November 2, 2006
Loyola Marymount University
Faculty Senate Minutes
November 2, 2006
Collins Center
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Present: Cynthia Becht, Jeffrey Davis, Charles Erven, Sonny Espinoza, Omar Es-Said, Rudy Fleck, Vicki Graf, Paul Harris, Gary Kuleck, Yvette Lapayese, Blake Mellor, Mel Mendelson, Ed Mosteig, Liz Murray, K. J. Peters, Damon Rago, Nina Reich, James Roe, Jonathan Rothchild, Rhonda Rosen, Sue Scheibler and Seth Thompson
Excused: Najwa Al-Qattan, Chun Lee, Ralph Quiñones and Jennifer Offenberg
President Graf called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. She began the meeting with a moment of silence.
I. Approval of September Minutes -- President Graf
It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of September 21. The minutes were approved with one abstention.
The Senate discussed the summary format of the October 5 minutes. A request was made to have key discussion points disseminated to constituencies before Senate meetings.
It was moved and seconded that the minutes include transcribed motions, amendments and actions items and that the secretary exercise her/his best judgment in summarizing the discussion. 11 in favor, 0 opposed and 6 abstentions – motion passed.
II. Report of the President to the Faculty Senate
-A modified version of the Comprehensive Benefits Committee will begin meeting next week. Discussion will include the process for determining faculty salaries.
- The Faculty Senate Executive Board has continued working with university administrators to improve communication. The Executive Board met with Tom Fleming and Lori Hussein, who have requested quarterly meetings, and also with Lane Bove. Future meetings will be scheduled with Lynn Scarboro and Dan Forgeron.
- Evaluation of Administrators - Michael Berg will provide a report after the sub-committee meets on November 9. The sub-committee is consulting with Rebecca Chandler and Margaret Kasimatis to develop an evaluative process.
- The 360˚ review of Tom Fleming will include a university-wide survey posted on ManeGate. Everyone will have an opportunity to respond.
- The Children’s Center continues to be a topic of conversation with two meetings scheduled for November 6. Perception of the Children’s Center as a self-sustaining entity is shifting to the University viewing it as an employee benefit.
- President Graf requested input on developing a new sub-committee to look at revising the instrument to evaluate teaching. The Center for Teaching Evaluation is involved. Sonny Espinoza and Mel Mendelson volunteered to join the sub-committee.
It was noted that School of Education faculty currently are part of a pilot on-line evaluation. Concerns were voiced that the decision to participate did not issue from the Senate but came from IT and the Deans’ Council. The Senate recommended that this matter be an agenda item for the next Faculty Senate Meeting.
- The Collins Center will begin to serve pre-packaged food beginning after Thanksgiving, thanks to support from CAO Rose and Fr Lawton. Dan Forgeron, Sodexho, Linda Towner and President Graf have been meeting to discuss the arrangements.
III. Matt Dillon - Special Assistant to Academic Affairs
- Teaching Load. A taskforce will be constituted to talk about a reduced work load. Deans Plumb and Busse and CAO Rose are participating in the process.
- The Core Curriculum. Matt Dillon is chair for this academic year after which Judy Scalin will resume the chairship. A student committee will be constituted to discuss the Core.
- Pat Oliver’s Case. November 21st will be the last day of hearings.
- Faculty Handbook. New versions of the Faculty Handbook will be posted on-line regularly after the Senate has been notified.
Discussion included the recommendation to send the different versions of the Faculty Handbook to the Library’s University Archives.
- Reduced Load and Pre-Tenure Sabbatical. On the Administration of the Pre-Tenure Sabbatical Program, new language was added to number 3 to read as follows: “Faculty members who have received other external or internal grants (e.g., the Bellarmine College Fellowship) resulting in significant course remissions for the purposes of scholarship or creative work are ineligible for the pre-tenure sabbatical program. “
The Senate discussed sabbaticals versus fellowships in respect to faculty choices and the language of the text.
It was moved and seconded that the Senate reject the proposed text that was added to number 3 of the Administration of the Pre-Tenure Sabbatical Program. Motion passed with 1 opposed and 1 abstention.
IV. Report of the Governance Sub-Committee -- Paul Harris
- Faculty Forum, October 19. The Forum was attended by approximately 50 people. Issues that were discussed included faculty responsibility regarding the campus climate, the Children’s Center, communication, and a desire to re-commit to community. The next forum will be held during convocation hour as a lunch meeting with small groups which will formulate action points.
- Dialogue with the Cabinet and the Faculty Senate Executive Board, October 27. The participants shared their primary areas of focus for the year. Fr. Lawton mentioned fundraising and managing change as his two key areas. Faculty participation will rotate in future dialogues.
The Faculty Senate discussed various ways in which faculty could continue to address the topic of governance.
V. Bylaws and Constitution -- James Roe
- Action. The Faculty Senate is meeting more frequently; therefore the bylaws need to be changed.
It was moved and seconded that the following resolution be entered:
Changing By-Law 8 to Allow More Flexibility in Scheduling Faculty Senate Meetings
WHEREAS the Senate often requires more meetings in excess of the eight meetings currently suggested by By-Law eight to accomplish the work placed before it and
WHEREAS the need does arise that meetings be scheduled outside the 2:45 p.m. on Thursday afternoon as suggested by By-Law eight,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the phrase found in the current language of By-Law eight, namely,
“The Executive Board may move meetings to another appropriate day or time when necessary to avoid scheduling conflicts.”
Be replaced by
“The President and the Executive Committee may increase the number of
meetings and the day and time to ensure a timely and efficient discharge of
the mandate of the Senate.”
Resolution passed unanimously with no oppositions or abstentions.
- The Senate discussed changing term limits of the Executive Board.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by: Cynthia Becht
Prepared by: Rosa Calderon
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