April 9th, 2024

Academic Senate

Plenary Meeting Minutes

Tuesday 9 April 2024

Hybrid – Seven Hills & Zoom

2:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

OPEN FLOOR PERIOD:  2:00 - 2:05 PM

The Open Floor Period provides an informal opportunity for campus community members to raise questions or make comments directed to Senators, Senate officers or to university administrators. Please arrive promptly at 2:00 PM. Please limit comments to not more than three minutes per topic. Senators may make announcements under Item 3 below.

 

Sen. Gurney announced the international coffee hour and placed a flyer into the chat. Gave notice that this will be added to the Friday report.

 

CALL TO ORDER: 2:05 PM

1. Approval of the Agenda for 9 April 2024

 

The agenda was approved as read at 2:06pm.

 

2. Approval of the Minutes for 19 March 2024

 

The minutes to approved as read at 2:07pm.

 

3. Announcements from the Floor

 

No announcements

 

4. Matters Arising – An opportunity for Senators to say what’s on their minds.

Chair Goldman introduced this new portion of the agenda, explaining that it will be 15 minutes in length and that records will be taken. He then gave notice that Sen. Wilson will serve as Acting Vice Chair today.

 

Acting Vice Chair Wilson: explained the format and the timing of the “Matters Arising” section. He noted the use of breakout rooms, the document that will be used to record topics discussed in each room (HERE), and the timing of the section (10 minutes for discussion in discreet rooms, 5 minutes for shared group reports).  

 

Senators and guests were then placed into rooms for discussion. Once the 10 minutes had elapsed, senators and guests returned to the main meeting to briefly report on what was discussed (as delivered by group leaders)

 

Sen. Myers reported that Group 1 (Zoom) talked about low staff morale and the need for a cultural mindshift on campus. They also talked about the volunteer separation program.

 

Sen. Platas: reported that Group 2 (Zoom) talked about the new GE requirements and the required timeline for its implementation. The group also discussed student unhappiness with the movement of DEI centers out of the student center, that care initiatives for students have fallen off, and the increased presence of animals on campus.

 

Dr. Chaudhuri reported that Group 3 (Zoom) talked about new faculty, staff, and student orientation, and how different these look and jhow important is to create a space of belonging. They also talked about reasonable accommodations for faculty and students on campus (many problems here).

 

Sen. Erickson reported that Group 4 (Zoom) discussed their love for SFSU amid low morale over the destruction of programs and initiatives, the ability of the campus to bounce back from the budget/enrollment difficulties, the challenge of ableism on campus, the need to improve communications, and flaws in the hiring process.

 

Sen. Joaquin: reported that Group 5 (Zoom) talked about improved avenues for students to share how they’re doing, the need to improve communication on campus, and the campus community’s need for greater clarity about the budgeting process from UBC.

 

Sen. Holschuh reported that Group 6 (in-person) discussed increased staff and faculty workload, low morale, and the need for greater staff presence in senate (suggesting a joint meeting with the staff council), the volunteer early retirement program (and the anxiety that may create).

 

Sen. Wilson offered thanks to all for participating and noted that group discussions have been recorded in the doc linked above.

 

Chair Goldman offered thanks for everyone’s participation and invited comments about how this exercise went and how to improve it. He then gave notice that the senate is open to more venues and opportunities for people to mingle with senators to share what is on their minds. He then gave notice about an advocacy document linked in last week’s Friday report. The document gives instructions about how to reach out to state representatives to advocate for the CSU.

 

5. Reports
   1. Chair’s Report
   2. Standing Committee Reports
      1. Academic Policies Committee

Sen. Chou gave notice that APC has four items to bring to the floor. Three items are in second reading and one item is presented in first reading.

 

1. 1. 2. Campus Curriculum Committee

Sen. D’Alois gave notice that CCC has one item in second reading and numerous items in first reading that can be grouped together.

 

 

1. 1. 3. Faculty Affairs Committee

Sen. Holschuh gave notice that FAC has no new items to bring to the floor. The committee is working on various items to bring to a future plenary. These will include a resolution on the application of the integrity policy regarding AI, and a global review of policy S20-145, the Department Chairs and Equivalent Unit Directors Policy. Sen. Holschuh then invited anyone with comments or questions about either of these to reach out to FAC.

