In an effort to improve communication between ECS/UAS and faculty colleagues, the Executive Committee of the Senate (ECS) at its August 12, 2021 retreat recommended that each week, a general message will be sent out to all faculty. This message will highlight the immediate past ECS/UAS meeting and give a preview of the upcoming ECS/UAS meeting. In particular, the highlight will summarize the key agenda items and provide context on the key votes; the pros and cons will be summarized and the key arguments for each highlighted. Herein are the highlights of the ECS meeting of March 25, 2022 and a preview of the ECS meeting of April 1, 2022. Meetings of the ECS are restricted to members of the ECS, their alternates, and others whom the ECS may invite, pursuant to SG 1.01.7.2. Meetings of the UAS are open pursuant to SG 1.01.6.2.
Highlights of ECS Meeting March 25, 2022
Chair’s Report:
- The theme of the ECS/UAS Newsletter is Adapting to Change and Reaching Higher Together. Please write about what this means to you. The deadline to submit articles to Chair Felix Ngassa is March 31.
- President Mantella’s response to the ECS Title IX External Investigation Task Force Recommendations can be seen by going to the Faculty Governance website here.
- Migration from Blackboard Classic to Blackboard Ultra is scheduled for May 3 to May 8. Starting at 3:00 pm May 3, Blackboard will become unavailable until the morning of May 8. A campus-wide email will be going out today, Tuesday, March 29 from IT.
- ECS meets next on April 1.
Student Senate President’s Report
- Student Senate elections will begin next week.
- Student Senate will host an event on bipartisan elections next week.
New Business
- Faculty Personnel Policy Committee (FPPC) Memo on LIFT Charge: Distributions and bar charts will be reported instead of median and combined median scores. Written comments should be used for formative purposes, rather than summative purposes, unless there is substantive agreement on a policy violation. Vote to support with recommendation to UAS passed with 13 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain.
- Faculty Facilities Planning Advisory Committee (FFPAC) Formal Report Review: FFPAC will assess classroom issues, innovations, feedback and safety and security on a scheduled basis. Motion to support with recommendation to UAS passed with unanimous support.
- FFPAC Memo on Leadership and Succession Planning: A chair and a vice chair will be elected. Motion to support with recommendation to UAS passed with unanimous support.
- University Curriculum Committee (UCC) Memo on Leadership and Succession Planning: A chair and a vice chair will be elected. A representative to the Online Education and Microcredential Council (OEMC) will be appointed by the chair from the committee membership. Motion to support with recommendation to UAS passed with unanimous support.
- UCC Memo on Representation by College: There will be two representatives from CECI. Motion to support with recommendation to UAS passed with unanimous support.
- Student Senate Resolution on Test Optional Policy: ECS plans to form a taskforce with faculty and student representatives at the summer retreat. This plan was unanimously supported.
- Student Senate Resolution on Creating a Safety Barrier on the Little Mac Bridge: Motion to support with recommendation to UAS was unanimously supported.
- Student Senate Resolution on Re-Examining the COVID Alert System: The students expressed a desire to change the standard to move to Alert Level 0 to a less stringent requirement, as they are eager to have mask-optional classes. VAT indicated satisfaction with their indicators. Faculty indicated concern for individuals in classrooms who are medically vulnerable. A motion was made to receive the report, thank the Student Senate for their work, and remain in support of VAT in the decision-making related to COVID. The vote was 9 in support of the motion, 3 not in support, and 1 abstention.
For more details on the above items, please go here.
Preview of ECS Meeting of April 1, 2022
- Faculty Personnel Policy Committee (FPPC) Memo on Parental Leave for Faculty
- Discussion on Competency-Based Education
- Discussion on Student Learning Issues and Implications for Faculty Evaluations
- Discussion on Student and Peer Evaluations of Teaching
- General Education Committee (GEC) Memo on Teaching About Systemic Racism
Please, feel free to reach out to your ECS or UAS representative from your College/University Libraries in order to provide input on any ECS agenda item that you may like to weigh in on.
Thank you for your continuous interest in faculty governance.
Sincerely,
Felix N. Ngassa
Chair of ECS/UAS 2021-2022
