March 5th, 2024

Academic Senate

Plenary Meeting Minutes

Tuesday 5 March 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.

 

Chair Goldman explained the open floor period.

 

Vice Chair Harvey gave notice that CEETL and the Academic Senate would like to celebrate faculty and staff colleagues who have recently published books (that were published in 2023 and 2024) at a book reading and coffee tasting event on March 19th at 4.00-5.30pm in LIB 121. He asked interested parties to email ceetl@sfsu.edu if they would like to display their book and participate in this book reading event. Kaveri Coffee, a woman-owned third-generation coffee roaster and small business will provide a coffee tasting at this event. Information about this event can be found here: https://ceetl.sfsu.edu/book-reading

 

Sen. Takagi noted a coming event: “Careers in Aging Panel Discussion: Innovation in a Vibrant Field on March 14”. This will take place on Thursday, March 14, 2-3:30pm in LIB 121. More information can be found here: https://pace.sfsu.edu/news/careers-aging-panel-discussion-innovation-vi…

 

Chair Goldman directed people to email the senate with details about these and any other coming events.

 

CALL TO ORDER: 2:05 PM

1. Approval of the Agenda for 5 March 2024

Sen. D’Alois gave notice that the BA and Ethnic Studies (item 23) will be deferred. This was removed from the day’s agenda.

 

Sen. Chou suggested a correction to item 9: a recommendation from the Policy Council (not committee).

 

Sen. Holschuh moved to approve the agenda as amended. Jackson seconded the motion.

 

Agenda was approved as amended at 2:07pm

 

2. Approval of the Minutes for 20 February 2024

Jackson moved to approve the minutes as read. Sen. Platas seconded the motion.

 

Minutes were approved as read at 2:08pm.

 

3. Announcements from the Floor

Sen. Lynch offered updates about enrollment and related issues. These include a return of Regional Admitted Student Receptions (7 will be held around California). She then invited people to serve as campus ambassadors by calling students who’ve been offered fall 2024 admission. Those interested in joining the enrollment drive are asked to complete an RSVP form (https://sfsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e54SyPPyR88HuD4). She then noted challenges with FAFSA simplification this cycle and called for support in encouraging students to now submit their FAFSAs.

 

 

4. Reports
   1. Chair’s Report 

Chair Goldman gave thanks to all for attending. He encouraged everyone’s participation in today’s meeting and invited senators whose term may be ending to consider running for another term. He then gave notice that President Mahoney will not join the day’s meeting. He opened the floor to Provost Sueyoshi.

 

 

1. 2. Provost’s Report

Provost Sueyoshi underscored Sen. Lynch’s request for volunteers to call students offered fall admission. This is for the whole campus. Provost Sueyoshi then gave notice of SF State’s renewed participation in the College Corps, a state initiative to provide opportunities for college students to tackle state-wide challenges. 50 SF State students are involved. The College Corps grant is $2.16 million dollars She moved to announce that the SF Foundation is setting up an endowment for black students to come to SF State. 35 scholarships at $2500 each. In other news, a recent audit of all CSU campuses by the Chancellor’s Office placed SF State first in providing opportunities for black students (tied with SDSU). See here for more: https://sff.org/blackexcellencescholarship/ Units on campus are listing out the ways that departments can promote black and Latinx student success.

 

Chair Goldman noted that documents shared during today’s meeting will be added to the senate box folder.

 

7. 3. Standing Committee Reports
      1. Academic Policies Committee
8. Sen. Chou gave notice that APC has three items to bring to the floor. These include a revision to S14-236 Academic Program Review Policy, (in second reading), a revision to S22-255 Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees, Majors, Concentrations, Minors, and Certificates (in first reading), and a revision to S23-257 Course Syllabus Policy (in first reading).

