7May97

Senators Present: Albanese, Blaisten-Barojas, Boileau, Conti, Crockett, De Nys, Deshmukh, Eagle, Elstun, Fuchs, Gantz, Hamburger, High, Hurt, Jensen, Kaplan, Manchester, Metcalf, L. Miller, O'Hara, Palkovich, Potter, Rine, Ruhling, Sanford, Sofer, Spikell, Taylor, Travis, Wilkie, Wood, and Zoltek.

Senators Absent: Bergmann, P. Black, W. M. Black, Carty, Clements, Mellander, Merten, Mose, Muris, O'Connor, Perry, Rosenblum, and Thomas.

Attending Guests: G. Cook (Electrical & Computer Engineering) J. Sacco (Public and International Affairs), K. Haynes (TIPP), R. Guilford (Office of Associate Vice President) Suzanne Swope ( Assoc. Vice President) K. McKalip (Academic Advising), J. Wilkinson (Student Senate), Ellen Rubin (Student Senate), S. Jones (Registrar), M. Dear ( CNHS), M. Krauss (Law), J. Scimecca (Sociology), J. Walsh (Librarians Council), Rootes (Faculty Senate Office)

II. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the April 9, 1997 meeting were approved as distributed.

IV. Unfinished Business
Discussion of the deferred motion by Hamburger to adopt the "Early Thursday" academic calendar in Fall 1998 and Fall 1999 was continued.

DeNys, on behalf of the Academic Policies Committee, moved to substitute for the pending resolution the following: that the next three year calendar for the University include the option which begins the Fall 98 and 99 semesters on the Monday before Labor Day and does not schedule reading days.

In support of the recommendation, DeNys and Sanford spoke of pedagogical concerns and scheduling problems for labs that would occur with the "Early Thursday" option. E. Rubin (Student Senate Chair-Elect, 1997-98) reported that in discussions with students during recent elections, most students wanted reading days to continue. They would prefer the "Early Thursday" option which maintains reading days. She acknowledged that the lab problem had not been considered.

After extensive discussion, the substitute motion from the Academic Policies Committee to adopt the "No Reading Days" Calendar passed by a vote of 17-11.

V. New Business

A. Annual Reports of Standing and Ad Hoc University Committees.

Taylor reported that the fourth in a series of publications, the "Indicators of Institutional Mission," and also "Projected 1998-2000 Resource Needs" would be available for review in the Senate Office.

6. Non-Traditional, Interdisciplinary, and Adult Learning Committee
Annual report presented by Sacco.

7. Resource Allocation Task Force
Conti stated that the task force report is extensive but would be of interest to Senators. The annual report has been placed on Masonlink by Hurt. (See http:www.gmu.edu/facstaff/senate/annualrp/RATF.HTM)

9. Writing Across the Curriculum Committee
Annual report presented by Zoltek.

On behalf of the committee, Zoltek also presented two motions to identify "writing intensive courses" and "writing intensive assignments" in their relevant syllabi. He explained this would help students to identify which courses fulfill the University's writing intensive requirement.

Friendly amendments were proposed by O'Hara and Spikell to specify "undergraduate" writing intensive courses in both motions. Zoltek proposed a friendly amendment to specify "designated " undergraduate writing intensive courses.

10. Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity Issues
Annual report presented by Albanese. Albanese also presented a motion on behalf of the committee to make it a standing university committee (See Attachment A). Albanese corrected a typographical error and changed defending to defunding. Spikell presented a substitute motion: "Move that the Senate do two things:

Extend the life of the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee through the end of the Fall 1997 semester and;

Refer to the O&O Committee the question of further extending the term of the Ad-Hoc Diversity Committee and/or whether to establish it as a standing committee of the Senate.

Taylor proposed an amendment to the substitute motion to extend the committee through the 1997-1998 academic year. The amendment was seconded and passed by voice vote. Spikell's substitute motion as amended passed by voice vote (See Attachment E).

11. Ad Hoc Committee on Post Tenure Review Procedures
Annual report presented by Sofer.

12. Ad Hoc Committee on Summer School Salaries (See Attachment B for Summer Incentive Plan)
Annual report presented by Scimecca.

Senators Present: Albanese, P. Black, Boileau, Conti, Crockett, De Nys, Deshmukh, Elstun, Fuchs, Gantz, Hamburger, Jensen, Kaplan, Metcalf, L. Miller, Palkovich, Perry, Ruhling, Sanford, Sofer, Spikell, Taylor, Thomas, Travis, Wilkie, Wood, and Zoltek.

Senators Absent: Bergmann, P. Black, W. M. Black, Blaisten-Barojas, Carty, Clements, Eagle, High, Hurt, Manchester, Mellander, Merten, Mose, Muris, O'Connor, O'Hara, Potter, Rine, Rosenblum, and Tabak.

