George Mason University
Minutes of the Faculty Senate
January 24, 2001
Senators Present: K. Alligood, K. Avruch, E. Blaiston-Barojas,
D. Boileau, B. Brown, L. Brown, J. Censer, S. Cheldelin, R. Coffinberger, R.
Conti, M. DeNys, R. Diecchio, R. Ehrlich, E. Elstun, P. Feerick, J. Flinn, T.
Friesz, K. Gaffney, D.
Gantz, H. Gortner, E. Gunn, M. Holt, C. Jones, D. Kuebrich, C. Mattusch, E.
Price, L. Rikard, L. Rockwood, S. Ruth, J. Sanford, J. Scimecca, L. Seligmann,
A. Sofer, C. Sutton, C. Thomas, S. Zoltek. S. Sanchez
Senators Absent: W. M. Black, L. Bowen, P. Buchanan, R. Carty,
S. deMonsabert, T. Domzal, M. Ford, M. Grady, L. Griffith, G. Hanweck, K. Haynes,
A. Kolker, M. Krauss, L. Lederman, A. Merten, J. Moore, R. Nadeau, L. Rigsby,
R. Rubenstein, P. So, P. Story, D. Struppa, P. Wilkie, J. Zenelis, P. Stearns
Guests Present: R. Davis, S. Jones, J. Lafferty (Broadside)
, L. Schwartzstein
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:10 pm by Chairman Don Boileau.
II. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of December 6, 2000, were approved as amended.
III. Announcements
A. Meeting with President Merten Regarding Budget Issues
Don Boileau announced that the President has agreed to speak to the Senate on
Friday, January 26th concerning faculty raises and general budget issues. Distributed
by email to the Senators was a letter from the President to Co-Chairs of the
House Appropriations Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee
concerning this matter.
B. Administrators Evaluation Survey
Don Boileau reported that the survey is being mailed this week and that the
Provost has provided monetary support.
IV. Unfinished Business
None.
V. Senate Committee Reports
A . Executive Committee
Don Gantz noted that the Executive Committee met on January 17th and that Esther
Elstun, Chair, Academic Policies Committee, reported that the following issues
were discussed at the President’s Council meeting on January 17:
1. Tom Hennessey, Chief of Staff, gave a legislative update including information
about the cuts which are severe.
2. Linda Schwartzstein reported we are expecting a preliminary visit from the
SACS accreditation team on February 5th .
3. Marcelle Heershap, Dean of Admissions, will be leaving the University.
4. Sheryl Beach, Associate Provost for General Education, inquired as to when
the Senate expects a report from the General Education Committee. She will be
invited to the February meeting of the Senate.
5. The commencement speaker this year will be the President and CEO of CSpan,
Brian Lamb.
6. The library renovation project will be getting underway.
7. The Foundation Director noted that there are six positions vacant on the
Board of Trustees.
B . Academic Policies Committee
Esther Elstun, Chair, noted there were no action items. However, there are five
items in committee:
1. Chris Jones is working with the issue of GMU students taking Air Force ROTC,
University of Maryland, courses through the Consortium.
2. Roberta Conti is looking into the issue of teacher/course evaluations by
students.
3. Pat Wilkie is working on double concentrations by students.
4. The issue of including a statement on all syllabi as to cell phones, pagers,
etc., is being looked at by Chris Jones.
5. Pat Story is exploring the issue of changing the academic calendar to include
the closing of the University at noon on the day before Thanksgiving.
C . Facilities and Support Committee
Stan Zoltek, Chair, noted that one item has come to the attention of the Mathematics
Department, the problems of the migration to our new email system. He has contacted
UCIS, but has had no response from them.
D. Faculty Matters Committee
It was reported that the Administrators Evaluation Survey is currently being
mailed to faculty and their responses are expected by February 15, 2001.
E . Organization and Operations Committee
Estela Blaisten-Barojas, Chair, reminded the University Standing Committees
to elect chairs. She noted that the Grievance Committee has taken the position
of not selecting a chair until a situation arises. She reminded the committees
that in the absence of a chair, people don’t know to whom they should
bring their concerns.
F . Nominations Committee
Rick Coffinberger, Chair, reported that the committee has developed a slate
of nominees for the Liaison Committee to the Board of Visitors, but the members
of the slate have not been contacted, so the Nominations Committee is not prepared
to bring this slate to the Senate today. Stan Zoltek expressed concern that
some Senators have not been able to attend
meetings because they have classes scheduled, although they had previously alerted
their departments as to the Senate meeting schedule. Don Boileau asked that
Senators with this problem to contact him.
VI. Other Standing Committees
External Academic Relations Committee
Ariela Sofer moved and the motion was seconded that:
The Faculty Senate of George Mason University endorses House Bill 2377 “Faculty
representatives on college boards” sponsored by Delegate Landes.”
Discussion ensued noting that the bill was rejected on January 17th , but was
being discussed again on January 24th . Senator Sofer urged the Senate to show
support for this bill even if rejected a second time as it will come up again
next year. Don Boileau stated that that we should notify the Northern Virginia
delegation of our support. Professor Ruth added that there is an “800”
telephone number to be called which automatically sends an email to the delegation.
The motion passed unanimously.
VII. New Business
Motion to Reconsider - Stanley Zoltek moved
that:
WHEREAS considerations for financial aid, the Senate’s motion on 12 hours,
and the expected delay implementing a web-based system for submitting course
grades, have created new considerations,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate reconsider its action on the implementation of
the C- and A+ grades so that these issues can be resolved within new action
on this motion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an ad-hoc committee of seven faculty members be
established including senators supporting the original motion and at least one
member of the Graduate Council. This committee will be appointed by the Chair
of the Senate upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee. This committee
will consult with the Registrar’s Office, the Financial Aid Office and
the Graduate Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any action on implementing the C- and A+ motion
by the Registrar’s Office be suspended until final action is recommended
by this committee.
This motion to reconsider was seconded.
Bob Ehrlich opposed this motion. Professor Ehrlich indicated
that implications are that the C- and A+ grades do not add to grade inflation,
do not have a significant impact on warning, suspension, and graduation based
on the GPA, and will not have a negative impact on our reputation. As to the
grade report issue, it was suggested we postpone implementation action until
we have the web-based system in place.
Bob Ehrlich moved a substitute motion:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate reverse its action on the motion to reconsider
and that implementation be done as soon as possible.
Discussion followed as to whether this substitute motion was in order. Dr. Coffinberger
asked if anyone present could address the problem of Financial Aid. No response
was forthcoming. Dr. Ehrlich pointed out that the effect of the C- grade could
only be measured if the intent of the instructor were known. Professor Elstun
spoke in favor of the motion to reconsider, pointing out that in view of the
confusion, the creation of a committee as noted in the motion to reconsider
is eminently reasonable. Don Gantz emphasized that the spirit of the motion
is fact-finding, and Linda Schwartzstein noted that any relevant information
to be included in the new catalog is due now.
After discussion as to whether reconsideration should go on with the implication
that we are going to keep the original motion and that this is a good opportunity
to consider the consequences of the overall motion, the motion to reconsider
was
defeated by a vote of 13-11.
B . Other New Business
The substitute motion by Professor Ehrlich was withdrawn,
and he then moved the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate reaffirm its action on the implementation of
the C- and A+ grades, which should be implemented as soon as practical, given
the move to a web-based system for submitting course grades.
The motion was seconded and passed.
Linda Schwartzstein noted that this new grading system will not be included
in the new catalog.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Brown
Secretary, Faculty Senate