Highlight of ECS Meeting of March 29, and Preview of UAS Meeting of April 5, 2024
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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 a general message be sent out to all faculty each week. This message will highlight the immediate past ECS/UAS meeting and preview the upcoming ECS/UAS meeting. In particular, the highlight will summarize the essential agenda items and provide context on the key votes; the pros and cons will be outlined, and the critical arguments for each will be highlighted. Herein are the highlights of the ECS meeting on March 29 and a preview of the April 5, 2024 UAS meeting. Meetings of the ECS are restricted to members of the ECS, their alternates, and others whom the ECS may invite, according to SG 1.01.7.2. Meetings of the UAS are open according to SG 1.01.6.2. Any faculty member wishing to speak at a UAS meeting can request to be added as a guest by contacting the chair of ECS/UAS at least three days before the meeting.
Highlights of ECS Meeting of March 29, 2024
Chair’s Report
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On the Taskforces on Test-Optional and Holistic Admissions: The following have agreed and have been selected by ECS to serve on the Task Force on Admissions Standards: Nick Baine; Matt Boelkins; Jen Drake; Bob Hollister; Aaron Lowen; Jakia Marie; Ernest Park; Michelle Rhodes; Jen Smart; Mike Stoll; Danny Velez; and an I & E Representative to be determined. The following have agreed and have been selected by ECS to serve on the Task Force on Student Support: Cathy Buyarski; Keigh-Cee Bell; Jennifer Cymbola; Joy Gianakura; Nikki Gaines; Aaron Haight; Brian Hatzel; Jessica Jennrich; Sal Lopez-Arias; Amy Masko; Mike Messner; Mike Saldana’ Andrew Spear; and Anna White.
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Follow-up on the President and Provost Response to Memos on “Educating Adult Learners at Scale” and “Test-Optional and Holistic Admissions Task Force Report:” As you can recall, the president's response memo on “Educating Adult Learners at Scale” accepted our recommendation for the formation of a task force. I will meet with Vice Provost Kara Van Dam on April 9 to discuss the composition of the task force and the involvement of ECS/UAS. In addition, the following faculty members, Chris Haven, Bob Hollister, Figen Mekik, Chris Pearl, Mary Bower Russa, Anne Sergeant, and Andrew Spear, will join Courtney Karasinski and me to meet with President Mantella and Provost Mili on April 12 to discuss admissions and shared governance expectations.
- The theme for the 2024 UAS Newsletter will be The Role of Shared Governance in Co-Creating Laker Readiness. All faculty who would like to contribute an article should contact Chair Ngassa and plan to submit their articles by the extended deadline of April 11. Please also send a photo to go with your article.
- Reach Higher Showcase is Friday, April 12, at 4 pm.
- The new Senate leadership will be elected on April 19 from the 2024-2025 ECS membership.
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- Provost Mili reported that the interviews for the dean of computing and engineering are now over. There was strong participation and engagement from faculty and staff.
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Student Senate President's Report
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- Student Senate President Quinten Proctor was re-elected as Student Senate President for the 2024-25 academic year.
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On the Presentation on Employee Core Competencies: Lindsey DesArmo from HR gave a presentation that reviewed employee Core Competencies, developed a shared understanding of Talent Management, and introduced the Talent Management Unit. ECS thanked Lindsey DesArmo for the presentation and placed it on the ECS agenda for the spring and summer retreats.
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On the Research-Intensive Course Designation: Anna Hammersmith, Faculty Fellow in OURS, and Susan Mendoza, Director of OURS, presented this proposal, which aims to recognize courses at GVSU that contain embedded undergraduate research experiences. A research-intensive (RI) course designation is proposed to be attached to specific course sections and courses to elevate and recognize research efforts. ECS voted to support the recommendation with a motion of support to UAS.
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On the IEC Memo on IEC Bylaws Change: The proposed change will change the Shared Governance Policies in SG 1.02.B. The significant change in membership composition is recommending two representatives from CECI (currently, four are from CLAS, and one is from each of the remaining colleges and the University Libraries). For student membership, it is recommended that one student be selected by the Student Organization, which represents international students. Other changes were mainly to conform with the current terminology. For example, Faculty Led for Study Abroad, Executive Director of Padnos International Center for Director of International Education, and Padnos International Center for Office of International Affairs. ECS voted to support the recommendation with a motion of support to UAS.
- On the FTLCAC Memo on Relationship with FTLC: ECS charged FTLCAC with strengthening communication channels between FTLCAC and FTLC. FTLCAC has formalized communications channels with FTLC and intends to continue these actions in the next academic year. ECS voted to accept the report and thanked FTLCAC for completing its charge.
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On the Update from the SHGR Task Force: The Chair of the SHGR task force updated ECS on the task force's progress so far. The task force has discussed their charge and is moving forward.
- Provost Mili shared the principles guiding funding decisions in the Preliminary Discussion on Resources and Funding Priorities for Academic Affairs.
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On the Discussion of GVSU Community Morale: Space was made during the final 30 minutes of the meeting to share thoughts on the morale of the faculty, staff, and students—concerns centered on supporting the students, particularly the concerns raised at the student demonstration.
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For more details on the above items, please go here.
Preview of UAS Meeting of April 5, 2024
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- Update from the Office of the Employee Ombuds
- Graduate Council (GC) Memo on Independent Study Policy
- GC Memo on AI Policy in Theses and Dissertations
- University Curriculum Committee (UCC) Memo on Course Designation for Study Abroad
- Consent Agenda for UAS
- International Education Committee (IEC) Memo on IEC Bylaws Change
- Research-Intensive Course Designation Proposal
- GVSU Perception Research Presentation
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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.
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