  

 

1. 1. 2. Campus Curriculum Committee

Sen. D’Alois gave notice that CCC has various items to bring to the floor. These include a recommendation for a BA in Liberal Studies ITEP (Integrated teacher Preparation), reduction in units (in second reading), a recommendation for Minor in Health Education, name change (in first reason), a revision to the Minor in Empowerment for Self Defense (in first reading), a revision to the BS in Interior Design & Architecture, library info added (in first reading), a Minor in Special Education, reduction in number of units, technically substantive (in first reading), a revision to the Minor in Global World Music and Dance, name change, re-situate program, update courses (in first reading), a revision to the Minor in Finance,  to correct a suspension (in first reading) and recommendations for a Distance Education Authorizations for the BA Asian American Studies, the BA in Race and Resistance Studies, the BA Latina/Latino Studies, and the BA American Indian Studies (all first reading).

 

1. 1. 3. Faculty Affairs Committee

Sen. Holschuh Gave notice that FAC has two items. These include a revision to F22-241 Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Policy (in second reading), and a revision to S20-145 Department Chairs and Equivalent Unit Directors Policy (in first reading).

 

1. 1. 4. Strategic Issues Committee

Sen. Trousdale gave notice that SIC has no new items. They continue to discuss the budget and gather comparative information from other CSUs about how they are handling budget problems. They met last week with a representative from CSU East Bay. Next week they will meet with a representative from San Jose State.

 

1. 1. 5. Student Affairs Committee

Sen. Olsher gave notice that SAC has two items on the agenda. These include an Anti-Doxxing Resolution (in second reading) and a resolution in Appreciation of Exceptional Efforts by the Enrollment Management During the Rollout of the Revised FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] (in first reading).  

 

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.

         No Informational Items

 

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.

         No Consent Items

 

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.

 

5. A recommendation from the Student Affairs Committee: Anti-Doxxing Resolution, in second reading. The measure is co-sponsored by the Associated Students.

 

 

Sen. Olsher brought item to floor and noted that the item was written to affirm the right of all campus community members to participate in publicly engaged activism and scholarship. This was written with an emphasis on the protection of our BIPOC and LGBTQIA community. He then noted the recent campus and national events that have necessitated the need for such protective measures.

 

Sen. Wilson inquired about larger implications of this resolution on other SF State policies (e.g. the syllabus policy).

 

Sen. Olsher noted that specific impact is not addressed in the resolution, but drew the senate’s attention to the second to last resolve clauses. These provide recommendations for future action.

 

Chair Goldman brought the item to vote.

 

Yes: 38

No: 0

Abstain: 5

 

The motion carried. The resolution was adopted.

 

6. A recommendation from the Academic Policies Committee: Revision to S14-236 Academic Program Review Policy, in second reading.

 

Sen. Chou explained that this policy is updated with revisions on an original from 2014. These revisions were prompted by the Academic Program Review Committee (A.P.R.C.).

 

Vice Chair Harvey suggested a change to Line 76 (to add more specificity).

 

Sen. Way seconded the suggested edit.

 

Discussion was had about the grammatical possibilities of the proposed edit.

 

This amended language was brought to a vote.

 

Yes: 38

No: 1

Abstain: 5

 

The motion carried. The amendment was adopted.

 

Chair Goldman moved to then vote on the adoption of the recommendation itself.

 

Yes: 38

No: 0

Abstain: 5

 

The motion carried. The recommendation was adopted.

 

 

7. A recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee: Revision to F22-241 Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Policy, in second reading. The change would permit department chairs at the associate professor level to review candidates for promotion to the rank of professor, if the chair is not a candidate for promotion as well.

 

Sen. Holschuh brought the item to the floor and explained its revisions. In short, the revised policy would allow associate or assistant professors who serve as dept. chairs (or manage units) to fully participate in chair level review process in RTP. She explained the positive impact of this revision.

 

Discussion was then had about the recommendation. Remarks were made in opposition to this revision, citing a potential for inequity. Other remarks supported the revision, citing its reflection of campus realities (i.e. limited staffing for RTP committees). 

 

This recommendation was brought to a vote.

 

Yes: 28

No: 8

Abstain: 9

 

The motion carried. The recommendation was adopted.

 

8. Recommendation from the Campus Curriculum Committee in second reading: BA in Liberal Studies ITEP (Integrated teacher Preparation), reduction in units, in second reading.

