MINUTES OF
THE FACULTY SENATE
November 18, 2009
Room B113,
Robinson Hall B113, 3:00 – 4:20 p.m.
Senators Present: David Anderson, Heibatollah Baghi, Sheryl Beach, Jim Bennett, Alok Berry, Doris Bitler, Phillip Buchanan, Jack Censer, Rick Coffinberger, Jose Cortina, Sharon deMonsabert, Betsy DeMulder, Rutledge Dennis, Kelly Dunne, Penelope Earley, Karl Fryxell, Jack Goldstone, Lloyd Griffiths, Margret Hjalmarson, Mark Houck, Dimitrios Ioannou, David Kuebrich, Howard Kurtz, Linda Monson, Jean Moore, Janette Muir, Star Muir, Peter Pober, Daniel Polsby, Earle Reybold, Larry Rockwood, Pierre Rodgers, Jim Sanford, Suzanne Scott, Suzanne Slayden, Peter Stearns, June Tangney, Susan Trencher, Iosif Vaisman, Harry Wechsler, Phil Wiest, Michael Wolf-Branigin, Stanley Zoltek.
Senators Absent: Rei Berroa, Vikas Chandhoke, Lloyd Cohen, Yvonne Demory, Martin Ford, Jorge Haddock, Frances Harbour, Kingsley Haynes, Bruce Johnsen, Terrence Lyons, Alan Merten, James Olds, Frank Philpot, William Reeder, Joe Scimecca, Tojo Thatchenkery, Shirley Travis, Nigel Waters, Peter Winant, John Zenelis.
Visitors Present: Tom Calhoun, Vice President for Facilities; Patricia Donini, Employee Relations Director – Human Resources/Payroll; Nathan Dorfman, Student Senator and Student Government Liaison; Kathy Gillette, Director, DOIT, Classroom Technologies; George Ginovsky, Assistant Police Chief, University Police; Linda Harber, Associate Vice President, Human Resources and Payroll; Robin Herron, Associate Director, Media and Public Relations; Rick Holt, Vice-Chair, Staff Senate; Susan Jones, University Registrar; Tommy Lee, Student Senators and Student Government Liaison; Dorothy Lockaby, Vice Chair, Librarians’ Council; J. Goodlet McDaniel, Associate Dean, CHHS; Sharon Pitt, Executive Director, DOIT; Walt Sevon, Executive Director, Technology Systems Division.
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 3:02 p.m.
II.
Approval of the Minutes of October 7,
2009: The draft minutes of October
7, 2009 were amended as follows: The
penultimate paragraph of the Resolution of Appreciation and Deepest Sympathy
to the deLaski Family was amended to include (in
BOLD text): RESOLVED:
That this Faculty Senate of George Mason University hereby expresses its
appreciation to the deLaski family for their
support of George Mason University, and deepest sympathies to the deLaski family
on the recent passing of Nancy deLaski; and be it
further The resolution as amended was approved. The minutes were approved as amended.
III.Announcements
Dean Censer: Thank you for an opportunity to talk
about the College. I’ll try to leave time for questions. First, what is the
College? The College includes eleven departments ranging from Philosophy and
Religion to Psychology and Economics. It also includes
The most important fact over the last four years has been the division
of the
Despite a lot of nostalgia for the link between scientists on the one
side and social scientists and humanities-types on the other, there were
precious few real connections. However, since then, we have developed much more
active collaboration than ever before, primarily in the areas of biodefense, conservation, sustainability, neuroscience, and
climate change.
In addition, the College had no development office, as the CAS
development officer went with
We are also busy trying to complete a challenge grant for the Center
for History and New Media. We also had no research director, for the former one
also went to
Challenges: Although enrollment
is up sharply this year, we had two years in which we did not make targets and
had to return hard-earned money to the Central Administration. Doubtless our
improvement related heavily to factors outside the College, but we have made
efforts to improve our programs and reach out to students, which we hope have
and will continue to improve our enrollment. Also, to keep up with our
competition in other similar institutions, the standard teaching load was
reduced. The cost of this was significant, but certainly not overwhelming.
Nonetheless, it has led to some adjustment in administrative loads as well in
teaching load. Finally, we have introduced and are working to strengthen
faculty involvement. Two committees elected by the faculty have significant
input into all policies. On the other hand, faculty meetings are not as well
attended as they ought to be, and I hope to see improvement.
Finally, there are the budget cuts which, thanks to increased sponsored
research, we have been able to deal with, mainly by slower replacement of
faculty who have left the college over the last several years. Though difficult
on everyone, the decline in funding has been handled in a relatively
non-disruptive fashion.
Question: How could
the Faculty Senate better interact with deans such as yourself?
