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17 March 2005

Loyola Marymount University
Faculty Senate Minutes,
March 17, 2005              
McIntosh Center
2:45 p.m.-5 p.m.

Present: Cynthia Becht, Victoria Graf, Chun Lee, Ed Mosteig, Elizabeth Murray, Edward Park, K.J. Peters, Patrick Damon Rago, James Roe, Rhonda Rosen, Susan Scheibler, Thomas Zachariah

Excused: Marta Baltodano, Charles Erven, Omar Es-Said, Jok Madut Jok, Lily Khadjavi, Suzanne O’Brien, Ralph Quinones, Leland Swenson

 President Roe called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

 I. Report and Announcements of the President to the Faculty Senate:

 - President Roe welcomed the Faculty Senate to the third meeting of the semester. This was followed by a moment of silence.

 -It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the February meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously.

 -The next meeting will be April 21, in McIntosh Center. Fr. Albert Koppes, O. Carm., Acting Academic Vice President and Fr. Robert B. Lawton, University President will be present at the next meeting.

Election of the officers of the Faculty Senate will be held on April 29 in Hilton 302 at 3:00 p.m. The Annual Faculty Barbecue will take place at 4:00pm.

 -President Roe reported on the Board of Trustees Meeting:

  1. The Housing Assistance Plan was passed unanimously. The cap on the loan for the down payment has been raised from $50,000 to $100,000.00, the cap on the household income no longer exists, and the mileage limit remains 40 miles;

  2. The budget was passed. The faculty salary increase will be 3.5% which actually  means a 5.1% compensation package, and incoming Assistant professors will receive a base pay of $55,000.

  3. The Watson and Wyatt Worldwide compensation study. $318,000 in equity pay will be distributed by the Deans.

-Thomas Zachariah reported on Election of Senators. The nominations will be sent out by April 8 and must be returned by April 15. 

-Rank and Tenure Review Committee

 President Roe welcomed Jeffrey S. Siker, Professor and Chair in Theological Studies and Rank and Tenure Review Committee member.Victoria Graf presented the results of the survey by Senators regarding issues and concerns of the current Rank and Tenure Policy as well as proposed solutions.

  1. IssuesCurrent Proces1.      Lack of clarity and misconceptions about the process

2.      Vague standards for scholarship, teaching and service including the role of student evaluations

3.      Unclear expectations about going to the “next level”

4.      Lack of opportunity for feedback from the process

5.      External evaluation process

6.      Administrative roles of faculty

7.      Early application for tenure and promotion

 

  1. Solutions

                 Short-term Solutions

  1. Committee recommends the writing of a Rank and Tenure Handbook which describes the Rank and Tenure process and general guidelines used by the Rank and Tenure Committee in its deliberations. This would help demystify the process

  2. Recommend general guidelines for Annual Chair Reviews, peer reviews  of teaching for tenure and promotion including promotion to Full Professor

  3. Recommend 4th year review and Departmental guidelines for expectations for faculty moving towards tenure

  4. Recommend general guidelines for Rank and Tenure application

  5. Work with Faculty Senate and Deans to implement these recommendations

              

                Long-term Solutions

                f.    Recommend evaluation of the External Review process

          g.   Recommend continued review of other models for Rank and Tenure process

 

 

-Rhonda Rosen announced that the first candidate of the University Library Search has arrived and encouraged the faculty to attend the Open Meetings for the next four candidates.

 

II. Faculty Emeritus Resolution

 

It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed document.

 

Call for the question. 9 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention. The finalized document was approved.

 

LMU Policy and Procedures for Faculty Emeritus Status
Revised: 02/23/05

 


Emeritus faculty status is an honor conferred by the University on selected long-time faculty members at the full professor rank who are distinguished in all aspects of the professoriate. Emeriti professors have earned a special relationship with the University, as outlined in this document. Emeriti faculty members are involved in the life of the University in various ways as appropriate: as part-time instructors, as researchers and creative artists, and as valued assistants with alumni relationships and development activities.


Eligibility:


Full professors are eligible to be nominated as emeriti faculty if the following conditions are satisfied:

 

  • Distinguished national reputation in the appropriate discipline

  • 20 or more years of exemplary service to Loyola Marymount University. Exceptions may be made for Endowed Chairs and distinguished professors.

  • Nomination by two or more tenured LMU faculty colleagues in the same college or school

  • Endorsement of the appropriate Dean and the Academic Vice President

Process for Applying:

Nominations will be accepted beginning in the first semester of the academic year in which retirement occurs. If a retirement decision is made in the second semester, this process may be engaged in the next academic year. With the permission of the individual, faculty nominations are submitted to the Dean and the Academic Vice President who will submit separate letters to the President for his consideration. At the discretion of the University President, emeriti faculty status will be conferred on a select group of individuals whose expertise, academic accomplishments, and renowned service fulfill the Mission of the University in an exemplary manner.

