Minutes: November 20th, 2001

Minutes of the Academic

Senate Meeting

                       

of November 20, 2001

The Academic Senate was called to order by Chair Vaughn at 2:10 p.m.

Senate Members Present: 

Aaron, Eunice

Alvarez, Alvin

Avila,

Guadalupe

Bartscher, Patricia

Bishop, Anna

Blomberg, Judith

Boyle, Andrea

Cherny, Robert

Collier, James

Colvin, Caran

Concolino, Christopher

Consoli, Andres

Duke, Jerry

Edwards, James

Fung, Robert

Ganji, Vijay

Garcia, Velia

Gillotte, Helen

Gerson, Deborah

Gregory, Jan

Harnly, Caroline

Henry, Margaret

Higgins, Susan

Hom, Marlon

Houlberg, Rick

Hubler, Barbara

Kassiola, Joel

La Belle, Thomas

Langbort, Carol

Levine, Josh

Luft, Sandra

McKeon, Midori

Moallem, Minoo

Oñate, Abdiel

Pong, Wen Shen

Raggio, Marcia

Sayeed, Lutfus

Smith, Miriam

Su, Yuli

Terrell, Dawn

Turitz, Mitch

Vaughn, Pamela

Warren, Mary Anne

Warren, Penelope

Yip, Yewmun

Senate Members Absent: Corrigan,

Robert A. (exc.), Steier, Saul (exc.), Nichols, Amy (exc.), Shrivastava,

Vinay (exc.), Scoble, Don (exc.), Strong, Rob (exc.), AdisaThomas, Karimah

(abs), Daniels, Robert (abs), Friedman, Marv (abs), Garcia, Oswaldo

(abs), Gilotte, Helen (abs), Jerris, Scott (abs) Newt-Scott, Ronda (abs),

Wolfe, Bruce (abs.)     

Guests:  Nancy McDermid,

Ken Monteiro, Paul Barnes, Marilyn Verhey, Gail Whitaker, Genie Stowers

Announcements and Reports

Ken Monteiro, University Dean/Professor - Human Relations/Psychology

announced the showing of the film In The Light of Reverence, on Thursday,

November 29th, in Jack Adams Hall, Cesar Chavez Student Center.  It is a film

about protecting the sacred lands of Native Americans. It also addresses cultural

and political issues.

Senate Chair Pamela Vaughn announced that, since there are no pressing

Senate agenda items, there would not be a Senate meeting on December 18th.

The final Senate meeting for this semester is scheduled for December 4th and

will feature a visit from Statewide Senate chair Jackie Kegley.

  • Chair’s Report

A Thanksgiving Message from Senate Chair Pamela Vaughn:

Thanksgiving is traditional a time for family and friends, and to think about

family and friends near and far. So it was with great pleasure that I received

an e-mail from our former Senate secretary Dane Johnson, now on sabbatical

in Spain.

Amid updates on his family - especially the wonderful Max, born last April

- Dane wrote that while the purpose of his sabbatical was research (and that

he has all the approved “research badges” to prove it!), he was also hoping

that the trim far away from the CSU might provide some relief from the “numbing

yet still depressing repetition of fruitless contract negotiations, delayed

salary increases, imposed contracts,” and so on. He has deleted without opening

any emails that look like they are providing updates on such things.

But, he notes, his relief was short-lived, if at all. And here I turn again

to Dane’s engaging prose: Just as I arrived - and in timing that will seem

eerily reminiscent of too much, for it was a time when universities were out

of session - the government of Spain announced a grand new “organic” Law of

the University. Theoretically, it was supposed to be discussed far and wide,

and, theoretically, it was already to have come out of a wholly democratic

process. From the press reports and the almost unanimous outcry from the professorate

and the student body, it’s clear that the latter was not true. After a few

weeks of press conference grandstanding, but not negotiations or compromise,

the former turned out to be a lie as well. In the end, holding a small majority

in congress, the party in power imposed their law on people who almost universally

opposed it (and, at this writing [18 November], oppose it more and more vociferously

with strikes and the largest university demonstrations, well, ever, in Spain. 

[Chair Vaughn provide each senator with a newspaper photo sent by Dane, as

well]

[returning

to Dane…] But I kept my head out of it, not wanting to get into it, until

I couldn’t avoid it.  Given that one of my favorite columnists for the major

Spanish paper (who, and here you’ll find no US parallel, happens to be a poet

and professor of esthetics at a university) entitled his column of November

7 “Educacion.” He notes, for example, that this new University Law

does not speak of teaching but only of bureaucracy: “It’s as if someone tried

to remedy discredited Catholicism by developing new norms for electing Bishops.”

He went on to explain that the real problem in the universities in Spain is

that the students lack preparation.  The buildings are in sorry shape, research

is lacking, professors are pariahs, and the money from the government is ridiculously

low. I think it may be time for me to take a trip to Germany!

Shall we entitle this, “We are not alone”? “The long arm of the

CSU”? In any event, perhaps we can give some thought to our “family of

the professorate” around the world and the common struggles and goals we share. 

And for you immediate family and friends at this time of year- health, happiness,

safety, and blessing on you all.

Chair Vaughn reminded senators that the office of university assessment

needs the survey on validity testing returned by December 4th. Marilyn

Verhey, University office of assessment, provided senators with a copy

of Strategies for Continued Development of University-Wide Core Items to

Asses Teaching Effectiveness. Verhey reminded Senators that any

new university assessment instrument that is the result of this process would

be used as only one measure of teaching effectiveness.

 

Dawn Terrell proposed the replacement of the topic under item 3 with

a report from statewide academic senator Robert Cherny.

