April 2019
April 2019
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING
April 12, 2019
Attendance: Tom Christensen, Suzanne Scott, Susan Taylor, Melissa Benton, Maja Krakowiak, Norah Mazel, Margaret Harris, Kaitlyn DeGhetto, Martin Key, Kathleen Tomlin, Ji Hyun Oh, Pam Carter, Darshika Perera, Michelle Dorne, Suzanne Cook, Leah Chandler Mills, Solveig Olsen, Leilani Feliciano, Claire Rau, Christine Robinson Coon, Justin Tucker, Wendy Haggren, David Weiss, Susan Vandagriff, Roger Martinez, Monica Yoo, Scott van Ness, Elizabeth Daniels, Dave Anderson, Joel Tonyan
Call to Order / Approval of Minutes:
Motion to approve the minutes from March 8, 2019 meeting by Maja Krakowiak
Seconded by Pam Carter
Motion passed with 20 in favor, 0 opposed and 3 abstentions
Reports of Visitors:
Tom Christensen, Provost:
(Provost Christensen presented a combined report to include information from Chancellor Reddy since he was unable to attend today’s meeting).
The presidential search committee narrowed down their possible candidates from 30 to 10 to 6, and the Board of Regents just named Mark R. Kennedy as the finalist for president of the CU university system. He is president of the University of North Dakota and previously served as a member of the US House of Representatives for 6 years. Before that, he had a successful business career in leadership roles with some of America’s top companies. His academic career before UND includes teaching and research at some top universities, and he also directed the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University. Kennedy will be visiting all four CU campuses later this month. He will be at UCCS on April 23 for an open session at 1:30pm. Further details will be made available soon. The Strategic Plan process is going well. All three Town Halls had good attendance, with 140 total faculty, staff and students signed up to participate in various task forces. The Hybl Center construction has started and is expected to be completed by April 2020. The possible student group lawsuit appears to be reaching resolution without going to court. The Board of Regents have approved some new degrees: B.A. in Human Services, Bachelor’s and Master’s of Social Work. We will be welcoming two new Deans in July: one for the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and one for the College of Engineering and Applied Science. We will have two more dean searches underway soon: one for the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, and one for the College of Business. Provost Christensen attended the HLC Conference in Chicago earlier this month in order to prepare for the campus’ 4th year review, which is part of the HLC process to follow-up on our progress. The reports are due in June of 2021. A question was raised concerning the status of resolving salary inequities which were discovered based on the results of a previously conducted salary study a few years ago, especially with respect to non-tenure track faculty Senior Instructors. There appears to be a funding issue concern involved with the progression of this subject, which the Provost will check into and re-address.
Suzanne Scott, Budget Office Director:
At the April 5th Board of Regents’ meeting, the tuition rates were approved for no increases in resident undergraduate rates, and 3% for resident graduate and all non-resident categories. The vote was not unanimous. Some student fees were increased, but not all. There is pressure to get rid of academic fees. The 3% compensation pool was approved. The Long Bill has not been signed yet, but there seems to be agreement that the amount for higher ed will remain at the current funding level. The final increase was 12.9% statewide, with 13% to CU, of which UCCS will receive $3.2 million. This makes funding budget issues tougher and we are still determining how (if possible) to fund those requests. It is important to realize that we will not be able to sustain future flat tuition rates without substantial funding from the state. Fundraising focuses on scholarships.
Susan Taylor, Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education and Academic Planning:
An important informational handout concerning an assessment announcement regarding senior students was distributed. Faculty support is needed and appreciated.
Roger Martinez, Associate Professor of History and Faculty Director for Online and Digital Education:
A presentation was given on a status update on the Board of Regents’ online education initiative. The process UCCS is implementing to develop and execute six new and revised online BA and MA programs starting as soon as Fall 2020 was highlighted. Among the primary rationales for the initiative is a unique opportunity for UCCS to think more systematically on the fundamental nature of learning, collaboration and innovation. Two detailed and graphic process maps were displayed to explain UCCS’ efforts and the long history of innovation within the university as a European and American institution.
Officer Reports:
President’s Report
Campus open forum with presidential finalist Mark Kennedy at 1:30pm on 4/23/19
President-Elect’s Report
Faculty Assembly election results for 2019-20
Past President’s Report
No report
Reports from Standing Committees:
Faculty Advisory Committee on the Budget:
Not present – no report
Faculty Minority Affairs Committee:
Not present – no report
Women’s Committee:
Workshop for post-tenure faculty today from 2:30pm – 4pm in UC 309
PRIDE:
Not present – no report
Intercollegiate Athletics:
Not present – no report
Sustainability:
No report
Committee on Disability:
Not present – no report
Misconduct in Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities:
Not present – no report
Reports from Representatives:
If any feedback is received from faculty in the colleges regarding the CU presidential search or candidate, please send those comments to Maja so that she can report them to Faculty Council.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Item 1: Update from the FCQ Task Force
David Weiss presented the final FCQ task force report. The committee was tasked with making recommendations on how to use the new FCQs in merit and RPT reviews, as well as making recommendations for additional measures to use in these reviews beyond FCQs. Faculty from across campus were on the committee and contributed to the report. Recommendations included removing the “overall instructor score” from use in any merit evaluations because this question often is biased against multiple groups of faculty. Other recommendations included using FCQ scores for one third or less of the annual merit score and using other measures for at least two-thirds of the score. Recommendations for additional measures were discussed as well as how to improve the response rate for FCQs in general. Faculty Assembly plans to vote on whether to support this report at the next meeting. If the motion passes, David Weiss will talk with department chairs at all of the colleges during the Fall semester.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1: Potential Topics to Address in RPT Policy Updates
A draft document containing potential topics to review in RPT policy updates was brought to the assembly’s attention, noting that RPT criteria needs to be changed to align and comply with Article V. The merit review process will also need to be examined. Provost Christensen submitted the draft document as a collection of information compiled together to start reviewing so that faculty can begin the discussion process. Any additions to the list should be submitted to Provost Christensen.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn the Faculty Assembly Meeting by Pam Carter
Seconded by David Weiss
Motion passed unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.