 

Chair Goldman gave notice about the correction of a typographical error in S20-145: Policy on Department Chairs. This is listed as an informational item in the day’s agenda (below). This concerns the accidental omission of the word "not" in the final version of the May 2020 revision to S20-145 be corrected in the record on PolicyStat. The omitted word was added during the May 7, 2020, when the revision was approved, but the word did not make it into the formal record. This is an effort to correct the record.

 

 

1. 1. 4. Strategic Issues Committee

 

Sen. Trousdale gave notice that SIC has no new items today, but they continue to talk about the budget and improving senate participation. During their committee meetings, SIC heard reports from the Enrollment Management team and the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

 

1. 1. 5. Student Affairs Committee

 

Sen. Olsher gave notice that SAC has no new items to bring to the floor. The committee continues to work on a resolution in support of multilingual students and multilingualism on campus. SAC will also be working on streamlining student hiring processes on campus and invites anyone who is active in this topic to offer thoughts and reach out.

 

 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

An informational item is a statement announcing the completion of a process, carried out in accordance with Senate policy, and requiring formal notification of the Senate at its conclusion.

5. Certificate in Spanish/English Interpretation (Legal/Court), discontinuance, informational item
6. Correction of a typographical error in S20-145: Policy on Department Chairs, informational item

CONSENT ITEMS

A consent item is one deemed by the Chair to be non-controversial, requiring no debate. Any Senator may call the item to the floor, in which case it is considered as new business in first reading. If no Senator calls it to the floor, it is considered approved. It may be read into the record, or we may move directly to the next agenda items.

7. Recommendation from the Executive Committee: Resolution in Support of the SF State Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Program, consent item

CONTINUING BUSINESS

Continuing (once called Old) Business involves items returning to the Senate, usually in Second Reading, but occasionally still in First Reading. Items in Second Reading belong to the Senate as a whole rather than to an individual or committee. Comments on Second Reading items should be confined to those for or against or proposing specific amendments. We ordinarily limit each speaker to three minutes. Senators may yield their time to non-Senators if needed. Amendments and the final document are passed or not passed by majority vote.

 

8. Recommendation from the Educational Policies Council: Revision to S22-255 Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees, Majors, Concentrations, Minors, and Certificates, in second reading.

 

Sen. Chou brought the item to the floor and explained that the goal of the revision is to reflect the current practices of courses and programs, and to allow for the creation of ad hoc committees of faculty.

 

 

The revision’s adoption was then held to a vote.

 

Yes: 33

No: 0

Abstain: 4

 

The revision was adopted.

 

9. Recommendation from the Academic Policies Committee: revision to S23-257 Course Syllabus Policy, in second reading.

 

Sen. Chou brought the item to the floor and explained that revisions were made to the history section of the first page and to correct syntactical errors, as well as to add wording to line 165.  

 

Sen. Holschuh offered thanks to APC for the work and changes and offered a minor amendment to line 165. Sen. Holschuh proposed returning the phrase “in consultation” to the edited line, explaining that it preserves the spirit of collaboration among DPRC, student, and faculty.

 

Sen. Hellman seconded the proposed amendment.

 

The amendment’s adoption was then held to a vote.

 

Yes: 29

No: 1

Abstain: 7

 

The amendment was adopted.

 

 

The item itself was then held to a vote.

 

Yes: 36

No: 0

Abstain: 1

 

The item was passed.

 

10. Recommendation from the Academic Policies Committee: Revision to S21-296 Curriculum and Course Standards Policy, in second reading.

 

Sen. Chou brought the item to the floor and explained that revision concerns lines 85-104. This revision is to even out the volume of the course revision proposal and clarify language. Changes were proposed and made in consultation with CCC.

 

The revision was then held to a vote.

 

Yes: 30

No: 0

Abstain: 3

 

The item was passed.