 

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and explained the context of the recommendation (i.e. reflective of a change in California law that streamlines this degree). Sen. D’Alois placed a link in the chat: https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programadmin/326/index.html&step=tcadiff

 

This recommendation was brought to a vote.

 

Yes: 39

No: 1

Abstain: 3

 

The motion carried. The recommendation was adopted.

 

 

 

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.

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

 

Chair Goldman explained the Educational Policies Council (EPC).

 

Sen. Chou brought the item to the floor and summarized the changes made to the document.

Prof. Gerber spoke as chair of the Baccalaureate Requirements Committee (BRC) and explained the edits made to the document and their context.

 

Chair Goldman offered thanks to Prof. Gerber and explained that the recommendation will return to APC for further edits.

Discussion was then had about the recommendation and an explanation of the arguments made by opponents of the recommendation.

 

10. Recommendation from the Student Affairs Committee: Resolution in Appreciation of Exceptional Efforts by the Enrollment Management During the Rollout of the Revised FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), in first reading

 

Sen. Olsher brought the item to the floor and lauded the hard work by Enrollment Management and Financial Aid as they coordinated a successful transition to the revised FAFSA process.

 

Sen. Chou moved to bring the recommendation to second reading. Rick seconded the motion.

The item moved to second reading.

Sen. Collins spoke in favor of the resolution.

 

The resolution was brought to a vote.

 

Yes: 42

No: 0

Abstain: 1

 

The resolution was adopted.

 

11. Recommendation from the Academic Policies Committee: Revision to S23-257 Course Syllabus Policy, in first reading.

Sen. Chou brought the recommendation to the floor. She explained that the change in this document is concerns lines 160-168 (re: disability access). This clarifies the process, situating the DPRC as the primary contact for student accommodations. Sen. Chou welcomed DPRC Director Nicole Redding to speak to this item.

 

Dir. Redding invited questions and conversation about this revision.

 

Discussion was had about the practical value of this revision as well as questions about specific changes made to the text. There was an explanation about the reasoning behind the removal of the word “reasonable” and the phrase “consultation with students and instructor.” DPRC was also praised for their skill and professionalism.  

 

12. Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee: Revision to S20-145 Department Chairs and Equivalent Unit Directors Policy, in first reading.

 

Sen. Holschuh brought the item to the floor and explained the revision.

 

Discussion was had about the revision’s consideration of smaller programs, grammatical improvements to the text, general concerns over the equitability of lecturer faculty compared to tenured or tenure track faculty, how these changes may be addressed by the CBA contract, and the importance of protecting equitability and representation among faculty of various rank. Overall, FAC’s work on this complex issue was commended.

 

 

Chair Goldman moved to invite our presenters: Professor Gretchen Le Buhn and Professor Kate Hamel. They will present on URSCA - University Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Council.

 

Recommendations from the Campus Curriculum Committee, in first reading:

13. Minor in Health Education, name change

Sen. D’Alois explained the change in the title, stating that the old title is the minor in Health Education and that proposed the new title is the Minor in Public Health. Sen. D’Alois then placed this link into the chat: https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programadmin/192/index.html&step=tcadiff

 

14. Minor in Empowerment for Self Defense, revision

Sen. D’Alois briefly provided context for the revision and provided a link: https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programadmin/470/index.html&step=showfullrecord. She then welcomed her time to Stephanie Cyr, Faculty Lecturer of Personal Defense and the Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) Global Program Manager.

Stephanie Cyr provided context about ESD and its connection to social justice. This guides students to explore evidence-based strategies for violence prevention, personal empowerment, and community building for safer communities.

 

Sen. Wilson offered his support of the minor and its revision and noted a needed update to page 13 of 39: Kent Lorenz is an associate professor.

Vice Chair Harvey inquired about prerequisites for the courses in this major.

Jane Dewitt, Associate Dean of Academic Planning, noted that prerequisites will be changed to accommodate this minor.

 

15. BS Interior Design & Architecture, library info added

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and explained the context and content of the added information (e.g. interior design students will need to know about things like building codes).

 

Sen. Kavuri-Bauer voiced appreciation for the added information. Discussion was then had about the degree’s title.

