Tuesday, September 13 2016
2015-2016 Senators in Attendance: S. Anglin, M. Harris, E. Seymour, D. DiLeo, K. Mussett, D. Page, N. Pyeatt, D. Parry, M. Comanescu, S. Dillen, J. Vallejera, A. Plucinski, M. Arter, K. Chick, L. Jacobson, K. Pearson, S. Corle, C. Freie, L. Lilienthal, K. Munly, K. Adu, P. Das, T. Krainer, W. Dorabiala, J. Gil, X. Li, C. Oliver, M. Weiner, Y. Zhu, A. Zanin-Yost, E. Hapenny, J. Carnicella, G. Baird, J. O’Harrow
Senators Absent: S. Findley, M. Nemanic, M. Agee, W. Engelbret, S. Anwar, H. Huang, C. Bowman, A. Cramer, L. Haefner, P. Basak, I. Basak, Y. Xie, C. Jackson, J. Lockard, D. Brinkel, student representative (tba), A. Eckenrode
Also in Attendance:
University Faculty Senators:
C. Mahan, N. Rowland, E. Seymour
Ex-Officio:
L. Bechtel-Wherry, P. Hopsicker, E. Levri, J. Ryoo, B. Wiens-Tuers
Visitors:
B. Pinter, B. Baird, P. Moran, R. Hippo, A. Marvasti
Opening Business
Call to Order (12:15 pm)
Roll Call (via sign-in sheet)
Minutes of April 12, 2016 approved
Announcements from the Chair
* Rob Introduced Marc Harris as Parliamentarian
* Rob called on Barbara Wiens-Tuers, who reported on implementation of new data systems
– working on getting internal support
– documenting problems
– clarifying who should contact whom in the event of problems
* Rob reported on procedural matters:
– working with Juan Gil and the Faculty Affairs Committee to put a structure in place for Fixed Term promotions
– a Committee composed of T. Krainer, E. Seymour, D. DiLeo is to suggest revisions to the College Senate’s Constitution.
– Rob presented a motion to address the problem of the terms of three University Senators expiring in the same year. To address this problem, he moved that the terms of two of the University Senators to be elected in 2019 have terms of four years and one have a term of two years. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Reports of the Committee Chairs
Academic Affairs (Marc Harris)
* The committee is currently organizing subcommittees
The committee was charged last year with addressing ramifications of the new schedule. It made recommendations on handling the spring schedule.
* The committee has ongoing charges to
maintain liaison with the Teaching and Learning Center
familiarize faculty with library resources
ensure that student-athletes’ schedules comply with NCAA regulations
have a continuing ad hoc subcommittee to explore dual-generation education for the College.
Curricular Affairs (D. Parry)
There are two new proposals from Kinesiology currently available at:
https://sites.psu.edu/altoonasenate/proposals/
These proposals will involve four new hires over four years. Chairperson Parry urged all to examine the proposals so that appropriate questions can be raised at next month’s senate meeting.
David Parry also informed the senate that Arts and Humanities will soon have a replacement for a senator from that division who has left.
Faculty Affairs (Juan Gil)
* The committee will soon
– begin review of sabbatical applications.
– complete the adjunct faculty report
* The committee is working on policies for promotion of Fixed Term faculty. The policy must be in place by July 1, 2017.
Committee on Campus Climate and Diversity (Beth Seymour)
* Beth reported that the committee would meet later that day and decide which resource persons to invite to committee meetings
Reports of the University Faculty Senators
* Nick Rowland reported that
– the University Senate has a new chair, James A. Strauss, who urged University Senators to communicate with their local senates.
– Provost Nicholas Jones announced:
*that a full performance audit of the University will begin shortly and that it will take a couple of years.
*A budget for the University was approved in July. It will include a 2% raise, made possible by an overall 1.79% tuition increase.
* that he would like to implement a new salary increase policy that will feature a larger spread between highest and lowest increases based on merit.
– Robert Pangborn, Dean for Undergraduate Education, announced that applications and enrollments
are generally higher throughout the University.
– Ethics and Compliance reports that Security Authorizations have been over-assigned and that training for Security Authorization will be consolidated into a single training unit.
* Carolyn Mahan reported that the priorities of the University Senate’s Faculty Affairs Committee will be to
– recommend fixed-term rank title structure (e.g. professor of practice, teaching professor, senior lecturer, etc. )
– assist with implementation of the fixed-term promotion legislation (clarification about review committees, etc. )
– review and make recommendations pertaining to AD-88 – this is the new Code of Responsible Conduct. Issues in include conflict of interest policy and finding a balance between a respectful workplace and academic freedom.
– Consult with Global Programs regarding spousal travel rules
– review a forthcoming tenure-flow report, an examination of progress to tenure by discipline, gender, race, field.
Remarks from the Chancellor Bechtel-Wherry
Lori expressed appreciation to faculty and staff for their many accomplishments over the past year, especially in light of our budget challenges, and encouraged all to remain focused on our “individual and collective good works” benefiting our students, college and society.
She stressed the value of communication. Lori thanked Thomas Krainer who called attention to emails to students from Starfish that attributed messages to students from faculty members without their knowledge or consent. Lori noted that by working together we were able to rectify this situation within one week.
The Chancellor and Dean expressed that the Commonwealth Campuses’ new budget model should be advantageous for our college.
She noted that we will submit an update to our five-year strategic plan and also highlighted the development of new academic programs, including the Kinesiology major and the Health Science option in Biology.
Lori reported that our college recently secured a $1 million gift for a trustee-matching scholarship. Under this scholarship program, the University provides a two-to-one match in funding. This gift will provide additional funds totaling approximately $300,000 to assist students with the greatest financial need and strong academic capabilities.
The Chancellor and Dean announced that a search will be launched in a few weeks for the position of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Lori shared that the University’s voluntary retirement plan will provide Penn State Altoona with the opportunity to address key faculty and staff positions through salary savings and the transfer of some lines to areas of greatest need.
The Chancellor and Dean also noted that she has been working with the special committee of the senate on addressing salary compression. She remains committed to addressing this important matter.
David Parry asked if the salary increase pool of funds (2% of the total funds for full-time faculty and staff) would cover raises for fixed-term 2 (part-time) faculty. Lori noted that the General Salary Increase (GSI) monies that are provided by the university may only be used to provide raises to full-time faculty and staff. Any raises that are provided to part-time (FT2) faculty and staff must come from Penn State Altoona’s base budget.
Mike Weiner observed that the Starfish messages misattributed to faculty members amounted to “forgery” and “part of a mindset” that had earlier resulted in attempting to collect blood samples or information about our private health behaviors. He called for improved “oversight” to prevent such violations of employee privacy. The Chancellor and Dean stated that she understood Mike’s concern and that it is important for the Faculty Senate to use its voice to address their concerns, noting that the Senate previously used its voice to address issues about sharing private health information and that those efforts had been successful.
The Chancellor and Dean concluded by noting challenges with the previous budget model (e.g., needing to wait until spring for temporary funds to be allocated), but expressed cautious optimism about the new budget model.
Report on the Budget by Rob Hippo, Director of Finance, Penn State Altoona
Rob reported an improved situation compared to the previous year due to the approval of the State Budget prior to the start of the academic year.
He reported expenses and revenues of approximately $34 million, with a projection of $261,000 over budget.
He reported that there was a need to replenish Department Allotments.
Rob offered to provide further information and to meet with faculty as requested.
Chancellor Bechtel
Thanked Rob and announced an upcoming open forum on the budget.
Call for new business
None
Meeting adjourned 1:14 p.m.