The
FACULTY SENATE
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Senate Chambers, Old Capitol
Members Present:
David Asprey, Daniel Balderston, Jill Beckman, Linda Boyle, Kenneth Brown,
Garry Buettner, Christine Catney, Virginia Dominguez, Edwin Dove, David Drake,
Claibourne Dungy, Sarah Fagan, Richard Fumerton, Jennifer Glass, Frederick
Goodman, Thomas Grabowski, Vicki Grassian, Carin Green, Kathleen Hanson, Judith
Heggen, Paul Heidger, Ronald Herman, Bruce Justman, Craig Kletzing, Steve McGuire,
Frank Mitros, Jose Morcuende, Michael O’Hara, Christine Pawley, Todd Pettys,
Amy Poremba, Catherine Ringen, Thomas Schmidt, Victoria
Members Absent: Susan Birrell, Gloria Bulechek, William Clarke, Steve Collins, Jane Desmond, Denise Filios, Robert Garrett, Geoffrey Hope, Mark Karwal, Yi Li, Lance Lichtor, Thomas Loew, Donald MacFarlane, Mazen Maktabi, Rene Martin, David Min, James Nepola, Thomas O’Dorisio, Beth Pelton, Gary Russell, Jarjisu Sa-Aadu, Christie Thomas, Downing Thomas, Walter Vispoel, Marcia Ward, Catherine Woodman
Members Excused: Jay Christensen-Szalanski, Johna Leddy, Lynn Richman, Linda Snetselaar, Janet Specht, John Westefeld
Guests: Charlie
Drum (University Relations), John Beldon-Scott (Art & Art History), Lisa
Troyer (Office of the Provost), Kathy Klein (Staff Council), George Lance
(Emeritus Council), Mary Greer (Staff Council), Teresa Wahlert (Board of
Regents), Rita Frantz (Nursing), Gay Pelzer (Benefits), Brian Ray (Gazette), Hannah van Zutphen-Kann (Press-Citizen), Julie Thatcher (
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:35
pm. President LeBlond welcomed Regent
Wahlert, as well as Ms. Mary Greer and Ms. Kathy Klein, (both from Staff Council).
President LeBlond also noted that the official opening of the Old
Capitol was May 6, 2006.
II. Approvals
A.
Meeting
Agenda
The agenda was approved by consent.
B.
The minutes were approved by consent.
C.
Committee
Replacement, Sheldon Kurtz
Professor Kurtz moved to appoint Jonathan Doorn, Medicinal Natural
Products, to replace Tom Branson on the Family Issues Committee (2006-07). The motion was seconded by Professor Asprey
and unanimously approved by voice vote.
III.
Reports
A.
1. Ethics
Education Roundtable, May 9, 8:30-4:00, W401 PBB
President LeBlond encouraged faculty to
attend the Ethics Education Roundtable.
2. Faculty
Council/Administration Retreat, August 11, Gold Room, Oakdale Hall
President LeBlond urged members of the
Faculty Council to attend the upcoming Faculty Council/Administration Retreat.
3. Presidential
Search Update
President LeBlond thanked Presidential Search
Committee Chair Teresa Wahlert for attending the Senate meeting after her
afternoon of meetings with various constituents to discuss the composition of
the search committee and the overall search process. He then yielded the floor to Regent Wahlert
who offered a brief update on the search process including announcing the
search firm and offering her intentions of maintaining open lines of
communication with the faculty.
B. Staff
Benefits Review Committee, Gay Pelzer
Ms. Gay Pelzer reported that a committee has been established to conduct a review of the University Benefits Office. The Committee's focus will be to review the customer service aspects of the office and will not be reviewing the substantive products offered in the benefits package.
The Committee anticipates utilizing a campus wide survey in May to all faculty and staff with appointments of 50% or more. She asked for assistance in encouraging departments and constituents to complete the survey.
C. 2006-07
Professor Tachau reported that the Elections
Committee successfully held elections for both the
D. 2006-07
Committee Recommendations, Sheldon Kurtz
Professor Kurtz moved, Professor O’Hara seconded,
to adopt the committee replacements for the 2006-2007 year as recommended by
the Committee on Committees. The motion
was unanimously approved.
D.
2004-05
Motion Summary, Sheldon Kurtz
Professor Kurtz explained that the motion
summary is an annual compilation of all motions approved by the Senate in the
preceding year. The summary advises
Senators on the actions taken in response to the motions. Professor Kurtz noted an error in the summary
in the September 7, 2004 meeting. The
Senate approved a recommendation that allowed Associate Provosts to participate
with their academic departments during the tenure review process. Provost Hogan rejected this change,
preferring that Associate Provosts review tenure materials with the Provost’s
Office.
