Academic Senate
Plenary Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Zoom
2:00 PM
2:00-2:05 PM: Open Floor Period: 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 Wilson invited guests to make announcements.
Dr. Anoshua Chaudhuri gave notice that CEETL will present AI Workshop: Building AI Skills into the Curriculum on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Dr. Chaudhuri asked that attendees come with syllabi and roadmaps so that these can be workshopped. More information can be found HERE.
Sen. Brewer gave notice of Noche de Estrellas, the bilingual outreach program in the astronomy dept. The event is held in Spanish and English, where the featured speaker will be Jhonnatan Gama Vazquez. More information HERE.
2:05 PM: Call to Order
- Approval of agenda
Vice Chair Holschuh recommended that the ASCSU presentation be moved to 4:10-4:30 to allow more time for discussion of all agenda items. The motion was seconded by Sen. Erickson.
The motion was the held to a vote.
Yes: 34
No: 0
Abstain: 0
The motion passed and the agenda modified. This will flip items 17 and 18. The agenda was thus approved as amended at 2:06pm.
Minutes were approved as read at 2:06pm.
- Senator announcements: Any senator can speak to no more than 3 minutes per topic. This is a good time for senators who are college representatives to share announcements from their respective colleges.
3.1 Academic Senate Question of Interest (LIB 121; 1:00-2:30PM, 10/30/24) Artificial Intelligence and Student Success
Please click here to RSVP so we can have the correct amount of refreshments.
Sen. Erickson gave notice that the Senate will hold its first Question of Interest session on October 30. The topic will be generative AI and student success. The event will include framing remarks from Senate Vice Chair Holschuh, and additional remarks from CEETL Senior Director Chaudhuri and Assistant Vice President of Academic Technology Andrew Roderick. The event will also include a panel discussion.
4. Reports
4.1. Senate chair's report
Chair Wilson noted the devastating impact of the potential 8% budget reduction. Chair Wilson gave notice that Faculty Affairs and the Strategic Issues Committee are looking into a resolution articulating the senate’s belief that SF State is a teaching and learning institution that opposes such a reduction. Provost Sueyoshi and UBC will have more information about how other CSUs will be dealing with these cuts.
No University president's report
4.2. University provost's report
Provost Sueyoshi gave notice that the president has been on a promotional tour recruiting students in Asia as well as meeting alumni on the east coast. She then indicated that the campus will apply Time, Place, and Manner polices that support free speech. She then noted the importance of student retention. She then announced that SF State received the Seal of Excelencia, and that the campus’s Latinx student retention is up by 3.9% since 2019. She then discussed other topics, including Riverside County’s piloting of a direct admission program (as mentioned at a recent meeting of CABO), the Fulbright program’s request for more applications from CSU campuses (they’re not getting enough, and faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to apply), anticipated changes to executive order 1099 (a good thing for our self-support programs), a Maker Fair organized by the campus Staff Council held on November 13th (more information HERE). She then gave notice that she will be presenting at UBC about what other CSU campuses are doing to make reductions in their budgets.
The floor was opened for comments, and discussion was had about the direct admission program and the admission letter templates that will be used. Provost Sueyoshi indicated she will look into whether the CSU admissions window can open earlier on Sept. 1 (as UCs do). She then noted that President Mahoney has been traveling to South Korean universities.
4.3. Associated Students president's report
Sen Foley indicated that the Governing Gator Internship Program has started with several interns ready to start. They will receive training on Thursday morning. He is working with Senator Elsy Hernandez-Monroy to promote the program and expand it into next semester. As to Gator Groceries, he is still working with people around campus on the importance of this issue, including admin and the SF State Foundation Board. They seek to fundraise through private donors (not crowd fundraising) to raise $100,000 over the next two academic years. He then opens for questions.
Discussion was had about the areas for which Gator Groceries has the greatest need for funding. The need is less with receiving food supplies and more to do with funds for staffing and operations.
