May 7th, 2024

Academic Senate

Plenary Meeting Minutes

Tuesday 7 May 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.

 

The Open Floor period was initiated. No announcements were made.

 

CALL TO ORDER: 2:05 PM

1. Approval of the Agenda for 7 May 2024

Chair Goldman brought the meeting to order and noted that this will be the second-to-last plenary of the semester. Chair Goldman noted further that we will skip the Matters Arising item on the agenda to allow additional time for senate business. The item/activity will return in the fall.

 

Sen. Collins moved to introduce an amendment to the agenda, and additional item of business (placed as Item 15): Loss of Confidence in the California State University Chancellor and Board of Trustees Ability to Effectively Consult With Faculty On Changes in CSU Curricula. This must then be held to a vote before being formally added to the agenda.

 

Sen. D’Alois seconded the motion to vote to add agenda item 15.

 

The amendment to the agenda was held to a vote.

 

Yes: 28

No: 4

Abstain: 7

 

The amendment has passed. The item was added to the agenda (Item 15).

 

 

 

2. Approval of the Minutes for 23 April 2024

 

Minutes were approved as read and thanks was given to Sen. Chou for recording the minutes.

 

3. Announcements from the Floor

 

Sen. Lynch provided an update about the search for an Associate Vice President for Title IX and DHR. Open forums will be held with each candidate during the next week (Monday, May 13; Wednesday, May 15; Thursday, May 16).

 

Sen. Wilson offered thanks to Associate Vice President & Dean of Students Miguel Hernandez for his work in supporting student safety during this time of student social demonstration.

 

4. Reports
   1. Chair’s Report
      Guest: Vice President Jamillah Moore, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

 

Chair Goldman noted that next week’s plenary will short and used to complete business. Then rest of the time will be devoted to business of the incoming new senate. Chair Goldman then announced that he will be rolling off as chair but will continue on ExComm as immediate past chair. He then opened the floor for Jamillah Moore, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. She spoke on student action on campus.

 

VP Moore offered thanks to the senate for its support of her office’s work. She explained that her office has been working to support students in ongoing protest activities, including rallying resources to ensure that students’ encampment on campus is done safely. She offered thank to President Mahoney and Provost Sueyoshi for their support for safe student activism. In further explaining services in support of safe student activism, VP Moore noted that the Student Union is open until 10pm, and that a phone number is made available for student use after that time (circulated via flyers).

 

 

 

 

1. 2. President’s Report

 

President Mahoney noted that she is impressed with the level of compassion and care for supporting our students in their peaceful protest, as well as for the students themselves in their commitment to mindful activism. She asl has thanks to the students for committing themselves to peaceful protest. She noted that AVP & Dean of Students Hernandez and his team have been on campus for 12 or more hours for more than 9 days to ensure student safety. That students engage in protest on this campus, and in the shadow of buildings adorned with activist figures of eras past is deeply symbolic.

 

Sen. D’Alois noted students’ commitment to peace, and this reflects well on the administration and the campus as a whole.

 

President Mahoney noted that she spoke to students yesterday and they sent her their demands. She pushed for the development of a committee to receive these demands and explore options for a socially mindful investment policy (making sure to place the nearly $180 million endowment mindfully).

.

 

1. 3. Provost’s Report

 

Provost Sueyoshi offered gratitude to students for their peaceful action. She then opened the floor to VP of Academic Planning and Dean of Undergraduate Education Lori Beth Way and Senior AVP for Enrollment Management Katie Lynch.

 

Sen. Way gave notice of a 20% higher registration rate for continuing students. Additionally, summer enrollment is up between 20% and 25%.

 

Chair Goldman asked about the total impact to enrollment we could see (if all things remain flat).

 

Sen. Lynch explained that it’s too early to tell, especially given recent FAFSA problems. Other than applications, we are still down, so we must continue to work to function as a smaller university. The higher returning registration rate may in part be due to increased outreach efforts.

 

1. 4. Standing Committee Reports
      1. Academic Policies Committee

 

Sen. Chou gave notice that APC has one continuing item today: a revision to F18-146 All University Program for Educator Preparation. She then offered thanks to all APC members for a productive year.

 

1. 1. 2. Campus Curriculum Committee

 

Sen. D’Alois noted that CCC has completed its work for the year. She then noted that she will be retiring.

