REGULAR MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE

Official Minutes 

 

APRIL 2, 2012 – 104 GORE HALL

 

March 23, 2012

 

TO:                  Senators and Executives

FROM:            Belinda Orzada, Vice President  

                        University Faculty Senate

SUBJECT:       Regular Faculty Senate Meeting April 2, 2012

            In accordance with Section IV, paragraph 6 of the Constitution, the regular meeting of the University Faculty Senate will be held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in 104 Gore Hall.  The General Faculty meeting will be held this month as well.  This meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. just prior to the Faculty Senate meeting and will also be held in 104 Gore Hall.   Please make every effort to attend this meeting.

 

I certify that hard copies of the approval page for each undergraduate and graduate studies academic item on the agenda are filed in the Faculty Senate Office with the appropriate signatures of approval up through the Chair of the Faculty Senate Coordinating Committee on Education.  The Agenda will be as follows:

 

Official Minutes

I.                 Adoption of the Agenda

Resolution 11.5 pulled from the Agenda based on emails read by Jeff in the meeting

Moving last item from agenda after student life

Report by Martha Buell added to Announcements

Agenda as amended was adopted

II.                Approval of the Minutes: March 5, 2012

               The Minutes approved.

III.             Remarks:       Provost Tom Apple

·        Very successful hiring of faculty – last 3 years in a row

·        Doing extremely well in Research  - multiple grant awards and publication records.

·        Student admissions highest ever; highest ever sophomore retention rate

·        Our students are beating Research 1 Institutions in the 11 measures in a study conducted by ETS.

·        Very optimistic about the direction in which UD is headed

IV.              Announcements: Senate President Jeff Jordan: Senate President Jordan reviews his announcement slides

a.  CynthiaCampanella, Office of Alumni and University Relations – Update on
Alumni Week-end: 
http://www.udel.edu/alumniweekend/index.html

b. Report from Chair of P & T, Martha Buell: P & T committee requests that they be allowed to make changes to the P & T section of the handbook. The committee recommends increasing the size of the committee to include a member from every college on campus and a CNTT member as an ex-officio member.

V.                 Consent Agenda

Item M is being pulled.  Concent Agenda moved/seconded and approved.

    1. Announcements for Challenge: 

 

 

a.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to add a new Minor: Health, Physical Activity and Disability Minor (UGS 0159) (attachment) (attachment)

 

b.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the Economics Minor (UGS 0113) (attachment)

 

c.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (UGS0115) (attachment)  (revised attachment 3-1-2012)

 

d.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the Minor in Electrical and Computer Engineering (UGS0127) (revised attachment 3-6-2012)

 

e.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the Art Minor (UGS0129) (attachment) (email attachment)

 

f.        Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request add a minor revision to the BS in Quantitative Biology (UGS0138) (attachment) (revised attachment)

 

g.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the minor in Music Management Studies BA/BM (UGS 0139) (attachment)

 

h.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to change the name of the concentrations within the Sociology Majors – Concentration in Health and Health Services (UGS0142) (attachment)

 

i.        Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise major requirements for the Health Behavior Science degree  (UGS 0158)  (attachment 3-2-12)

 

Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the Major Concentration Bachelor of Science in Nursing- Baccalaureate for the Registered Nurse (BRN) (UGS 0162) (attachment) (revised attachment 2-13-2012)

 

j.        Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the minor in Coastal and Marine Geoscience (UGS 0170) (attachment) (revised attachment 2-23-12)

 

k.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the minor in Geology  (UGS 0171) (attachment revised 2-23-12)

 

l.        Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Andrew Teplekov, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the MS in Exercise Science (attachment) (policy statement)

 

m.    Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Andrew Teplekov, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the MS (thesis and non-thesis) and the PhD in Plant and Soil Sciences (attachment)

1. MS non-thesis (attachment) (attachment) (attachment)

2. MS thesis (attachment) (attachment) (attachment)

3. PhD (attachment) (attachment) (attachment)

n.   Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Andrew Teplekov, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to revise the MA in Sociology, the MA in Criminal Justice and the PhD in Sociology and Criminal Justice  (attachment)

                              1.         MA Sociology (attachment)  (attachment grad policy)

                              2.         MA Criminal Justice (attachment)  (attachment grad policy)

                              3.         PhD Sociology (attachment)  (attachment grad policy)

4.         PhD Criminal Justice (attachment) (attachment grad policy)

 

o.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to add a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies (attachment) (support doc.)

