Dear Colleagues:
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable holiday break.
In an effort to improve communication between ECS/UAS and faculty colleagues, the Executive Committee of the Senate (ECS) at its August 17, 2022, retreat reaffirmed a recommendation from August 12, 2021 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 UAS meeting of December 9, 2022, and a preview of the ECS meeting of January 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 UAS Meeting of December 9, 2022
Chair’s Report:
- The term of those appointed to the University Technology Council (UTC) by ECS has expired. ECS has reappointed faculty members who expressed interest to continue serving for the new term January 2023-December 2024.
- The New Program/New Academic Unit Council (SG 1.03.B.13) met regarding the creation of a school in Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. The NPC voted in favor of the new school. Although the proposal submitted and supporting materials shared at the NPC meeting demonstrated that multiple avenues were available for faculty to provide feedback, the consternation expressed by UAS representatives from BCOIS and confusion over the interpretation of SG 2.05.4.b were sufficient for Senate Leadership to organize a meeting and request written input from units affected by the proposed reorganization. Furthermore, ECS will discuss the role of the NPC and review SG 2.05.4.b during the January 13 ECS meeting.
- The Theme of the 2022-2023 UAS Newsletter is Lakers Ready for Equity and Sustainability. All past newsletters can be found on the faculty governance website. All are invited to send contributions for newsletter articles to Chair Ngassa by March 15. The newsletter will be published in April.
Provost's Report:
- The Provost expressed appreciation for the flexibility and openness of the faculty and staff in their work with students and the institution.
- Enrollment data is showing positive numbers.
- Faculty expressed gratitude to the Provost for talking with IT about not having Banner be down during finals week.
Student Senate President’s Report:
- The Student Senate passed legislation on parking, the farmers’ market location, student wages, and the credit/no credit deadline.
- The Student Senate is working with a consultant on improving the climate and structure of the Student Senate.
- The Student Senate has placed comment boxes in Allendale and Grand Rapids for students to provide input. Anything related to faculty will be shared with ECS/UAS, but the comments will be unfiltered and anonymous.
New Business:
- Representatives from WGVU presented on the history, mission, vision, and funding of WGVU. They encourage faculty to discuss large grant projects with them prior to submission, as they can connect faculty with community partners and PBS and NPR personalities.
- UAS moved to endorse the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Week for Winter 2023.
- UAS moved to endorse the assurance argument for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- UAS moved to support the Online Education and Microcredential Council (OEMC) memo on membership, which would result in the removal of budget officer in the Office of the Provost and an administrator from Institutional Marketing as ex-officio members of OEMC.
- UAS moved to support the Faculty Salary and Budget Committee (FSBC) recommendation of a raise of CPI plus 1.5% for 2023-2024 academic year, which has been the historical recommendation.
Open Comment:
- The Laker Club has been a success. Please continue to use it and provide feedback for improvement.
- Students are not alumni until the semester is complete, and they should not be asked for donations prior to officially obtaining alumni status.
For more details on the above items, please go here.
Preview of ECS Meeting of January 13, 2023
- Update on Differential Tuition Discussion.
- Discussion on the Role of NPC and Review of SG 2.05.4.b.
- Review of Proposal to Amend SG 1.01 Section 2.2.2.1 & Section 2.2.2.2.
- Faculty Personnel Policy Committee (FPPC) Memo on Authorship Guidelines for Collaborative Scholarship.
- Graduate Council (GC) Memo on 8-Year Time Limit Policy.
- Faculty Salary and Budget Committee (FSBC) Memo on Independent Studies Compensation.
- FSBC Memo on Student Pay.
- Student Senate Memo on Student Wages.
Please, feel free to reach out to your ECS or UAS representative from your College/University Libraries to provide input on any UAS 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 2022-2023
