Mānoa Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Minutes of June 29, 2009

Attending: Hippensteele, Zaleski, Rayner, Crosby, Hilgers, M Tiles, Ross

1. Chair’s report

The MET meeting of 2 weeks ago was cancelled.

At MET last week, most deans seemed to assume that “workload will increase.” Ross argues that faculty members already work 100%.

MET also involved Jennie Samaan of International Programs. The programs continue to generate far less income UHM than do comparable programs elsewhere. It is unclear how an international student’s financial needs relate to admissions and financial-aid determinations. SEC noted our strong tradition of giving priority to Pacific Islanders in both areas, and the lack of information on how EWC decisions relate to UHM decisions and finances.

MET discussed the costs of athlete support, noting that athletes don’t typically apply for, e.g., Pell grants, even though many may be eligible. Given deficits, what is typical should perhaps become its opposite.

Cutshaw announced a “soft launch” of the Green Buildings Project round 2. She also announced a new Assistant VC in charge of Physical Plant Planning and Sustainability Planning, Eric Crispin.

Dasenbrock, reporting on WASC, noted that he has informed director Wolff of our financial situation. SEC noted that, despite UHM’s financial circumstances, WASC is sending a team of 6 for the CPR visit in late November, twice the usual team size, all at UHM’s expense.

ITS announced that it is looking into switching email service to Google, something done by some other campuses. The Chair of ICS noted that such a course would be ill advised indeed.

It remains unclear how the Assessment Office will be funded. Ross will discuss with VCAA.

2. WI enrollment caps (Guest: Scott Rowland, Chair of GEC)

How shall FS “anticipate” additional efforts to raise class-enrollment caps (for example, W and O Focus caps)? COE situation is unusual because it educates its students in cohorts. Zaleski noted the pressure on “growing programs.” If a course’s enrollment increases by 2-3 per year, it’s not economical to go to 2 sections as soon as class demand exceeds 20. Hilgers agreed, but noted that we typically offer twice as many <20 classes as we have W classes, and suggested we look first at the additional 500 “small” classes.

Related discussion involved new enrollment metrics in STAR, supposedly less convoluted to access and read than was earlier the case; policy on waivers of graduation requirements; departments’ lack of knowledge regarding most such waivers and who grants them; the role of CAPP in class-size issues on campus; and department-initiated changes of course numbers as they affect articulation across the system.

1. Minutes from 6/15 SEC were approved as modified. Minutes from 6/22 are still in draft form and will be considered at the next meeting.

2. Follow up on meeting with VCAA

SEC has no new information on the proposed EM “working group” and SEC participation in planning. Ross will ask VCAA for an update. It was noted that UHM does very little to collect and use info on why students do what they do: what goals lead them to come here? Why do they leave UHM when they do? How many students come to UHM intending, e.g., to graduate in 6 years? How can we provide appropriate support for such students? What about the department-based scholarships VCAA mentioned exist: why do so few chairs know about them?

SEC discussed the slow rate of progress in UHM support for students over the decades, decades in which such progress on other campuses has been far speedier.

1. Planning for a second planning meeting with administrators What topics does SEC want to suggest to the Chancellor? It’s unclear right now if there will be any topic except the budget.

2. All agreed that a meeting could be useful for all. SEC will plan next week on a possible structure and list of goals, along with topics. Possible meeting dates are July 22 and 29.
1. Members discussed the need to staff the Gen Ed boards and the new assessment committee. Hilgers will update SEC on contacts with nominated Gen Ed board members; Zaleski, incoming liaison between SEC and MAC, will review MAC needs and offer suggestions.