M/S/P (Cherny, Colvin)

to approve the agenda as amended.

Agenda Item #2:  Approval

of Minutes for Meeting of November 6, 2001

M/S/P

(Duke, Mary Ann Warren) to approve the minutes as amended.

Agenda Item #3: Report from

Robert Cherny Statewide Academic Senator on the Trustee’s Meeting

 

Robert Cherny discussed how CSU Campuses have been asked to trim 1%

off their spending this year and to plan to cut 5% or 10% from their budget

next year, with the reductions based on the 2000-2001 academic year. Universities

are to continue hiring tenure and tenure track faculty. There is no intention

in the State or the CSU to support a retirement “golden handshake.” A report

on the evaluation of system-wide teacher education programs found that more

than 90% of those who completed the teacher education programs did enter the

teaching profession. The report also found that about 75% of the first year

teachers felt that they were adequately or well prepared for first year teaching. 

Their principals, however, reported that about 80% of first year teachers

were adequately or well prepared.  Mitch Turitz reported that approximately

500 people, from CSU universities, attended a demonstration outside the board

meeting, in support of a new contract. Rick Houlberg asked Provost

La Belle that since the 1% cut is coming so late in the years that it would

actually be a 5% cut. Provost La Belle indicated that we do not know at this

time but we as a campus must plan to save as much as we can against the minimum

and to make purchase early.

Agenda Item #4: Proposed Certificate

in Conflict Resolution: A consent item from the Curriculum Review and

Approval Committee-time Certain No Later Than 2:50 p.m.

Anderea

Boyle,

speaking for CRAC Chair Amy Nichols who was unable to attend, introduced the

proposed certificate. Students may use this certificate to enhance their understanding

of the critical role that conflict and its resolutions play in the world today

or to contribute to their preparation for employment in such fields as counseling,

criminal justice, diplomacy, education, government, human resources, international

relations, labor, law, management, mediation, public relations, and social

work.

The certificate would complement degree programs in

speech and communication, criminal justice, labor studies, ethnic studies,

business, international relations, psychology, and political science.

Midori McKeon asked about including a foreign language requirement?

Genie Stowers, Associate Dean, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences,

indicated that a foreign language component was not considered due to unit

restrictions. Mitch Turitz asked how the decision was made that no

additional library resources were required and was anyone from the library

consulted? Stowers indicated that since the certificate used existing

courses that they should have adequate library resources. She admitted that

no one from the library was consulted but she asserted that was an oversight

and that they would consult with the library.

MSP

(Terrell, Houlberg) to second reading.

Miriam Smith asked if a similar certificate in conflict resolution

is available at any other institution. Stowers indicated that there

are similar certificates at UC Berkeley and CSU Sonoma. Robert Cherny

indicated that since Stowers has made a promise to consult with the library

resource, and since we do not have the library information in front of us,

should we not table this item or send it back to committee? Gail Whittaker

indicated that she would like to see the senate take action on the item since

this is a certificate program and not a minor or major program. Joel Kassiola,

Dean, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, indicated that this certificate

is not a new program but makes use of existing faculty, department, and curriculum.

It is reasonable to assume that the library resources are there. This certificate

has been in the making for a long period of time with many faculty, departments,

and colleges working very hard to get it to this point. Turitz indicated

the importance of following procedures that require consultation with the

library. Jerry Duke spoke in favor of supporting the certificate proposal

and not putting it off until a future senate meeting. Nancy McDermid,

Dean, College of Humanities, indicated that faculty have worked on the certificate

for 18 months and that chairs, faculty, and deans had collected and reviewed

course syllabi and assured the Senate that they will go back and check library

resources. Vijay Ganji, the certificate is a repackaging of existing

courses. Susan Higgins indicated that the certificate is very timely

and asked: with the high unit load, if they had surveyed students, and does

the certificate require a practical component? Stowers indicated that

students completing the certificate are required to complete an internship.

They did not survey students but depended on faculty to give them feed back.

Whittaker indicated that the unit load is well within the range of

certificated programs. Ganji asked about the difference in unit totals

and who would be advising the students in the program? Stowers indicated

that some students would be required to take perquisites while others would

not and that the two college associate deans, Genie Stowers and Susan Shimanoff

would be the certificate advisors. Marlon Hom asked if the students

taking the certificate in CEL would have the same admission requirements as

other students? Stowers indicated that CEL would screen students to

ensure that they meet the requirements. Caroline Harnly indicated that

consultation with the library is an important part of the process.  Higgins

asked about the level of enrollment in existing certificate programs. Whittaker

indicated that the data was not available. It is not uncommon to offer certificate

in CEL and the university at the same time.

MS

(Aaron, Gregory) to return the item to committee.

Discussion on the motion: Boyle, indicated that CRAC has a library

representative and that the issue of library resources was not apparent when

the certificate was in review and approved by CRAC. Eunice Aaron indicated

that more time is needed to review the number of issues that have been brought

before the Senate and that the proposed certificate should be sent back to

committee.

Voting on the motion: failed - item stays in second reading.

Duke, requested more explanation regarding offering the certificate

through the College of Extended Learning. Stowers, restated that

the certificate is not primarily a CEL program. Sandra Luft stressed

the importance of the certificate program and hoped that many students would

take advantage of it and that we have good reason to support it.

MSP

(Colvin, Terrell) to close debate.

The Senate approved the undergraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution.

Joel Kassiola, Dean, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences acknowledged

the hard work of all faculty who were involved in the 18 month process that

brought this new and important certificate to the students of our university.

The senate adjourned at 3:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

James Edwards

Secretary to the Faculty

Meeting Date (Archive)