 

 

11. Recommendation from the Campus Curriculum Committee: Graduate Certificate in Decision Sciences-new, in second reading

 

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and explained that this is one of the few concentrations in LFCoB that doesn’t have a certificate. The certificate has committee support and offers students lots of modeling skills.

 

The revision was then held to a vote.

 

Yes: 34

No: 0

Abstain: 1

 

The item was passed.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

New Business items are brought by a committee or individual to the Senate in First Reading, during which open discussion and debate may occur. We ordinarily limit each speaker to three minutes. Senators may yield their time to non-Senators if needed. The item is then returned to the Committee for further revision, to be brought back as Continuing Business in Second Reading.

12. Recommendation from the Academic Policies Committee: New Policy- Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Pathways Policy, in first reading.

 

Sen. Chou brought the item to the floor and explained that this policy is intended to create pathway programs, and to recognize student research and experiential learning. This pathway would be noted on student transcripts.

 

Chair Goldman noted that this item is now open for discussion.

 

Sen. Pasion wondered if this policy will have value beyond the SF State campus, as well whether other campus have similar policies, and what it means to have this noted on student transcripts.

 

 

Discussion was had about the policy, noting that such a pathway would have value to students applying for grad programs (underscoring their participation in research activities), and that such a policy was implemented by a Louisiana campus. Departments can opt in to adopting this. Further comments and questions can be directed to APC.

 

Recommendations from the Campus Curriculum Committee, in first reading:

13. Minor in Russian, name and other changes

 

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and noted that it is one of the most creative proposals CCC has seen. This addresses current needs and the financial changes the department is going through. Sen. D’Alois ceded the remainder of her time to Department of Modern Languages and Literatures Chair Frederick Green.

 

Chair Green noted that this has been on the senate floor a few times, and explained that the department has only been able to keep a few of their language classes alive. This is a reinvention of the Russian minor, now built around 2 core language classes and a set of Russian-related elective classes held in other departments. The name change indicates that the focus is no longer just on language, but to make room for cultural proficiency.  Chair Green noted that, based on demand, they can mount more advanced Russian language courses. This is going to be a model for other area studies minors (such as Italian, art history, Classics, etc.).

 

Chair Goldman offered thanks to Prof. Green and opened the floor for comments on this proposal.

 

Discussion was then had about the interdisciplinarity and creativity of the proposal as well as the enrollment numbers Russian has historically received. It is hoped that this may be a model for other programs seeking to save programs through interdisciplinarity.

 

Chair Goldman invited people to reach out CCC with further comments. This will come back in second reading next plenary.

 

14. Certificate in Autism Studies, name change

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and summarized that the name change is to reflect current terminology. They heartily support it. The prior name was “Autism Spectrum.”

 

Chair Goldman proposed a motion to move the item to second reading.

 

Sen. Brewer so moved and seconded by Sen. Hellman.

 

The motion to advance the item to second reading was then held to a vote.

 

Yes: 33

No: 1

Abstain: 0

 

The motion was passed, and the item was brought to second reading.

 

The item itself was then brought to a vote.

 

Yes: 31

No: 0

Abstain: 0

 

The item was passed.

 

 

The item has passed. Thanks to all for the hard work.

 

 

15. Certificate in Paralegal Studies, reduce by 20%

 

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and noted that this was developed in response to a survey done by the Paralegal Association as well as the American Bar Association. She emphasized that this will allow students to progress through the program more quickly.

No discussion was had about the item.

 

16. Certificate in Financial Analytics, new

Sen. D’Alois proposed that items 16, 17, and 18 to be bundled.

 

Chair Goldman asks for any objection to bundling these items. No objection made.

 

Sen. D’Alois then briefly summarized each item, noting that the certificate in Fintech is highly requested by students. Most of these are built with existing courses, except for the certificate in Fintech.

 

17. Certificate in Real Estate, new
18. Certificate in Fintech, new
19. Certificate in Data Science for Biotechnology Professionals, new

 

Sen. D’Alois emphasized the attractiveness of this certificate for professionals already active in the biotech field. No comments or questions were raised about this.