 

Sen. Hellman offered thanks to Sen. D’Alois for her leadership and compassion.

 

1. 1. 3. Faculty Affairs Committee

Sen. Holschuh reported that FAC has 5 items to bring to the floor, 2 in second reading (listed below), and 3 in first reading (listed below). She then thanked FAC members for their incredible hard work.

 

 

 

1. 1. 4. Strategic Issues Committee

 

Sen. Trousdale gave notice that SIC has no items to bring to the floor today. He then praised SAC members for their hard work and commitment to having hard discussions.

 

1. 1. 5. Student Affairs Committee

 

Sen. Olsher gave notice that SAC has one item today: a resolution on SF State’s Renewed Commitment to Multilingualism and Internationalization (in second reading). He then expressed gratitude to the committee for their work, wisdom, perspectives, and expertise.

 

Chair Goldman noted that the senate is ahead of time on the agenda. He proceeded to item 7 (and then will return to item 6).

 

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

 

In the interest of time, this will be shelved for this meeting.

 

 

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.

6. From the Executive Committee: Resolution in Memory of Associate Dean Catriona Esquibel. Consent item, reader(s) and text will be posted prior to meeting.

 

Sen. Collins read In Memorium and Honoring Dr. Catriona Rueda Esquibel, outlining her academic background, professional appointments, and significant contributions to her field, the SF State camps, students, and her family. This was followed by a moment of silence. 

 

 

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.

 

7. Recommendation from the Academic Policies Committee: Revision to F18-146 All University Program for Educator Preparation, in second reading.

 

Sen. Chou brought the item to the floor and explained that it is in its second reading. She explained that revision concerned edits to lines 140 and 147.

 

Chair Goldman paused for comments for or against, or edits to the item.

 

No comments were made, so we then moved to vote on the item.

 

Yes: 37

 

No: 0

 

Abstain: 5

 

The revision was adopted.

 

 

8. Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee: Resolution on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Teaching and Learning, in second reading.

 

Sen. Holschuh brought the item to the floor, noting that there have been no further changes since its first reading a few weeks ago. Sen. Holschuh then explained FAC’s collaboration with CEETL and recommended a collaborative and curious approach to AI technologies and their use.

 

Chair Goldman opened for questions, comments, and edits.

 

Sen. Collins offered thanks to the committee for their work on this supports this wholeheartedly.

 

Sen. Kavuri-Bauer: echoed Sen. Collins’s sentiments and noted that CEETL’s work on this has deepend her understanding of this issue. She further noted that the mini symposium CEETL hosted (on May 3) made plain the realities of the workplace that students will be graduating into (see HERE for more).

 

The resolution was then held to a vote.

 

Yes: 37

 

No: 0

 

Abstain: 6

 

Programmatic note: following this vote, the senate then returned to item 6.

 

9. Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee: Revision of policy on Temporary Faculty Range Elevation S00-211, in second reading.

 

Sen. Holschuh gave notice that FAC added language to update this policy, bringing it in line with the current CBA (where the last revision was made in 2000). She explained that the only additions made can be found on lines 18 to 21. The added policy information has been in effect via the CBA since 2021, so this is an effort to update S00-211 in parallel.

 

 

Discussion was then had about some of the language contained in the existing policy. It was noted that some language may be unintendedly discriminatory (where the term “equivalent unit” is not clearly defined and may exclude faculty). An interjection was then made reminding the senate that the present discussion should be restricted to the revision proposed by FAC. It was further noted that as this recommendation for revision is in second reading, and changes to the policy (outside of the revision proposed by FAC) would also need discussion resulting in a proposed amendment, and then a vote, where the amending language would need to be placed into the record for consideration. That language was placed into the meeting chat:

 

Eligibility & Criteria. Temporary faculty (excluding coaches) are instructors of record appointed on either a full-time or parttime basis in an academic unit. Temporary faculty may apply for range elevation on the salary schedule once they become eligible. Eligibility for range elevation is established by the following two conditions:

 

No longer eligible for Salary Step Increases in current range, AND

 

Five years of appointment in the current range.

 

The department chair (or director shall coordinate a peer review of the application and make a recommendation to the college dean; the college dean shall then make his/her independent recommendation to the university president or his/her designee for the final decision.

 

 

Sen. Grutzik proposed that before this additional amendment is voted into the policy, it be thoroughly researched by AVP of Human Resources, Ingrid Williams and possibly legal, and to bring back to the Senate.