IV.
New
Business
A. Proposed
Honorary Degree Policy, John Scott
Professor Scott offered that the Committee on
Awards and Recognition was charged with investigating whether The University of
Iowa should once again grant honorary degrees.
The last person to receive an honorary degree from The University of
Iowa was President Boyd approximately 25 years ago. The committee was very interested in a simple
policy that would remain completely under control of the faculty. The committee met twice, sought advice from
the Faculty Council and received endorsement of the proposal from the Faculty
Council at its last meeting.
MOTION: Professor O’Hara moved, Professor
Ringen seconded, to adopt the Honorary Degree Policy. The motion was unanimously approved.
B. COIA
Recommendations, Claibourne Dungy
President LeBlond offered very brief
background on the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (COIA). Professor Dungy represented The University of
Iowa at the January COIA meeting in
MOTION: Professor Dungy moved, Professor
O’Hara seconded, to approve the COIA Report to the NCAA Presidential Task
Force. The motion was unanimously
approved.
V. From the floor
There was no business from the floor.
VI. Announcements
A. Regents
Awards for Faculty Excellence, Richard LeBlond
President LeBlond announced the 2006 recipients of the Regent Awards for Faculty Excellence: Lee Anna Clark, Psychology; Vicki Grassian, Chemistry; Dennis Harper, Pediatrics; Alan MacVey, Theater Arts; Jarjisu Sa-Aadu, Finance; and Clark Stanford, Dows Institute. He also announced that posthumous recognition would be given to Kenneth Cmiel, History.
B. Michael
J. Brody Awards for Faculty Excellence, Richard LeBlond
President LeBlond announced the 2006
recipients of the Michael J. Brody Award: Barbara Eckstein, English; Rita
Frantz, Nursing; and Lisa Troyer, Sociology.
Professors Troyer and Frantz were present and received hearty
recognition from Senators.
C. Appreciation
for Outgoing Senators
President LeBlond asked outgoing senators to
stand and be recognized for their service and participation.
D. Concluding
Remarks of the 2005-06
President LeBlond expressed appreciation to
the Senate for a year of accomplishment.
Among these was the conversion of the Julie Thatcher’s position from
part-time to full-time, completing the Honorary Degree Program, and furthering
our relationship with COIA. In addition,
Senate leaders initiated the task force for shared governance that will
recommend to President Skorton the creation of the Shared Governance Council
comprised of leadership of
President LeBlond noted that he had learned
much from his year as President and thanked the Senate for their support. He acknowledged the hard work and dedication
he observed in administration and encouraged faculty to likewise share their
appreciation for university administration. President LeBlond also expressed
his deep appreciation for the incredible devotion of Vice President Kurtz,
Secretary Cohen, and Past President Tachau’s to Senate activities over the last
year, particularly with regard to presidential search issues.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:12 pm.
The
FACULTY SENATE
2006-07
Organizational Meeting
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
4:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Senate Chambers, Old Capitol
Members Present: David Asprey, Daniel Balderston, Jill
Beckman, George Bergus, Linda Boyle, Kenneth Brown, Jon Carlson, Christine
Catney, Jeffrey Cox, Donna D’Alessandro, Virginia Dominguez, Edwin Dove, David
Drake, Sarah Fagan, Richard Fumerton, Jennifer Glass, Thomas Grabowski, Vicki
Grassian, Carin Green, Kathleen Hanson, Judith Heggen, Paul Heidger, Ronald
Herman, Bruce Justman, Craig Kletzing, Steve McGuire, Frank Mitros, Adalaide
Morris, Mary Noonan, Faryle Nothwehr, Michael O’Hara, Bryce Plapp, Amy Poremba,
Catherine Ringen, Thomas Schmidt, Kathy Schuh, Victoria Sharp, William Sharp,
Karin Southard, Anne Sullivan, John Sutphin, James Tomkovicz, Brad Thompson,
Tuong Ton-That, Richard Tubbs, Steve Vincent, Ruth Wachtel, Steven Wolfe
Members Absent: Lioness Ayres, Susan Birrell, Gloria
Bulechek, Steve Collins, Jane Desmond, George El-Khoury, Denise Filios, Geoffrey
Hope, Mark Karwal, Yi Li, Lance Lichtor, Thomas Loew, Susan Lutgendorf, Mazen
Maktabi, Rene Martin, David Min, Sue Moorhead, Gary Russell, Jarjisu Sa-Aadu,
Christie Thomas, Downing Thomas, Walter Vispoel, Catherine Woodman
Members Excused: Maureen Donovan, Johna Leddy, Lynn Richman,
Linda Snetselaar, John Westefeld, Jerold Woodhead
Faculty Senate Officers in Attendance: Sheldon Kurtz, President; Richard LeBlond,
Past President
Guests: Charlie Drum (University Relations), John Beldon-Scott (Art & Art
History), Lisa Troyer (Office of the Provost), Kathy Klein (Staff Council),
George Lance (Emeritus Council), Mary Greer (Staff Council), Teresa Wahlert
(Board of Regents), Rita Frantz (Nursing), Gay Pelzer (Benefits), Brian Ray (Gazette), Hannah van Zutphen-Kann (Press-Citizen), Julie Thatcher (Faculty Senate Office)
I. Call to Order
President Kurtz called the meeting to order at 4:45.
