FSEC_24m05-06

a. The Executive committee discussed the recent announcement that Dean Lynch has resigned from the University.

b. The Executive Committee discussed a request from Vice President Dougan for an opportunity to report on Fraternities and Sororities at the March 23, 2006 Faculty Senate Meeting. It was agreed that a report from a Vice President was most appropriately included as part of the President’s report.

c. The Executive Committee discussed a request from Professor Rodgers that they ask the Provost’s Office to pay for a graduate student to complete the processing of data for the GER Committee report. It was agreed to discuss the request with Assistant Provost Katz.

d. A memorandum from the Provost assigning temporary status to the Center of Excellence in Undersea Technology was circulated for information. It was noted that this action was in accordance with the legislation that the Faculty Senate had approved in 2003.

a. Academic Program Review: The Executive Committee reviewed the most recent draft of their recommendations on Academic Program Review, which had been modified at the suggestion of Provost Swan and the Constitution, By Laws and University Manual Committee. Ms. Grubman agreed to revise the draft based on the discussion and said that she would forward the latest iteration to the Provost and the CBUM Committee in addition to the Executive Committee.

b. Faculty Survey: The Executive Committee reviewed the revised survey questions. Following discussion, Chairperson Rice and Vice Chairperson Martin agreed to revise the survey based on the suggestions by the Executive Committee.

c. Administrative bottlenecks: The Executive committee reviewed the list of bottlenecks that they had identified in December. It was agreed that while Vice President Weygand’s staff was addressing a number of administrative issues, there appeared to be little progress in some of the key areas which had been raised with the JSPC initially. For example, a “go-to” person has yet to be identified in each area to address questions or problems, or their request for on-line forms, clear directions, flow charts and a system for letting people know directly, not only that something is held up, but why it is held up and how to move the matter along.

Senator Kowalski reported that the department chairs were developing a list of useful People Soft queries that they could share with each other to avoid individual chairs having to devote a lot of time trying on their own to get information.

d. Academic Investment & Improvement Model (AIIM): Chairperson Rice and Vice Chairperson Martin reported that all of the department chairs and deans have been provided with the necessary information to access the results for their colleges.

The Executive Committee asked that the AIIM working group report to the Faculty Senate on the results of the AIIM survey, its strengths and weaknesses and what the university had learned as a result of the fall semester review of departments.

e. President’s Futuring/Strategic Planning Project: Chairperson Rice said that the most recent version of the charge to the committee was based on the Executive Committee’s advice. After discussion, Chairperson Rice asked the Executive Committee to review the February 13 draft and get back to him with suggestions for further modifications.

f. Bills before the Legislature: The Executive Committee discussed a request from Professor Leo that the FSEC review bills currently in consideration by the RI General Assembly (H-7026, H-7092, S-2566) that would authorize appropriation of research and outreach funding to URI.   After discussion, the Executive Committee agreed to defer to President Carothers to work with the legislative authors and sponsors of the bills to agree upon language that would be of greatest benefit to the University while conforming to legislative intent.

g. NEASC Accreditation Update: Senator Kowalski reported that the Steering Committee to undertake NEASC Accreditation has been formed by the Provost who will be serving as chairperson.   Other members include Associate Dean Beckman, Senator Kowalski, Senator Glen Ramsay, Ms. Lemoine, and Ms. Hammond.

Senator Kowalski said that the first order of business would be the formation of eleven subcommittees to work on each of the eleven accreditation standards to be considered.