The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
MOTION PASSED
==============
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to continue the tabling of the
Withdrawal/ No Basis grade issue until the December 9, 1996
face-to-face meeting.
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: The Curricular Affairs (CA) and the
Developmental Studies (DS) Committees have a
sub-committee tasked with developing a compromise
motion. This sub-committee is meeting by
audioconference and will report back to CA and DS from
which a motion will be sent to the Faculty Senate.
The December 9, 1996, Senate meeting is face-to-face
allowing for full participation of all Senators.
*
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
MOTION PASSED (22 aye, 6 nays)
==============
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to approve the Core Review
Committee�s recommendation on when basic Core skills courses
shall be accomplished.
Beginning Fall 1997 all students are required successfully to
accomplish English 111X prior to enrollment in written
intensive (�W�) courses and Communication 131X (or 141X)
prior to enrollment in oral intensive (�O�) courses. Exceptions
are allowable on the basis of permission of instructor.
EFFECTIVE: Fall 1997
RATIONALE: Having spent a week with Jim Ratcliff
discussing the University's mandate for Effectiveness
Evaluation, we have identified an obvious flaw in the way
the University has enacted the CORE curriculum. For
whatever historical reasons the current lack of an
imposed time frame for accomplishing CORE skills has
come about, if the University is serious about current
efforts to do a curriculum-enhancing assessment and to
improve the retention of a greater percentage of
incoming students, it is time to change the expectation
of when basic CORE skills courses shall be accomplished.
As the requirements stand, no student is required to
complete basic skills courses at any specific point
before graduation. This situation is antithetical to any
sense of what those courses are intended to accomplish.
If, as stated, we intend to give our students the tools
with which to be competitive, both in classes at the
University and life experience beyond, the most primary
skills of writing, speaking, and working with diverse
groups must be a part of the educational experience as
close to the student's entry into the educational process
as we can accommodate. How can we expect to
encourage content education of students who are
preoccupied with a lack of or deficit in basic student
skills? And how can students participate in experiences
that encourage retention if a lack of basic skills robs
them of the satisfaction that learning successes
engenders? It is the position of the Core Review
Committee that English IIIX and Communication 131X (or
141X) should be accomplished, as a requirement, in the
student's first year of classes. In recognizing that such
a shift in requirements, while it is in line with practices
at many other state universities, might be a hardship to
this University, we believe that we must require basic
skills courses to be completed before the end of the
sophomore year. Both Communication and English serve
over 100% of demand by the end of enrollment. Given the
anecdotal experience of teaching faculty in regard to the
current policy vacuum, we submit this motion.
**
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
MOTION PASSED (unanimous)
==============
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to eliminate the requirement for an
advisor's signature on a registration form for all continuing
graduate students
Furthermore, it will become policy of the University of Alaska
Fairbanks starting in Fiscal Year 1998 that all graduate research
assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowship and tuition
scholarship stipend letters contain the following language:
tuition paid as part of graduate assistantships, fellowships,
or tuition scholarships covers only courses approved by the
student's Advisory Committee.
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 1997
RATIONALE: The signature requirement was originally
instituted to ensure that 1) graduate students get
advising and work closely with their advisor and
committee in course selection; and 2) the university
and/or grants which pay tuition are not paying for
courses that are not reasonably related to the progress
of the student. However, it was the consensus of the
Graduate Curricular Affairs Committee that the
requirement to obtain an advisor's signatures for
registration did not meet either of these goals, and could
be construed as paternalistic towards graduate students.
However, removal of the signature requirement leaves
concern about oversight of the classes being taken by
those graduate students receiving research or teaching
assistantships, fellowships or tuition scholarships.
After further discussion of the role of faculty advisors
and the necessity for advisors to play a pro-active role
in reaching out to students to track class enrollment,
progress and performance, and discussion on the
necessity for the University to be clear about what
courses a student can take when the UAF or a research
grant is paying for tuition, the motion above was
unanimously approved by members of GCAC.
