REGULAR MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE
APRIL 4, 1994
MINUTES
Senators excused were: Thomas Angell, Kenneth Biederman,
Christine Cannon, Barbara Curry,
Ardeshir Faghri, Judith Hough-Goldstein,
Roger Kobak, Vivian Klaff, Ajay Manrai,
Frank Murray, John Nye, James Pizzuto,
Kent Price, Mary Richards, Carolyn
Thoroughgood, D. A. Waterfield
Senators absent were: Richard Cunningham, William Daniels
I. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was adopted as presented.
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The minutes of the March 7, 1994 meeting were approved.
III. REMARKS BY INTERIM UNIVERSITY PROVOST MURRAY
Provost Murray gave a progress analysis on the five goals for the
University developed by the Focused Vision Implementation
Committee (Hoffecker Report). [A copy of the overheads used by
Provost Murray are available for inspection by Senators in the
Senate Office. These minutes are a brief summary of these
remarks.]
The five goals of the Hoffecker Report are a distillation of material
presented by units in 1987-88, collated by the Dilley Committee in
1989, and clarified by the Hoffecker Committee. Provost Murray's
remarks examine the progress made since 1990.
The first goal is to provide high-quality undergraduate education,
particularly for Delawareans. The resident fraction has increased
from 31% to 36% and the freshman to sophomore retention
increased from 81% to 85% (the national average is about 70%).
There are 50 new scholarships available to talented Delaware
residents. The average SAT scores have improved. Commitment
to undergraduate education is evidenced by the small increase in the
number of sections of regularly scheduled courses during a period
of financial strain. The first two Distinguished Alumni
Professorships were awarded in recognition of outstanding teaching.
The second goal is to strengthen research and to increase the
distinction of selected graduate programs. The graduate student
body has grown from 14% to 17% (the goal is 20%) primarily
through growth in Master's programs providing professional training
and the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program. The
graduate program offerings in Southern Delaware have been
expanded. Financial assistance to graduate students has increased
by 20% in the 1989-1993 period. Externally funded research has
grown from $40 million (1990) to $58 million (1993).
The third goal is to better integrate public service values into
University life and to provide greater assistance. This goal was to
be accomplished by integrating public service more fully into
research and instruction. Externally funded efforts in extension and
public service grew from $3.8 to $5.4 million in the last five years.
New service program examples include the Delaware Transportation
Institute, the Wilmington Community Development Project and 11
new projects in Cooperative Extension.
The fourth goal is to nurture a campus environment characterized
by respect for people of different genders, nationalities, sexual
orientations, and backgrounds. Toward this goal the following
activities have emerged: The Campus Diversity Unit, the Office of
Affirmative Action and Multicultural Programs, the Office of
Women's Affairs, the Commission to Promote Racial and Cultural
Diversity, and the diversity education component of New Student
Orientation. The graduation rate of African-Americans has
increased from 45% (1990) to 54% (1993) while the national
average is about 50%.
The fifth goal is to provide the many resources required to meet the
University's goals. The physical plant has been improved: nearly
all of the central classrooms have been rehabilitated in the last three
years, Lammot du Pont Chemistry building is completed, the
Colburn Laboratory expansion is underway and an addition to
Purnell Hall is being planned. Scholarship aid has increased 40% in
the last four years. University revenue from gifts increased 63%
and contracts and grants increased 46%. In the last four years the
total compensation for faculty has reached the median of the 23
similar institutions in the mid-Atlantic region.
Provost Murray closed by acknowledging the assistance of Michael
Middaugh, Dale Trusheim, and Carol Hoffecker.
Senator Grubb asked if the increase in course sections was
accomplished by adding teaching assistants, and Mike Middaugh
reported the percentage of courses taught by teaching assistants
has been constant during the last four years. He also asked if the
increase in average faculty compensation was achieved by large
gains of a few at the expense of others. The answer was that
average salary by rank and discipline are above the medians of the
comparison group.
Senator Wolters asked about the average SAT total score of 1020.
He observed that for weak state universities this number is in the
900s and only two or three state universities have a 1200+
average. Delaware is about in the middle of the pack. Provost
Murray replied that the institution is improving this average through
additional financial aid and growth of the Honors Program. Senator
Bolden asked if any type of religious studies are included in the
multicultural program and was answered that they are. She further
asked if SAT scores really reflect student quality and, in response,
was told that the correlation coefficient of freshman grades with
SAT scores is about 0.2; grades are mostly dependent on other
unmeasured factors.
President Scott commented that the creation of new knowledge is
a major goal of the institution which is unmeasured. Provost Murray
responded that increases in grant funding are a measure of success.
