Academic Senate Meeting Minutes 10/15/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING

AGENDA

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

SEVEN HILLS CONFERENCE CENTER

NOB HILL ROOM

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

 

 

 

OPEN FLOOR PERIOD:  2:00 - 2:10 p.m.

The Open Floor Period provides an informal opportunity for faculty members to raise questions or make comments directed to Senate officers or to university administrators.  Please arrive promptly at 2:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER: 2:10 p.m.

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

Alvarenga, Gabriela

Anderson, David

Avani, Nathan

Azadpur, Mohammad

Baines, AnnMarie

Barranco, Joseph

Bartscher, Patricia

Bettinger, Chris

Boyle, Andrea

Alamilla Boyd, Nan 

Buckley, Linda

Chen, Lily

Cholette Susan

Clavier, Sophie

Collins, Robert

Doan, Therese

Donohue, Patricia

Gamboa, Yolanda

Ganji, Ahmad

 

 

Getz, Trevor

Ginwala, Cyrus

Hackenberg, Sara

Hammer, Mike

Hanley, Lawrence

Harris, Shimina

Hellman, David

Hill, Lorna

Holzman, Barbara

Howard, Pamela  

Kilday-Hicks, Russel

Lau, Jenny

Li, Wen-Chao

Lopez, Eurania

Mendolla, Paul

Pasion, Sally

Pelaud, Isabelle

Robertson, Bruce

 

 

Rosser, Sue

Salama, Mohammad

Sigmon, Mark

Soltani, Sonya

Spiva Derrick

Strong, Robert 

Thapar, Manav

Trogu, Pino

Tumbat, Gulnur

Vasche, Jason

Wanek, Linda

Wilckzak, Cynthia

Williams, Robert

Yee-Melichar Darlene

Yoo, Grace

 

Absences: Cortez, Ronald  (exc) ; Landry, Lynette (exc); Lewis, Julia (exc); Levy, Eileen (exc); McDougal, Serie (abs); Monteiro, Ken (abs); Stowers, Genie(exc); Usowicz, Thaddeus (abs);  Wong, Les (exc)

 

Guests: Brian Beatty, Sacha Bunge, Dawn Fisher, Ann Hallum, Shawn Whalen

 

Senators raised the following questions

            - Campus shuttles.

CALL TO ORDER: 2:10 p.m.

With a quorum being present, the meeting was called to order.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements were made.

AGENDA ITEM #1—Approval of the Minutes for October 1, 2013

The Item was discussed. The Minutes were Approved.

 

AGENDA ITEM #2—Approval of the Agenda for October 15, 2013

The Item was discussed. The Agenda was Approved.

 

AGENDA ITEM #3—Chair’s Report

The Item was discussed. The Academic Senate heard a report from Chair Hanley on the use of tasers by SFSUPD. Faculty and student responses to this usage will be examined. Hiring across the system, as examined during the system-wide chairs meeting was also discussed. The following concerns and questions were raised:

 

  1. How can students find information on the use of tasers at SF State University and get their voices heard?

 

AGENDA ITEM #4—Rob Strong, Manager, SF State Follett University Bookstore

The Item was discussed. The Academic Senate heard a report from Rob Strong, Manager, SF State Follett University Bookstore. Senators raised the following concerns and questions:

 

  1. The complaints heard from students have not changes in terms of cost and expense of books. Where does the books store fit in relationship to affordable course materials and art supplies?
  2. How profitable and sustainable is the Follett model for the future?
  3. How will affordable learning solutions impact our students?
  4. It is possible to offer incentives for faculty and students to encourage greater use of the bookstore?
  5. Will incentives (i.e., Gator Rewards) be continued? This could prove useful for faculty, staff, and students who are on campus during the summer.
  6. In which directions will Follett be moving in the future?
  7. Was the formula changed for book orders this year?
  8. Is the price of renting books equal to the price of purchasing book online?
  9. Has Follett ever considered hiring a book designer and publishing faculty books?
  10. To what extent has copyright affected the price of readers?
  11. How are scholarships distributed if students are not receiving financial aid?
  12. What exactly is the nature of the Follett bookstore’s contribution back to the university?
  13. Has there been a percentage mark up on the “Swag”?
  14. Are there any book discount options for junior and seniors?
  15. In the “Quick Start” program, do the students have the options to keep the books?  

 

AGENDA ITEM #5—Report: Standing Committee Chairs & CSU Senators—Brief Updates

The Item was discussed. The Academic Senate heard reports from the Standing Committees and State-wide Academic Senators.

 

AGENDA ITEM #6—Recommendation from the Executive Committee: Proposed Resolution in Honor of Dr. Laura Head, In Memoriam, 1st Reading

The Item was discussed. The vote was called. The Resolution was adopted by Acclamation.

 

AGENDA ITEM#7—Recommendation from the Student Affairs Committee:  Proposed Resolution in Support of the SF State Suicide Prevention Regional Conference, 1st Reading

http://psyservs.sfsu.edu/content/suicide-prevention-regional-conference

The Item was discussed. The vote was called. The Resolution was adopted by Acclamation.

