Minutes of the University Senate
meeting April 11, 2007
Present:
C. Bengston, H. Briston, S. Brownmiller,
C. Cherry, S. Cohen, A. Coles-Bjerre, C. Ellis, A. Emami, P. Gilkey, O. Guerra,
N. Gulley, S. Holmberg*, J. Hurwit, R. Irvin, L. Karim, L. LaTour, P. Lu, B.
Malle, K. McPherson, T. Minner, C. Minson, D. Olson, V. Ostrik, A. Papiliou, G.
Psaki, F. Pyle, P. Rounds, G. Sayre, A. Schulz, J. Sneirson, J. Stolet, N.
Tublitz, J. Wagenknecht, K. Wagle
Excused:
C.A. Bassett, M.
Dennis, S. Gary, P. Lambert, A. Mathas
Absent:
G. Berk, M. Chong*,
J. Daniels, A. Djiffack, Corlea (Sue) Martinez*, J. Newton, M. Pangburn, C.
Parsons, L. Richardson, A. Sherrick
CALL TO
ORDER
The
regular meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 3:08 p.m. in
150 Columbia by Senate Vice President Gordon Sayre in the absence of spring
term senate president W. Andrew Marcus who was out of town due to a death in
the family. Vice President Sayre announced
that an important community hearing held by the state Ways and Means Committee regarding
the proposed state budget for education (higher education as well as K-12) will
be held in 180 PLC at 6:30 p.m. April 11th A large turnout
from Lane Community College was expected, and he encouraged senate members to
attend and sign up for testimony to express any of their concerns about the
budget.
APPROVAL
OF THE MINUTES
Minutes
from the March 11, 2007 meeting were approved as distributed.
STATE
OF THE UNIVERSITY
Remarks
from Provost Linda Brady. The provost opened her remarks
saying that President Frohnmayer would prefer to be at the meeting, but he was
hospitalized for surgery on a broken leg injured while was skiing the previous
weekend. She noted the president
appreciated the get well wishes he had received and acknowledged the
senate’s wishes for the president’s complete and speedy
recovery. Provost Brady expressed
her appreciation to Suzanne Clark for exceptional service as president of the
senate winter term. She also passed
along comments from President Frohnmayer expressing his sense of the importance
of the UO’s proactive response to proposed
HB 2823 to
grant degrees to internees of WW II who could not complete their degrees. President Frohnmayer and senate
president Andrew Marcus invited a group to convene as a committee to help
address this issue in as expeditious a manner as possible. The provost also reinforced the importance
of attending the Ways and Means Committee hearing to make the case for higher
education. She mentioned too that
a team of 12 people from the NW accreditation commission will visit the campus
April 16th - 18th The UO’s accreditation self study is available on
university web site, and there will be opportunities to interact with the
accreditation team during their visit.
Next, the
provost recognized chemistry Professor Geri Redmond who recently was named a
Guggenheim Fellow, one of 189 recipients of the award this year, and one of
only two chemists in the US named for the award. (The Guggenheim award recognizes outstanding achievement in
the individual’s field during the past as well as exceptional promise for
the future.) Provost Brady
remarked that Geri is an outstanding research and teacher, deeply committed to
graduate education and student mentoring.
Turning
her attention to the academic excellence agenda, the provost reaffirmed that academic
quality is central to the mission and values of the institution, a mission that
is pursued every day through established processes and decisions, including the
recruitment, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and post-tenure review of our
faculty; peer mentoring; undergraduate and graduate admissions; assessment of
teaching, student learning and performance; academic program review and
accreditation, to name only a few.
She listed the many committees on campus that govern policies and are
responsible for decisions that impinge upon academic excellence, such as the
Faculty Personnel Committee, the Senate Budget Committee, the University
Committee on Courses, the Undergraduate Council, the Graduate Council, the
Committee on Teaching Awards, the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum
Committee, and others, including the recently formed Senate Committee on
Academic Excellence. Furthermore,
persons serving in administrative and academic leadership positions -- vice
presidents, deans, department heads, vice provosts, and others -- participate
actively in the development and implementation of policies that impact the
academic quality of the institution.
