their campuses
b) The “union fees” is a bill that says that all non-exempt employees must pay union dues. Some do not pay dues. The “union fees” is a way to force them to pay dues. We fought it, but we think it will be back and we think our employees do not want it. Irv Goldstein added that he will verify if non-union campuses are included.
c) Regarding program approval, Senator Joan Conway did not garner many votes last year but we still expect the bill to be back. The “Friends of Morgan Lawsuit” is still moving forward. It is consuming a lot of the time of the Attorney General’s Office and USM (Adelphi).
d) We do not have any specific information about any bills related to health benefits. They will have a preliminary report ready for discussion this year. We do not expect to see the final report until next year. There is nothing specific out.
3. Furloughs; Our campuses consulted with shared governance and every campus has a tiered system. It should not impact next year’s salary. Bill Chapin added that many faculty members feel that faculty should not have to furlough, but many feel that we should share in that responsibility. Martha Siegel noted that public school teachers have not had furloughs, and that there is a very fine line to think that we can take furloughs and not have our work affected, but not them. Responding to a question Irv Goldstein said that he had not heard anything about addressing tenure and a non-firing policy.
4. Bookstore Sales; Irv Goldstein stated that PJ Hogan and Teri Hollander wrote this draft for the BOR. We need to have a policy specific enough to get them to not do it. We have it on a fast track, because we do not have much time. Teri Hollander added that the BOR does not have authority over bookstores. Discussing the draft document, as shown in Appendix I, Martha Siegel noted no problems with #3, #5, #6, #8, and #10, which was a great idea. Regarding #1, Martha Siegel noted that the faculty has to take responsibility for taking time to select textbooks. Bookstores should give more information so that students can search for a cheaper book. The ISBN numbers change when they are bundled. Concerning #2, she noted that faculty can go online and find the retail price, but they may not know how to find this information; Martha Siegel added that we have no solution to #2, and that we need to make faculty aware of options. The problem is that it has to do with the retail price, for example the bookstore must publish the publisher price. Kim Rotruck noted that at FSU they have no access to bookstores and that they give the ISBN numbers to the students. Irv Goldstein added that the bookstores will not have a choice but to give the prices, due to Federal legislation, and he will try to put the onus on the bookstores. They give us the price at the same time as the ISBN numbers. We need a general policy with enough specifics. Bill Stuart stated that the issue is what the bookstores will charge, not Amazon. Martha Siegel noted that for #4, perhaps the words…”faculty should be encouraged” could be added. Stephanie Gibson stated that for #7, once the students pay the price, they should keep the textbook. Martha Siegel noted that for #9, libraries just do not have textbooks, on purpose. Bill Chapin noted that perhaps because of their ordering process. Arthur Popper noted that faculty can donate a desk copy to the library. Irv Goldstein added that he will talk to the Provosts.

E. Update from USM Chancellor Brit Kirwan:
1. Refer to his latest message to the universities, as shown in Appendix II. There is a $2 billion gap next year that must be filled by the State. We have contributed $51 million this year via furloughs, etc., which is lower than our proportionate share. We knew it would be difficult, but this budget shows a strong commitment by the Governor to us. Our budget will increase by a little over 2% but the overall State budget will go down 2%. The Governor’s priorities and budget are aligned to cover education, the environment, and public safety. Of $14 billion, almost half goes to education. It will be a very tough legislative session. The Governor has balanced the budget based on $350 million from a potential Federal stimulus package. This is very low based on the probable money available - $800 million. Money from the stimulus package can help with holding down tuition and building facilities. It is a balancing act to remain lean.
2. In response to follow-up questions, after the Chancellor left, Irv Goldstein noted that if you are 9-month faculty and get paid over 12 months, you get 1/12 of your pay in furlough calculations. Health insurance ends on July 1, and they do not want to be involved in all of that. We are now advocates for the Governor and his budget. We should support any efforts to add funding to community colleges. Community colleges may also have less funding if local government budgets are reduced. Independent colleges have been level funded. Regarding 2010 furloughs next year, 800 State positions will be cut next year, but none from higher education for next year. We go into the fiscal year with the salaries back and if there are changes in the economy, then they could come back Also there are no plans for USM position cuts.

F. Lunch

G. AAUP: AAUP-MD President Reverend Frank Haig introduced AAUP-MD Vice President Art Huseonica, and AAUP-TU President Jennifer Ballengee. Reverend Frank Haig gave an overview of AAUP starting with Hitler’s dismissal of faculty because of race. He explained academic freedom, what is needed to keep it, and the contingent faculty need for representation. He also noted that there will be an AAUP Spring Meeting at CSU on April 18, 2009 with keynote speaker, Dr. James Lyons. In response to questions, Reverend Frank Haig noted that adjuncts are a major part, but the problem is that they are used to cut faculty salaries and that they are exploited. However, there is no exact policy, regarding the position of AAUP on the status of adjuncts. Regarding faculty unionization, Reverend Frank Haig noted that Montgomery Community College seems to be happy with unionization of faculty. AAUP will assist faculty without university input and it is not necessary to be a member of AAUP. AAUP is an organization of professors trying to help other professors, it has built up a lot of experience, and it knows the pitfalls of collective bargaining. AAUP can be very helpful if you have a troublesome President. Jennifer Ballengee added that the national AAUP has many branches, even with lobbying branches. The AAUP website shows a lot of valuable information, with statements and position papers to legislatures. AAUP censures universities for too many adjuncts, for example. Faculty salaries are put out every year and they are used by many. Reverend Frank Haig added that they will look into the textbook policy issue. He concluded that they like to think in terms of AAUP colleagues like the AMA. Art Huseonica said they will be sending out email blasts to some faculty as part of the information sharing with the online Faculty Voice publication.

