FACULTY SENATE MINUTES NO. 13
April 20, 2004
1.� CALL TO ORDER: The 13th meeting of the
Faculty Senate for 2003-2004 was called to order at 1:15 PM on April 6, 2004 in
the Hall of Fame Room, PER Center, by Chair Jeffrey Walkuski.
SENATORS
AND MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Walkuski, P. Buckenmeyer, K. Coombs, B. Mattingly, P.
Walsh, K. Alwes, J. Cottone, J. Hokanson, L. Anderson, M. Friga, M. Chandler,
J. Peluso, K. Pristash, A. Johnson, A. Young, M. Barone, D. Walker, E.
Bitterbaum, E. Davis-Russell, R. Franco, W. Shaut, C. Plunkett, T. Fay, C.
Poole, M. Ali, J. Mosser, P. Koryzno, M. Prus, E. Caffarella
SENATORS
AND MEMBERS ABSENT: G. Beadle, J. Rayle, S. VanEtten, P. Schroeder, T.
Phillips, E. McCabe
GUESTS
PRESENT: E. Gray, J. Feliciano, C. Smith, D. Galutz, D. VanHall, B. Griffen
II.
SENATE ACTIONS:
There was
a motion for the Senate to withdraw its participation in the search for
Associate Vice President for Finance and Management and Director of Facilities
Planning and Construction.� (Passed)
III.� APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
The
Minutes from April 6, 2004 were approved.
IV.
CHAIR=S REPORT:
The Chair
opened by reporting an update on the Senate=s desire to participate in the
searches for Associate Vice President for Finance and Management and Director
of Facilities Planning and Construction. He indicated that although the Senate
did have people in the consultative pool, unfortunately, none of those
individuals wanted to participate in either search.� He explained the subsequent dilemma the
Senate was faced with, to either find more faculty and staff to take part in
the pool, the Senate withdrawal from participation, or management=s appointment of individuals to serve
on the committees. This procedural information was verified by R. Franco.� Charlotte Plunkett, CSEA rep, explained that
faculty and staff have already conducted an election for the Director of Facilities
Planning.� There was general discussion
between Plunkett and the Chair, resulting from a mix-up in communications from
J. Barry.� Walkuski expressed his hope
that if the Senate withdrew, the administration would honor CSEA=s contribution to the search. Vice
President Shaut indicated that depending on the Senate=s decision, the administration would
honor CSEA=s
contribution.� It was pointed out that if
the Senate withdrew and a new consultative pool had to be formed, it would take
two weeks, which was too time consuming considering the urgency.� M. Chandler moved for the Senate to withdraw
participation in both searches.� The
motion carried.
The Chair
then announced that the former Vice Chair Bernard Jackson had resigned from the
college due to personal reasons.� Since
the Vice Chair=s
seat will be vacant for the remaining year, Walkuski reported that he had sent
out a call via e-mail. He announced that Michael Friga and Ram Chaturvedi have
nominated themselves.� He called for
nominations and/or self-nominations for that position until year end.
Chandler
attempted to nominate M. Friga but the Chair explained that Friga had already
been nominated.� He explained that the
deadline would be the next day by hard copy or e-mail. The chair would then
work with J. Barry to develop a ballot to be sent out to voting faculty for
consideration.� Once this process was
started there would be a call for Vice Chair for next year, as well as
Secretary and Treasurer. He also reminded those senators whose terms are
expiring to please notify secretary Buckenmeyer to keep him up to date on the
elections.� Walkuski went on to explain,
in reference to an amendment by Philip Walsh regarding the change in bylaws,
that J. Barry will be developing a ballot to go out to all voting faculty
shortly.�
VII.� VICE CHAIR=S REPORT:
No
report.
VIII.� TREASURER= S REPORT:
Treasurer
Coombs reported that 76 people have paid their dues, allowing enough money to
fund the Faculty Senate scholarship.� She
indicated that she would like to see 20 more people pay their dues so that the
account would be sufficient to hand over to next year=s Treasurer.� She reported that the Senate is now in very
good financial state compared to last Fall.
IX.� SECRETARY=S REPORT:
Buckenmeyer
announced that he sent out an e-mail as a reminder to those whose terms are
expiring to run elections.� He passed
around a roster to facilitate clarification for those whose memberships will be
terminating.
