September 2019
September 2019
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING
September 13, 2019
Attendance: Martin Wood, Susan Taylor, Suzanne Scott, Marc Pino, Mary Coussons-Read, David Weiss, Monique French, Lynn Gates, Deborah Kenny, Martin Key, James Van Scotter, Andrea Bingham, Monica Yoo, Diane Stutey, Pam Carter, Suzanne Cook, David Havlick, Leilani Feliciano, Claire Rau, Kristi McCann, Wendy Haggren, Kirsten Ortega, Matthew Jabaily, Michael Landon-Murray, Tabatha Farney, Stephen Suh, Scott van Ness, Elizabeth Daniels, Tisha Mendiola Jessop, Dave Anderson, Joel Tonyan
Call to Order / Approval of Minutes:
Motion to approve the minutes from May 10, 2019 meeting by Pam Carter
Seconded by Monica Yoo
Motion passed with 19 in favor, 0 opposed and 3 abstentions
Reports of Visitors:
Martin Wood, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement:
We had about 1800 students at Convocation this year, which is slightly less than past years but pretty close in number to the most recent previous years. We also have 50 new faculty members this academic year. The 2030 Strategic Plan is well underway – we’re almost a year into it now. The Town Halls were well-attended, but we do need more volunteers. We are now in the implementation stage, so involvement and feedback are encouraged, especially as things keep changing. We are highlighting seven core strategies. The Chancellor gave a 15-minute update to the Board of Regents today. President Mark Kennedy is also working on a CU system strategic plan, which our plan aligns well with currently and going forward. This is our campus plan, so it is important to contribute. Faculty are encouraged to join and work on one of our seven committees. We are also looking at future initiatives. The Chancellor of CU Denver, Dr. Dorothy Horrell, is retiring in June 2020 and Venkat will be chairing the search committee for her replacement. We will be transitioning to incentive based budget models, which will take a few years to process. President Kennedy likes this idea and will give us two thirds of the funding for a consultant to work with us on this transition. The new model gives colleges and deans more control over their budget.
Susan Taylor, Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education & Academic Planning:
The revised Regent Article V will take effect on July 1, 2020. The CU system has been working on drafting revised Administrative Policy Statements (APS) and the provosts are discussing those drafts today. Then the revised drafts go to Faculty Council before going to the campus level. There will be forums later this fall to discuss the impact on primary unit RPT criteria and on instructor policies. Tom Christensen is finalizing a document containing input and suggestions collected last spring and this fall to revise RPT and instructor reappointment. The goal is for campus RPT to be revised by July 1 when Article V takes effect. Two dean searches are underway – LAS and COB. Business dean finalists will come to campus in November, and LAS dean finalists will come to campus later in the year since it is a larger pool and may take longer. Three campus deans will undergo a comprehensive review, which takes place in their 5th year of service. Those deans are George Reed, Valerie Martin Conley and Martin Garner. Watch for additional information soon so that you can participate in the review process. As Martin stated, the campus strategic plan is moving along with first stage initiatives identified. Please watch for further communications on ways to get involved.
Suzanne Scott, Executive Director of Budget & Planning:
The new spine road will be open for traffic on Monday 9/16/19. The new road is a city street and they will be responsible for ownership and maintenance. However, we will plow the road because we will need the road cleared before the city will be able to plow it. Streetlights are not in place yet, but the city will be installing those. The project is a joint effort between UCCS and the city of Colorado Springs to relieve traffic congestion on Austin Bluffs. The Hybl building is on time and on budget. They are working on signage and all should be ready for a target opening date in May 2020. Parking on the south side of Eagle Rock is now back in service and available for performances at the Ent Center. Our current base budget model is an incremental planning budget operation, which has a base budget for colleges and departments, and budgets are increased incrementally across the board with fund performance retroactively. Annual Budget Reviews (ABRs) happen every February where all divisions decide on their new budgets. We are moving to a Responsibility Centered (RCM) model to give more authority to colleges for their budget and to increase transparency and operation by the colleges. We will be working closely with the deans in this transition and expect to run an RCM model along with an incremental model in fiscal year 2022, and then go live fiscal year 2023. We are also hiring a consultant to aid in this transition to the new budget model and assist colleges and departments with planning. The president’s office has agreed to help with the funding for the consultant, which will also include new software for this program. As of 9/9/19, student headcount is down 2.4%; first-time student enrollments are down by 4.5%; and transfers are down by approximately 20%. SCH is down by 3.7% compared to budget. Tuition is charged by credit hours and each 1% of enrollment equals approximately $1 million in tuition revenue. Upper division classes are showing approximately 4% growth in credit hours and international enrollment is slightly up, but the overall number is still low. We will need to wait until after census to really dig into the numbers and see where everything ends up.
Marc Pino, Chief of Police:
We have 54 emergency phones across campus. Surveys of case reports to the dispatch center over the last few years indicated only one crime reported in four years. Most phone usage is for testing purposes or is activated by electrical storms. Therefore, we are looking into more cost-saving alternatives. The emergency alert text messaging system works well and provides a free app whereby you use your UCCS login and your cell phone becomes an emergency phone with GPS and XY coordinates to buildings as well as off-campus sites. This app works for everyone, including those with disabilities. CU Boulder removed their emergency phones two years ago and Anschutz is removing their phones now. Cell phones are the preferred method of communication and this system is a better product. There would be a phasing-out plan combined with awareness campaigns communicating this change in procedures. New student orientations would also cover this topic. The campus building phones would remain. We will distribute information about this and encourage feedback.
Officer Reports:
President’s Report
Reminder about Faculty Dependent Scholarship Program deadline of November 1
President-Elect’s Report
Report update from the FCQ task force was distributed; full report can be found on the Faculty Assembly and Provost websites
Past President’s Report
Not present – no report
Reports from Standing Committees:
EPUS:
Not present – no report
Personnel & Benefits:
Not met yet
Faculty Advisory Committee on the Budget:
Not present – no report
Faculty Minority Affairs Committee
Women’s Committee:
Leadership Pathways Workshop on 10/4/19 at Upper Lodge
Non-Tenure Track Faculty:
Not met yet
PRIDE:
Not present – no report
Intercollegiate Athletics:
Not present – no report
Committee on Disability:
Not present – no report
Misconduct in Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities:
Not present – no report
Reports from Representatives:
- Some faculty are not happy with the new testing system procedures sent out by Disability Services, specifically with the time constraints, cumbersome reporting, and electronic submissions.
- Parking issues continue to be a problem. Items mentioned are lack of parking spaces and high fee staff must pay for parking. It was mentioned that there is room all day in the Alpine Garage and shuttle service runs every 20 minutes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Motion 1:
The Faculty Assembly Executive Committee moves that John Harner be approved for appointment to the System Privilege and Tenure Committee.
(Motion passed with 22 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention)
Motion 2:
The Faculty Assembly Executive Committee moves that Joe Wehrman be approved for appointment to the System Privilege and Tenure Committee.
(Motion passed with 22 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 abstentions)
Motion 3:
The Faculty Assembly Executive Committee moves that Christina Jimenez be approved for appointment to the System Privilege and Tenure Committee.
(Motion passed with 23 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 abstentions)
Discussion 1: Campus Wellness Taskforce
This group wants to do a survey of faculty and staff around wellness and health behaviors, and use that data to take the “pulse” of the campus surrounding overall health and wellness. The results would be used to consider improvements and the addition of resources that would be beneficial in a positive way and not a punitive way. A commitment would be needed to put appropriate systems in place.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn the Faculty Assembly Meeting by Lynn Gates
Seconded by Pam Carter
Motion passed unanimously
Meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.