4.4. Standing committee reports
4.4.1. Faculty Affairs Committee
Sen. Brown gave notice that FAC brings three items of new business to the floor. These include a proposed Assigned Time for Temporary Faculty Unit Employees Performing Institutional Service, a revision to the By-laws for Departments, Equivalent Units, and All Other Faculty Units that Offer Academic Degrees, and a revision to the Hiring Policy for Tenure Track Faculty.
4.4.2. Strategic Issues Committee
Sen. Trousdale gave notice that SIC will bring in proposed changes to the Academic Freedom Policy.
4.4.3. Student Affairs Committee
Sen. Christensen gave notice that SAC has no new items on the day’s agenda but the committee will have for the next plenary a pair of resolutions regarding preferred names and preferred pronouns.
4.4.4. Academic Policies Committee
Sen. Islami gave notice that the Academic Policies Committee, a collaboration between APC and CCC, will present a discontinuation of the BA in Earth Sciences and a suspension of the BA in Philosophy and Religion. She then noted that EPC will meet on October 22nd to further discuss changes proposed by the Baccalaureate Requirements Committee (B.R.C.). Sen. Islami then moved to address two items in first reading brought by APC. These include a revision to the Academic Integrity Policy and a revision to the Grade Appeals Policy. She then explained that APC continues to work on the academic calendar policy and a policy on restructuring academic units. Furthermore, a course syllabus policy will be brought in a future meeting. She then indicated that APC is working on a course cancellation resolution. This work includes a survey that will be distributed to department chairs on October 25th.
4.4.5. Campus Curriculum Committee
Sen. Harvey noted that CCC unanimously recommended two items appearing in the day’s consent agenda (they both involve an increase in the number of program units). These can be pulled out for discussion if needed.
- 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.
5. On the new Time-Place-Manner Policy: A statement from the Academic Freedom Committee
Chair Wilson explained that this is a statement from the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC).
- Consent Items: A consent item is one deemed by the initiating committee and the Executive Committee to be non-controversial, requiring no debate. Any Senator may request to debate the item, in which case it is considered as new business in first reading. If there is no request to debate, the Chair will declare debate closed and the motion adopted by “General Consent.” It may be read into the record, or we may move directly to the next agenda items.
Chair Wilson opened the floor for requests to discuss these items. No requests were made and thus the were accepted by consent.
- 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.
8. San Francisco State University Resolution to suspend implementation of Interim CSU Time, Place and Manner Policy
Chair Wilson noted that this item was in first reading during the last plenary.
Vice Chair Holschuh introduced the item and directed attention to the letter from the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC) as context. She explained that the goal of the resolution is to request the suspension of the implementation of the time, place, and manner policy so that specific comments can be made as part of the shared governance process. The AFC letter is a good model for this.
Sen. Hellman spoke in favor of the item and offered his support for the process that brought it here. He then ceded the remainder of his time to Dr. Jeff Greensite (Physics & Astronomy).
Dr Greensite noted that the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC) in general supports this resolution. Their one deviation from the resolution regards the protection of camping or other overnight forms of demonstration. However, AFC will support whichever direction the campus moves on this.
Chair Wilson moved to hold the resolution to a vote. Shall we support the current resolution?
Yes: 38
No: 0
Abstain: 10
The resolution has passed. Chair Wilson offered his thanks to all.
- 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.
