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 February 25, 2022 and a preview of the UAS meeting of March 18, 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 February 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.
Provost’s Report:
- An email was sent to students emphasizing the importance of class attendance.
Old Business
- Academic Policies and Standards Committee (APSC) Memo on Policy Proposal for National Election Day: This will be discussed at the 2022 ECS summer retreat.
New Business
- On the APSC Memo on Repository for Syllabi: This proposal was tabled and will be on the agenda for the 2022 ECS retreat. This was supported by 86% of the body.
- On the APSC Memo on Rescheduling Exams During Finals Week: APSC proposed keeping the current policy. Problematic situations related to this policy have not been found; faculty have been accommodating to students with three or more exams on a given day. This report was accepted and supported by 100% of the body.
- On the APSC Memo on Test-Optional Admissions Procedures: APSC proposed requiring students to provide one of the following prior to their first-year advising appointment: ACT or SAT scores, proof of completion of AP calculus AB or BC, evidence of transfer credit for a college-level math course, or complete the GVSU math placement exam. A motion to receive the report with no action was supported by 93% of the body.
- On the Laker Impression of Faculty Teaching Management Committee (LIFT-MC) Memo on Leadership and Succession Planning: This has been placed on the UAS agenda with revisions incorporated. This passed unanimously.
- On the Affiliate Faculty Advisory Committee (AFAC) Memo on Leadership and Succession Planning: Unanimously supported with recommendation to UAS.
- On the University Assessment Committee (UAC) Memo on Update on Co-Curricular and Advising Task Force: This update was provided.,
- On the UAC Memo on Update on the Self-study Process: This memo informed ECS about work that was completed.
- On the Update from the Virus Action Team (VAT): VAT is monitoring the stealth omicron variant. VAT is discussing what mask requirements would be at Level 1.
- On the APSC Course-Withdrawal Policy: This will move the course withdrawal date to the 11th week of the semester, which is March 25 for Winter 2022. Due to the withdrawal date approaching, ECS voted to support this proposal and act on behalf of UAS, with 93% support.
For more details on the above items, please go here.
Preview of UAS Meeting of March 18, 2022
- Update on the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan
- Affiliate Faculty Advisory Committee (AFAC) Memo on Leadership and Succession Planning
- Academic Policies and Standards Committee (APSC) Memo on Leadership and Succession Planning
- ECS Title IX External Investigation Task Force Final Report
- Faculty Personnel Policy Committee (FPPC) Memo on Service During Sabbatical
- FPPC Memo on Tenure and Promotion Decisions
- Laker Impression of Faculty Teaching Management Committee (LIFT-MC) Memo on Leadership and Succession Planning
- Update from VAT
Summary of the February 22 & 23 Faculty Fora Discussions
- For more details on the discussions from the February 22 and 23 Faculty Forums, please go here.
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