 

Discussion was then had about whether the need for further research is necessary. It was decided that the senate move to a vote on the proposed amendment language (without additional research). The move to vote was seconded by Brad.

 

 

A vote on the amendment was held.

 

Yes: 11

 

No: 20

 

Abstain: 10

 

The proposed amendment was not adopted. The senate then proceeded to vote on the initial revision proposed by FAC.

 

Yes: 24

 

No: 4

 

Abstain: 14

 

 

The policy revision was passed.

 

 

10. Recommendation from the Student Affairs Committee: Resolution on SF State’s Renewed Commitment to Multilingualism and Internationalization, in second reading.

 

Sen. Olsher brought the item to the floor and noted that this is a wide-ranging resolution under discussion for many months. He further noted that this is a renewed commitment in principle to many different aspects of multilingualism and internationalism that is consistent with the values of the university.

 

Sen. Collins Offers thanks for this and noted that this may be one of the first resolutions to codify indigenous languages as part of this multilingualism discussion.

 

Chair Goldman opened the floor for comments for or against, or amendments.  

 

This was then brought to a vote.

 

Yes: 36

 

No: 1

 

Abstain: 2

 

 

 

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.

11. Recommendation from the Executive Committee:  Resolution for Positive Action and Collaboration in Recognition of Significant and Unusual Financial Challenges, in first reading, tentative.

 

Chair Goldman brought the item to the floor and noted that this is posted in iLearn. He noted that that this attempts to recognize the financial difficulties the campus faces and that it will require action on our part to enact changes (in some cases to curriculum) while maintaining the educational quality we aspire to.

 

Discussion was then had about the gravity of this resolution, the effort put into drafting it, as well as the need for more time to consider it (in alignment with the ethos of shared governance). It was also recommended that the senate add a commendation in observance of the University Budget Committee’s efforts to preserve transparency and communication about this issue.

 

 

 

 

Chair Goldman asked for a motion to move to second reading. Sen. Collins moved, and Sen. Hellman seconded.

 

A vote to proceed the resolution to second reading was held.

 

Yes: 18

 

No: 14

 

Abstain: 8

 

 

The motion passed and the item was moved to second reading.

 

Discussion was then had about this resolution as being offered as a “recommendation” and not an obligation. It was then noted that this is being offered in the spirit of open communication and shared governance. It was acknowledged also that in times of need and urgency, some decisions must be made quickly (financial or otherwise). It was further noted that overall, this senate endeavors to make decisions as a deliberative body in all ways possible. This much is clarified in clauses 39-41 (i.e. “[…]use the means of shared governance to the greatest extent possible.”). It was further noted that decision making is hardest during the summer, when many voting faculty are away from campus (a complicating factor).

 

Nancy Gerber: referred to the just-held vote to move this item to second reading, noting that Section 5 of the Senate Bylaws imply a 3/4 majority is needed for a motion to move to second reading in same day passes.

 

Sen. Wilson offered the specific language to which Nancy Gerber referred: bylaws section 5.1, “the first reading of a motion is concluded if: 1) there is no one remaining on the speakers' list who wishes to speak, or 2) a motion to close debate is passed (requires a two-thirds vote), or 3) a motion is approved to move the motion to second reading (requires a three-fourths majority).”

 

It was agreed that the Resolution was indeed still in first reading. It will thus return to the Executive Committee for further revisions. Chair Goldman invited all to share this with their colleagues.

 

 

12. Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee: Revision of policy on Academic Program Discontinuance F19-177, in first reading.

 

 

Sen. Holschuh brought to the item to the floor and explained that this a revision to the academic program discontinuance policy, which is in fact the policy that was referenced in the resolution that was just discussed. She noted that the revisions are largely concentrated on lines 41 to 45 of the policy, indicating that this is specific only to tenured and tenure track faculty.

 

Sen Jackson moved to advance this to second reading. The motion was seconded by Sen. Hellman.

 

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

 

Yes: 28

 

No: 5

 

Abstain: 3

 

The item entered second reading.

 

AVP Scott observed that CEL (the College of Extended Reading) is mentioned in the text. This should be changed to CPaGE (i.e. the new name of the college, the College of Professional & Global Education). This is acknowledged as a typo and will not require a vote to correct.

 

A vote was then held to adopt the item, itself.

