The Faculty Senate Executive Council
August 29, 2007 – 12:30-2:40 pm
Newcomb Hall Board Room

Meeting Minutes

Present:  Ricardo Padron, Edmund Kitch, Kenneth Schwartz, Pamela Norris, Daniel Willingham, Erika James, Elizabeth Powell, Teresa Culver, Lawrence Phillips, Janet Herman, Gweneth West, Ann Hamric, Amy Bouton, Arthur Garson

Guest:   James Hilton, Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Ricardo Padron, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order.  Introductions were made.

Mr. Padron gave the Councilors an overview of the planned agenda for the Executive Council and the full Senate for this semester.  That work includes:

• Reviewing and making comments/suggestions on the Commission on the Future of the University draft reports.
• Enhancing communications with the University faculty through the Faculty Senate.
• Addressing the Faculty Senate election processes among schools/departments and clarifying the election timelines and eligibility guidelines. 

Arthur Garson, Vice President and Provost

Dr. Garson said he will work closely with the Senate to enhance communications between the Provost and the Faculty Senate. Dr. Garson reported on his goals as Vice President and Provost.  Some of those goals are:

• Addressing the ideas and suggestions put forth in the Commission on the Future of the University draft report.
• Completing the major searches going on at the University.
• Addressing the University’s three priorities and five core values that have been identified.

Mr. Padron remarked that the issue of faculty titles and general faculty concerns need to be discussed at a future meeting.  Mr. Padron thanked Dr. Garson for his valuable input. 

James Hilton, Vice President and Chief Information Officer

James Hilton attended the meeting to update the councilors on the recent security breach and what is being done to address the issue.  Mr. Hilton gave an overview regarding what led to the recent exposure of some faculty Social Security numbers. The group asked questions about the breach and voiced their concerns.  Mr. Hilton will send out a second notice to faculty regarding the issue.  The University is also offering one-year credit monitoring for those whose information was exposed.  The University’s response of one-year credit monitoring is believed to be on the upper end of proportional responses for such an incidence.  Similar breaches have occurred at other Universities and there is typically no offer of credit monitoring.  In response to concerns over retirement accounts, Mr. Hilton reported that the University notified the three major retirement account companies of the breach and an alert has been placed on the accounts of all involved faculty.  It was noted that while the initial email indicated those affected have 90 days to respond, that is actually the period for which the initial password is valid and there is really no deadline.

Mr. Hilton commented on the University’s new identification procedures, including the issuance of new identification cards.

Mr. Hilton will report to the Senate at the September 25 meeting regarding academic computing.

Mr. Padron thanked Mr. Hilton for his report.

Committee Reports:

Academic Affairs Committee, Ann Hamric, Chair

Ms. Hamric reported that the Academic Affairs Committee will meet on Monday, September 17 to discuss the proposal to establish a new school:  The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.  The issue may (or may not) be ready to come to the full Senate at the September 25 meeting, depending on the approval process and various deadlines.  Eric Patashinik and David Breneman, who put forth the proposal, have been working very closely and well with this committee and responding to their input in a very timely manner.  This process has provided a case study for the University on the process and elements needed for developing a proposal for a new school, since this is a relatively new process for the Committee.  Ms. Hamric will soon write a memorandum to the full Senate to alert them about the proposal process.  The Councilors agreed that, to allow all Senators an opportunity to provide input to the process, the Senate should have an October meeting dedicated to discussing the Batten School proposal.

Other issues the Committee will address this year are a conversation with faculty from the School of Engineering and Applied Science to discuss a new program proposal, the Faculty Handbook, and possibly faculty titling issues.

Planning and Development Committee, Elizabeth Powell, Chair

Ms. Powell gave the Executive Council a list of current Planning and Development Committee members.  She said the Committee still needs a few additional members.  The primary item on the Committee’s agenda this year is a response to the Commission’s draft report and offer feedback to that commission.  Ms. Powell also distributed a work plan for the Committee’s work this semester.  The Planning and Development Committee plans to continue coordinating faculty dinners with administrators and faculty, Ms. Powell said.

The Faculty Senate will have a Retreat on October 3rd.  The main agenda item for the Retreat is a discussion of the Commission reports.

In closing, Ms. Powell said that in the spring the Faculty Senate will help redraft the University’s statement of purpose.

Due to time constraints, several of the agenda items were not addressed.  Mr. Padron will address these items via an email message to the Executive Council, inviting comments and asking the Councilors to vote on the draft agenda for the September 25th Faculty Senate meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Submitted by Pamela Norris, Secretary of the Faculty Senate