Minutes for October 7, 2019

The Faculty Senate of Eastern Kentucky University met on Monday, October 7, 2019 in the South Ballroom in the Keen Johnson Building. Chair Ciocca called the second meeting of the academic year to order at approximately 3:30 p.m.

The following members were absent:

^* Indicates prior notification of absence to the Faculty Senate Secretary

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Senator Crosby moved approval of the September 9, 2019 minutes, seconded by Senator McCardle. Motion carried. (YES = 53 votes | NO = 0 votes | ABSTAIN = 0 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT:  Senator Benson

Last week the university presidents met with the Budget Committee of the CPE Board. The two top priorities the CPE Board is putting forward for the legislative session include adding more money into the funding formula and increasing the assets preservation pool.

This past weekend hundreds of alumni were welcomed back to campus in celebration of EKU Homecoming, and we inducted the newest class of EKU Alumni Award winners.

Last week EKU launched the public phase of our second-ever comprehensive campaign. “Make No Little Plans-The Campaign for EKU” includes a $50 million goal, of which $39 million has already been committed. The campaign focuses on three pillars: 1) Academic Excellence, 2) Student Success and 3) Campus Revitalization.

Another key element of our financial stability is tuition revenue. While we await the official enrollment snapshot from CPE this month, we do know recruitment and retention of our students will be a primary priority in the year ahead. I am trying my best to be part of the recruiting process, particularly as it relates to visiting local high schools. The schedule for the next two months is below:

Funding needs have also been highlighted in recent news related to Model Laboratory School and a finding by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) that challenges the funding structure of Model. It is an agreement that has been in place for more than 30 years. KDE issued an interpretation that Model should either continue to receive public funding or charge tuition, but not both. The current budget structure relies on three funding components, the first of which is EKU support to serve key academic program partnerships and an innovative and rigorous on-campus K-12 education option for our faculty and staff’s children and dependents. This commitment is not affected by the KDE decision.

The remainder of Model’s budget comes from a funding agreement to receive state allocations in partnership with Madison County Schools and tuition charged to Model students. Removing one piece of this funding structure would dramatically change the school as we know it. The clearest path forward is seeking a legislative solution that establishes a sustainable funding structure. EKU, Model and Madison County Schools are already working collaboratively with KDE and legislators to consider all options to resolve this issue.

The call for investing in education at all levels will be echoed this week when CPE President Dr. Aaron Thompson is welcomed back to EKU for his listening tour on Wednesday, October 9 at 3 p.m. in the Perkins Building.

Recent campus achievements include:

• The 20th Year of the Chautauqua Lecture Series
• The Third Annual EKU Science and Math Week
• EKU’s SPJ Chapter’s “First Amendment Week” recognized as Campus Program of the Year
• EKU’s accounting program endorsed by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA®)

Stop by the Giles Gallery in the Campbell Building any time before October 24 to view the exhibit “My Kentucky State of Mind: Contemporary African American Artists.”  

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Ombud Minute. Ombud Beck announced that this Thursday, October 10, marks the second annual Ombuds Day, declared by the American Bar Association in recognition of the value of alternative dispute resolution in our society and in our workplaces. This year’s theme is “Unusual Name. Important Service.”

One way in which ombuds benefit an institution or constituency is in furtherance of fairness. There are many components of fairness, different definitions or connotations of the word. A basic understanding, though, is that a rule is applied evenly to all people. Knowing the intricacies of the rule can enable a person to present their case with clarity. Knowledge is empowering.

When a case is presented, the hope is that the argument will be persuasive. However, if the decision maker listens to the argument and applies the rule consistently, even a negative decision is generally accepted.

Ombud Beck works to assure that all are heard, that the rules are applied evenly, and that we can have confidence in the fairness of our institutions. That is the work of an Ombud, pursued in a confidential, impartial, neutral and informal manner.

On a related note, Ombud Beck recently earned the designation of “Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner” by the International Ombudsman Association, having met the required service and educational requirements, and passed the written and oral examinations.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Policies for Action. The following policies were presented for action.