Faculty Affairs Committee
9. New proposed policy: Assigned Time for Temporary Faculty Unit Employees Performing Institutional Service
Sen. Brown introduced the item and explained that it arose from collective bargaining agreement Article 20.38 (re: providing a pool of 500 WTUs to be awarded to temporary faculty members who perform institutional service that supports the CSU's priorities). Liz then provided additional context about the item, noting that this is allocated to campuses by FTES and campuses will not receive less than three WTUs to use. It was explained that the current policy copies the structure of the policy for exceptional service in terms of assigning a faculty review committee for the distribution of the award, but focuses on awarding assigned time exclusively for lecturer faculty and for a wider range of activities than service to students. The policy endeavors to help ensure that lecturer faculty are compensated for the service they provide. This was originally drafted last year with support of the California Faculty Association and co-authored by Sen. Erickson. The amount of assigned time provided to SF State will likely not be more than 20 WTUs once the 500 WTUs are split across all CSU campuses. The proposed policy would shift a small portion of assigned time for lecturer faculty, approximately 1.5% from deans, provosts, and administration. She then opened the floor for feedback
Some discussion was had about whether lecturers may receive time off or something analogous to a sabbatical. Provost Sueyoshi confirmed this has been done.
10. Proposed revision: By-laws for Departments, Equivalent Units, and All Other Faculty Units that Offer Academic Degrees
- MS Word version. (PDF Version.)
- MS Word version with track changes. showing differences from current policy
Sen. Brown introduced the revision proposal and then welcomed Sen. Alesha Sohler to speak to the item.
Sen Sohler explained the history and context of the bylaws policy and noted the need for improvements revealed during its implementation process. Some included a need to have bylaws reflect an intention for departmental equity, clarification about lecturer voting, clarification about the role of staff in bylaws. Some of the present changes made include language ensuring equity and full departmental participation, guidance to departments about use of the template, and so on. Sen. Sohler noted that FAC would like feedback before their October 22 committee meeting.
Sen. Harvey proposed alternative language for lines 25-29”
Many departments faculty units leading to a major, minor, certificate or credential, whether self-supported or state-supported are comprised of faculty who occupy a range of marginalized identities, and many of those with privileged positions might be less conscious of intersectional disparities that lead to imbalanced distributions of service and work expectations.
Vice Chair Holschuh offered her support for the revisions. She noted that as past chair of the committee, these revisions are insightful.
11. Proposed revision: Hiring Policy for Tenure Track Faculty
- MS Word versionLinks to an external site. (PDF VersionLinks to an external site.)
- MS Word version with track changeLinks to an external site.s showing differences from current policy
Sen. Brown introduced the revision proposal and then welcomed Sen. M. Ernita Joaquin to speak to the item.
Sen. Joaquin explained nature of the revisions made and their location in the document (e.g. lines 61 and 212). Sen. Joaquin indicated the two issues affecting the proposed revisions which are assurances that faculty candidates, when hired, will help improve student success at SF State for our campus, and communication to faculty hires that they may be subject to a comprehensive RTP review.
Educational Policies Council
12. BA in Earth Sciences: Discontinuance.
Chair Wilson reminded senators and guests that the Educational Policies Council is a collaboration between the Campus Curriculum Committee (CCC) and the Academic Policies Committee (APC).
Sen. Islami began by explaining the difference between discontinuance and suspension. In short, program suspensions are made with the intention that programs be reactivated within three years. Programs discontinuance, by contrast, may occur for many reasons. She then explained the reasons for the discontinuance of the Earth Sciences BA. These include the low number of enrolled students (less than 10), and the fact that students in this major can then pursue other and equally valuable paths. Alternatives for students may be the Bachelor of Science degree and the BA in Geography.
13. BA in Philosophy and Religion: Suspension.
Sen. Islami explained that the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion requests a temporary suspension due to low enrollment in the major and the fact that not all courses needed for the major are offered. The department would like three years to re-evaluate the program.
Academic Policies Committee
14. Proposed revision: Academic Integrity Policy
- MS Word version. (PDF Version.)
- MS Word version with track changes showing differences from current policy
Sen. Islami explained the reasons for revision, including clarity about drafting formal reports, steps students may take in submitting a formal report, and clarification about committees needed to evaluate academic integrity violation reports.
15. Proposed revision: Grade Appeals Policy (We are pilot testing the internal policy construction feature of PolicyStat with this policy)
Chair Wilson noted the use of the new PolicyStat functionality, explaining that committees can add changes directly into the document (streamlining the submission and approval process).