Dean Censer: I have
constant interaction with my own faculty and will give further thought to how
the College might best interact with the Faculty Senate. I value the two terms I served as a Faculty
Senator. The CHSS faculty is large, and
this gives the College a large number of Senators. In addition, the CHSS faculty are well represented on the Senate’s Executive Committee. Also, I do not believe deans should be in the
Faculty Senate as it is a faculty senate.
Dean Polsby commenced his extemporaneous remarks by contrasting CHSS with SOL: the latter has a very simple shop: it is an
entity defined by national requirements and practices. There is homogeneity in
law school education with differences in details at each school. The
In response to the Senate Chair asking about Senate – SOL
communication, Dean Polsby responded that the SOL is
part of a satellite campus. The
distributed university is a wonderful idea, but propinquity counts for a great
deal. It consumes a half-day to come to
Faculty Senate meetings. Perhaps the Senate should sometimes meet at the
Question: When do you expect a Mason
alumni on the Supreme Court?
Dean Polsby: With
a maturing alumni body, an appointment to the Virginia Supreme Court could
happen at any time. Two graduates at his
former school,
Questions: How is SOL organized? Do you have advanced degrees?
Dean Polsby: We have departments. We are accredited by the American Bar
Association. We offer some advanced
degrees--an expensive undertaking. The SOL’s two masters of laws (LL.M.)
degrees are not highly solicited. We
have accepted two recent applications from foreign law students to our LL.M.
program, which they take back home with an accompanying M.Ed. degree. SOL
faculty feel the LLM program should be more rigorous.
Question: Is the conservative image of the School of
Law warranted?
Dean Polsby: We have all flavors. We do, admittedly, have some conservative
faculty and some noted Republican professors.
Please forward questions to me at [email protected].
IV. New Business – Committee
Reports
Professor Pober expressed his desire to work with the Staff Senate and anticipates integrating issues with a more unified voice. He noted that he and Senator Slayden have been working on a COLA request to be submitted to the legislature. He also thanked Sr. Vice President Morrie Scherrens for all the work he has done on this issue. In response to Professor Pober's invitation, Provost Stearns responded that he had no remarks to make at this time.
Academic Policies – Janette Muir, Chair
The Academic
Policies Committee presents the following Proposed Resolution on Academic
Clemency:
Under section on Academic Clemency (University Catalogue, 08-09, p.41): change “within the first semester of returning to Mason” to “within 12 months starting from the first
day of the re-enrollment term at Mason.”
Rationale:
Undergraduate students returning to Mason after a separation of at least three years may petition their academic dean to have a number of previously earned grades and credits removed from the calculation of their cumulative GPA. The present policy allows students to make this petition within the first semester of their return. However, given various adjustments and advising, students are often not ready to make this appeal in their first semester. Extending the term to one year provides more time for students to determine their appropriate degree path and what they need to do to achieve academic success.
The resolution was approved unanimously.
Budget and Resources – Rick Coffinberger,
Chair
The Budget and Resources Committee has met twice since the
last Faculty Senate meeting. We have no
motions today. We attend monthly University
budget committee meetings. Today’s Washington
Post includes an article on the
The Faculty Matters Committee recommends
consideration of the following changes (in red) to the 2009 Edition of the GMU Faculty Handbook.
2.1.6
Definition of Primary Affiliation
Although a faculty member's
tenure resides in the University as a whole (see HBHUSection
2.1.1UH),
tenure-track and tenured faculty are appointed directly and specifically to one
or more local academic units. Term faculty are also appointed directly and
specifically to one or more local academic units. The status established by
such an appointment to a local academic unit is called "primary
affiliation." Each academic unit must articulate in writing
the governance rights of its faculty members. This document should, at minimum,
address which faculty members have the right to vote, attend and participate in
meetings, serve on and/or chair committees. Primary affiliation in
one local academic unit does not preclude the possibility of additional
assignments to other local academic units with the approval of the majority of faculty of the unit(s)
to which the faculty member is assigned. An appointment to primary
affiliation requires the concurrence of the faculty of the local academic unit
to which the appointment is to be made and may not be transferred from one
local academic unit to another except with the concurrence of the faculty of
the unit to which a transfer is proposed. Each academic unit should have written policies
in place to respond to requests to transfer affiliation.
Discussion: Provost Stearns said he had no problem with
the substance of the new language, but he expressed the following concerns
about process: (1) The Faculty
Handbook was revised with careful consultation with the Administration and
this spirit of collaboration should be maintained. (2) At some point—perhaps once a year--the
Senate must take changes to the BOV in order for them to become official. (3) A change in departmental affiliation also
requires approval by the Provost's Office, which does not appear in the
proposed language.
