March 2022
March 2022
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING
March 11, 2022
Attendance: Venkat Reddy, Kelli Klebe, Chuck Litchfield, Steve Carter, David Moon, Minette Church, Norah Mazel, David Weiss, Andrea Hutchins, Henriikka Weir, Lynn Gates, Margaret Hunt, Deborah Kenny, Kathy Prue-Owens, Martin Key, James Van Scotter, Cortny Stark, Elisa Thompson, Curtis Turner, John Lindsey, Jena McCollum, Craig Bubeck, Suzanne Cook, David Diamond, Solveig Olsen, Kristi McCann, Kathrin Spendier, Claire Rau, Dylan Harris, Emily Mooney, Erica Allgood, Wendy Haggren, Lei Zhang, Ilaheva Tuaone, Matthew Jabaily, Kate Angulski, Farida Khan, Thomas Aicher, Glen Whitehead, Stephen Suh, Laura Eurich, Scott van Ness, Larry Eames, Karin Larkin, Dave Anderson, Susan Taylor
Call to Order / Approval of Minutes:
Motion to approve the minutes from February 11, 2022 meeting by David Weiss
Seconded by Scott Van Ness
Motion passed with 32 in favor, 0 opposed and 3 abstentions
Reports of Visitors:
Venkat Reddy, Chancellor:
The Chancellor thanked everyone for their patience and endurance in working through the Covid impact and in the current relaxing of restrictions. The revised optional mask policy is going well. There have been a few individuals on campus who have not acted appropriately and that behavior will not be condoned. Everyone deserves dignity and respect. Vice Chancellor Rame Hanna is working on a plan to emphasize our commitment to diversity and acceptance. The campus vigil showing support for Ukraine was well-attended and demonstrated a great show of unity. Thank you for completing the CWC survey, which we are reviewing for action items. I encourage you to review the Campus Master Plan and give us your feedback by taking the MapMyUCCS survey to help us shape the vision for the campus in the coming years. We have several personnel changes in administration, which include the arrival of VCDEI Rame Hanna and the departure of VC of Initiatives Charlie Sweet, and the upcoming departure of VC for Administration and Finance Chuck Litchfield. We are considering the reconfiguration of the position Charlie Sweet had, so please feel free to share any input you may have. We are also searching for a new department head for Human Resources. There is also a lot of activity going on with Online Initiatives, which I will be able to update more next time. Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) is changing their name to Pikes Peak State College. We are currently in meeting collaborations with them.
Kelli Klebe, Interim Provost:
The Sustainability Director search is moving along with virtual interviews already done and campus interviews coming soon. The hope is to hire someone by April with a start date soon thereafter. There are several system APS’ that are coming. One of them is APS 5056, which is the process to meet EPEWA requirements for posting promotions without needing every faculty member to apply for their positions. There are also two APS’ about IP at the system level. The Uniform Grading Policy is also out for voting and our thanks to David Moon for providing FAEC support to help with college votes – 60% is needed for approval. Harriet Napierkowski, who has been serving as our Faculty Ombuds person, is retiring at the end of May so we are looking to see how we continue to provide these services to faculty. Pat McGuire, the Faculty Development Faculty Fellow, has sent out invitations to all faculty to participate in focus groups about faculty development. Now that VCDEI Rame Hanna is onboard, there will be more information available and distributed about the CWCS survey. The President’s office is increasing funding to the pre-collegiate program for expansion to better support the Pueblo community. Free mental health screenings are being offered for faculty and staff and a new student support program and app called NOD is also being offered. More information on these programs is attached.
Chuck Litchfield, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance:
The IMT committee is pulling stickers on distance regulations now that we are in an endemic phase of Covid. We will still have masks available since they are now optional. Please take the MapMyUCCS survey – it is a cool app for future planning. We do have two finalists for the Sustainability Director position coming to campus. The legislature is looking at a law preventing us from withholding transcripts from students with an outstanding balance and also another law concerning collective bargaining. Fee increases, tuition increases and wage increases will be reviewed at the Board of Regents April meeting. The various committees have been making progress on issues with the new budget model. Data driver decisions are being reviewed and made in UBAC and the extended Cabinet. The FY23 model is being synthesized after Spring Break.
Steve Carter, AAUP President:
A descriptive handout of AAUP was provided and distributed, and the faculty governance relationship with AAUP was discussed.
Officer Reports:
President-Elect’s Report
Minette Church reminded everyone about tolerance concerning the new masks-optional policy.
Past President’s Report
David Weiss mentioned that the Teaching with Technology committee is revising their name and bylaws to more accurately reflect teaching in general. As the Faculty Fellow on Policies, he is working on several issues.
Reports from Standing Committees:
Personnel & Benefits
No report
Faculty Advisory Committee on the Budget
Faculty Minority Affairs Committee
IRC Faculty
No report
Intercollegiate Athletics
No report
Committee on Disability
No report
Misconduct in Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities
No report
Reports from Representatives:
FCQ timing issues were brought up and will be reviewed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion 1: - Weather Closures/Delays and Teaching
Further discussion on this topic included the following comments: do hyflex and make remote that day; some classes can’t move online easily; make materials asynchronous on campus closures and then provide a time limit on completion; make an asynchronous day and faculty establish their own plan; be sure to put expectation in class syllabus; just close. Please send further comments to Kelli Klebe.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion 1
The PRIDE Committee moves that the Faculty Representative Assembly approves its updated bylaws.
(Motion passed with 23 in favor, 0 opposed and 6 abstentions)
Motion 2
The Faculty Assembly Executive Committee moves that John Harner be reappointed to a 3-year term on the Faculty Senate Grievance Committee (formerly Privilege and Tenure Committee).
(Motion passed with 25 in favor, 0 opposed and 2 abstentions)
Motion 3
The Faculty Assembly Executive Committee moves that Christina Jimenez be reappointed to a 3-year term on the Faculty Senate Grievance Committee.
(Motion passed with 28 in favor, 0 opposed and 2 abstentions)
Motion 4
The Faculty Assembly Executive Committee moves that Joe Wehrman be reappointed to a 3-year term on the Faculty Senate Grievance Committee.
(Motion passed with 25 in favor, 0 opposed and 4 abstentions)
Motion 5
The EPUS Committee moves that the Faculty Representative Assembly endorses UCCS Campus Policy 200-027: Instructional, Research, and Clinical Faculty Appointment, Reappointment, Promotion, and Termination.
(Motion passed with 30 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention)
Discussion 1: – Retention and Graduation Subcommittee Report
AVCUEAP Susan Taylor along with several faculty members and other committee members of the Retention and Graduation Subcommittee presented a report on the retention and persistence survey.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn the Faculty Assembly Meeting by Minette Church
Seconded by David Weiss
Motion passed unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 2:03 p.m.