The provost remarked that fundamentally, the quality of the UO is
imbedded in the faculty, and stressed that outstanding faculty from across the
university must be actively involved in conversations about academic excellence. After wide consultation regarding the importance
of broad faculty participation in these discussions and how best to structure
an advisory council to the provost on matters related to academic excellence,
the provost said that effective spring term 2007 she is establishing a
Provost’s Advisory Council on Academic Excellence.
The provost
outlined the composition of the new council indicating that it will include 14
full members, all senior faculty (tenured associate or full professors); six drawn
from the College of Arts and Sciences; six from the professional schools and
colleges, and two members appointed at-large. Half of the initial council will serve two-year terms
(2007-09); and half will serve one-year terms (2007-08). In subsequent years, new members will
be appointed for two year terms to ensure continuity as well as broad
participation among faculty, giving voice to a diversity of views and ideas. In addition, three ex-officio members will meet with the council
in recognition of the roles they each play in advancing academic quality: the vice
provost for academic affairs, the vice provost for institutional equity and
diversity, and the president of the University Senate.
Provost
Brady noted that after soliciting recommendations of outstanding faculty to
serve on this council, she is in the process of contacting faculty to invite
them to serve and expects to finalize the council and announce its membership
to the university community by Friday, April 20, 2007. The provost expects to engage the
council in discussions of fundamental questions concerning excellence and the
specific challenges we face in building and sustaining quality, including:
Though the
questions are central to an academic quality agenda, they are not the property
of any one group within the university; accordingly, the provost said that she envisions
using the Provost’s Advisory Council on Academic Excellence as a sounding
board and as one source of ideas and energy to engage the academic quality agenda. She commented that she looks forward to
exploring ways in which the Provost’s Advisory Council can contribute to
and reinforce efforts already underway, including the work of important senate
and universities committee.
The
provost concluded her remarks saying that this was an appropriate time to focus
on our collective plans and dreams as an institution. She noted that an announcement of a series of opportunities
to explore emerging “big ideas” in our disciplines and professional
programs and the collective dreams that will shape our future will be made
shortly. She anticipated multiple
venues for such conversations during spring term, involving small group
meetings across the campus, and including faculty focus groups, meetings with
department heads, and already planned leadership retreats throughout the summer
and early fall. Lastly, the
provost reinforced her commitment to engaging these issues in an active and
collaborative way. She indicated
that she welcomed the opportunity to work with senate leadership, senate and university
committees, academic administration, a newly constituted Provost’s
Advisory Council on Academic Excellence, and the faculty at large to clearly
articulate an agenda designed to build and sustain academic excellence at the UO
and to creatively explore the many possibilities the future holds.
During a
question and answer period Senator Bertram Malle, psychology, asked how the
university would pay for any changes to increase academic excellence given the poor
state of the budget. The provost
replied that there is some reason for optimism, and that she is generally
pleased with the governor’s budget, while concerned with the co-chairs
(Ways and Means Committee) budget; she hopes for some movement there. The State Senate increased the debt
ceiling, which will have a positive impact on the capital budget, and gives
hope that some of the capital construction budget will be restored. There will have to be some discussion
about allocation of resources, and how to move forward in the comprehensive
campaign. She said that we will
need to establish priorities related to an academic excellence agenda. The provost indicated that there will be
no single source of revenue and that we need to think creatively about where we
are and make some very difficult decisions centrally and locally about
reallocation of resources. If we
can restore funding in governor’s budget to reduce the student-faculty
ratio, and can add additional faculty where we have real opportunities or where
there is real demand, this will help.
But, the provost remarked, she remains conscious of the need to retain
our current faculty, and the governor’s budget had money to address
issues related to faculty salaries.
Senator Gina
Psaki, romance languages, asked about testimony at the Ways and Means hearing
scheduled for later in the evening.
The provost replied that written testimony in the form of bulleted
points is often most effective.