 

 Consent Agenda approved with the exception of item “m” which was pulled from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.

VI.              Regular Agenda

 

      1. Unfinished Business:  None

 

      1. New Business:

 

a.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to disestablish the Bioresources Engineering Department in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UGS0109) (attachment ) (attachment resolution)  attachment) (attachment) (attachment) (attachment)

 

WHEREAS,     all BREG faculty members will have the option of joining another department or reporting directly to the college if they do not know what department would be the most appropriate to join.   As part of this process, BREG members were encouraged to explore where they would be best positioned and most productive in the future. In either case, their workload assignment will likely change somewhat to meet the needs of their new area of responsibility, and

 

WHEREAS,     students in the undergraduate program will have the option of transferring to another program or finishing their degree in BREG.  Thus, the BREG undergraduate academic program would end in approximately 4-5 years and no later than September 1, 2016, and

 

WHEREAS,     faculty who intend to seek promotion in the near future could be evaluated based on the criteria of BREG or they could elect to use the criteria of any department that they join.  If they use the BREG P&T criteria and are seeking promotion to full professor, the department evaluation committee would need to be largely comprised of individuals from outside the department in accordance with the department’s policy since there are no full professors in the department now except for the department chair.  The option to use the BREG P&T policy would remain available until the academic program ends.  Thus, it is expected that this option would be available for about 4-5 years, and

 

WHEREAS,     BREG faculty and the Dean’s office will work together to address any unforeseen complications that arise from disbanding BREG.  CANR and BREG faculty goals are to strengthen the University’s ability to provide research and outreach relevant to the agricultural and natural resource engineering needs of the University’s constituents; to integrate the engineering expertise of BREG faculty into other academic programs, scientific disciplines and departments; and to place individuals in environments where they are well positioned to be successful and productive in the future, be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that the Faculty Senate recommends that the Department of Bioresources Engineering be permanently disestablished by September 1, 2016, in accordance with the principles in the whereas’ above, approved by a vote of the department faculty on March 18th, 2011 (approved, 7-1, with one abstention) and by a vote of the college faculty on May 20th, 2011 (approved 30-7, with 5 abstentions).

Resolution passes.

 

b.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to add a 4+1 BS and MS HDFS: Concentration in Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Education (UGS 0148) (attachment) (attachment 2-23-2012)

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed 4 + 1 Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies: Early Childhood Leadership Concentration offers an alternate accelerated route for highly qualified students to begin pursuing a master’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership while an undergraduate Early Childhood Education major at the University of Delaware, and

 

WHEREAS,     the University of Delaware will be one of only a few schools in the nation to offer a  five year accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degree program with a focus on Early Childhood Leadership, and

 

WHEREAS,     the existing graduate programs in Human Development and Family Studies already provide all the courses and administrative framework for such a degree, and

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed program contributes to two milestones on the University’s “Path to Prominence” to become a premier research and graduate university; to achieve excellence in professional education; be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that the Faculty Senate recommends approval of the establishment of a new 4+1 Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education/Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies: Early Childhood Leadership Concentration (BS/MS) in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Resolution passes.

c.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to add a new Major: Medical Technology, BS Medical Diagnostics   (UGS 0163) (revised attachment 3-6-12)     (revised attachment 3-6-12) (attachment revised 3-6-12)

 

WHEREAS,     the Department of Medical Technology has expressed the intent to establish a new

major, Medical Diagnostics, and

 

WHEREAS,     the Medical Diagnostics curriculum incorporates the core lecture courses from the Medical Technology major (not including the laboratory courses) with selected courses from other scientific disciplines to provide a solid foundation for students pursuing graduate and professional degrees in healthcare related professions, and

 

WHEREAS,     recent articles in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology describe the need for students pursuing medical school or graduate education in healthcare to gain a knowledge base in laboratory medicine to better prepare them for post-baccalaureate programs, and

 

WHEREAS,     the Medical Diagnostics major is distinct from the Medical Technology major in that the Medical Diagnostics major is a non-certification track while the Medical Technology major leads to certification eligibility, be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that the Faculty Senate approves provisionally, for five years, the establishment of a new major in Medical Diagnostics, effective September 1, 2012.

Resolution passes.