Sen. Islami explained the reasons for this policy, which include language clarification and typo corrections.
Sen. Erickson ceded his time to former Sen. Gilda Bloom-Leiva.
Sen. Bloom-Leiva: offered thanks to APC for their work on this issue and then highlighted the revised sections. These changes, in part, concern clarifications of descriptions of the appeal processes and procedures.
Strategic Issues Committee
16. Proposed revision: Academic Freedom Policy
- MS Word version. (PDF Version.)
- MS Word version with track changes showing differences from current policy
Sen. Trousdale explained that the policy was in need of updating and revision. These revisions include a new introduction, new definitions and exceptions to what is meant by academic freedom, and a new section on academic freedom and institutional neutrality. He then ceded his time to Dr. Jeff Greensite (Physics & Astronomy).
Dr. Greensite presented slides explaining the need for a revised academic freedom policy, the use of a survey in gathering data about campus concerns about academic freedom (where he shared a few survey responses emphasizing faculty apprehension and self-censorship), the purpose of a new academic freedom policy and its content and concluded with a few words about the historical and cultural need for academic freedom.
Chair Wilson noted Sen. Hellman’s request to have the slides added as an addendum to the agenda.
Discussion was then had about a variety of related topics, including the difficulty in defining and applying terms like ‘defamation,’ ‘neutrality’ and ‘hate speech,’ that some policies will arise in relation to other policies (Sen. Erickson cited a few examples). There was then discussion about the Chicago Principles (information about these can be found HERE).
Chair Wilson noted that due to the importance of this issue, this will go to the President’s office where Counsel will weigh in and offer guidance.
- Presentation(s)
17. Legislative Update: Alexander Dursin, Government & Community Relations Liaison (Time approximate 3:50-4:10PM)
Alexander Dursin provided an overview on the recent California legislative session, with an emphasis on state bills. His overview included a timeline of the California legislative session, a rundown of California legislature advocacy efforts on behalf of the campus, an explanation of the large number of bills that go to Sacramento, but with an explanation of 17 that specifically impact the SF State campus. He explained three bills that did not advance to a legislative vote, and four bills that were vetoed by the governor. He noted numerous bills that were approved by the legislature. These included bills addressing topics such as SF State’s nursing program, hazing on the SF State campus, equity & inclusion, and Title IX. He then noted three bills that constitute big wins for the campus. These include AB 2395, AB 2005, AB 3290.
Discussion was then had about the differences in relative autonomy between CSU and UC systems (where it is felt that UCs enjoy greater autonomy).
Chair Wilson noted that those with further questions or comments may reach out to Alexander Dursin at alexanderdursin@sfsu.edu
18. ASCSU Update: Rob Collins & Dipendra Sinha, ASCSU Senators. (Time definitie 3:58-5:00PM)
Sen. Collins summarized the committees he serves on and the process for working with different committees. He then presented slides outlining the various speakers he has met with, areas of concern, such as the TPM policy, faculty development of aims and values that may both generate revenue for the campus as well as open new paths of knowledge and inquiry, concerns over proposed budget cuts, Title IX, the awarding of credit for student service to shared governance. Sen. Collins then outlined the ASCSU standing committees.
Sen. Sinha took the floor to begin his report and noted that will have a meeting the coming Friday. He sought input from those in attendance, asking for interested parties to put inquiries into the chat that he can take to the meeting. Dipndra shared his support for the idea of dual enrollment as well as some thoughts on the prospect of community colleges offering bachelor’s degrees. He then outlined items brought to the recent ASCSU plenary. Those approved in second readings are AS-3709-24/AA/FGA, a Proposed Integration of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Maritime in 2026. Those brought to first reading included AS-3710-24/AA , a Resolution on the Interim Time, Place, and Manner Policy, and AS-3713-24/JEDI, a Revision to the Faculty Trustee Nomination and Selection Criteria and Process.