X.� PRESIDENT=S REPORT:�
President
Bitterbaum said there were several things he wanted to share with the Senate,
one regarding the work he is engaged in with Nasrin Parvisi and Masoom Ali
regarding a proposed new line, recently decided upon at the Cabinet the prior
day.� He reported that since SUNY
Cortland presents a face to the world via its web site, since it is so
important a search will be conducted for a webmaster.� He indicated that there are many chairs who
can=t stay on top of their web sites and
as you go down in many areas you will find many problems. This person will be
hired, perhaps a graduate of ours, whose job it will be to go to different
departments each day to work with them helping to set up policy. He reported
that the SUNY Cortland website has been getting thousands of hits daily and not
looking as professional as it should be. He reinforced the importance of this
need which involves public relations and graphic arts designing, to present the
institution more attractively.
His next
item of business was the bikes on campus which have been painted John Deere
yellow. He indicated the bikes will not be locked and can come out of any
building, on an as needed basis. He felt that this would offer a healthy
lifestyle which is a very important concept.
Next he
reported the desire to have the US Women=s Olympic Team Handball come
here.� He mentioned a Memo of
Understanding that has been developed with SUNY Attorneys going over the
technicalities. He reported that he had lunch at TC 3 regarding this initiative
which is not just a concept of this sports council, but to develop that ACortland is Sportsland@ and to promote economic
activity.�
Bitterbaum
announced that Scholar=s
Day was very successful and one of the most impressive things he had seen in
his first year here, with a number of presentations and poster sessions, and
ended by saying, AWe
should be very proud.@
He
reported that SUNY Cortland also had a very successful visit by two Turkish
Presidents. This Fall we will have 30 Turkish students on our campus and the
following year 50, across the curriculum.�
The
President announced winners who were recognized in a program which Ted Fay and
David Schneider were involved in across the SUNY System. He reported that, AWe had more recipients than most
schools our size, with 6 which were put forward, and 5 being recognized across
all disciplines.@� He said he was very impressed and added, AThey are our future.@
He announced
that Sally Wallace was going to be honored that afternoon at the flagpole
beyond the softball field, and also gave background on her involvement with the
college after 27 years of service.
His last
item of business was a report on the very successful visit by Glenn Toolman,
President of Allscripts, and his desire to continue to develop that
relationship for a variety of reasons.
XI.� QUESTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENT:
M. Friga
asked how many bikes would be available on campus to which the President allowed
L. Anderson to respond. She indicated there were 30-40 presently, with some
coming in weekly through donations. She hoped some day to have 100, to which
Bitterbaum added his goal of 200.�� She
said they would accept donations of good bikes. K. Alwes asked if the bikes
have all been donated and Anderson replied that the first one had been bound
for the Chezk Republic. They had 24 to start with, and one or two have been
coming in weekly ever since.
XII.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Long
Range Planning Committee
- no report.
Educational
Policy Committee
-
Anderson
opened by explaining that she had color coded the handouts for clarity. She
explained that this work emanated from a faculty work group by the Graduate
Faculty Executive Committee and an EPC policy proposal at the upper division
graduate level and 500 level designated this year by course requirements. She
went on to explain that what was being passed around was a memo and executive
summary. She strongly encouraged everyone to read the proposal and understand
it. Lastly, referring to the second proposal regarding university policy, she
explained had emanated from the Provost=s Cabinet to recognize academic
achievement of undergraduate students, that SUNY Cortland would recognize
students who do not take 12 credits or more a semester yet achieve
academically.� She explained that
everyone on her committee as well as others were unanimous in support of this
initiative.� The last proposal that EPC
had been working on the this last year was to Aclean up its act.@ She explained her committee went
through the handbook to see what EPC was supposed to be doing. They found
several instances of tasks that EPC supposedly is to do but has never done,
which is merely Aan
attempt for us to align the faculty handbook with the reality for what EPC is.@ She ended by saying there would be
discussion at the next meeting.�
Student
Affairs Committee
- Buckenmeyer reported that Laura Brunez would be receiving the Faculty Senate
Scholarship the following evening. Walkuski asked him if he would invite her to
come to the next Senate meeting so that the Senate could recognize her.�
Faculty
Affairs Committee
- No report.
XIII.
SUNY SENATOR=S REPORT:
No
report.
XIV.