But she stressed the importance of communicating concerns with
one’s own representatives, and encouraged faculty and staff to write to
representatives independent of the meeting. On the subject of establishing the Provost’s Advisory
Council, Senator Nathan Tublitz voiced concern that the new council covers many
of the same issues as does the Senate Committee on Academic Excellence. Provost Brady answered that she recognized
there is a range of university and senate committees working in areas that have
an impact on academic excellence. She
expects the Provost’s Advisory Council to engage with these various
groups. The provost indicated that
she wants to establish strong communication channels to establish what the
salient issues are and which committees can deal with these issues more
specifically. She would like the
new advisory council to think in terms of priorities that the UO needs to deal
with as an institution, and to engage directly with other groups or committees doing
work in specific areas.
REPORTS
Annual
report from the Department of Athletics. With
the recent departure of former Athletics Director Bill Moos, the annual report
from the athletics department was provided by Dan Williams, currently serving
as special assistant to the president (see http://www.uoregon.edu/~uosenate/dirsen067/DptInterColAthRept7Apr07.pdf
for the full report). Mr. Williams
reported that 18 teams compete in intercollegiate athletics representing the
UO, with 400 students participating, 300 of whom are on scholarships. The full report lists highlights of the
teams’ many accomplishments to date for the academic year. Mr. Williams also noted the
successfully concluded search for a new AD with the recent appointment of Pat
Kilkenny, whom he will introduce at the conclusion of this report.
The athletics
department’s operating budget exceeds $40 million with revenue coming
from ticket sales, donations, shared income from the Pac-10 Conference, media
and sponsorship income, guarantees, student fees, event-related income, and
camps. Although the department is
in a positive, self-supporting financial position, the department wishes to
achieve greater financial stability (and self sustainability) through the
establishment of new unencumbered revenue sources. Mr. Williams noted improvements underway to the medical and
training treatment center, upgrades to Hayward filed in preparation for the
Olympic trials in 2008, and planning taking place to relocate academic support
services to a new facility in the Agate Street area. He indicated that a recent visit from an NCAA certification
team went well with a positive exit interview and full report due in
summer. Similarly, an assessment
of the department’s progress over the past 10 years was conducted by Ted
Leland (long-time athletic director at Stanford University) which noted
significant improvements made as well as some challenges that needed to be
addressed to maintain the department’s high performance level. Mr. Williams noted that the AD met
regularly with the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee throughout the year (the
IAC report is separate from this report).
Lastly, Mr. Williams reported that the NCAA has adopted new benchmarks
to assess student athletes’ academic progress. Academic progress of some UO student athletes has not been
satisfactory the past year and steps have been taken to make improvements and
insure compliance with the regulations.
During a
brief question and answer period, Senator Renee Irvin, PPPM, commented about the
goal of self-sustainability, suggesting that the department consider setting a minimum
target amount for reserves and a maximum cap, high enough to smooth over years
when revenue is down. She added
that she would like to see fiscal measures tied into academic performance of
student athletes. Mr. Williams
responded that are no reserves currently and the department is starting from
scratch; addressing the latter point, Mr. Williams indicated that there are
some benchmark incentives in a number of coaches contracts to encourage better
academic performance of their student athletes.
Remarks
from UO Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny. Mr. Kilkenny
opened his remarks saying that he was delighted to be serving as the new
AD. He indicated that his contract
was for a 2-year period, and that in his discussions with the president, he
would be turning his attention to improving the perceived differences between
student athletes and academics, improving the department’s financial situation
and operations, and moving the new basketball arena project along. AD Kilkenny acknowledged that some
student athletes have a difficult time being competitive on athletic fields and
competitive in classrooms at the same time. He noted that the department will invest in the infrastructure
support for student athletes (in the proposed academic learning center) that
will benefit the entire campus.
Mr. Kilkenny commented that the IAC is a great platform to communicate
with the campus and he will continue that interface. The AD remarked that the UO can be proud of the
department’s financial position – very few schools are
self-supporting – but noted that the position is fragile. He hopes to broaden the donor base to
develop unencumbered dollars, and he will be cautious about expenditures. These types of reserves take time to
develop, but the AD wants to get the process started.