Attending Guests: R. Guilford (Office of Associate Vice President) Suzanne Swope (Assoc. Vice President) K. McKalip (Academic Advising), Ellen Rubin (Student Senate), S. Jones (Registrar), D. Boehm-Davis (Vice Provost Research & Graduate Studies), J. Murphy (Sponsored Programs), M. Dear ( CNHS), J. Scimecca (Sociology), Rootes (Faculty Senate Office)

12. Ad Hoc Committee on Summer School Salaries (discussion continued from May 7 meeting).
After indicating support for the incentive concept and thanking all members of the committee and administration for their hard work and efforts on this complicated matter, Mark Spikell raised two points:

Since the original move to address summer salary issue was predicated in great part on the need to improve the summer salary for full-time faculty teaching in the summer, shouldn't this proposal so indicate in some way? As it stands, the monies could be allocated by a unit head for any purpose.

It appears that incentive dollar amounts are allocated roughly in a 5-1 ratio. That is, the Incentive Plus Additional Amount for Exceeding Targets (last column of chart) are 5 times the Incentive Amounts Awarded for Meeting Targets (2nd last column of chart). Wouldn't it be more equitable to allocate these amounts more equally, say with half of the incentive going for meeting one's target and half going to those able to exceed the target, in order to reward units for both meeting targets and exceeding them? Doing so would provide hardworking units who meet their targets with a more substantial reward.

S. Swope (Vice Provost) explained the reasoning of the committee. She also indicated that faculty at other universities are comparably paid and that the plan allows incentives while staying within the current approved budget.

Elstun reminded the Senate that the proposal had already been endorsed in principle. Boileau moved that the committee be discharged with warm thanks. The motion was seconded and passed.

13. Ad Hoc University Grievance Committee
Annual report presented by M. Dear.

1. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee will meet again in June to continue discussion of intellectual property issues. They will also discuss forms of consultation in future reorganization.

4. Organization and Operations Committee
Annual report presented by Spikell.

5. Facilities and Support Services Committee
Annual report presented by Zoltek.

6. Nominations Committee
Taylor reported that the committee is currently preparing committee nominees for the 1997-98 academic year. She also reminded the Senate that bylaw changes now prescribe two year terms for all committees rather than one. After committee members are elected, individual term lengths will be determined by lot. This will begin staggered terms and ensure experienced leadership. She also reported that the new Academic Appeals Committee would be nominated in the Fall, as prescribed by the Senate.

7. Ad Hoc Senate Charter Committee
D. Gantz reported that the committee had met twice. They are considering key issues such as the size of the Senate, the question of including other than instructional faculty, and clarifying definitions and reserved terms.

1. Senate Liaisons to the Board of Visitors
Ruhling reported that the full board was currently in session, and presented a partial report of BOV committee business.

2. Intellectual Property Sub-Committee of the Provost's Research Advisory Council.
Annual report from the Intellectual Property Sub-Committee presented by D. Boehm-Davis. Boehm-Davis also included a summary of other Research Advisory Council business.

A. Election of Senate Chair for 1997-1998
Gantz, Chair Pro-Tempore, assumed the Chair and presided over the election. Elstun was nominated by Boileau and elected by acclamation to a second term .

B. Motion from Senators Albanese and Fuchs in support of the University of the District of Columbia Faculty (See Attachment C for revised motion).
Albanese clarified certain whereas clauses in the motion to clarify which items are a matter of public record and which ones are a matter of interpretation. She advised the Senate that this was a statement of support only and that it had been requested by a UDC faculty member.

Questions were raised regarding the authority of the Senate to pass such a motion. Boileau, as Parliamentarian, indicated that it was within the purview of the Senate. After much discussion the motion passed by a voice vote.

C. Task Force on Futures
Wood reported that the Task Force would continue meeting over the summer and would like to meet with faculty groups. Elstun proposed an optional senate meeting with the Task Force during the summer. Many senators expressed interest in attending.

D. Resolution to recognize Catherine Connelly (CNHS) (See Attachment F)
Ruhling presented the resolution from Catherine Malloy, former Associate Dean, Academic Programs in Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Science; Dorothy J. Walker, Emerita Professor of Nursing, and himself to recognize Connelly for her service to George Mason University. The resolution was passed by a voice vote. Rootes will send a copy of the resolution to Connelly.

VII Adjournment
Elstun expressed thanks to all of the Senators for their service during the past year. Meeting adjourned at 4:10 pm.

Whereas, the Senate originally constituted the Ad-Hoc Diversity Committee in Spring 1995 to focus attention on issues of homophobia and other forms of intolerance in the University community, and to work with various administrative offices to insure that complaints be handled fairly and resources be provided adequately; and

Whereas, the Ad-Hoc Diversity Committee was originally given a sunset date of Spring, 1997;and

Whereas, the defending of the GLBT center by the BOV until it revisits the issue in 1998 involves the Committee in work beyond its sunset date; and

Whereas, various difficulties already encountered in setting up proper procedures for evaluating and meeting need may well extend the task beyond 1998; and

Whereas, it is important at the present moment for the University to provide an institutional reaffirmation of its commitment to promoting a tolerant and diverse campus:

Be it MOVED that the Senate make the Diversity Committee a Standing University Committee.

