NUMBER 7

FACULTY SENATE

MINUTES

Faculty Senate Meeting – March 24, 2005

1.    The regular meeting of the Faculty Senate was called to order at 3:05 p.m. in the Cherry Auditorium, Chester Kirk Building, Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels presiding.

All members were present except Senators Cain, Cohen, Dicioccio, Hu, Melanson, Miller, and Suzawa; Provost Swan, Vice President Beagle; Vice Provost McCray; Deans Farmer, Letendre, Mazze, McKinney, Richmond and Taggart, (Dean Seemann was represented by his designee); Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Lopes.

2.    Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels asked if there were any additions or corrections to or questions about the Minutes of Faculty Senate Meeting #6, February 24, 2005. There were none.

Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels ruled that in the absence of additions or corrections, the Minutes were approved as distributed.

3.    REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A.    Announcements:

1)     Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels announced that at the request of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, Provost Swan added another faculty member to the Search Committee for Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.  Professor Arun Shukla from the College of Engineering was appointed to the committee at the suggestion of the Executive Committee.

2)    Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels reported that at the JSPC’s March 7 meeting President Carothers had provided the JSPC with a list of Bills of Interest to Higher Education that are before the RI Legislature. The Executive Committee found this list very interesting and asked for permission to post it on the web. She said that it can be found either on the Faculty Senate Home Page http://www.uri.edu/facsen/ along the right side with the heading “Proposed Bills of Interest-RI State Legislature” or directly at http://www.uri.edu/facsen/Bills_to_Watch.pdf. She noted that the list was updated that morning and will continue to be updated regularly. She encouraged everyone to take the time to review the list and suggested that Senators might want to discuss some of the proposed bills with local legislators.

3)    Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels announced that the Student Learning outcomes assessment website was up and functioning at http://www.uri.edu/assessment. She said that there is a primer and links to many aspects of student outcomes assessment for individuals who have been working for some time within outcomes assessment, as well as people who are beginning to learn about the process.

4)    Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels thanked Dean Brownell from the College of Arts and Sciences for sponsoring that afternoon‘s reception. She invited everyone to the University Club after the meeting.

5)    Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels informed the Senate that the Executive Committee had learned recently that the proposed B.A. Degree in Film Studies that had been approved by the Senate and the President in 2000-01 was approved by the Board of Governors Academic and Student Affairs Committee and is to be forwarded to the full Board.  She said that the Executive Committee was concerned that a number of modifications had been made to the proposal, including a change in the name of the degree, and asked that President Carothers request that that the full board postpone consideration of the proposal until the Senate has an opportunity to review any differences. She noted that Dr. Jerry DeSchepper, a representative of the program was at the meeting and would inform the Senate about the modifications.

Dr. DeSchepper, Director of the Film and Screen Studies Program, provided the Senate with a brief history of the approval process of the B.A. since it was originally approved by the Senate and President Carothers in the spring of 2001.

Dr. DeSchepper said that the changes were minimal, including the change in name to Film Media and presented transparencies outlining the changes.

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion, Senator Kowalski moved approval of the following resolution:

RESOLVED:  That the Faculty Senate, based on the report by Dr. DeSchepper, is satisfied that the changes to the Film Studies Program (renamed Film Media Program) are minor and encourages the President to go forward with the presentation of the program to the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education

The motion carried.

B.    Vice Chairperson Rosen said that the minutes of Executive Committee Meetings #20, #21, and #22 appeared on pages 4-14 of the Agenda.  He asked if there were any questions.  

Vice Provost Swift, Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels, and Vice Chairperson Rosen responded to questions about the minutes.

C.    Vice Chairperson Rosen announced that the minutes from the last two meetings of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee, February 7 and March 7, 2005 had not been approved by the Committee but would be included in an Agenda as soon as they were official.  He asked if there were any general questions about the JSPC and responded to questions about the previous two JSPC meetings.