 

 

16. Minor in Special Education, reduction in number of units, technically substantive

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and explained the reduction in units (down to 12 from 15). She then explained how the reduction will benefit students (e.g. will allow students to better prioritize their classes).

 

 

17. Minor in Global World Music and Dance, name change, re-situate program, update courses

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor and explained the pedagogical nature of the minor.

 

Sen. Collins offered thanks to the committee for their work on this proposal. He noted that this minor speaks to SF State’s social justice mission.

 

18. BA Asian American Studies, Distance Education Authorization

 

Chair Goldman noted that items 18-21 are Distance Education Authorizations and will be batched.

Sen. D’Alois offered the following link: https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programadmin/128/index.html&step=tcadiff

 

Sen. Collins offered his support for these items.

 

19. BA Race and Resistance Studies, Distance Education Authorization

Sen. D’Alois offered the following link: https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programad…

20. BA Latina/Latino Studies, Distance Education Authorization

Sen. D’Alois offered the following link: https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programad…

21. BA American Indian Studies, Distance Education Authorization

Sen. D’Alois offered the following link: https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programad…

22. Minor in Finance, correct a suspension that never actually took place, update courses

 

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor. This is her favorite thing. This continues non-suspension, and this is a good thing.

23. BA Ethnic Studies, move from CPaGE to State support, other issues.

Chair Goldman noted that the above has been struck from the agenda.

 

PRESENTATION(s)

 

24. Gretchen Le Buhn, Professor, Biology, Chair of URSCA. “URSCA Council Presentation.” Time approximate 3:40 PM.

 

Prof. Le Buhn introduced the committee and listed the numerous disciplines represented on the committee; a roster of the committee can be found HERE.  Prof. Le Buhn then explained the importance of faculty grants – they not only fund important research but also support students (total funding is about $35 million over $9 million goes to students in a single year). Prof. Le Buhn explained how grant money is dispersed, what central questions motivate URSCA initiatives, what URSCA’s initiatives are, and how Academic Technologies is helping URSCA connect students to research-oriented jobs.

 

Prof. Kate Hamel introduced the Ambassador program and explained how it connects students to peers and workshops and provides them with practical skills. She emphasized how this program has really taken off. She then encouraged people to attend student showcases. She then explained URSCA’s coordination with the Scholar Strategy Network event, and then described URSCA’s slate of New Student recruitment events. She then outlined the Council’s efforts to build “a robust research community on campus” for 2024-2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prof. Le Buhn invited everyone to engage with URSCA to participate and offered ways to do so.

 

25. Guisselle Nuñez, AVP Strategic Marketing & Communications, “Marketing the Value of an SF State Education.” Time approximate 4:00 PM.

 

AVP Nuñez invited people to raise questions after the presentation. She explained Strategic Marketing’s current central campaign, “My Story.” She connected the campaign with correlated increases in information requests from prospective students. She explianed that “My Story” continues to be a success, supports the macro mission for the campus, and is supported by numerous micro campaigns that help to drive enrollment. In a year, they have about 30 different micro campaigns. She then noted the success of their New Student Summer Orientation campaign. They are streamlining the current website, but a new site will debut next year. She placed an information page in the chat: https://marcomm.sfsu.edu/website-redesign. She then outlined Strategic Marketing’s pathways to market research, enrollment and brand awareness campaign development (a three-year project).

 

 

Chair Goldman wondered what staff and faculty can do to elevate the perception of the university for the wider community? One of the things we heard in the previous presentation, was an effort to raise the profile of research within the university, but we could use that to raise the profile outside the university.

 

AVP Nuñez indicated that there is no perfect answer because there must be an integrated approach. She suggested that people use their unit’s social media profiles to highlight programs, events, students, etc. Unlike prior eras, the present marketing environment requires that institutions like SF State tell their own stories and sing their own praises - spread good news on your unit’s social media.

 

Discussion was then had about the importance of tooting one’s own horn. Strategic Marketing can help do this for faculty and their units if they are provided enough advance notice.

 

 

 

Return to main agenda after time approximate presentations.

 

Adjournment: Time definite 4:47 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.