Mānoa Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Minutes of June 1, 2009

DRAFT

Minutes of the UHM Faculty Senate SEC meeting Monday June 1, 2009 3 p.m. Hawaii Hall 208

Present: Ross, Hilgers, Raynor, Wakayama, Crosby, Daniel

Excused: Zaleski, Hippensteele

The minutes of the May 18 meeting were approved.

Chair’s Report:

The Budget and Prioritization Committees are expected to meet this week. Klaus Keil has been attending. The committee will inquire whether David Ross should attend rather than Klaus Keil as the SEC representative. The Ad Hoc Assessment Committee is also expected to meet this week.

There has been no new information regarding the appointment of the UH System President.

The status of the UHPA contract negotiations was briefly discussed. The severe budget cuts at the State level could be quite difficult. Having Faculty Senate representation on the Budget committee will be essential during these times. The Governor has said she will make cuts to the UH budget equivalent to the 3 day per month furlough that was imposed on other state agencies. It is expected that UH Manoa will have to take a larger proportion of any cuts that are made.

Chair Ross said he will forward the SEC relief fund requests to the administration. Under the current budget situation, it may be less likely that such funds may be available.

Old Business

The committee discussed the Nursing curriculum revision. Additional documents were received, but these documents were not what we need to review. The issue is whether the degree will be a UH Manoa degree. If so, the question of changing requirements that might impact the general education requirements is to be considered. Another potential issue may be the status and qualifications of the faculty who are expected to teach the courses. The committee decided to invite a representative from Nursing to discuss the proposal with us at a future meeting.

New Business

Enrollment management – The committee discussed whether an integrated enrollment planning committee should be created. Prior discussions with the UH Administration have not resulted in appropriate follow-up. There is a Senate resolution from several years ago calling for the creation of a committee to examine this. The concern at the time was around entrance requirements and the University’s capacity. These questions remain unanswered, although there seems to be more data available than before. The committee agreed to try to meet with the VCAA at our meeting on June 15. The committee wants to assure that if a taskforce on this issues is convened, that the UH Faculty Senate is represented. The committee believes that admissions standards and transfer credits are academic issues, not just student affairs concerns. Another area of concern is changing grades without following the appropriate academic grievance procedures. The committee agreed to request a report from the administration about the frequency and process followed in changing grades.

The committee agreed to create an agenda of items to be discussed with the VCAA at our next meeting.

Further Division of Duties for the SEC

The committee discussed the logistics of communications via email from the SEC to the Senate and other parties. David Ross agreed to take responsibility for setting agendas for future meetings of the SEC and the Senate. Shirley Daniel, as secretary, will take responsibility for communicating scheduled meetings and agendas with the UH Administrators. Lei Wakayama agreed to provide contact information for this purpose. At the current time the plan for meetings with the administration is as follows:

First Monday of the month - VC for Students Second Monday of the month – VC for Research and Graduate Education Third Monday of the month – VC for Academic Affairs Fourth Monday of the month – Chancellor.

If the scheduled administrator cannot make these times and there is need, we may invite VC for Administration or reschedule with another person to meet with the SEC.

Committee Assignments for the Senators

Chair Ross provided a draft of proposed committee assignments for faculty senators and a spreadsheet of their stated preferences. Only 30 senators are holdovers (continuing) out of 80, so there will be a lot of new people on all committees. The SEC discussed balancing the committee composition and suggested changes. David Ross will contact appropriate candidates for special committees. The charge of the GEC and MAC will be discussed at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be Monday June 8 at 2 p.m. with VC Ostrander if he has agenda items to discuss. The agenda is to be determined.

The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.