Moving to
the issue of building a new arena, Mr. Kilkenny acknowledged the need for a new
facility and said the scope of the original planning will be reviewed; that is,
he is looking at building options for an arena if a “world class”
gift is involved, and also for a scaled back arena option that would serve the
university well for the next 75 years. On a more personal level, Mr. Kilkenny expressed his excitement
about the innovative thinking present at the UO, saying that he wants to build
on that innovative spirit. He
hopes to do a better job of explaining the good things that have been
accomplished, too. For example,
the men’s basketball team finished 8th in the nation, all its
players are on track for graduation, and they competed against teams from
athletic departments, that on average, receive $7 million in subsidies from
their schools. The UO on the other
hand, receives no subsidies and returns $8.2 million to the campus, including
$4 million in out-of-state tuition/scholarships. The new AD concluded his remarks saying that there are many
brilliant minds on campus that he hopes to consult with in the process of
improving the athletics department, and that he appreciated the opportunity to
speak to the senators.
To a
question from Senator Nate Gully, ASUO, concerning the future of basketball coach
Ernie Kent’s contract Mr. Kilkenny replied that a press conference is
being held later in the afternoon regarding that topic with a positive outcome
expected.
Interinstitutional
Faculty Senate (IFS) report. IFS representative Peter Gilkey,
mathematics, provided a paper copy handout reporting the recent (April 6-7th)
IFS meetings (see http://www.uoregon.edu/~ifs/dir07/IFSApr67-07.html
for meeting minutes). In
particular, Senator Gilkey highlighted the proposed HB2823 piece of legislation
which is related to awarding honorary degrees to students relocated to
internment camps during World War II.
Senator Gilkey said that the UO is appointing a committee to explore
appropriate ways to address this issue and that he will give notice of motion
to this effect later in the meeting.
On another matter, Senator Gilkey reported that the IFS voted to endorse
HB 2579 which proposes to increase the faculty representatives on the State
Board of Higher Education from one member to two members (one from OSU/PSU/UO
and the other from EOU/OIT/SOU/WOU).
Distinguished
Service Awards. The senate moved to Executive Session to
for approximately 15 minutes to discuss nominees for the university’s
Distinguished Service Awards.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The
secretary noted that the election page to date has been posted and that there remain
a number of open positions. Elections
will be held April 27th through May 7th with results
available by the May senate meeting.
NEW
BUSINESS
Notice
of Motion. Senator Gilkey gave notice of a motion
regarding the awarding of honorary degrees for UO students evacuated to internment
camps during World War II.
Motion
US06/07-11
– To expand criteria for officers-of-instruction who may serve as
University Senate vice president and president. Senator Jeffrey Hurwit introduced
the following motion, sponsored by the Senate Executive Committee:
BE
IT MOVED that Article
5.2 of the Enabling Legislation be amended to state:
5.2 At the
December 1995 meeting of the University Senate, as constituted at that time,
the senate shall elect from among its second-year officer-of-instruction
senators both a president and a vice president/president-elect for the newly
formed University Senate that will be seated in January 1996. The terms of
office for both shall be January 1, 1996, to May 22, 1996; the vice president
shall become president at that time by confirmation of the senate. On May 22,
1996, and thereafter the election of senate officers shall take place at the
last meeting of the University Senate each spring. The vice president shall be
elected from among the officers-of-instruction who have served on the
University Senate in the previous five years (inclusive of the academic year in
which they are elected vice president) and will become president at the end of
the following year by
Senator
Hurwit explained that the basis for the motion is to increase the pool size of
the number of senate vice president candidates that would be eligible to serve
first as vice president of the senate and as president the ensuing year. Currently, only half of the senate
membership, that is, 24senators each year, are eligible to serve as vice
president. The proposed
legislative change would increase the pool of possible candidate to include
instructional faculty who have had relatively recent senate experience. Senator Hurwit also noted a recent
Department of Justice ruling which permits the senate to amend the enabling legislation. With little further discussion, the
question was called and the motion put to a vote. US Motion US06/07-11 which expands the criteria
for officers-of-instruction who may serve as University Senate vice president and president passed
unanimously by voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT
With no
other business at hand, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Gwen
Steigelman
Secretary
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