 

d.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to change the name and revise the BA Geology Major (UGS 0167) (attachment revised 2-23-12)

 

WHEREAS,     the faculty of the Department of Geological Sciences have undertaken a revision to the curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology, and

 

WHEREAS,     as part of this revision it is proposed that the name of the major and of its Bachelor of Arts degree be changed from Geology to Geological Sciences, and

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed name better reflects the broad scope of geological topics that are taught, and are the focus of research, by the Departmental faculty, and

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed name aligns the major and degree with the name of the Department, be

it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that, effective the beginning of the 2012 Fall semester, the name of the Geology major and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology be changed to the major in Geological Sciences and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Geological Sciences.

 Resolution passes.

e.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to  change the name and revise the BS Geology Major  (UGS 0168) (attachment revised 2-23-12)       

 

WHEREAS,     the faculty of the Department of Geological Sciences have undertaken a revision to the curriculum of the Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, and

 

WHEREAS,     as part of this revision it is proposed that the name of the major and of its Bachelor of Science degree be changed from Geology to Geological Sciences, and

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed name better reflects the broad scope of geological topics that are taught, and are the focus of research, by the Departmental faculty, and

 

WHEREAS,     the proposed name aligns the major and degree with the name of the Department, be

it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that, effective the beginning of the 2012 Fall semester, the name of the Geology major and the Bachelor of Science degree in Geology be changed to the major in Geological Sciences and the Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences.

Resolution passes.

 

 f.        Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (Fred Hofstetter, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request for a degree name change and revise the BA Earth Science Education Major (UGS 0169) (revised attachment 2-23-12)

WHEREAS,     the faculty of the Department of Geological Sciences have undertaken a revision to the curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science Education, and

 WHEREAS     the proposed revision will better prepare Earth Science Education majors to meet their certification requirements and to become exemplary teachers of secondary-level earth science, and

WHEREAS,     in the revision the curriculum has been modified to significantly increase the amount and depth of science content that is required to complete the requirements for the major, and

 WHEREAS,    the revised curriculum is more closely aligned with the requirements for Bachelor of Science degrees in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, be it therefore

 RESOLVED,  that, effective the beginning of the 2012 Fall semester, the Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science Education be renamed to the Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science Education.

Motion was proposed to move the resolution back to committee.  The resolution was defeated 15-30. The original resolution passed (37 ayes)

g.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Graduate Studies (Andrew Telplekov, Chair) with the concurrence of the Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to change the name of the MS in Hospitality Information Management and make revisions to the MS (senate form) (attachment program policy statement ) (attachment planning guide) (attachment curriculum page)  (attachment comparison table) (resolution)

 

WHEREAS,     the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management has expressed the intent to change the name of the Master’s Program from Master of Science in Hospitality Information Management to Master of Science in Hospitality Business Management, and

 

WHEREAS,     HRIM has received many inquiries over the last several years from individuals who are interested in a business-oriented hospitality Master’s degree focused on analytical careers in the hospitality industry, but not in Hospitality Information Management, and

 

WHEREAS,     HRIM has proposed an MS-Hospitality Business Management, which will offer students a path towards pursuing careers in the hospitality industry with strong decision-making capabilities and analytical skills pertinent to the information age, and

 

RESOLVED,   that the Faculty Senate recommends the name of the program be changed from Master of Science in Hospitality Information Management to Master of Science in Hospitality Business Management

Resolution passes.

 

h.       Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Student Life (Mark Parcells, Chair) with the concurrence of the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to approve the 2012-2013 Student Life Resident Life Plans(attachment) (attachment) ( attachment)

 

WHEREAS,     faculty review of any residential program involving students is a proper function of the University Faculty Senate, and

 

WHEREAS,     the Student Life Committee of the Faculty Senate, and the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate have reviewed and recommend approval of the residential program proposed by the Office of Residence Life for the academic year 2012-2013, be it therefore

 

      RESOLVED,  that the Faculty Senate of the University of Delaware has reviewed and recommends for approval of the attached Office of Residence Life residential program for 2012- 2013

Resolution passes.

i.         Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges (Evelyn Hayes, Chair) with the concurrence of the Rules Committee (Anu Sivaraman, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to amend the Mediation and Complaint Procedures and the Charge of the Faculty Senate Standing Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges (attachment 1)  (attachment 2) (attachment 3)

 

WHEREAS,     the University Faculty Senate’s Faculty Welfare & Privileges Committee is charged with jurisdiction over faculty complaints which are not grievances as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and

 

WHEREAS,     the University Faculty Senate’s Executive Committee and Rules Committee reviewed the composition of and the procedures to be followed by the Committee on Faculty Welfare& Privileges in the mediation and hearing of faculty complaints, and