**
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
MOTION PASSED (unanimous)
==============
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend Section 3 (ARTICLE V:
Committees) E., PERMANENT, 8. of the Bylaws as follows:
(( )) = deletion
CAPS = addition
8. The Faculty Appeals and Oversight Committee shall be
composed of two tenured faculty members, elected from each
college/school and confirmed by the Faculty Senate, who shall serve
for a two year term. Members' terms will be staggered to provide
continuity. ((This committee will function as an appeal body for
issues of faculty prerogative, oversee evaluation of academic
administrators, and make recommendations to the Provost or
Chancellor.))
A promotion/tenure appeals subcommittee composed of five tenured
faculty will hear all promotion and/or tenure reconsideration
requests and report its findings to the Chancellor according to
ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ Regulations, Section IV,B,4. THE
SUBCOMMITTEE WILL BE SELECTED BY THE CHAIR OF THE FACULTY
APPEALS AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND WILL NOT INCLUDE
FACULTY FROM THE UNITS IN WHICH THE REQUESTS FOR
RECONSIDERATION ORIGINATED. NO TWO FACULTY FROM THE SAME
UNIT, AS CURRENTLY ELECTED TO THE COMMITTEE, WILL BE SELECTED
FOR THE SUBCOMMITTEE.
Committee members shall constitute a hearing panel pool to serve
as needed on grievance hearing panels, AS SPECIFIED IN REGENTS'
POLICY 04.08.08.VI.A.
Committee members shall oversee the process of evaluation of
academic administrators.
A NON-RETENTION APPEALS SUBCOMMITTEE COMPOSED OF FIVE
TENURED FACULTY WILL HEAR ALL NON-RETENTION RECONSIDERATION
REQUESTS AND REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE CHANCELLOR. THIS
SUBCOMMITTEE WILL CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE SAME FASHION AS
THE PROMOTION/TENURE APPEALS SUBCOMMITTEE, I.E., WILL REVIEW
THE AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS AND MAKE A DETERMINATION ON
WHETHER OR NOT APPROPRIATE POLICY AND DUE PROCESS WAS
FOLLOWED.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHALL REVIEW ISSUES DEALING WITH FACULTY
PREROGATIVE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY CHANGES TO
THE FACULTY SENATE.
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: This motion clarifies the charge of the
committee as currently stated in the Bylaws. It also
adds a non-retention appeals subcommittee to hear
non-retention reconsideration requests. This will
provide an avenue for appeals by non-retained faculty
similar to that provided by the promotion/tenure appeals
subcommittee for faculty who are denied tenure or
promotion.
**
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
RESOLUTION PASSED (17 ayes, 12 nays)
===========
WHEREAS, current UA Board of Regents policy calls for faculty
returning from a sabbatical leave to submit a written report;
and
WHEREAS, the Faculty Development, Improvement, and Assessment
Committee of the UAF Faculty Senate recommends that an oral
report to the faculty of the university, one in the series of
Faculty Seminars sponsored jointly by the Faculty Senate,
Provost�s Office, and the Academic Unit in which the faculty
member holds their appointment, be a new requirement of the
returning sabbatical leave faculty member; and
WHEREAS, this fosters intellectual exchange within UAF academic
community, reinforces the legitimacy of sabbatical leaves to
reinvigorate faculty, and provides opportunities to share UAF's
research and scholarly traditions and experiences with the
broader constituencies of UAF and the community statewide;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the UAF Faculty Senate
recommends the development of a Faculty Seminar Series.
The purpose of the seminar is to enable faculty returning from
sabbatical leave to share their experiences with the University
community and the public at large. The Senate anticipates that
faculty will be required to participate.
