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Grand Valley State University

Highlight of UAS Meeting of September 29, and Preview of ECS Meeting of October 6

 

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 UAS meeting of September 29, 2023, and a preview of the ECS meeting of October 6, 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 September 29, 2023

Chair’s Report

  • The faculty fora on the evaluation of teaching will be held via Zoom on Monday October 9 from 2:00-3:30 pm and Tuesday October 10 from 10:00-11:30 am.
  • The New Program/New Academic Unit Council (NPC) met on September 13 to review and unanimously supported a prospectus for a minor in Computing, Intelligence, and Values co-developed by the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing (PCEC) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).
  • The following faculty were selected to serve a 3-year term in LIFT-MC until 2026: Wei Gu; Sarah Nechuta; Christopher Shaffer.
  • 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

  • The Provost engaged with all faculty teaching 100-level courses and sent a survey to learn how to best support faculty and students.
  • The Provost held four general Academic Affairs forums for faculty and staff about expanding capacity in engineering and computing, and two additional sessions specifically for CECI faculty and staff.

Student Senate President's Report

  • Quinten Proctor has been elected President of Student Senate.
  • Student Senate is focusing on restructuring to adapt to the post-COVID environment.

New Business

  • Open Enrollment for Benefits is from 10/24-11/8. This is an active open enrollment, meaning everyone must go into the system and update their benefits information.
  • Changes were proposed to the University Conduct Pool. Faculty will be elected by their colleges: 4 from CLAS and 1 from each other college and the University Libraries. The Provost will appoint not less than an additional 4 members from the faculty at large. This was supported.
  • The FARES II Taskforce recommended that the Chair of AFAC will be a voting member of ECS and UAS, and a second AFAC member, who must hold an affiliate appointment, will be a voting member of UAS. AFAC will move from a University Governance Committee to a Standing Committee of ECS/UAS. This was supported.
  • The OEMC memo recommended definitions for course modalities. This was supported.
  • FPPC Memo on Bias in Personnel Processes from the EPP Task Force was discussed. The Provost shared that she has already given this to the deans to begin to address. She stated that she is aware that this will need to be coordinated with a taskforce from UAS. She agrees with the need to review our processes and the work will start. This memo was not supported by UAS and will be brought back to ECS for more discussions.
  • The EIC 2023 Annual Diversity Report was discussed, accepted, and supported.
  • The UAS endorsed a letter of appreciation to the eLearning Technologies Team for their assistance and support to faculty in the transition from Blackboard to Blackboard Ultra.
  • An update on the Blue Dot was provided by Senior Associate Vice President Ed Aboufadel.

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

Preview of ECS Meeting of October 6, 2023

  • Update on Campus Life Committee
  • LIFT-MC Memo on LIFT Student Perception Data Report
  • FSBC Memo on Updating Faculty Governance Committee Structure
  • Discussion of Memo from Workload and Significance Focus Task Force
  • CHP Memo on CHP CPC Representation
  • OEMC Memo on Program Modality Definitions
  • Discussion of Consent Agenda Adoption for UAS
  • Faculty Forum Preparation Discussion

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

 

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