October 10th, 2023

Academic Senate

Plenary Meeting Minutes

Tuesday 10 October 2023

Zoom ONLY

2:00 PM

 

 

 

OPEN FLOOR PERIOD:  2:00 - 2:10 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. We usually allow 5 minutes total, but extend this time today. Senators may make announcements under Item 3 below.

 

Chair Goldman opened the floor for the open floor period. He indicated that people may make announcements as needed.

 

CALL TO ORDER: 2:10 PM

Chair Goldman called the meeting to order at 2:08pm

1. Approval of the Agenda for 10 October 2023

 

Sen. Trousdale moved to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded. The agenda approved as read at 2:10pm.

 

2. Approval of the Minutes for 29 September 2023

 

Sen. Hellman moved to approve the agenda. Sen. Collins seconded the motion. The meeting minutes were approved as read at 2:10pm

 

3. Announcements from the Floor –

 

No Announcements.

 

4. Reports
   1. Chair’s Report 

Chair Goldman provided general remarks on the state of geopolitics and its impact on the SF State campus community. This puts educational institutions like ours in a position to prepare students to face such challenges with grace and to right them. He then foreshadowed the presentations the senate will receive today.

 

 

1. 2. President’s Report

 

President Mahoney observed that there is a confluence of some big issues facing the CSU system and our campus. These include the budget shortfall, tuition increases, and underpaid campus employees. Furthermore, negotiations with two unions are at an impasse, that of teamsters and faculty.  She encouraged everyone to attend budget committee meetings. She then summarized the depth of the budget and enrollment shortfalls. She then reiterated that what we are seeing is, in part, due to a demographic shift in California, and Northern California, specifically. President Mahoney shared that Provost Sueyoshi is working on initiatives to around budgetary transparency. In observation of global events, the President’s Office is preparing messaging for our Jewish and Palestinian communities.

 

Discussion was had about the issues raised above and the nature of the messaging about those issues. There was a request to decouple the issues of faculty and staff pay from the tuition increase as this pits students against faculty. Additionally, it was wondered if there talking points about how best to convey faculty and staff needs, as well as about the raising of tuition to save costs.

 

1. 3. Provost’s Report

 

Provost Sueyoshi provided two updates. The first is that she invited to an event called “Food for Thought,” where she heard from students. Student members of MELA (Movimiento Estudiantil para la Liberación de las Americas) and GUPS (General Union of Palestinian Students) shared their recent experiences when Turning Point USA came to campus: students were doxxed.  Provost Sueyoshi summarized what doxxing is and then explained that there is interest about making a statement against this practice.  The second update concerned the issues of program reductions, tuition raises, and the many emails she has been fielding about these. She gave notice that Interim Vice Provost for Academic Resources, John Kim has created a Canvas site intended to answer questions about these issues. Dr. Kim will provide his own report on this.

 

Ex Chair Albiniak offered thanks for the report and agreed that doxxing is a concern. He then inquired about updates about the Academic Freedom Committee.

 

Chair Goldman summarized the issues faced by the Academic Freedom Committee: an update to the policy around academic freedom and a survey they would like to distribute intended to capture desired policy changes on campus. Chair Goldman proposed that members of the Academic Freedom Committee be invited to address the senate.  

 

Provost Sueyoshi addressed the student component of this issue. Doxxing is meant to inhibit academic freedom and free speech. The Academic Freedom Committee is a great place to generate some kind of statement. Students are excited to be a part of this as well as the drafting of an anti-discrimination policy.

 

Sen. Collins followed that once a statement is made, this can be directed to our ASCSU senators to take to the state.

 

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

 

Sen. Chou gave notice that APC does not have an item to bring to the floor. The committee will continue to review policies and revisions.

 

No questions were raised.

 

1. 1. 2. Campus Curriculum Committee

 

Sen. D’Alois reported that CCC has two items on today’s agenda. The first is a Distance Education Authorization for an MA in International Relations, in its second reading. The second is a Certificate in Data Science for Psychology, in its first reading. They have invited a guest to speak in support of the resolution, Gaurav Suri, Associate Professor and director of the Readiness, Activation and Decision-making Laboratory (RADLab).