G. Other Business:
1. Bill Stuart noted that the next CUSF meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at UMCP will be an IVN meeting. An email will be sent out regarding it. It is an experiment. Joe Vivona will be at the meeting. The BOR Chair will join us at the May meeting.
2. Martha Siegel noted that we should look over the STEM report and give her comments by next week. This is our opportunity to have some input.
3. John Collins stated that he will start the newsletter and that we should send him some content so he can work with Deloris James and get started.
4. Martha Siegel wondered how the furlough plans worked. The responses were as follows: BSU – We were asked and we were told; CSU – The Faculty Senate was involved; FSU- The Faculty Senate was very involved; UB - The University Faculty invited them and the Finance Office came and told them- that was it; UMBI- They were told; UMES – They were involved; UMCP - They met twice and were involved; UMCES - They called the President and asked to be included; UMUC – Not sure.

H. The meeting adjourned at 1:20pm.


APPENDIX I
University System of Maryland Policy on Textbook Affordability Measures

Revised DRAFT (1/21/09)

University System of Maryland Policy on Textbook Affordability Measures

I. Purpose

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents recognizes that the rising cost of textbooks must be addressed in order to maintain access and affordability for USM students. Therefore each degree-granting institution shall implement the measures outlined in the following policy.

II. Policy

  1. All University System of Maryland degree-granting institutions shall post on the institutional website ISBN information for required course material as soon as faculty members have submitted their book orders but no later than ___days prior to the start of classes.

  1. Faculty will confirm with the institutional bookstore, prior to placing their book orders, the retail price of selected course materials.
  1. Faculty teaching the same course for multiple semesters are encouraged to use the same textbooks and course materials for multiple semesters to the extent practicable and educationally sound.

  1. Faculty should order new editions of textbooks only if necessary and when older editions are not of comparable educational content.
  1. Institutions should make faculty aware of the option to request unbundled versions of textbook and course materials and of the price differential.

  1. Faculty should order textbook bundles only if the supplements included with textbooks are necessary to the curriculum and instruction.
  1. Faculty should permit and/or encourage students to purchase electronic versions of textbooks.

  1. Faculty members should incorporate into course instruction the use of more online resources wherever feasible and prudent.
  1. Faculty should order course materials judiciously. Further, faculty should list as optional those texts that are used infrequently and shall request that several copies be kept on reserve in the campus library.

  1. Institutions should seek ways to lessen the financial hardship of college textbook purchases, such as targeted scholarship and financial aid funds, consideration of textbook rentals for introductory courses, and development of customized course materials.

III. Implementation

This policy shall be effective beginning with the course materials assigned for the Fall 2009 semester.

The Chancellor shall request periodic reports from the University System of Maryland Student Council on the impact and effectiveness of this policy.


APPENDIX II
A Message from Chancellor William E. Kirwan
to the University System of Maryland (USM) Community

January 21, 2009

This afternoon, Governor Martin O’Malley unveiled his FY 2010 budget proposal for the State of Maryland. Despite the extraordinarily difficult fiscal environment, the Governor’s budget restores $30 million of general funds cut from the University System of Maryland’s FY 2009 operating budget; it also includes an additional $27.3 million increase in general funds for FY 2010. The Governor once again has demonstrated his strong commitment to higher education, to our university system, and to high quality, affordable higher education for the students and families of Maryland.

Included in the increase is $16 million, which—if the proposed budget survives the legislative session—will enable USM to hold tuition flat for in-state, full-time undergraduate students for the fourth consecutive year. The Governor’s budget also covers the mandatory increase in costs we face next year, including funds to operate new facilities, increases in employee benefits, and other inflationary costs.

Due to the ongoing fiscal crisis, the FY 2010 proposal for USM does not include funds for salary increases for employees, significant enrollment growth, or program enhancements. Nevertheless, the Governor’s budget would avoid the need for further significant cuts and enable our institutions to remain focused on our top priorities: providing students affordable access to excellent higher education opportunities; performing leading-edge research; playing a major role in economic and workforce development; and advancing the quality of life in Maryland and the nation.

Gov. O’Malley also proposed $172 million in capital funding for USM, which includes the acceleration of several important academic facilities.

Thanks to the outstanding work of USM faculty and staff, our university system has earned a well-deserved reputation for academic and research excellence, and sound management and financial practices. Our institutions continue to earn top national rankings. Our ongoing Effectiveness and Efficiency Initiative has gained considerable national attention and resulted in more than $100 million in cost savings. And, we are making impressive strides on our three major USM initiatives: closing the student achievement gap; advancing the state’s STEM and research competitiveness; and addressing the issues of climate change.

The last several months have been stressful and challenging for everyone. During the current fiscal year, we have sustained general fund reductions totaling $51 million, which were handled primarily through a hiring freeze and furloughs. But through it all, thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our faculty and staff, our institutions continue to move forward. While today’s economic climate may slow the rate of our progress, I am so proud of the way our faculty and staff work relentlessly to build the quality of our institutions with an unwavering dedication to the students and the state we serve.

While we face the distinct possibility of further budget cuts if economic conditions in the nation and state continue to decline, our immediate focus must be on protecting the Governor’s proposed budget as it is considered by the Maryland General Assembly. Reductions to this budget would be harmful to our students, our institutions, and our state. I look forward to working with our regents; presidents; system-wide faculty, staff and student councils; and other members and friends of the USM community to support full funding of the Governor’s proposed FY 2010 budget.

As always, I appreciate everything that USM faculty, staff, and students do to advance our university system, all the more so during these very difficult economic times.

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