At the request of Suzanne Swope, I am submitting the Summer Incentive Plan to be placed on the Faculty Senate Agenda. This is the last piece of information that the sub-committee on summer school salary issues discussed. The sub-committee agreed to this plan and determined it should go before the full senate. The attached spreadsheet outlines the incentive plan and demonstrates how individual units would have been rewarded in the Summer Term 1996. Below are the definitions of the titles on the spreadsheet.

The information located in the box at the top of the page provides information pertinent to the summer term. Instructional Cost represents the total cost of instruction . It includes salary, wages, stipends, and fringe. The Administrative Cost represents the costs associated with the Summer Administration Office. This includes the salaries of the Director of Summer Term and an assistant, publications cost related to the Summer Schedule of Classes, and operational costs. The Total Summer Budget is the sum of the Instructional Cost plus the Administrative Cost. Reported FTE of 1,557.3 is the official number of student FTE's report to the state. The Cost per FTE is derived from dividing the Total Summer Budget by the Reported FTE. Dividing the cost per FTE by two is the calculation for « the Cost per FTE. Incentive Flat cost is a figure used to calculate the incentive for meeting summer targets. Finally, the Incentive Model Cost is the total cost of the incentive plan.

The first column of the table represents the department/units that met or exceeded their target within five percent in the Summer Term 1996. The 1996 Targeted Course FTE represents the course FTE that was assigned to the department/unit in the Summer Term 1996. The 1996 Actual Course FTE represents the course FTE obtained by the department/unit in the Summer Term 1996. The column labeled Overage/Shortage represents the difference between the 1996 Targeted course FTE and the 1996 Actual Course FTE. The column labeled percent Actual FTE to Reported FTE is derived by calculating the percent of the 1996 Actual course FTE against the Reported FTE of 1,557.3. Incentive Flat cost is a figure used to calculate the incentive for meeting summer targets. Incentive Awarded for Meeting targets is calculated by multiplying the Incentive Flat cost by the Percent Actual FTE to Reported FTE. Finally, the Incentive Plus Additional $ for Exceeding Targets is calculated by multiplying the Overage by the Incentive « the cost per FTE and adding the Incentive Awarded for Meeting Targets.

Whereas, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) serves a singular mission in providinglow-cost public education to the ethnically- and economically-diverse residents of the District of Columbia; and

Whereas, that mission has been severely threatened by financial crises at both the university and city levels; and

Whereas, in October, 1992, the Faculty Senate of UDC was suspended by the President and the Board of Regents and replaced by a University Senate of the President's constitution; and

Whereas, in April 1993 the Regents declared a fiscal emergency and granted the administration unusual powers; and

Whereas, faculty were then unable to gain access to meetings at which fiscal and programmatic decisions were made; and

Whereas, upon its inception the Emergency Control Board of the District of Columbia set aside the faculty's collective bargaining agreement; and

Whereas, the budgetary plans discussed in 1996 and adopted in 1997 by UDC and approved by the Control Board leave the university and its students with drastically diminished resources, including the elimination of programs with proven success rates; and

Whereas, all these actions culminated in February 1997 in the non-systematic termination of one-third of the long-term full-time faculty of UDC, who will be replaced with part-time contract labor; and

Whereas, UDC Advocates Plus (a coalition of present and former faculty and administrators, joined by students and alumni of UDC) have asked for statements from the Faculty Senates of local universities publicizing the risk to public higher education the UDC restructuring plan represents, and supporting their efforts for equitable alternatives;

BE it resolved that the Senate adds its voice to those of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of UDC, in calling on the administration of UDC and the Control Board to re-commit themselves to the historic mission of UDC; Expresses concern of the disregard for faculty rights manifested in UDC's actions and policies; and

Supports the efforts of UDC faculty to work for the benefit of students, to restore programs, to regain their jobs and to reinstitute their rights as instructors.

We propose that the syllabi for all George Mason University designated undergraduate writing intensive courses contain the following statement or a statement that conveys the same meaning: This course fulfills all/part of (whatever appropriate) the writing intensive requirement for the BA (BS or other) degree in ________________; and

We also propose that each syllabus for a designated undergraduate writing intensive course specify the assignments by which the requirement will be met.

WHEREAS, Dr. Connelly has always recognized and acted upon the importance of TEACHING not only by conducting organized an intellectual activities in the classroom but also by the close and thorough mentoring of both under graduate and graduate students, and

WHEREAS, her SCHOLARSHIP has been recognized through her research and timely publications which reflect her interest in patient compliance and self-care, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Connelly served the University in several ADMINISTRATIVE positions during her 18 years at George Mason University including Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the School of Nursing, Associate Dean for Research in the Graduate School, director of the Ph. D. Program in Nursing during its formative years, and Academic Coordinator of the Arlington Campus, and

WHEREAS, her PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY dictated positions she took even when the taking of same were detrimental to herself, and

WHEREAS, her COLLEAGUES both on and off campus continue to hold her in high esteem,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the George Mason University Faculty Senate publicly acknowledges the numerous and significant contributions of Dr. Catherine E. Connelly to George Mason University and wish her Godspeed!