 

1. 1. 3. Faculty Affairs Committee

 

Sen. Holschuh offered that FAC has no new items to bring to the floor. She reported that FAC does have a completed draft of the bylaws policy. This will be presented to the University Chairs Council on Thursday. It will then be available to individual departments and units. FAC is still collecting feedback regarding proposed changes to the RTP process. Sen. Holschuh invited interested parties to message her with feedback.

 

1. 1. 4. Strategic Issues Committee

Sen. Trousdale reported that SIC received a budget update from Academic Affairs. They also discussed the trustees revival of AP 71-32 (see more about that HERE). They also discussed the voluntary separation program.

 

Sen Drennan raised a question about the Resolution on Affirming Shared Governance and Budget Transparency in Times of Crisis, #RS21-417. She shared this link: https://sfsu.policystat.com/policy/11298434/latest

 

Discussion was had over whether language in the resolution effectively prompts unit input on budget matters for the purpose of financial transparency.

 

 

 

1. 1. 5. Student Affairs Committee

 

Sen. Olsher reported that SAC has no new items to bring to the floor. He further reported that SAC held a fruitful discussion about student support with Jeremy Khuth and Shannon Deloso, Director and Student Success Coordinator, respectively, of Asian American & Pacific Islander Student Services.  SAC also continues to explore the structure of student fees and its transparency.

 

Questions were withheld for sake of time.

 

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.

There are no informational items today. We will be using parts of today’s meeting to instruct Senators in processes and procedures.

 

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.

There are no consent items for today.

 

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. Recommendation from the Campus Curriculum Committee: Distance Education Authorization for MA in International Relations, in second reading. https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programadmin/135/index.html&step=tcadiff

 

 

Sen. D’Alois brought this item to the floor. Sen. D’Alois indicated that CCC enjoyed working on this recommendation and that this MA will serve people already working in this field (as well as other with an interest in international relations).

 

Chair Goldman moved to bring this recommendation to a vote.

 

The motion was carried. The vote 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.

6. Recommendation from the Campus Curriculum Committee: Certificate in Data Science for Psychology, in first reading.   https://nextbulletin.sfsu.edu/courseleaf/courseleaf.cgi?page=/programadmin/483/index.html&step=showfullrecord Time approximate 2:35 PM.

 

Sen. D’Alois brought the item to the floor. She summarized the item and then introduced Dr. Gaurav Suri to speak in support of the recommendation.

 

Dr. Suri summarized his professional background. He then explained that in a world flush with data from various sources, these data can be skillfully applied within the study of human behavior. Students with this sort of data handling in their background do well in the marketplace. 

 

Chair Goldman moved to open the floor for questions.

 

Sen. Elahe wondered what the difference is between a master’s degree and a certificate.

 

Dr. Suri offered that the certificate and the masters degree are complementary. The certificate is a great first step for people who might go on to a masters. Furthermore, experience in the marketplace suggests that a certificate of this sort sends strong signals to potential employers.

 

Discussion was had about the certificate’s pedagogical particulars. There is not math prerequisite as the certificate leans heavily on application. It does however require computer science and statistics prerequisites. Regarding students’ exposure to ethics when undertaking this certificate, Dr. Suri teaches an introduction to data science for psychology students course that explicitly covers questions of ethics. As AI becomes a bigger part of our lives, ethics and law will be the challenge of our time. As to what differentiates this certificate from others on campus, such as the Graduate Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence, the certificate under review is focused on psychology.

 

Anoshua Chaudhuri, Senior Director of CEETL : shared that AI and Ethics will be the focus next week for CEETL Discussion Circles. She invited people join them on Oct 19th (rescheduled from Oct 12th): https://ceetl.sfsu.edu/ceetl-discussion-circles-0

 

Chair Goldman moved to close discussion and proceed to presentations.