D.     Vice Chairperson Rosen moved approval of the appointment of Senator Glen Ramsay as the Faculty Senate’s representative to the Information Resources Council on behalf of the Executive Committee.  The motion carried.

E. Vice Chairperson Rosen introduced the Report of the Executive Committee on proposed changes to the By-Laws, which appeared on pages 15-17 of the Agenda.  He then moved approval of the proposed amendments to sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.4 of the Faculty Senate By-Laws. He explained that the proposed amendments could be discussed but not voted upon at that meeting.  

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion, Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels announced that the proposed By-Laws changes would be considered as part of Unfinished Business at the April 21 meeting.

4.    REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

A.    President Carothers noted, as indicated on the Agenda, that he had approved all of the legislation forwarded to him after the last Faculty Senate Meeting.  He said that two of the bills #04-05--14 and 04-05—17 have been transmitted to the Board of Governors for Higher Education.

B.  President Carothers announced that Provost Swan had broken her right foot and had injured her left knee and was incapacitated at that time.  He said that he knew everyone looked forward to her return to campus and joined him in wishing her a rapid and complete recovery.

President Carothers announced that Governor Carcieri had appointed two new members to the Board of Governors pending confirmation by the general assembly. He said that the two new members are Dr. Joseph Hagen of Little Compton and Mr. Frank Caruso of Bristol.

The President reported that the University had settled its contract with the Graduate Student Association and thanked Assistant Provost Katz for all of his work to bring about the agreement.

President Carothers noted that the list of proposed legislation before the General Assembly was extensive.  He identified two matters that were of interest to the University.  He said that one of the Bills introduced by Representative Shanley concerned a matching gifts program that was essential to the Centennial Campaign.  He said that potential donors would be more willing to give to the University’s endowment if they knew that the State would contribute as well.

The President said that another Bill introduced by Representative Shanley concerned the establishment of a group to study governance of higher education in Rhode Island, especially with regard to financial matters. He explained that the University would take no position regarding this legislation.

In addition, President Carothers reported that the Senate Finance Committee, which usually isn’t as active as its House counterpart would be holding hearings and had an extensive list of questions for the University.

President Carothers then responded to questions from members of the Senate.

5.    REPORTS OF STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A.  Senator Luebke introduced the Four Hundred Thirtieth Report of the Curricular Affairs Committee, which appeared on pages 18-26 of the Agenda and said that Section I was informational. There were no questions.

Senator Luebke said that Section II required confirmation by the Faculty Senate and moved approval.  

Senator Barbour moved to amend item C, 1 by removing BPS 312 from the list of suggested courses for the B. S. degree n Communicative Disorders because the course was limited to Pharm.D. students and was linked to two other BPS courses.

Following discussion, the amendment carried.

The motion as amended carried.

Senator Luebke announced that Section III was a joint report of the Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate Council on 400-level courses. She said that part A was informational.  There were no questions.

Senator Luebke said that part B required confirmation by the Faculty Senate and moved approval.  The motion carried.

B.  Senator Luebke introduced the Four Hundred Thirty-First Report of the Curricular Affairs Committee, which appeared on pages 27-36 of the Agenda and said that Section I was informational. There were no questions.

Senator Luebke said that Section II required confirmation by the Faculty Senate.  She corrected two typographical errors item B, a in the curriculum for the proposed Bio Track in Chemical Engineering and then moved approval of Section II as corrected.

Following discussion, the motion carried.

Senator Luebke announced that Section III was a joint report of the Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate Council on 400-level courses. She said that part A was informational. There were no questions.

Senator Luebke said that part B required confirmation by the Faculty Senate and moved approval.  The motion carried.

Senator Luebke announced that Section IV was an informational report on a new form for proposing informational changes and course deletions.  She said that everyone was encouraged to use the new form.  (See http://www.uri.edu/facsen/CAC_Minor_Change_form.pdf to download a PDF version of the form.)

Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels said that the committee would continue to accept earlier forms.

