George Mason University
Approved Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting
September 5, 2002
Present: J. Bennett, P. Buchanan, M. DeNys, R. Coffinberger,
E. Elstun, D. Kuebrich
Guests Present: Charlene Douglas, Karen Gentemann, John Miller,
and Hugh Sockett (Task Force on Teacher/Course Evaluation members)
Chair Jim Bennett opened the meeting at 3:08 pm.
I. Approval of Minutes
Approval of the minutes of the August 21st Executive Committee meeting was tabled
until the new Executive Committee members have a chance to review them.
II. Task Force on Teacher/Course Evaluation Year-end Report
The Task Force members and the Executive Committee discussed follow-up to the
year-end Report. It was agreed that the Teacher/Course Evaluation is being used
incorrectly as a tool to qualitatively rank teachers, when it is really only
an instrument to measure students’ satisfaction with their courses. The
evaluation is good at “weeding out” the poorest teachers, but it
should not be used as the only tool to determine teacher quality. As is, however,
the evaluation forms are too minimal and too open for misinterpretation to be
used alone. Since it would be politically impossible to eliminate the evaluation,
it was determined that other tools in addition to the Teacher/Course Evaluations
should be used. The School of Nursing’s evaluation process was described
as a possible model, with evaluations given twice a quarter (instead of only
once), and more emphasis being placed on the students’ written statements.
It was mentioned that there needs to be a more coherent University policy that
encourages or requires units to administer their own evaluations. Since the
academic units are all very different in teaching methods, worldview, etc.,
it is very difficult to use one standard tool to evaluate all of the units fairly
and equally.
It was agreed that the Task Force will rewrite their recommendations as declarative
statements concerning policy and responsibility issues. The Academic Policies
Committee will then convert these recommendations to motions for submission
to the entire Faculty Senate. The Senate will work with the Provost to develop
new evaluation procedures and policies to strengthen the existing process.
John Miller, Chair of the Task Force, will present the report to the full Senate
on September 25th. The Executive Committee hopes to have motions completed by
that date to be submitted to the Senate in conjunction with Dr. Miller’s
presentation.
III. Issues to be Discussed at Dinner with President Merten
The new Executive Committee has been invited to dinner with President Merten
on September 11, 2002 at 5:00 pm in D1 Mason Hall. The major issues to be discussed
will be the Administrative budget cuts, the Faculty Rewards & Incentives
Committee report, and the unresponsiveness of the GMU Foundation in answering
requests for information. The faculty feels strongly that the Administration
must be subject to comparable budget cuts to the faculty in areas of support
staff, travel, supplies, etc., and be held accountable that these cuts are being
made.
IV. CAS Elections
Maria Dworzecka will serve as a CAS representative for a one-year term in the
Senate.
V. Executive Committee Meeting Schedule
The members of the Executive Committee were asked to let the Senate office know
their teaching and office-hour schedules so that weekly Executive Committee
meetings can be planned for a set day and time. The next Executive Committee
meeting will be held on September 9, 2002 at 3:00 pm in D109 Mason Hall. Provost
Stearns and Dr. Henessey will be attending at 3:30 pm.
VI. Additional Topics
Faculty Rewards and Incentives Committee Report
The Faculty Rewards and Incentives Committee Report has been put back on the
table since the President’s Council meeting in August. Martin DeNys, Esther
Elstun, and Robert Smith were suggested as speakers on the issue at the September
19th Faculty and Academic Standards Committee meeting. Esther Elstun will draft
a letter to be sent from Jim Bennett to Rector Meese clarifying that the faculty
representatives will be attending the meeting solely for an exchange of information,
not to give official input on the issue. The letter will also state that the
Senate must receive official notification of any proposed changes to the Faculty
Handbook on September 25 and be given three weeks to respond.
Request for Information Regarding Student Quality
The Senate has received the requested information from the Office of the Registrar
concerning GMU students’ academic backgrounds and test scores for review.
These data will be compiled and analyzed, and a report will be submitted to
the Senate.
Provost’s Budget Committee
Richard Coffinberger will be the Senate Executive Committee’s liaison
to the Provost’s Budget Committee.
Executive Committee Manifesto
Dr. Bennett distributed copies of a draft manifesto containing broad, guiding
principles to be adopted by the Executive Committee. Changes were presented
at the meeting that will be incorporated. The Committee decided to further review
the document before the next meeting and send any additional changes or comments
to Dr. Bennett. He will then submit a final draft for approval at the next meeting.
Once approved, the manifesto will be distributed to the entire faculty.
Resolution of Thanks to Visitors
Dave Kuebrich will write a resolution to submit to the Senate thanking the Board
of Visitors members who have given generously to the University.
Invitation to Judy Jobbitts
The Committee will invite Ms. Jobbitts of the GMU Foundation to a future Executive
Committee meeting to discuss the Foundation’s role in supporting GMU during
the current state budget crisis.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:28 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Brown
Secretary, Faculty Senate