 

20. Certificate in Business Analytics, new

Sen. D’Alois noted that this topic is attractive to international students, and so a certificate built around this subject should be popular. She commented how great it is that the departments of Decision Sciences, Economics, and Information Systems came together on this one.

 

 

21. Graduate Certificate in PK-12 Climate Justice Education, new

 

Sen. D’Alois celebrated the cohort model of this program.

 

Chair Goldman noted that will see this and the other items in second reading next time.

 

 

PRESENTATION(s)

22. Faculty Trustee Darlene Yee-Melichar, CSU Board of Trustees. Time approximate 3:15 PM.

Chair Goldman outlined Faculty Trustee Yee-Melichar’s role and that she represents all CSU faculty and not just SFSU.

 

Trustee Yee-Melichar began by outlining the structure of ASCSU representation, noting SF State reps, doctors Collins, Bauer, and Wilson. She then presented information covering Board of Trustees meetings attended between January 29 and 31, the Trustee’s funding priorities, budget and planning actions, noting that that the state budget shortfall ranges from $38 billion dollars (according to the governor) to approximately $73 billion dollars (according to the legislative analyst’s office). She then explained AB 928 and her voting process around it. Trustee Yee-Melichar then gave notice of this year’s Wang Family Excellence Award recipients, including SF State’s Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award. Trustee Yee-Melichar then explained the the Intersegmental Committee oft he Academic Senates (ICAS, see more HERE), and outlined recent meetings she has attended, as well as the sister campuses she has visited. She then outlined the priorities shaping higher ed strategy, current challenges and future opportunities for the CSU system, the CSU Academic Master Plan, and proposed amendments to Title 5: Implementation of the Student Achievement Reform Act of 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chair Goldman offered thanks for the report and opened the floor for questions.

Discussion was then had about the aligned GE pathway for transfer students (AB 928), resistance to it, and the argument for its adoption.

 

23. Report from the Academic Senate of the CSU (ASCSU). Senators Rob Collins, Santhi Kavuri-Bauer, and Jackson Wilson.

 

Sen. Collins noted that they have all been working hard to make sure that SF State values are conveyed to the ASCSU statewide. Recent committee meetings were held on March 13, and plenary meetings on March 14 & 15. He noted that major discussion was had about the importance of disaggregating CAL-GETC from CSU GE breadth. He then discussed people they’ve heard from during those meetings, noting they had thorough and vigorous discussions about numerous topics of importance, including DACA. He explained that ASCSU is divided into committees then described these. He then covered action items passed by the ASCSU, with short descriptions of each.

 

 

 

 

 

Sen. Wilson offered information about AS-3689-23/FGA Resolution on Estimating the Financial Implications of Adopting CalGETC for CSU GE WAIVER, and listed items in first reading.

 

 

Sen. Kavuri-Bauer presented items that passed, including As-3660-23/Jedi/Fa Amending The Constitution Of The Academic Senate Of The California State University (Ascsu) To Add Three Designated Temporary Faculty Positions And As-3661-23/Jedi/Fa Change In Bylaws Of The Academic Senate Of The California State University (Ascsu) To Accommodate The Addition Of Three Designated Temporary Faculty Positions, noting the significance of each. She then outlined items in first reading. She the noted that there is an absence of dedicated seats on ACSU for lecturers.

 

Chair Goldman opens the floor for questions and comments. He wants to engage the questions about resisting an overreach in managing the curriculum outside the level of faculty management.

 

Discussion was then had about the presentation, including the need for staff representation on the ASCSU, the relative leverage that SF State has over the Board of Trustees regarding CSU GE breadth (this is possible, but will need an SF State senate resolution),

 

 

Sen. Collins invited all to send comments and ideas to him about how to move forward on these issues.

 

 

 

Adjournment: Time definite 4:54 PM

 

Ryan Gurney

Secretary

 

Attendance

 

Absent

 

 

Guests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POST-PLENARY FLOOR PERIOD

This is ordinarily an informal opportunity for senators and guests to meet, exchange information, or follow up on items or questions emerging from the meeting. It will ordinarily run for thirty minutes from the end of formal business, but not beyond 5:00 PM, if people remain online or in the room.