 

Yes: 28

 

No: 3

 

Abstain: 4

 

The revision was adopted. Chair Goldman then invited everyone to stay to maintain quorum.

 

 

 

13. Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee: Revision of Department Chairs and Equivalent Unit Directors Policy S24-145, in first reading.

 

Sen. Holschuh gave notice that this is a revision specific to one section of the policy, located under section 6, lines 47 to 51. Sen. Holschuh then explained the revision, noting that the revised language seeks to create a communication bridge (between dean and department), ensuring a communication timeline of 2 business days following the removal of a department chair.

 

Sen. Wilson applauded the revision and noted that comparable institutions (e.g. Sonoma State) have components in their policies that are not in ours. He recommended the use of the word “compelling” and suggested clearly articulating that a department be notified in writing of a chair’s removal. He offered the following comparative policy example (Sonoma State) – “Removal by the President Department chairs serve at the pleasure of the University President (cf. CBA 20.32). The University President may remove the department chair before the conclusion of the term. Removal of the department chair by the University President shall only occur in rare instances and for compelling reasons. No department chair shall be removed solely for carrying out the provisions of CSU and SSU policies and the requirements under the CFA/CSU Collective Bargaining Agreement. If the department chair is removed before the conclusion of the term, the University President shall, within one business day, notify the department of the decision and the basis for the decision in writing.”

 

Discussion was had about other changes made to language in the proposed revision, as well as the consultation FAC received in drafting these revisions.

 

 

Sen. Collins moved to advance the item to second reading. This was seconded by Sen. Olsher.

 

The movement to second was held to a vote.

 

Yes: 27

 

No: 6

 

Abstain: 5

 

The move to second reading was approved.

Chair Goldman opened the floor for any potential amendments.

 

Comment was made about the unresolved question about articulating in writing the rationale behind the removal of a chair.

 

Chair Goldman gave notice that no amendment to this revision was on the floor at this time. He then invited comments for or against the item.

 

Sen. Chou offered her support but recommended consultation with the University Chairs Counsel.  

 

With no other remarks, the item itself was held to a vote.

 

Yes: 26

 

No: 6

 

Abstain: 5

 

The item has passed.

 

 

14. Recommendation from Faculty Affairs Committee Revision of Retention Tenure and Promotion Policy S24-241, in first reading.

 

Sen. Holschuh brought the item to the floor and noted that the revision is very focused, found in sections 1.6.2. and 1.7. She then underscored the urgency of these revisions given that promotions come up for next year.

 

Sen. Collins moved to advance the item to second reading. Jackson seconded the motion.

 

A vote was then held to move it to second reading.

 

Yes: 27

 

No: 3

 

Abstain: 5

 

The item was successfully voted into second reading. The senate then voted on the adoption of the item, itself.  

 

Yes: 29

 

No: 0

 

Abstain: 5

 

The item passed.

 

 

15. Recommendation from the Executive Committee:  Resolution for Loss of Confidence in the California State University Chancellor and Board of Trustees Ability to Effectively Consult with Faculty On Changes in CSU Curricula

 

Chair Goldman offered context around the adoption of general education requirements in the CSU system and the general education pathway as required by AB 928. He then opened the floor to Sen. Collins.

 

Sen. Collins acknowledged the difficulty of bringing such an item to the senate and offered background on the issue and the factors motivating a loss of confidence in the CSU Chancellor, administration, and the Board of Trustees’ ability to engage in effective consultation on CSU curriculum through shared governance.

 

Discussion was had about the speed at which this was drafted as well as recommendations for further revision. Some offered caution in embarking upon this path, noting that disagreement can be had with the decisions made by the Office of the Chancellor, administration, and Board of Trustees, but issuing a loss of confidence will have large impacts. Discussion was then had about the advantage of keeping this is first reading until the next plenary (to allow for more time for consideration).

 

Chair Goldman noted that this item will return next plenary in second reading. He invited senators take the time to receive feedback on this. He asked that comments be sent to him or Sen. Collins.

 

 

 

PRESENTATION(s)

None scheduled.

 

Adjournment: Time definite 5:00 PM

Our 14 May meeting will include continuing, outgoing and incoming Senators. New and remaining Senators will elect the new Executive Committee and standing committee chairs. The meeting will be followed by a reception, co-sponsored by the Office of the President, beginning as soon as departing Senators are dismissed.

 

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.