FACULTY COUNCIL

MINUTES

OCTOBER 18, 2006

Present:  Greg Bassham (Council Chair-elect), Joan Coffin (Division A Rep), Sheileen Corbett (at-large), Howard Fedrick (Council Chair), Dan Ghezzi (A&P Chair-elect), Claire Gilmore (Division D Rep), Jayne Klenner-Moore (A&P Chair), John McAndrew (Director of Public Relations), Brian Pavlac (C&T Chair-elect), Regan Reitsma (Division C Rep), Fr. Tom Looney (AVPAA), Nicholas Holodick (IVPAA)

The meeting was called to order in the Lipo Room of SFCC at 2:05PM.

Presentation by John McAndrew, Director of Public Relations

            The new Director, John McAndrew, introduced himself and discussed planned activities.  Initiatives that he would like to take include: feature pieces on classroom teaching methods; encouragement of writing of op-ed pieces by faculty members; and publicizing of information on faculty research.

Report of the Chair

            Howard Fedrick, Faculty Council Chair, drew the Council’s attention to two items from the most recent minutes.  1) The list of members of the Academic Team should include Terry Mech.  2)  The A&P report should read that work is proceeding on policy, not on a form.  Howard indicated that there was no need to formally amend the minutes.

            Howard noted that he had met with the A & P Committee of the Board of Directors, which showed interest in the work on faculty governance.  He stressed that the faculty, including junior faculty, was actively engaged in this project.

            In additional comments Howard stated that he would re-contact Lisa McCauley for requested items concerning travel policy. Also that a statement had been released to faculty concerning the fact that the next fiscal year 2007-2008 included 27 biweekly pay periods. Also that the Presidential Forum had been changed from November 8 to November 15.

Standing Committee Reports

A&P Report

            Dr. Jayne Klenner-Moore, Chair of A&P, stated that the committee had addressed Board concerns with respect to faculty governance and had made some changes.  These changes will be brought to Faculty Council, as well as to all faculty before it goes to the Board.  The procedure for faculty who are moving to tenure track still needs to be completed. 

Jayne noted that there are also issues concerning the extended contracts for Professional Specialists. A document approved by Council in the previous academic year, to extend contracts of Professional Specialists to three years, had been “held” by Council to bulk up the evidence. Father Looney and Nick Holodick, IVPAA, noted that there was a need to strengthen the evidence and to clarify the issues involved.

Travel policy documentation is being prepared for a report at the next Faculty Council meeting. 

Dan Ghezzi stated that the Middle States Commission noted the “criteria for tenure” has “created some confusion among some faculty.” While criteria are listed in the handbook, there is the question of what should be there. A&P is putting together a questionnaire for department and program chairs focusing on the issue of criteria for tenure and promotion. After addressing the criteria issue, A&P will focus on the appropriate balance in the three areas: teaching, scholarship, service.

C&T Report

            In the absence of Jennifer McClinton-Temple,(Chair), Brian Pavlac (Chair-Elect of C&T) reported that C&T had set 16 CORE categories but had not yet decided on the 17^th course. Decisions had been taken on a philosophy and methods of science CORE course, as well as discipline-specific courses for a second CORE science course.  Greg Bassham suggested getting rid of the word “philosophy” in the science course title and using the word “methodology” instead. 

Special Committee Reports – Social Affairs Committee

            Sheileen Corbett reported that turnout for the first faculty Roving Social had been higher than expected.  Several departments had offered to organize the next social next semester.  There will also be an end-of-semester event.  The Committee is also trying to encourage turnout at existing events.  Howard suggested looking at Patron’s Day, since attendance for that event is a concern.

Old Business

Division Meetings

            Howard noted that as of 3:30 October 19, all divisions would have held a meeting.

New Business

Elections

            Howard pointed out that Faculty Council needs to be aware that the Promotion and Tenure Committee and the Committee on Summer Research Grants will need to have their elections at this time of year.

Promotion Procedures

            Promotion Procedures

            Howard raised the issue of the impact of quotas on requests for full professor promotions. He pointed out that he was introducing this topic for discussion due to conversations with several faculty members, Fr. Looney, and Nick Holodick. Several faculty members suggested that the language in the Faculty Handbook was less than definitive with respect to quotas for full professors. It has been generally understood that a 16% - 25% quota by division was in place. There was also concern over the Handbook procedure for re-application if denied.

            Father Looney noted that at the current time full professors are at 29% in Division D, 19% in the humanities, 25% in the natural sciences, and 28% in the social sciences.  He stated that he had met with the faculty members affected this year. Each was given a letter indicating that the cap had been met, that the faculty member could be refused promotion, and he recommended a delay of application. Howard, Fr. Looney, and Nick believe that the issue needs to be addressed by faculty and administration. Fr. Looney indicated that a process for review of the current percentage caps for full professors would be undertaken this year.

            Following a lively discussion, Brian moved that quotas for full professor be disregarded now and forever.  This was seconded by Joan Coffin.  The motion was adopted by a vote of 5-0-2. Howard noted that this motion has the status of a recommendation.

            Father Looney proposed to send a new letter stating that anyone denied promotion because of the quota would not have to wait two years to reapply; he would also extend the deadline for submission of the promotion file for two weeks, until Friday, November 10.  This was accepted by acclamation without a registered vote.

            The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Claire G. Gilmore, Division D Rep