IV. REMARKS ON SENATE ACTIVITIES
President Scott gave a progress report on the activities of the
Senate Executive Committee this year. This report was presented
to allow time for completion of unmet needs.
The Senate set a precedent for broad-based faculty participation in
the search process for a senior administrator. The Senate kept
track of the progress of the Search Committee throughout the year,
and Search Committee Chair Daniel Rich spoke twice to the Senate.
The Executive Committee wrote a charge and formed an Ad Hoc
Committee on Freedom of Expression in Public Events under the
leadership of Robert Brown. The work of this Committee will
continue into next year, and it is likely that the Committee will
produce a policy statement on free expression in an educational
setting.
President Scott developed "Guidelines for Changes in Academic
Programs" and distributed them throughout the campus. These
guidelines are helpful to those needing to understand and expedite
the approval of academic program revisions. The Senate Office
tracks the progress of program change proposals when they
properly pass through the Senate Office in the approval chain.
President Scott described the operations and responsibilities of the
Faculty Senate to the Board of Trustees Committee on Education
and Training. Faculty observers to Trustees' committees were
asked to share their observations with the Executive Committee and
other related Senate committees. The efforts of the faculty
committees were extensive this year, and the work of four
committees was emphasized. The Committee on Promotions and
Tenure received attention for the number of negative verdicts, the
Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges had an extremely
heavy workload, particularly in the summer and early fall. The
Committee on Instructional, Computing and Research Support
Services worked to define its position in a thicket of related
committees. The Committee on Cultural Activities and Public
Events initiated a program for borrowing sculpture; Wendy Lehman
's "Sky High" is on exhibit in the Ewing, Smith and Purnell patio.
A new committee, Academic Priorities Review Committee, is to deal
with assessing academic and intellectual needs of the University.
In response to discussion at breakfast meetings with the President,
chairpersons were asked to provide examples of unique commitment
of faculty to undergraduate teaching. The 23 responses resulted in
a four-page report which may improve the public perception of
university education.
The budget of the Senate Office was increased, and the computing
equipment will be updated this summer. This year use of E-mail
improved the operations of the office greatly.
President Scott initiated discussions by the Executive Committee,
two former members of the Greek Life Task Force and student
leaders of Greek organizations and John Burke (DUSC President) on
implementation of the 1992 Senate Resolutions, particularly the
reduction and eventual elimination of the pledge (associate
membership) period.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Scott made two announcements: (1) Wanda Cook of the
Senate Office received a salaried staff merit award this year, and (2)
suggestions of nominations for honorary degrees should be
forwarded to President's Roselle's Office by June 1st.
VI. OLD BUSINESS - None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Recommendation from the Committee on Committees and
Nominations (F. Dilley, Chairperson) amending the Faculty
Handbook concerning the replacement for an elected position.
The following resolution was passed by voice vote (no
opposition):
WHEREAS, the rules of the Committee on Committees
and Nominations currently allow the
appointment of persons to fill unexpired
vacancies on all committees, and
WHEREAS, some of those committees contain members
elected by the Senate, be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the charge to the Committee on
Committees and Nominations, as it appears
in Section I-III, page I-15, second paragraph,
of the Faculty Handbook, be amended as
follows:
Except in cases where individuals are
elected by the University Faculty Senate,
this committee shall fill vacancies in
faculty committees for the unexpired
terms using the following options: 1.)
replacement for the period of the vacated
member's term or 2.) for the period of
the vacated member's term and an
additional full term not to exceed three
years. Whenever a vacancy occurs in a
position which was filled by a Senate
election, the replacement will be filled by
a special Senate election. The committee
is encouraged to solicit, receive, and hear
suggestions regarding . . . .
B. Recommendation from the Committee on Committees and
Nominations (F. Dilley, Chairperson) amending the Faculty
Handbook concerning the Library Committee.
The following resolution was passed by voice vote:
WHEREAS, The Library Committee contains only one
representative from the College of Arts and
Science. Since the Humanities make heavy
use of the library, it is highly desirable to
always have someone represent the
Humanities, be it therefore
RESOLVED, that the charge to the Library Committee, as
it appears in Section I-III, page I-20, of the
Faculty Handbook be amended as follows:
This committee shall consist of the
Director of Libraries; one faculty from
each of the several colleges (with the
exception of the College of Arts and
Science which shall have two, one of
whom shall be from a discipline in the
Humanities); one undergraduate student;
and one graduate student. One of the
faculty shall be appointed chairperson. It
shall serve as a focus for advising the
Director and the faculty or its Senate as
to policies and practices regarding the
University Libraries.
C. Introduction of new business - None introduced.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Olson
Secretary
University Faculty Senate
JO/rg