All Members of the University of
Rhode Island Faculty
FROM:
Judy Beckman, Chairperson, Faculty
Senate
DATE:
October 28, 2003
SUBJECT:
Proposals for Reorganization
Some faculty members in the College of Arts
and Sciences wrote a letter regarding proposals about potential
reorganization at the university that was published recently on
FacSen-Bus. The reorganization proposals have not yet been formalized
but are being drafted by a committee established by Provost Swan. The
members of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC) have been
aware that the proposals are being drafted because of our
participation in the Joint Strategic Planning Committee (JSPC), and
have discussed issues associated with our concerns regarding this
matter as well in FSEC meetings. Unfortunately, due to Sheila Black
Grubman's recent illness, publication of these minutes was delayed
for a number of weeks. These minutes have now been posted on
FacSen-Bus and also included in the Agenda for the October 30, 2003
Faculty Senate Meeting.
The members of the FSEC have focused our
efforts on ensuring that the appropriate due process, as established
in the University Manual, be followed in any reorganization of
academic units -- be they generated from within the faculty, or from
within the administration, or jointly. That process requires that any
reorganization of academic units must be considered by affected
departments, the college curriculum committee of any affected college
and the faculty of that college and must be subject to approval by
the Faculty Senate. The Senate's Curricular Affairs Committee is the
unit that must guide any reorganization proposals through the Faculty
Senate. One result of our efforts has been that Provost Swan has
reminded the Deans of their responsibility to follow the University
Manual in a memo with specific reference to the appropriate Manual
sections.
We are pleased to see the faculty discussing
these critically important issues by submission to FacSen-Bus and on
the general discussion list, TheForum-L. It is clear that there is
more than one viewpoint on these matters.
As Chair of the Faculty Senate, I view my role
as a facilitator to ensure that the will of the faculty, regarding
this or any other matter, is made evident to the administration and
the university community. There will be opportunity for discussion of
these matters at the Faculty Senate meeting on Thursday, October 30,
based on the minutes of the JSPC and the FSEC. I will, as always,
endeavor to maintain the Senate meeting as a safe place for airing
all views on this matter within an atmosphere of mutual
respect.