 

AGENDA ITEM #8—Introduction of New Faculty Member:  Rick Nizzardini, Counseling & Psychological Services

A brief bio for Rick Nizzardini is available on iLearn and on the Senate We b site here

The Item was discussed. Professor Rick Nizzardini was introduced to the Academic Senate.

 

AGENDA ITEM #9—Discussion Item:  Senators & Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee members to discuss Theme III, Academic Master Plan & Teaching

Please be sure to review prompts in preparation for this topic

http://planning.sfsu.edu/content/theme-3-academic-master-plan

The Item was discussed. Senator Getz facilitated the discussion. The following points and questions were raised during the discussion:

 

Questions Set #1

 

  1. One of the things that we do well is that the faculty – not TAs - teaches the majority of our classes.
  2. Is it possible to have a link where faculty can send feedback and answers to these questions?
  3. It is important to ask the students what they expect from high quality teaching.
  4. To what extent is service important in this discussion?
  5. It is important to have more time to observe the teaching strategies of colleagues in order to enhance one’s own pedagogical strategies.
  6.  It is important to have more resources for faculty and pedagogical development.
  7. It is important to have discussions across disciplines to enhance interdisciplinary pedagogical collaboration and further demonstrate our commitment to social justice.
  8. It is important to use the questions from the website, as they are more focused.
  9. The question should be qualified more clearly in terms of what quality education in the CSU means.

 

Questions Set #2

 

  1. Is it possible to have a faculty mentor program in teaching to enhance teaching for faculty overtime?
  2. How does research inform pedagogy and vice versa?
  3. It is important to have relevant pedagogy (e.g., networking in business).
  4. It is important to use technology (i.e., simulation) to afford students the chance to simulate real world practices.
  5. It is important to also teach critical thinking, rather than technology, as technology will change tomorrow.

 

Questions Set #3

 

  1. What is the relationship between research and teaching? Faculty engaged in research often bring the excitement of that research to the classroom. Teaching should not be limited to one practice.
  2. Innovative teaching occurs outside of the 3/3 teaching load (i.e., networking, etc.). There is no framework to recognize or support these efforts.
  3. Have we lost our commitment to teaching? To what extent do we have a center engaged in teaching? Without a robust CTFD, we send the message that we do not value teaching and have lost that commitment.
  4. The questions need to be clearer.
  5.  Teaching needs to be rewarded more clearly in RTP. We are here for teaching. 
  6.  What is the definition of teaching? Is it a mark on a form or student engagement in the process of their learning? The relationships that we all have with the students have been endangered and have changed overtime. 
  7. It is important to have teaching mentoring for new faculty (i.e., teach in expertise) to enable faculty to enhance pedagogical skills.

 

Questions Set #4

 

  1. It is difficult to team-teach on this campus.
  2. It is important to have more resources on teaching, as the current focus seems to be on research.
  3. There are not enough resources for teaching on this campus.
  4.  Is it possible to have more TAs for professors teaching large classes?

 

Questions Set #5

 

  1. Contingent or lecturer faculty are relied upon heavily; however, there are few opportunities for their growth and professional development.
  2. There is a lot of expertise on campus already. It is important to cultivate that talent.
  3. It is important to remember that 49% of the faculty teaching at SF State are not guaranteed a continued position.
  4. The variation in the quality of lecturer teaching ability has an adverse affect on overall education and teaching.

 

AGENDA ITEM #10—Adjournment—no later than 5:00p.m.

The Academic Senate adjourned at 4:11p.m.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AGENDA ITEM #1—Approval of the Minutes for October 1, 2013

 

AGENDA ITEM #2—Approval of the Agenda for October 15, 2013

 

AGENDA ITEM #3—Chair’s Report

 

AGENDA ITEM #4—Rob Strong, Manager, SF State Follet University Bookstore

 

AGENDA ITEM #5—Report: Standing Committee Chairs & CSU Senators—Brief Updates

 

AGENDA ITEM #6—Recommendation from the Executive Committee: Proposed Resolution in Honor of Dr. Laura Head, In Memoriam, 1st Reading

 

AGENDA ITEM#7—Recommendation from the Student Affairs Committee:  Proposed Resolution in Support of the SF State Suicide Prevention Regional Conference , 1st Reading

http://psyservs.sfsu.edu/content/suicide-prevention-regional-conference

 

AGENDA ITEM #8—Introduction of New Faculty Member:  Rick Nizzardini, Counseling & Psychological Services

A brief bio for Rick Nizzardini is available on iLearn and on the Senate We b site here

 

AGENDA ITEM #9—Discussion Item:  Senators & Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee members to discuss Theme III, Academic Master Plan & Teaching

Please be sure to review prompts in preparation for this topic

http://planning.sfsu.edu/content/theme-3-academic-master-plan

 

AGENDA ITEM #10—Adjournment—no later than 5:00p.m.

 

Meeting Date (Archive)