 

WHEREAS,     it is imperative that the actions of the Faculty Welfare & Privileges Committee in the mediation and hearing of faculty complaints be fair to both parties engaged in a complaint, and

 

WHEREAS,     revisions to the Faculty Handbook require Faculty Senate approval, be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,   that the University Faculty Senate revise (modifications of existing policy in the Faculty Handbook are shown in Attachment 1) the membership of the Committee on Faculty Welfare & Privileges to include only tenured faculty and to have a chair designated by the Committee on Committees and Nominations (COCAN), and

 

RESOLVED,   that the University Faculty Senate revise (modifications of existing procedures are shown in Attachment 2) the Complaint Procedures of the Committee on Faculty Welfare& Privileges such that members of the Committee may not serve as a mediator in a Complaint, and that University of Delaware employees in the Office of the General Counsel may not serve as an advisor or observer in a hearing involving a Complaint.

  This resolution was tabled until the May meeting of the Faculty Senate

j.    Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Faculty Welfare and Privileges (Evelyn Hayes, Chair) with the concurrence of the Rules Committee (Anu Sivaraman, Chair) and the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to create a policy for Emergency Involuntary Leave of Absence With Pay  (attachment)

 

WHEREAS,         currently, the  faculty have no right to file a grievance and therefore, no right to full due process, access to information, if put on leave  against their will in an emergency situation, because the University of Delaware has no policy on Emergency Involuntary Leave and;

WHEREAS,         the proposed policy only applies to situations where, on the basis of observed conduct, there is credible evidence to believe that the individual has engaged, is engaging, or is likely to engage in behavior that represents an imminent danger of harm to self or others; and

WHEREAS,         To protect the safety and security of all students, faculty and staff, the University must be able to quickly respond to emergency situations; and

WHEREAS,         Under the proposed policy the Vice President has a maximum of 24 hours after imposition of an involuntary emergency leave to explain the need for the action and must before the end of each seven day leave period, justify the need for continuation of the leave through a formal review procedure in which the faculty has the right to participate; and

WHEREAS,         It is in University’s best interest to protect the reputation of individual faculty members; be it therefore

RESOLVED,        that the Faculty Senate endorses the proposed emergency involuntary leave policy, and will review the policy if and when changes are proposed by either the FWP or the Administration.

 This resolution was tabled until the May meeting of the Faculty Senate

k.      Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Coordinating Committee on Education (Sheldon Pollack, Chair) with the concurrence of the  Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to approve a resolution of the University of Delaware Faculty Senate, regarding certain provisions in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that affect decisions on faculty promotions and tenure  (attachment)

 

WHEREAS,           Article 11.5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement entered into by and between the administration of the University of Delaware (the “Administration”) and the University of Delaware Chapter of the AAUP (the “AAUP”), effective July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013 (the “CBA”), includes certain provisions that affect the standards applied in decisions on faculty promotions and tenure; specifically, such provisions require that in decisions on faculty promotions and tenure, proportionate weight must be given to the candidate’s workload with respect to service, teaching, and research/scholarship/creative activity; and

 

WHEREAS,           establishing the standards and requirements that apply in decisions on faculty promotions and tenure is a responsibility delegated to the Faculty of the University of Delaware, subject to approval by the Administration, and exercised by the committees of the Faculty Senate and the several colleges and divisions, as provided for under Chapter 2 (II)(D)(2) of the Bylaws of the University of Delaware and Section 1, Subsection XIV of the Bylaws and Regulations of the University Faculty Senate; and

 

WHEREAS,           such provisions in Article 11.5 of the CBA that require that proportionate weight be given to the candidate’s workload effectively limit the discretion and authority of the Faculty in so establishing the standards and requirements that apply in decisions on faculty promotions and tenure; be it therefore

 

RESOLVED,         that the Faculty Senate respectfully requests that the Administration and the AAUP, at the next contract negotiation or sooner, come together to amend Article 11.5 of the CBA to remove the aforementioned provisions that limit the discretion and authority of the Faculty Senate to establish the standards that apply in decisions on faculty promotions and tenure.

Article 11.5 of the CBA:

 

“In the distribution of merit pay and in the promotion and tenure process and in the peer review process, the weights assigned to teaching, research/scholarship/creative activity and service must be directly related to the workload developed with the faculty member for the period of  review. The relative proportions of teaching, research/scholarship/creative activity and service necessarily vary widely across the faculty. For instance, in promotion and tenure decisions, the weighting given to each of these three areas shall be proportionate to its weighting in the applicant’s assigned workload. The criteria written by each department to fit its particular circumstances and needs must accommodate all possible combinations of workload.”

