UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
Kingston, Rhode Island
FACULTY SENATE
MINUTES
Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting #3 --
September 9, 2003
1. The meeting was called to order at 1:01 p.m. on Tuesday,
September 9, 2003 in the third floor conference room in Green Hall,
Chairperson Beckman presiding. All member2. The minutes of Executive
Committee Meeting #2, July 17, 2003, were approved.
3. The Executive Committee considered the following matters that
had been referred to them by e-mail:
a. State of the Budget Address: In response to a
request from Vice President Barrett, the Executive Committee began a
discussion as to what information they believed might be most useful
as part of the October 30 report to the Senate. Chairperson Beckman
noted that the Executive Committee had received a request from Dean
Brownell in the spring that information on positions that have been
filled the previous year be included in the report. Dean Brownell had
also asked that the Budget Address include data on both where funds
were designated for a particular year and how they were actually
allocated. It was agreed that the Executive Committee would discuss
this matter further at their next meeting.
b. ASF College of Continuing Education: The Executive Committee
considered a request from Vince Petronio that they respond to the
concerns that he had raised on TheForum-L with regard to the ASFCCE.
The Executive Committee asked Chairperson Beckman to draft a response
noting that they are aware of the difficulties facing ASFCCE
resulting from actions by previous elected officials and the R. I.
Department of Administration, as well as the challenges presented by
the Board of Governors' and Commissioner's urban initiative.
Chairperson Beckman was encouraged to refer Mr. Petronio to the
minutes of the JSPC, which reported on several discussions related to
these concerns.
c. AAUP Governance Conference: The Executive Committee discussed
an e-mail message from Senator Kirschenbaum urging that
representatives of the FSEC and administration attend the AAUP
Governance Conference in Indiana in early October. It was agreed that
although none of the members of the Executive Committee would be able
to attend, it would be helpful if someone from URI who does attend
the Conference report on it to them. Ms. Grubman said she would try
to learn if anyone plans to attend and to ask for an informal update
on the conference.
d. Faculty Governance: The Executive Committee discussed a
request from Senator Feldman that he and Professor Atash meet with
them about appropriate procedures for faculty members to follow in
those instances where curricular matters are prevented from
proceeding through the appropriate channels. It was agreed to invite
Senator Feldman and Professor Atash to their next meeting. *
4. The Executive Committee was brought up to date on the
following matters of business that had been considered previously:
a. Committees
1) Appointments for the 2003-04 academic year: The
Executive Committee reviewed the status of committee appointments and
agreed to contact Senators who were not on any committees to consider
serving in some capacity.
2) Ad Hoc Committee on Admissions to AFSCCE: Ms. Grubman reported
that Professor Arakelian had withdrawn as chair of the Ad Hoc
Committee for health reasons. Professor Alvin Swonger has agreed to
serve as chair in his stead. She said that the committee is scheduled
to meet weekly during September and October in order to comply with
Provost Swan's request for a report by October 31. Other members of
the ad hoc committee are Professors Gerry Tyler, and Anne Veeger,
Interim Vice Provost Judith Swift, Dean Jayne Richmond, and Associate
Dean Edmund Ferszt.
3) The Executive Committee discussed the following committees,
which they had previously agreed would require further consideration:
a) Library Committee: The Executive Committee
reviewed the charge to the Library Committee and agreed that despite
the frustration experienced by previous committees, it was still
important for the Senate to have a committee to serve "as liaison
between the University Library and the faculty as a whole and advise
the Library on matters of general faculty concern; consult with the
Library faculty on long-range needs of the Library and the adequacy
of budget provisions to meet those needs; report annually to the
Faculty Senate and propose Senate action relating to the University
Library."
It was agreed to draft a specific charge to the committee for the
2003-04 academic year and to reappoint the membership.
b) Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Education, Research and Outreach:
The Executive Committee agreed that the committee should be
reconstituted with a new chair. They decided to ask that the Graduate
Council and Council for Research appoint representatives for 2003-04,
and to find out which of the other members would like to continue on
the committee.
b. Goals for the 2003-04 Faculty Senate: The Executive Committee
reviewed Chairperson Beckman's draft memorandum to the University
Community about the 2003-04 Faculty Senate and agreed that it
appeared to include most of the goals they had agreed upon. They
encouraged Chairperson Beckman to send the memorandum as soon as
possible.
Senator Rosen distributed a more detailed list of goals. After
discussion, it was agreed that the members of the Executive Committee
would continue to think about what should be included in Chairperson
Beckman's presentation of their goals as part of her announcements at
the September 25 Faculty Senate meeting.
c. Qualitative Accompaniment/Supplement to the PCA: The Executive
Committee discussed their request to the Provost's Office that the
supplement to the PCA should be sent to all department chairs so they
could have the opportunity to clarify aspects of the PCA that were
misleading. The Executive Committee asked Chairperson Beckman to
reiterate the Executive Committees concerns and to urge that the
supplement be distributed as soon as possible.
5. The Executive Committee reviewed a draft Agenda for Faculty
Senate Meeting #1, September 25, 2003 and agreed to approve it in
final form at their next meeting.
6. The Executive Committee agreed to consider at their September
16 meeting requests for determination as to whether either or both of
the following new policies require review and approval by the Faculty
Senate:
a. Small Research Vessel Policy
b. Safe Workplace Policy
7. The Executive Committee agreed to discuss at their next
meeting whether the change in the name of the position of Vice
President for Business and Finance to Vice President for
Administration requires a faculty referendum in accordance with
Article VII paragraph 3 of the Faculty Senate Constitution (enclosed)
8. Ms. Grubman reported that she had been able to schedule a
tentative meeting with President Carothers for 1:30 p.m. on September
30, but had not as yet arranged for further meetings.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Sheila Black Grubman
SBG:DD