STUDENT SENATORS:
M. Barone
mentioned the SGA elections on April 26-27 and encouraged students to come out
and vote. He reported that there is 1 candidate for President, 3 for Vice
President, and 2 for Treasurer. He said that Student Senate just passed all
changes for the Student Government constitution which is almost completed. He
said the Student Government needs to get the word out that those changes have
been made and need to be approved by the student body on April 26 and 27.
D. Walker
reported that this past weekend the Executive Board attended the Student
Assembly, which is the equivalent of Faculty Senate statewide, where they went
over statewide assessment. He indicated they are supporting a new tuition plan,
and hazing rules, formerly a misdemeanor, and now being treated as a felony. He
said that if anyone was interested in more details they could contact him in
the Student Government office, to view the resolutions and documents pertaining
to the background of recent Student Government decisions.� President Bitterbaum asked for clarification
about hazing being a felony, at what level, and Walker explained it would be
considered a felony if the hazing results in injury.�� Walker also reported on the upcoming
Festivus, a community outreach carnival which is SGA sponsored, for Cortland
community elementary school students, Sunday, April 15, noon to 4, at the
County Office building on 60 Central Ave. He encouraged faculty and staff to
come use the bounce house, and invited everyone to come for cotton candy.�
XV.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Committee
on Committees
- Walkuski reported look for election for Vice Chair position and he would
inform the Committee on Committees to look for new searches.
CTE has
been looking through the CTE manual, based on Walkuski=s charge to look at recommendations
which have gone to all chairs on campus. He explained that there is a link out
of Cornell, in support this particular proposal. He said they represent two
specific recommendations to be discussed at the May 4 meeting, just for
informational purposes.
Walsh
passed around another document to be appended to the one being passed around.
Walkuski also mentioned that this document replaced the older version sent
around via e-mail.
Walkuski
asked for additional comments.� Jim
Hokanson summed up that there were three parts to the CTE proposal and looked
forward to the discussion on May 14.
Walsh
encouraged everybody to promote as much dialogue as possible.
XVI.
NEW BUSINESS:
CTE has
been looking through the CTE manual, based on Walkuski=s charge to look at recommendations
which have gone to all chairs on campus. He explained that there is a link out
of Cornell, in support this particular proposal. He said they represent two
specific recommendations to be discussed at the May 4 meeting, just for
informational purposes.
Walsh
passed around another document to be appended to the one being passed around.
Walkuski also mentioned that this document replaced the older version sent
around via e-mail.
Walkuski
asked for additional comments.� Jim
Hokanson summed up that there were three parts to the CTE proposal and looked
forward to the discussion on May 14.
Walsh
encouraged everybody to promote as much dialogue as possible.
XVII.
OLD BUSINESS:
Student Senator Matt Barone passed around a resolution about textbook
buying.� Alwes asked if the bookstore
didn=t ordinarily order used books to
which Emily Gray, Bookstore Director, was recognized and spoke. She explained
that they do order used books if used copies are available, but more and more
publishers are coming out with new editions, 18 months being the norm. She
further explained that being one problem, the other being ancillary materials.
She said if the faculty member decides those are absolutely necessary for the
course, the Bookstore can get used copies, but can only get book alone. She
stated it would be helpful for her, as those who order the textbooks, to know
at the time the order is placed, if professors care whether it=s the brand new edition, or an older
edition is acceptable. They also need to know if the book is necessary versus
the package, because publisher=s
representatives tend to push items, because they don=t want the Bookstore to sell used
books.
Alwes
inquired if all instructors are aware of ancillary materials to which Gray
responded that the packages have their own distinct ISBN number, and that the
bookstore would never order the package unless specifically requested to do so
by a faculty member. She explained that usually the rep goes to the faculty
member and pushes the package as a Agreat
new thing.@
B.
Mattingly supported the intent of resolution but had serious concerns regarding
the language feeling it was worded to imply that course materials are ordered
superfluously by faculty and that would be an unfair accusation, in absence of
any specific data.
M. Barone
offered a friendly amendment to which the chair clarified that just an
amendment was needed to change it, as Athere are no friendly amendments.@
M.
Chandler explained that when a new textbook comes out there is a cover sheet
that talks specifically where changes are which sometimes means only a matter
of a few words and Gray agreed. Gray responded by saying, ASometimes it=s their justification for publishing
a new edition, (but) if there is new research in the field, which is often
true, then okay, otherwise, no.@
Coombs
inquired as to how many faculty put books and optional materials on reserve at
the library to accommodate students rather than having to purchase a book.