This was pulled from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.

 

l[AS1] .         Recommendation from the Committee on Rules (Anu Sivaraman, Chair) with the concurrence of the Executive Committee (Jeff Jordan, Chair) for the request to approve a resolution to Define Tenure at the University of Delaware  (attachment 1)

WHEREAS,           promotion and tenure is of fundamental importance to the Faculty and Administration of the University of Delaware, and

WHEREAS,           the current Faculty Handbook does not contain a definition and/or description of tenure, and

WHEREAS,          revisions to the Faculty Handbook require
Faculty Senate approval, be it therefore

RESOLVED,         that the policy on tenure (modifications of existing policy in the Faculty Handbook are shown in Attachment 1) as described within the Faculty Handbook be revised to include a description of tenure that reads:

                                    Tenure is granted to faculty by the University to safeguard academic freedom and promote the free and open discussion of issues on campus.  Tenure is a formal assurance that a faculty member’s professional security and academic freedom will not be placed in question without the observance of full academic due process. Tenure provides that no person continuously retained as a full-time faculty member beyond the specified probationary period may thereafter be dismissed without adequate cause(within the meaning of Section 4.1.15 of this Faculty Handbook on “Terminations and Non-Renewals” and subject to the procedures and protections provided therein) or in the case of extraordinary financial circumstances (as provided for in Article 14.1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Section 3.4 of this Faculty Handbook on “Faculty Involvement Related to Extraordinary Financial Circumstances”). The award of tenure carries with it certain responsibilities and obligations as well.  These include the obligation of tenured faculty to maintain high standards in all their professional activities in accordance with the applicable policies of the University.[AS2] 

The deletion was moved and seconded. The amended resolution was passed. The senate then voted on whether we should discuss/vote on the amended resolution today or postpone to May meeting. 42 ayes, 8 nays, no abstentions.  The amended resolution was voted on: 38 ayes, 5 nays, 0 abstentions. The resolution (as amended) was passed.

VII.           Introduction of New Business

Such items as may come before the Senate.  (No motion introduced under new business, except a motion to refer to committee, shall be acted upon until the next meeting of the Senate.)

The following was Introduced at the regular meeting of the Faculty Senate 4/2/12 by Senator Galileo with the following co-sponsors: Sens. Buell, Hastings, Heinz, Jebb, Johnson, J.Morgan, and Morrison and Carrol Izard.   The resolution was referred to the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate.

 

Whereas,        the Faculty Senate functions as the standing executive committee of the Faculty of the University of Delaware and, as such, exercises the powers vested in the Faculty by the Board of Trustees, and

 

Whereas,        Senate Officers (President, President Elect, Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Parliamentarian, and Chair of Committee on Committees and Nominations) comprise the Senate Executive Committee, which is charged with many important Senate duties including consideration of agenda items for Senate meetings, and

 

Whereas,        Senate committee Chairs also perform leadership roles in conducting Senate business, and

 

Whereas,        Senate Officers and committee Chairs now can be elected or appointed from all full-time voting Faculty of the University, and

 

Whereas,        the University exists, in part, to foster the free exchange of ideas and,thus,this should be manifest in Senate discussions and committee meetings, and

 

Whereas,        University administrators are represented adequately in the Senate asnon-elected Senators and members of multiple Senate committees, and

 

Whereas,        a Senate Officer or committee Chair would have potential conflicts of interest if he or she also held an administrative appointment at the University, be it therefore

 

Resolved,        that eligibility for nomination, appointment, or service asSenate Officers or committee Chairs shall be restricted to full-time voting Faculty who are not appointed to serve in an official capacity for the Offices of the President, the Provost, any Vice President, or the Dean of any College, including but not limited toadministrative officers of the University (including deputy, associate, assistant and vice provosts), academic deans (including deputy, associate and assistant deans), and department chairs or academic program directors (as defined in the Policy Guide for Department Chairs and Academic Program Directors).

 

_____________________

 

This resolution stipulates eligibility requirements and restrictions for Officers and committee Chairs of the Faculty Senate.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 [AS1]When we adopted the agenda, the senate voted to move this before item i.

 [AS2]Dr. Gottredson moved to strike the last 2 sentences of this definition of tenure.