**
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
MOTION PASSED (unanimous)
==============
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend Section 3 (Article V:
Committees) A., of the Bylaws as follows:
(( )) = deletion
CAPS = addition
A. An Administrative Committee will be composed of the
chairpersons of all standing and permanent Senate committees, AND
THE PROVOST OF THE UNIVERSITY SHALL BE AN EX OFFICIO, NON-
VOTING MEMBER. SPECIFIC DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE IN ITS OBLIGATION TO FULLY PREPARE THE AGENDA AND
MATERIALS FOR EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE SENATE ARE:
1. RECEIVE REPORTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE,
THE PROVOST, AND, AS DEEMED TIMELY, OTHER INDIVIDUALS, ON
ISSUES OF CURRENT AND FUTURE IMPORTANCE TO THE SENATE;
2. ACCEPT AND REVIEW THE MOTIONS OF STANDING AND
PERMANENT COMMITTEES, AND FROM MEMBERS OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE;
3. MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE MOTIONS ARE READY FOR
SENATE ACTION TO THE MAXIMUM DEGREE POSSIBLE, AND IF
NOT, REFER THEM BACK FOR FURTHER WORK AND/OR DIRECT
THEM TO OTHER RELEVANT COMMITTEES THAT MAY NOT HAVE
CONSIDERED THE MOTIONS;
4. MOVE THE MOTIONS TO THE SENATE'S AGENDA;
5. REVIEW AND APPROVE OTHER ITEMS OF THE SENATE'S
AGENDA, AS DEEMED NECESSARY;
6. REVIEW REPORTS OF ALL COMMITTEE WORK IN PROGRESS;
AND
7. DISCUSS OTHER ISSUES, THAT MAY OR SHOULD LEAD TO
LATER COMMITTEE AND SENATE ACTIONS.
IN ADDITION,
8. WITHIN THE SCOPE OF AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE
SENATE AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE SPRING SEMESTER, THE
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE WILL REPRESENT THE SENATE
FROM THE CLOSE OF THE LAST SENATE MEETING IN THE SPRING
UNTIL THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SENATE MEETING OF THE FALL
SEMESTER; AND
9. AT THE FIRST MEETING IN THE FALL SEMESTER MAKE A
REPORT OF ALL ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN THE NAME OF THE
SENATE SINCE THE LAST MEETING IN THE SPRING SEMESTER.
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: The duties and obligations of the
Administrative Committee are not clearly defined in
the Constitution and Bylaws, and can vary from year to
year based on the experiences and desires of individuals
chairing the committee.
**
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
MOTION PASSED (unanimous)
==============
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to appoint an ad hoc committee to
study the relationship and/or structures of faculty governance at
universities in which the faculty are unionized, and to report back to
the Senate in a timely manner. Members will be:
Rich Seifert, Chair, Faculty Development, Assessment &
Improvement Committee
Diane Bischak, Chair, Faculty Appeals & Oversight Committee
Norm Swazo, Chair, Faculty Affairs Committee
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: Significant interest has been expressed for
a senate study of these issues, and one committee has
already formed a subcommittee. A coordinated effort is
required. Greater understanding of these relationships
can aid the Senate in its preparations for the new
environment. Three individual committee chairs have
agreed to serve on such a committee.
**
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #67 on
November 11, 1996:
MOTION PASSED (unanimous)
==============
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to confirm that any and all UAF
courses were included in the course compression and course
approval motion passed by the Faculty Senate's #59 meeting dated
November 13, 1995.
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: In the Curricular Affairs meeting dated
October 11, 1996 this issue was discussed and it was
moved in committee to confirm that the 500 level
courses were included in the November 13, 1995 motion.
The November 13, 1995 motion originally came from the
Curricular Affairs Committee.
Motion in question:
Any course compressed to less than six weeks must be
approved by the college or school's curriculum council.
Furthermore, any core course compressed to less than 6 weeks
must be approved by the Core Review Committee.
Any new course proposal must indicate those course
compression formats in which the course will be taught. Only
those formats approved will be allowed for scheduling.
UA