President
Bitterbaum responded to several issues, indicating he was sensitive to the words
being spoken, having been a faculty member, and that he felt that the students
may have offered the resolution only if to establish a dialogue and to make
everyone aware of the issues.
E.� mentioned in his field changes to rapidly
requiring newer editions to be printed, however, he hated to see professors
disinclined to use excellent books just because students can=t afford them or substituting lesser
materials.� He explained that some fields
change so rapidly new books have to be printed more and more often.
M.
Chandler pointed out that on campus faculty rarely consider when we require
textbooks that this is the sole information piece for students in absence of
the professor and when professors select textbooks they should consider that
they encompass background knowledge to have the student fully engaged.
K. Alwes
spoke to the issue of different disciplines on campus being involved. She said,
AIn English we use used books because
of poetry and literature...we do to use used books especially in 200 level
courses whenever can...for the reason because are in English, we do use
the books that we buy.@
She agreed with Mattingly that she also could not agree with the language in
the resolution.
Provost
Davis-Russell expressed concern with Chandler=s statement, adding that because she
was a former faculty member for many years she felt books should not be the
only method, A...but
to expose them to a lot of different themes having optional readings,
recommended readings....@
She also indicated that as a mother herself she also has to pay money for her
child=s books, and that, AWe want our students to be well read
and educated as broadly as possible.� So,
I take this as restrictions on faculty such that they don=t have the options to give students a
wide range of materials.@
Gray
reinforced that she would never endorse anything that tried to interfere with a
faculty member=s
ability to select the best book for their course.� She asked faculty members to communicate with
their students why that book is important to their education and to really use
it in the class, adding, AIf
that happens, there is more perception it was worthwhile to spend money on the
book....if it basically doesn=t
get brought up in class, you don=t
get tested or write papers on.@
Walkuski
mentioned several courses of action, either a need for further dialogue on
this, amending the wording in the resolution, and/or increased awareness of
faculty on campus. He offered that the Senate could amend the resolution to fix
the 2nd or 3 line, withdraw it, make recommendations to admin or
vote on as is.
Barone
asked if the vote had to take place.
Walkuski
clarified that it could be withdrawn.
Franco
found it problematic if students had already voted on the resolution.
Walkuski
offered an amendment saying it would be supported as amended.� The Chair offered any possibilities.
Barone
wanted to make increased awareness and was grateful for great dialogue to take
back to students, very comfortable, not following through with resolution.
The
resolution was withdrawn.
Walkuski
offered support and commiserated with the textbook problems, as a faculty
member, especially with the additional packages which are thrust upon faculty
and students.
Gray
offered that this is a very hot issue with other booksellers in her
organization.
XVII.� AREA SENATORS REPORTS: Mattingly report that the
Mathematics Department regional meeting of the Mathematical Association of
America as being hosted by SUNY Cortland that weekend and he was looking
forward to it. He explained that the MAA focusses on undergraduate college
teaching primarily, with 1975 being the last time SUNY Cortland has hosted this
conference.
XVIII.
PRESENTATIONS:
Dawn
VanHall, Chair of the Professional DSI Committee, gave a Power Point
presentation {SEE ATTACHMENTS} on the Professional DSI Survey results. When she
was finished Chair Walkuski commended her and her committee for doing such a
thorough and Afantastic@ job.�
K. Alwes asked VanHall how her committee planned to proceed and VanHall
answered that maybe next fall they would look into some criteria and study them
a little further, conduct sandwich seminars and a workshop. Walkuski reminded
her of a procedural issue that once her committee has formulated a statement or
policy recommendation, they should submit it to the Faculty Senate chair, who
would then forward it to the administration.
The
meeting was adjourned at 2:15 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Barbara
Kissel
Recording
Secretary
The
following reports are appended to the Minutes in the order reported and
submitted by Senators and other members.
(1)
Administration=s
report to the Senate submitted by President Bitterbaum
(2)
Policy Proposal for Shared Resources at SUNY Cortland
(3)
Proposed Amendment to the College Handbook 2002-2004
(4) DSI
for Professionals submitted by D. VanHall
(5)
Professional DSI review submitted by D. VanHall
http://www.cortland.edu/senate/minutes/m13th.html
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