View this email in your browser

Grand Valley State University

Highlight of ECS Meeting of October 6, and Preview of ECS Meeting of October 13

 

In an effort to improve communication between ECS/UAS and faculty colleagues, the Executive Committee of the Senate (ECS) at its August 16, 2023, retreat reaffirmed a recommendation from August 12, 2021, that each week, a general message 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 October 6, 2023, and a preview of the ECS meeting of October 13, 2023. 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 of October 6, 2023

Chair’s Report

  • The faculty fora on the evaluation of teaching were held via Zoom on Monday, October 9, from 2:00-3:30 pm and Tuesday, October 10, from 10:00-11:30 am.
  • Our colleague from CECI, Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury, has been named Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee (EIC) for 2023-2024.
  • According to Board policies, BOT 4.2.10.2, each College must decide if the Dean will attend as ex-officio, non-voting member of the College Personnel Committee and the results of the decision shall be reported to the Chair of the University Academic Senate. Currently, UL, PCEC, CHP, BCOIS, KCON, and CECI have responded. We are still waiting to hear from CLAS and SCB.
  • The 11th Annual Teach-in will be held Wednesday, 11/8 and Thursday, 11/9 in a hybrid format. The purpose is mutual education among students, faculty, and staff.  The Teach-In is intended to address topics related to inequality and systems of oppression, as well as social justice and liberation. Faculty are encouraged to submit proposals. The deadline to submit proposals is October 18.

Provost's Report

  • Thank you to all who attended the Town Halls. They generated many interesting conversations and shared perspectives. Additional input was provided through the surveys sent with the invitations. They provided additional input.
  • Last week, faculty teaching first year students were invited to attend an in-person conversation or to share their experience in writing. Several attended in person and a high number of responses were submitted.
  • Thank you to everyone for the level of engagement and commitment.
  • Laker to Laker from Monday, October 6, gave an overview of retention efforts. Some of these efforts will have a short-term impact, whereas others will have a long-term impact.

Student Senate President's Report

  • Student Senate made the following statement, regarding the Active Shooter Training: “Recognizing that public safety is an important issue on campus in the wake of the tragedy at MSU, Student Senate supports the exploration of a locked door policy and active shooter training video requirements for students. As a partner alongside university administration and faculty governance, Student Senate will work to gather student feedback on these issues to help inform this process. We look forward to a continued dialogue and are committed to sharing the student perspective.”

New Business

  • We had a discussion on the Campus Life Committee (CLC). CLC is a Student Affairs committee. Student Affairs is planning to sunset this committee. What we heard from Student Affairs is the decision of one division to sunset the CLC. Based on our processes, nothing will happen until after a formal memo has been submitted and acted on by ECS and UAS. Given that we are two divisions now, Student Affairs does not “need permission” to make changes in their division. However, anything that touches on our Shared Governance Policies will have to follow our processes and be approved by UAS before any changes can be made.
  • We reviewed the Laker Impression of Faculty Teaching Management Committee (LIFT-MC) Memo on the LIFT Student Perception Data Report. Multiple recommendations have been made over the years about how to use LIFT Survey Reports, but these are not reflected in policy. ECS plans to form a taskforce to frame prior recommendations regarding LIFT Survey Reports, and to share findings at the summer retreat.
  • We reviewed the Faculty Salary and Budget Committee (FSBC) Memo on Updating the Faculty Governance Structure. As the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs have separated, and new divisions have emerged within the University, we need to think about how ECS/UAS engages with other divisions. This discussion will continue.

For more details on the above items, please go here.

Preview of ECS Meeting of October 13, 2023

  • General Education Committee (GEC) Memo on Modifications to GEC Bylaws
  • GEC Memo on Development of Assessment Materials
  • GEC Memo on Example Curriculum Assessment Report
  • GEC Memo on Training Materials for GEC Members
  • Proposal to Modify SG 2.06
  • Discussion on Reorganization of PCEC
  • Discussion on Course Designation
  • Discussion of Bylaws Amendment from Anticipated Amendment to BOT 3.1.4.1

Please, feel free to reach out to your ECS or UAS representative from your College/University Libraries 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 2023-2024

ECS Membership

1 Campus Drive

3090 James H. Zumberge Hall
Allendale, MI 49401

 

Unsubscribe from future emails