C.    Vice Provost Trubatch introduced Curricular Report No. 2004-05-6 from the Graduate Council to the Faculty Senate, which appeared on pages 37-38 of the Agenda.  She said that Section I was informational and asked if there were any questions.  There were none.

Vice Provost Trubatch said that Section II required confirmation, She corrected items B, 1 and C, 1 as follows:

B, 1 by changing the prerequisite to Pre: graduate standing and C, 1 by correcting the course number for the new course to STA 515.  

She then moved approval of Section II as corrected.

Following discussion, the motion carried.

D.     Vice Provost Trubatch introduced Curricular Report No. 2004-05-6A from the Graduate Council to the Faculty Senate: Proposal for a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Fashion Merchandising which appeared on pages 39-43 of the Agenda.  She moved approval of the Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Fashion Merchandising.  The motion carried.

E.    Senator Jackson introduced the University College and General Education Committee Report #2004-005-4, which appeared on page 44 of the Agenda.

He then moved approval of the UCGE Committee’s Report.  The motion carried.

F.  Professor Loy introduced the Academic Standards and Calendar Committee Report #04-05-3:  Proposed University Calendars for 2005-06 through 2010-11, which appeared on pages 45-54 of the Agenda. One set had equal length fall and spring semesters, the other set had the spring semester lasting one week longer than the fall.  He provided background for the committee’s decision to recommend changes in six calendars.

Professor Loy moved approval of the proposed equal semester calendars, which appeared on pages 46-49 of the Agenda.

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion the motion to approve the proposed equal semester calendars carried. (The proposed calendars are available in PDF format at http://www.uri.edu/facsen/AS&C3equalcal_Bill.pdf.)

6.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels announced that the resolution introduced by Senator John Leo at the February 24, 2005 meeting had been postponed until March 24 to provide the campus with an opportunity to discuss the issues before the Senate formally considers it. She said that the following resolution was now on the floor:

WHEREAS

The University of Rhode Island states, in its legally binding equal opportunity policy, that "The University of Rhode Island prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national origin, handicap, or sexual orientation, and discrimination against disabled and Vietnam Era veterans, in the recruitment, admission, or treatment of students . . . ", and

WHEREAS

There are questions and urgent concerns when these unambiguous and legally binding policies are violated and not enforced with respect to sexual orientation, specifically the use of the office and services of Career Services on the URI campus by military recruiters and interviewers operating under the cover of the so-called "Don't ask, don't tell" policy affecting gays in the military,

THEREFORE

We urge vehemently that the President of the University reaffirm its current non-discrimination policy and that he enforce its current prohibitions against discrimination to the fullest possible legal extent with respect to military recruitment on the campus.

Discussion ensued

When the fifteen-minute time for discussion expired, a motion was made to extend debate. The motion carried.

Discussion resumed.

Following discussion, Senator Kowalski moved to amend the motion on the floor as follows. (Changes are in green):

WHEREAS

The University of Rhode Island is committed to furthering, to the fullest possible extent, the principles of full tolerance and respect for all individuals both on its own campus and in the state and nation beyond; and

WHEREAS

The University states, in its legally binding equal opportunity policy, that “The University of Rhode Island prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national origin, handicap, or sexual orientation, and discrimination against disabled and Vietnam Era veterans, in the recruitment, admission, or treatment of students . . . "; and

WHEREAS

There are questions and urgent concerns about our commitment to our principles when our policies are violated and not enforced with respect to sexual orientation, specifically the use of the office and services of Career Services on the URI campus by military recruiters and interviewers who must follow the so-called "Don't ask, don't tell" policy affecting gays in the military; yet

WHEREAS

The University is obliged to follow applicable Federal laws in this matter, putting us in conflict with our avowed principles;

THEREFORE

We urge vehemently that the President of the University inform the Rhode Island Congressional delegation of our opposition to the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy and to work with them and other Federal lawmakers to eliminate this policy in favor of one which does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.  

Discussion of the amendment ensued.

When the time for the meeting expired, the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sheila Black Grubman