 

PRESENTATIONS

7. Darlene Yee-Melichar, Faculty Trustee, CSU Board of Trustees, “CSU Faculty Trustee Report." Time approximate 2:45 PM.

Darlene: gave thanks for the resolution that allows her to be here and to senators. Darlene summarized the CSU Board of Trustees, her role within it, and how she came to occupy that role.  She gave notice that meetings are open to the public and are next scheduled for November 7 & 8. She also clarified that she is not permitted to participate in any board subcommittees responsible for collective bargaining negotiations. In fact, when these issues arise during board meetings, she is invited to leave. She synthesizes faculty trustee reports and makes these available to anyone who wants them. She then outlined her experience of her first 100 days, including listening sessions, meetings with other campuses’ ExComms and Plenaries, her involvement with the selection of the new CSU Chancellor, etc. She then displayed data related to budget, tuition, financial aid policy, AP 71-32, Title IX, and enrollment.

The floor was then opened for questions. None were raised.

8. Lori Beth Way, Vice Provost of Academic Planning and Dean of Undergraduate Education, “Board of Trustees Resolution on Low Graduating Programs.” Time approximate 3:15PM.

Lori Beth: elaborated on some topics mentioned by Faculty Trustee Yee-Melichar, including the list of low graduating programs. She offered a Box link containing information intended to answer questions people have about AP 71-32 and its reaffirmation: https://sfsu.box.com/s/eih8koeynfar9d8e8nom7cvju5q87uue

Lori Beth explained that her team must submit a master plan to the Board of Trustees by January 5, 2024. This report must outline programs, the qualitative and quantitative metrics used, and any accreditation that must be reported. They must then return with an Action Plan for Programs by May. She referenced the inclusion of the 7^th Cycle of Review policy. She indicated that she will be working with deans who will then work with their faculty.

Discussion was had about where data used in generating the list was pulled from. Caution was raised that the list is not intended to identify programs that will be discontinued.

Chair Goldman moved to proceed to the next agenda item for the sake of time.

 

9. Desdemona Cardoza, Special Consultant to the Chancellor, Heidi Riggio, Professor of Psychology, CSU LA, "A Course Equity Portal for the CSU." Time approximate 3:30 PM.

 

Chair Goldman Summarized our need to eliminate the equity gap in our programs. He then introduced Desdemona Cardoza and Heidi Riggio.

 

Heidi Riggio introduced herself and provided context for her assumption of this role. She summarized the purpose of this tool: to help faculty look at equity gaps in their pedagogy. She then provided additional context about the life of the project and a bit of the tool’s functionality. She asked the senate’s help in evaluating the tool.

 

Desdemona Cardoza explained that more information will be shared with our campus in the next week. She summarized her professional background and the conditions that prompted this project. She then goes on to summarize her background with the CSU. She and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success Jeff Gold received repeated questions from faculty about getting data for their specific classes. This prompted their exploration into creating a dashboard to serve this purpose. She has been working with Jeff Gold over the last 10 years about the Faculty Dashboard. Desdemona Cardoza moved to present example cases (via a PowerPoint presentation and video). She emphasized that this demonstration leans heavily into gaps. She noted that not everyone will have equity gaps. She noted that data only captures information going back to 2011. She emphasized the importance of protecting data within the portal (both faculty anonymity and the sensitivity of students’ data). She narrated how the data is presented. Information about the portal can be found here: https://cep-info.dashboards.calstate.edu/

Discussion was then had about the portal, the way we frame what it does, and what kinds of things the data yield. There was concern about the use of the word ‘gaps’ as this may be read as pejorative. Sutee Sujitparapitaya, Associate Provost of Institutional Research will take the concern over the use of the word back to the developers in the Chancellor’s Office. Questions were raised about how faculty will be incentivized to use the portal. The presenters shared that resulting faculty data will be put into informational videos that will then be shared with faculty. This is being dertaken by Roy Stripling, Director of Student Success Dashboard Research Initiatives.

Anoshua Chaudhuri, Senior Director of CEETL agreed that this tool will be helpful to faculty and shared that CEETL received a CSU grant to help faculty to use data to make small changes in meaningful ways. She agreed to have faculty engage with the data in spring. Desdemona Cardoza expressed interest in reaching out to Dr. Chaudhuri separately to continue the discussion.

 

Chair Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:29 PM

 

The 24 October Plenary will be hybrid, on Zoom and at Seven Hills.

 

Ryan Gurney

Secretary

 

 

 

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.