REGULAR MEETING OF
THE
Meeting Minutes
Memorial Hall
Members excused:
I. Adoption
of the Agenda
Approved
II.
Approval of
the Minutes: October
6, 2008
Approved
III.
Remarks: Amy
Johnson announced that the University’s organizational chart is online (http://www.facsen.udel.edu/sites/presentations/11-3-2008.pdf).
Provost Dan Rich announced that the First Year Experience (FYE) program is working
on a pilot involving 23 sessions. A full report will come to the senate.
In the past, The University of Delaware had a highly centralized budgeting
system; most allocations were made by the Office of the Provost. Allocations were
rigid, and money had to be used in a particular way and had to be spent or it
would be lost. In 1996-97, the UD restructured the budget to be moderately
centralized. The University is now moving towards a decentralized system:
removing additional limitations on the use of funds and tracking revenue
sources and policy (decision-making) changes.
A.
Presentation on Responsibility-Based Budgeting (RBB):
Vice President for Finance Robert Specter. RBB is a philosophy of financial
management based on a decentralized budget that supports academic priorities
and aligns authority, responsibilities, and accountability for revenues and expenditures.
It is driven by incentives to generate greater revenues and operate more
effectively and efficiently. Features of RBB include 1) revenues are allocated
to colleges, 2) costs allocated to colleges, 3) local decisions within the UD
context, and 4) freedom to apply net resources. Not all programs will generate
enough revenue to be self-sustaining. Subvention will fund those activities
that do not produce revenue stream. Funds to support these activities may come
from $45 million set aside in the University budget (to allow budgets to
balance) and funds may also be available from the President’s office. Algorithms
used in the new budgeting system will be online next week. Rules and algorithms
will be changed if progress adjustments are needed.
B.
Presentation on University Communications &
Marketing: David Brond. The Office of Communication
and Marketing is the name for the old office of Public Relations. A new name
was needed because the office will do more than just public relations. The
Office will be the “spokesperson” for the University, focusing on building ties
between units on campus; enhancing local, national, and international image;
developing and administering polices and procedures that protect the UD brand;
and providing a one stop resource for UD related communications and marketing. The
phrase “Path to Prominence” is trademarked and owned by UD. The University
earned $212,000 in royalties for University licensed products last year; the
money goes to scholarships. The UD
Messenger has been redesigned and is mailed to 140,000 alumni and friends. Based
on monthly averages, the number of page views of the University website is up
4.5%. The increase is likely due to search engine technologies and links from
other organizations. Ud1-news (831-6397) is a 24 hour news and information phone
line.
C.
Dean of Students: George Brelsford.
Dr. Brelsford worked 21 years at
IV.
Announcements:
Senate President Amy Johnson Welcomed Dr. Ben Yagoda’s
journalism class. The Breadth requirement report is due at the December meeting
of the Faculty Senate. Matt Robinson reported on Residence Life. The Student
Life Committee is required by the Faculty Senate to perform an evaluation of the
current program. A survey of students will be administered in December, and
open forums for students will be held. A commercial survey instrument will be
used to evaluate the fall semester program, and the report will be returned in mid-January.
The results of the evaluation will be presented at the February Faculty Senate
meeting.
As a result of a motion made at
the last Faculty Senate meeting, the UD Transfer Policy has been sent to the
Undergraduate Studies Committee for review and comment. The Policy will be
brought to the Faculty Senate.
V. Consent Agenda
VI.
Regular
Agenda
1. Resolutions
a. Recommendation from the Faculty Senate Committee on Rules (Don Lehman, Chair) with the concurrence of the Executive Committee (Amy Johnson, Chair) to amend the Faculty Handbook – Section I: Organization of the Faculty – Bylaws and Regulations of the University Faculty Senate: III Standing Committee System of the Faculty and its Senate – General Education Committee
Whereas, the Charge of the Standing Committee on General Education states: This committee shall consist of 15 members, including the “Director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies,” and
Whereas, the position of Director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies has been eliminated, and
Whereas, the Faculty Senate Committee on Rules recommends the “Provost or Designee” replace “Director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies,” as is stated in the charge of the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, be it therefore
Resolved, that the Charge of the General Education
Committee be amended to read: “Provost or Designee”
Approved
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.)
A senator asked if the University plans to raise the minimum grade point
average needed for graduation. Dr. Dan Rich answered no.
A senator commented that the requirement for a Discovery Learning Experience (DLE)
course was postponed last year, and he requested an update on the DLE
requirement. Dr. Johnson said that a report would be given at an upcoming
meeting.
A senator asked that an Islamic holiday be added to the University calendar.
Dr. Johnson will a send request to the Registrar’s
Office.
Adjourned
Submitted by Donald Lehman