A Senator remarked that there are five sections within the Faculty
Handbook which deal with voting rights, and so there does not seem to be a
need for this change. The Senator, Rick Coffinberger, who provided the impetus for the suggested
changes, noted he could not find anything in the Faculty Handbook that
defines what the right of governance is.
The proposal will be referred back to the Faculty Matters Committee for
further study.
Free Speech: Senator Bitler asked for an update of the work of the current ad
hoc committee addressing the issue.
Peter Pober responded that the Free Speech
Committee, which he chairs, has changed its name to the “University Space and
Expression Committee.” Inconsistencies in
speech and use of space policies are being examined, especially relating to
Auxiliary Enterprises. There will be a
comprehensive review of Mason policy documents on speech and space, including a
consideration of "hate" speech.
Issues of posting and attribution are also being studied, as well as
inconsistencies between the Faculty Handbook, Student Handbook, and University
Life policies. The University Counsel is
looking at policies at William and Mary,
A Senator asked that the Committee also consider the issue of expression that is so loud that it is intrusive to the classroom. This is a special problem for classes located in Robinson Hall.
Summer Salary 2009: All 455 full-time instructors were paid 10% of their salaries for the first course taught. The amount of compensation for the second course taught varied among academic units.
Nominations - no report.
The O & O Committee proposed:
Revision of Grievance
Committee Charge
With the approval of the Faculty Handbook (effective January
1, 2009), the responsibilities of the University Grievance Committee were
referenced, updated, or expanded. See the following sections of the Faculty
Handbook for more information: http://www2.gmu.edu/resources/facstaff/handbook/
.
2.9.3 Termination of Appointment for
Tenured, Tenure-Track, and Term Faculty Members for Cause (pp. 44-47)
2.10.1 University Policies (p. 48)
2.10.3 Faculty Work Assignments (p.49 in
case where Grievance is against a dean or director)
2.11.2 Grievances, 2.11.2.1 Policies
Concerning Grievances, 2.11.2.2 Grievance Procedures, (pp. 53-54)
The following revision is proposed in order to take into account the content of the above sections and provide consistency between the Faculty Handbook and the charge of the Grievance Committee. (Revised text appears in blue).
Grievance Committee
In March 1998, the Faculty Senate approved the creation of the Grievance
Committee, replacing the ad hoc University Grievance Committee,
effective September 1998. The Charge was amended by a Faculty Senate vote on
February 12, 2003 to enable the Committee to hear grievances from research
faculty on matters of infringements of academic freedom, unfair or
inappropriate conditions of employment, and any other due process issue. The Charge was
further elaborated in the Faculty Handbook adopted in January 2009 concerning
termination for cause and grievances against administrators.
Composition: Five members. Non-tenured faculty, chairs, and others serving in administrative capacities are ineligible to serve on this Committee. Members serve staggered two-year terms.
Charge: To investigate grievances of Instructional, Restricted, and
Research Faculty:
A. which involve faculty matters from more than one local academic unit. Issues
of investigation include alleged infringements of academic freedom, alleged
unfair or inappropriate conditions of employment, alleged
unfair or inappropriate termination for cause, and any other due process
issue with the exclusion of retention, promotion and tenure appeals;
B. which are not addressed by, or do not fall within the purview of the
grievance committee of the pertinent local academic unit; and
C. for local academic units that do not have grievance committees established,
or when a grievance committee does not conform to the written procedures of the
local academic unit. Other faculty appeals from local academic unit grievance
committees are excluded.
D. which involve administrators at or above the level of
Dean or Director.
Discussion: The following amendments were proposed:
In the first phrase of Charge paragraph: replace “Instructional, Restricted, and Research Faculty” with “tenured, tenure –track, and term faculty” so the revised phrase reads “To investigate grievances of tenured, tenure-track, and term faculty”.
In the second sentence of paragraph C, insert “Other” so the revised sentence reads: “Other faculty appeals from local academic unit grievance committees are excluded.”
The Handbook references cited at the outset of the
explanation are added to paragraphs A,B,C, and D of
the charge as appears below:
Blue
= new text
Red
= Removed Text
Grievance
Committee
In March 1998, the Faculty Senate approved the creation of the Grievance
Committee, replacing the ad hoc University Grievance Committee,
effective September 1998. The Charge was amended by a Faculty Senate vote on
February 12, 2003 to enable the Committee to hear grievances from research
faculty on matters of infringements of academic freedom, unfair or
inappropriate conditions of employment, and any other due process issue. The charge was further elaborated in the Faculty Handbook
adopted in 2009 concerning termination for cause and grievances against
administrators.
Composition: Five members. Non-tenured faculty, chairs, and
others serving in administrative capacities are ineligible to serve on this
Committee. Members serve staggered two-year terms.