II. Election of Officers,
Sheldon Kurtz
Julie Thatcher distributed election ballots for the positions of Vice
President and Secretary. President Kurtz
asked candidates to stand and be recognized.
Candidates for Faculty Senate Vice President were Edwin Dove,
Engineering and Victoria Sharp, Urology.
Candidates for Faculty Senate Secretary were Jennifer Glass, Sociology and
Steve McGuire, Curriculum and Instruction.
Ballots were completed by current Senators, collected by Julie Thatcher,
and counted by Past President LeBlond and Julie Thatcher.
III. Opening Remarks of the
Faculty Senate President
President Kurtz acknowledged his deep appreciation for the 2005-06
Faculty Senate Officers. He noted that
none had anticipated the events of the last year and expressed his gratitude
for the dedication and camaraderie exhibited by all four officers. In particular, President Kurtz asked
Professor Tachau to stand and receive special appreciation from the
Senate. The Senate Officers offered
Professor Tachau a gift to commemorate their warm regard for her tireless
efforts in faculty governance. President
Kurtz then acknowledged Julie Thatcher’s work in the Senate office and
expressed his gratitude for her efforts.
President Kurtz remarked on the challenging year ahead. He noted that the life of the University
changed when President Skorton resigned, yet the faculty will be ready for this
challenge. President Kurtz offered four
items he believed would dominate the landscape of his Presidency. First, the Senate will mount a major effort
to retain strong faculty governance.
Second, the Senate Officers will work strenuously with Interim President
Fethke to improve the University during this time of transition. Third, the Senate will actively participate
in the presidential search process in whatever way they are invited. President Kurtz remarked whoever was the
president, the faculty remain the core of the University. Finally, President Kurtz announced that the
overarching theme of his presidency will be faculty compensation. He noted the recent trend in declining
compensation created by inflation and rising costs of health care. Faculty compensation will likewise be the
theme of the August 11, 2006 retreat. President Kurtz acknowledged Professor
Collins for assisting him in the preparation for the Retreat. President Kurtz noted that faculty were not
alone in the challenge of compensation, as it remains an essential element in
the Regents Transformation Plan and the Provost’s plans. President Kurtz asked Senators for their
support in the coming year in their commitment to participation. He then wished everyone a productive and safe
summer.
IV. From the Floor
Professor McGuire offered
the following resolution:
WHEREAS
WHEREAS Richard LeBlond has lead a robust, vigorous,
civil discussion of issues related to the faculty role in accomplishing a
strong shared-governance process, and
WHEREAS the faculty role in determining a
University of Iowa President has been particularly important and essential this
academic year, 2005-2006, be it
RESOLVED that members of the
The Senate approved the resolution by
acclimation.
V. New Business: Resolution on
Senate Summer Activities, Sheldon Kurtz
President Kurtz
offered the following resolution, seconded by Professor Grassian:
The Faculty Senate consents to the Faculty Senate Officers (President,
Vice President, Past President, and Secretary) acting on its behalf for the
period beginning April 25, 2006 to the next meeting of the Faculty Senate in
Fall 2006.
The resolution
passed unanimously by voice vote.
VI. Announcements
A.
2006-07
Meeting Schedule, Sheldon Kurtz
President Kurtz requested that Senators and Councilors record the
2006-07 Faculty Senate and Faculty Council meeting dates in their calendars.
B.
Election
Results, Katherine Tachau
Professor Tachau thanked those who
participated in the election process.
She announced that Professor Victoria Sharp was the new Faculty Senate
Vice President and Professor Jennifer Glass was the new Faculty Senate
Secretary. President Kurtz offered his
congratulations.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting was
adjourned at 5:02 pm.