• Policy 4.6.3 – Determining Faculty Rank for Initial Appointments
• Policy 4.7.7 – Consulting and Outside Activities by Faculty
• Policy 4.7.5 – Faculty Absences

Senator Crosby moved approval of Policy 4.6.3, seconded by Senator Schilling. Motion carried. (YES = 51 votes | NO = 0 votes | ABSTAIN = 2 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

Senator Crosby moved approval of Policy 4.7.7, seconded by Senator Woodruff. Motion carried. (YES = 47 votes | NO = 2 votes | ABSTAIN = 3 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

Senator Wilson moved approval of Policy 4.7.5, seconded by Senator Woodruff. Motion carried. (YES = 44 votes | NO = 5 votes | ABSTAIN = 3 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

On Policy 4.7.5, Senator Schilling noted the following editorial change: On page 1 under the “procedures” section, in the paragraph on “Planned or Anticipated Absences”, the word “be” should be inserted after “and/or other responsibilities and shall”.  

NEW BUSINESS:

Elections for Committee Vacancies. The following vacancies were filled by acclamation.

• Budget Committee (1 vacancy) - Timothy Smit
• Executive Committee (1 vacancy) - Melanie Johnson
• Faculty Welfare Committee (1 vacancy) - Joanne McGlown
• Rights & Responsibilities Committee (1 vacancy) - Cynthia Harter
• Rules Committee (1 vacancy) - Todd Gooch

Senator Ciocca reminded that the Senate is still searching for a new Parliamentarian.

Report from Council on Academic Affairs. Vice Provost Robinson presented the following materials.

Senator Cizmar moved approval of item #1, seconded by Senator Woodruff. Motion carried. (YES = 48 votes | NO = 2 votes | ABSTAIN = 2 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

Senator Gremp moved approval of items #2-8, seconded by Senator Wilson. Motion carried. (YES = 48 votes | NO = 0 votes | ABSTAIN = 2 votes) (See Also:  Individual Votes)

GENERAL & STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

REPORT FROM SENATE CHAIR: Senator Ciocca

The Executive Committee met on September 23 at 4:00 p.m.

There was a faculty request regarding the possibility of receiving loans from OPR accounts. Patty Sallee in HR has communicated with the Senate Chair that this is possible only for retirement accounts in which the University does not provide a matching amount.

The following new charge was given to the Faculty Welfare Committee: Compile data to determine the number of faculty departing EKU due to budget cuts during the past two academic years. The Committee should also look at the faculty selecting the Early Retirement Option.

Senator Bishop-Ross stated that at the last Gen Ed meeting the members were concerned that they weren’t included on the General Education Task Group. Senator Pogatshnik reminded that he asked a small group of individuals, which does include a representative from the Gen Ed Committee, to look at various options for General Education as a small task force—not to provide recommendations, but to provide options. At the appropriate time when that group has completed its work, it will be broadened to include the campus community as well as the General Education Committee. Vice Provost Robinson is guiding the process for the task group, and noted that she doesn’t anticipate any general education redesign to be implemented before Fall 2021.

REPORT FROM FACULTY REGENT: Senator Marion

Since the last senate meeting, the Board of Regents has not convened; however, there has been a fair amount of activity that the faculty regent and many other regents have attended on behalf of our university and our Commonwealth.

Following are three major engagements that university faculty interested in statewide higher education policy or strategies may want to attend:

• Wednesday, October 9th, Return visit of Dr. Aaron Thompson, CPE President, as part of open forum/statewide Listening Tour as part of the “Higher Education Matters” agenda. To learn more about the listening tour, visit the CPE’s tour page here. The event will occur at 5 p.m. in the Perkins Building on Oct. 9th.
• Thursday, November 14th, The Higher ‘Edquity’ Symposium invitation was shared with all the regents and trustees statewide as well as all university leaders in attendance at a recent Governor’s Post-Secondary Education Conference, and the event is open to faculty, staff, and students. Info on the three dynamic nationally-recognized academic speakers and the agenda are included here, and the cost is free. *The event is at UK’s Gatton Student Center (8am-4:30pm or as individual schedules permit). 
• Friday, November 8th, The Gen1 Conference is here at EKU. The list of presentations and broad range of speakers including keynote speakers are included at the conference homepage.