Benefits:

•       Honorary title acknowledging their substantial contributions to LMU

•       Opportunity to continue to enrich LMU faculty, students, and alumni

•       Salary compensation for part-time teaching will be 50% higher than the going rate for part-time salary for a three-unit course at the time of the contract. This method of payment will also apply to summer contacts.

•       Email and personal web space, in accordance with current faculty IT resources

•       Borrowing privileges in the University library

•       Access to academic and other facilities

•       Shared office space where feasible

•       Participation in University academic and social events, as appropriate

 

III. Two resolutions on Salary Pay Schedule

 

-K.J. Peters presented Resolution 1 and 2. The documents were discussed and clarified in wording and meaning. It was moved and seconded to accept Resolution 1. Call for the question. The resolution was accepted unanimously with a friendly amendment:   

                                            Loyola Marymount University
                                                      Faculty Senate
 
                                            Resolution 1: March 17, 2005
 
                           On the Necessary Advice and Consent of the Faculty Senate
 
    Whereas, the institutional culture and working conditions of Loyola Marymount

    University’s community of scholars is time-honored.
     

    Whereas, the existing culture and conditions comes of the mutual sacrifice and  

    shared vision of the Religious, scholars, officers, and staff.
 
     Whereas, the community of scholars makes decisions and plans for the future  

     based upon the existing institutional culture, conditions, structures, policies,

     conventions, and benefits.

It is Resolved, any alteration or change that does not enhance the quality of life, collegial community, or working conditions of the faculty must be considered regressive as such actions call into question the sacrifice and vision of the institution and our predecessors.
 
 Further it is Resolved, nouniversity administrative officer shall make decisions or take actions that alter faculty working conditions or faculty quality of life without the advice and consent of the Faculty Senate.

Loyola Marymount University
 Faculty Senate
 
 Resolution 2: March 17, 2005
  
 Existing Faculty Benefits Shall Not be Abridged via Alterations to Compensation Policy and Disbursement Options

Whereas, any alteration or change in university policy or procedures that does not enhance the quality of life, collegial community, or working conditions of the faculty must be considered regressive.
 
Whereas, the current payroll disbursement options of eighteen (18) checks or twenty-four (24) checks with six (6) paychecks bundled and disbursed in May represents real, historic financial and personal benefits.
 
Whereas, faculty members depend upon both options, and base personal, family, financial, and travel plans on these established benefits.
 
It is Resolved, that the elimination of the eighteen and twenty-four check option, therefore, represents a regressive step in the well established faculty compensation policy and a reduction of existing benefits.
 
Further itis Resolved, the Vice President of Business and Finance shall not alter existing faculty compensation policy and disbursement options thereby redacting existing benefits.

 

It was moved and seconded to accept Resolution 2. Call for the question. Resolution 2 was accepted unanimously.

 IV. Portal Update

-President Roe welcomed John Kiralla, Director for Web Services and Development to the Senate.

Mr. Kiralla discussed the new MANE GATE Portal and showed examples of the portal. He also discussed the successful advertising campaign in the Loyolan that addressed students and encouraged them to ask questions about Portal. He answered questions regarding the differences between the current LMU website and Portal. MANE GATE opens for undergraduates and graduates beginning June 1. The training dates will be announced for students for orientation. The portal will be available for Faculty and Staff beginning Fall, 2005 and, tentatively, Fall 2006 for Alumni.

 Discussion:

Q: What is the situation regarding online courses and the portal.

A: Blackboard will continue to function traditionally and will be available via the portal.

Q: Will there be any marketing on the personal Portal?

A: Not from outside the University.

Q: Who is SCT Luminus Company and is it related to Collegis?

A: Yes, SCT Luminus is affiliated with Collegis.

Q: Will be the access to the overall website restricted by the portal?

A: The external website will still be there.

V. Email Conundrums

-President Roe welcomed  Erin Griffin, Chief Information Officer for Information Technology Services and Mr. Joseph Cevetello, Interim Director, Academic Technology Services to the Senate.

-Ms. Griffin talked about the concerns regarding the ability to connect and send e-mails offsite. The policy prohibits the ability to do that. Access to Outlook is necessary in order to use campus e-mail accounts. The Outlook Web Access allows off-campus contact. Ms Griffin also asked faculty to contribute better ways of communicating between IT and Faculty.    

Discussion then followed regarding the relationship between SCT Luminus and Collegis and the lack of transparency regarding the connection between the two.

The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

 

Submitted by: Victoria Graf

 

Prepared by: Monika Juszli