Charge: To investigate grievances of Instructional, Restricted, and Research tenured, tenure-track,
and term
faculty:
A. which involve faculty matters from more than one local academic unit. Issues
of investigation include alleged infringements of academic freedom, alleged
unfair or inappropriate conditions of employment, alleged
unfair or inappropriate termination for cause,
and any other due process issue with the exclusion of retention, promotion and
tenure appeals; (See also Faculty
Handbook Section 2.93 Termination of Appointment for Tenured,
Tenure-Track, and Term Faculty Members for Cause (pp.47-49)).
B. which are not addressed by, or do not fall within the purview of the
grievance committee of the pertinent local academic unit; (See also Faculty Handbook Section 2.10.1 University Policies(p. 48)),
and
C. for local academic units that do not have grievance committees established,
or when a grievance committee does not conform to the written procedures of the
local academic unit. Other faculty appeals from local academic unit grievance
committees are excluded. See also Faculty
Handbook Section 2.10.3 Faculty Work Assignments (p. 49)
in case where Grievance is against a dean or director.
D. which
involve administrators at or above the level of Dean or Director. See also Faculty Handbook Sections
2.11.2 Grievances, 2.11.2.1 Policies Concerning Grievances, 2.11.2.2 Grievance
Procedures (pp.53-54).
The motion was approved as amended.
Committee on External Academic Relations: Renewal of
Charge and Change from Ad Hoc to Standing Committee
The current charge was changed to remove "The Committee expires August 31, 2002, unless reviewed and approved by the Faculty Senate to continue its operation as a standing committee." At the end of the first paragraph. Under "B," "monthly" was deleted as the second word in the sentence, so the revised text reads "Report to the GMU Faculty Senate...."
Committee on External Academic Relations: Renewal of Charge and
Change from Ad Hoc to Standing
Composition: Six members who are elected for two-year terms.
Three members of the Committee should be senators, two others are elected from
the faculty at-large, and one ex-officio member is the Provost's designee.
At the beginning of each academic year, the Committee must meet to select the
representatives to the Virginia Faculty Senate from among its members,
excluding the ex-officio member. At least one of these representatives must be
a senator. In case of vacancies, the Nominations Committee nominates the new
members, and the Committee internally evaluates and possibly reallocates the
assigned responsibilities.
Charge:
A. Represent GMU faculty at
B. Report to the GMU Faculty Senate on the proceedings of the Virginia Faculty
Senate and voice back to this organization, issues of relevance to GMU.
C. Gather information on key matters about higher education in state
legislation, state committees, and local venues and report back to the GMU
Senate.
D. Provide forums and avenues for the exchange of ideas with representatives of
SCHEV, state legislators representing Northern Virginia, and community groups
related to higher education in Northern Virginia.
The motion was approved.
V. Other New
Business
A. Presentations
Assistant Chief of Police George Ginovsky
stated that he appreciated the invitation to address the Senate about safety
issues, particularly questions about 911 phone service outages. GMU runs a 911
Center. If you dial 911 from a University
phone, the call goes to the GMU 911 Center Director. If you call 911 from a cell phone, the call
goes to the Fairfax City PSAP. In the
GMU communications center, there is an outside (non-993) line which keeps
working when outages occur. Notices also
go out on “Mason Alert” to all subscribers.
Chief Ginovsky suggests that everyone add
703-993-2810 to their cell phones as it is the direct line to the
Tom
Calhoun, Vice President of Facilities, provided an update on Masonvale.
Masonvale is a University partnership with a private
company that has been created to provide housing opportunities for new faculty
members. It is intended to serve as a recruiting tool. Not an official part of the University, it
only has the mission of providing housing. GMU leased land to this
single-purpose entity. Provost Stearns,
Sr. Vice President Scherrens, and five external
members serve on its Board of Directors.
The company went out and did all the development. No University or state
money was used. As of now, the purpose
of Masonvale is to provide transitional housing for
faculty and staff for up to three years.
There will be a total of 157 residences, with one, two, and three
bedroom units. Sixty-four units are currently ready for occupancy, of which 16
are leased, and 5 more lease applications have been accepted. All 157 units are expected to be available
for assignment for the next academic year.
With the three-year lease maximum, it is anticipated that 1/3 of the
units will be available for tenants each year.
Faculty are welcome to visit – two furnished
models are now open. A new entrance will
soon be opened on
As the meeting was briefly extended to accommodate questions, Mr. Calhoun responded:
VI.
Remarks for the Good of the General
Faculty
The AIDS quilt will be at GMU on December 1st for World AIDS Day.
VII. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Kuebrich
Secretary