Other Important Dates from the Board of Regents:

• The Board Innovation Fund has a call for proposals for innovative ideas that may provide a financial return on EKU’s investment in the idea and/or project. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, October 11th. The application is available at the EKU CEDET website here. Faculty, staff, and departments can apply.
• The next regularly scheduled meeting of the BoR is November 19th at 12:30 p.m. The planned location will be in Martin Hall. 

Following is an abbreviated list of recent activities attended as Faculty Regent.

• The 2019 Governor’s Symposium on Postsecondary Education Trusteeship & CPE Board Member Training (September 16 & 17 – Louisville, KY)
• EKU Foundation Board & Committee Meetings and EKU Capital Campaign – Make No Little Plans Launch (September 26 & 27) (Read more about the Campaign’s $40M already raised of the $50M goal and abut the student speakers.) 
• Meeting with EKU Chairs Association (along with Provost & Regent Makinen by invitation) on September 13
• Meeting w/SGA on September 24

Major highlights of recent activities include:

• Dinner with State Budget Director (John Chilton) & CPE President (Dr. Thompson): Following the board member training, I had the opportunity to hear from the state budget director regarding state revenues. The state budget director did indicate that some type of pension relief idea presented by CPE would be given consideration (but no assurances were given).
• Making Advocacy a Part of Board Culture // Higher Education Matters: The Association of Governing Boards (AGB) via Dr. Carol Cartwright (a long-tenured university president & AGB Board Consultant) coupled with Dr. Aaron Thompson’s messages were particularly pervasive throughout the conference.
• Performance-Based Funding Session: During the performance-based funding session at the conference, Kentucky was identified as a tier-IV state for having a highly active/aggressive formula in place. In terms of supporting or encouraging universities to work towards enhancing success among low-income and underrepresented populations, the formula is encouraging universities to make great strides in these areas; however, upon some effective questioning, there was an acknowledgement that compared to other states, our retirement dilemma is unique in that it only affects part of the system in the formula. The CPE leadership and policy makers indicated they would try to get a solution for this dilemma in their budget request. 
• Remarkable Wealth of Kentucky Data and Infographics Resources
  Engaged faculty should consider checking out the very data-rich CPE website.
  • CPE Data as interactive tools
  • CPE Infographics

REPORT FROM PROVOST: Senator Pogatshnik

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Assurance of Learning Day. This is a really nice model for all institutions to follow and the level of engagement among our faculty is outstanding.

The CPE Program Review process has slowed down for the time being. Initially the deadline for submitting institutional data was November 1st with a two-day campus visit expected in January or February. A new timeline hasn’t been established yet. As details become available, they will be shared with the Executive Committee as well as the full Senate.

In the last EKU Forward, there was some discussion about faculty morale or just morale in general. We’ve struggled through a lot of difficult times and higher education is going to continue to struggle. However, sometimes it is just good to have a reminder that what we do here is incredibly important. Thanks to all of you and to all of your colleagues for everything that you do.

STANDING COMMITTEES:

Budget Committee. Senators Palmer and Woodruff were elected co-chairs for the academic year.

Elections & University Nominations Committee. Senator McCardle was elected to serve as chair for the academic year.

Rules Committee. Senator Bishop-Ross announced that Vice Provost Robinson will be a guest at the October meeting to review the committee’s proposed revisions to Part 7 of the Faculty Handbook.

Welfare Committee. Senator Gremp stated that the committee met earlier today with two guest speakers from HR—Patty Sallee and John Dixon—to discuss questions related to the benefits that are rolling out right now.

Ad Hoc Committee on EKU Forward. EKU Forward had its first meeting of the semester. The following members attended: Javier Alvarez, Rachel Bishop-Ross, Lindsay Calderon, Marco Ciocca, Anne Cizmar, Brian Clark, Joel Cormier, Richard Crosby, Tom Otieno, and Jerry Pogatshnik. The items discussed included: recruitment incentives, semester schedule, and hotel use prior to home games by Football.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 28 at 3:30 p.m. in the Faculty Center in Keen Johnson.

Ad Hoc Committee on Open Textbook Resources. Senator Szabo announced that the committee will be meeting later this week. Chair Ciocca noted that the committee would like to have more faculty engagement.

ADJOURNMENT:

Senator Pogatshnik moved to adjourn at approximately 4:30pm.

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