Sen. Collins returned to summarize additional items brought to the ASCSU plenary floor. He summarizes details about AS-3714-24/Exec: Special Rule of Order: Eligibility to Vote on Ratification of ASCSU Constitutional Amendments, AS-3715-24/Exec: Schedule and Procedure for Ratification of AS-3660 Amending the Constitution of the Academic Senate of The California State University to Add Three Designated Lecturer Faculty Positions, AS-3717-24/JEDI/FA Delaying the Call for Faculty Trustee Nominations (all approved in second reading), and AS-3712-24/APEP: CSU Response to Delays in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Process (first reading). He noted in particular that he would like feedback on AS-3712-24/APEP. The FAFSA issue created a debacle, and he wants to hear about what needs to be addressed from a student perspective.
Sen. Collins noted that all the above is available in canvas and that copies of approved resolutions may be found HERE. He then concluded by reminding everyone that our feedback is important and to reach out to both senators with comments and questions.
He then invites people to reach out to him:
Discussion was then had about whether CBEST is no longer required to enter a credential program. Sen. Collins confirmed this to be true.
Sen. Erickson briefly noted the recent negotiated 5% pay increase, indicating that if people haven’t received the increase, talk to HR.
Chair Wilson moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:15pm.
- Adjournment: Time definite 4:15PM
Attendance
| Brian | Aday | LFCOB |
| Fatima | Alaoui | LCA |
| Michael | Anderson | LCA |
| Maya | Bal | ASI |
| John | Brewer | COSE |
| Elizabeth | Brown | CHSS |
| Fang-yu | Chou | CHSS |
| Ellen | Christensen | LCA |
| Robert Keith | Collins | ASCSU |
| Stephanie | Cyr | CHSS |
| Acacio | de Barros | LCA |
| Amy | Dorie | CHSS |
| Crystal | Edwards | CoES |
| Burcu | Ellis | LCA |
| Brad | Erickson | LCA |
| Brandon | Foley | ASI |
| Frederick | Green | LCA |
| Ryan | Gurney | CPaGE staff |
| Jason | Harris-Boundy | LFCOB |
| Rick | Harvey | CHSS |
| David | Hellman | LIB |
| Elsy | Hernandez-Monroy | ASI |
| Tanya | Hollis | LIB |
| Carrie | Holschuh | CHSS |
| Wei | Huang | LFCOB |
| Arezoo | Islami | LCA |
| M. Ernita | Joaquin | CHSS |
| Santhi | Kavuri-Bauer | LCA |
| Eric | Koehn | COES |
| David | Landy | LCA |
| Colin | Leasure | COSE |
| Elaine | Musselman | CHSS |
| Taylor | Myers | LCA (Staff) |
| Yuki | Obayashi | CoES |
| Veronika | Papyrina | LFCOB |
| Sally | Pasion | COSE |
| Stanley | Pogrow | GCOE |
| Marcia | Raggio | GCOE |
| Devi | Ruslani-Reyes | CHSS |
| Alexander | Schuster | COSE |
| Michael | Scott | ORSP |
| Gabriela | Segovia-McGahan | COES |
| Dipendra | Sinha | ASCSU |
| Alesha | Sohler | GCOE staff |
| Amy | Sueyoshi | Provost |
| Emiko | Takagi | CHSS |
| Alaric | Trousdale | SAEM |
| Time | Ubungen | LFCOB staff |
| Wesley | Ueunten | COES |
| Saskia | Van Kampen | LCA |
| Janey | Wang | CHSS |
| Jackson | Wilson | CHSS |
| Jude | Wolf | GCOE |
| Maria | Zavala | GCOE |
| Yabin | Zhao | LFCOB |
Absent
| Steve | Choe | LCA |
| Paul | Ellison | LCA |
| Bahar | Javadi | LFCOB |
| John | Kim | AR |
| Katie | Lynch | EM |
| Lynn | Mahoney | President |
| Anthony | Pahnke | LCA |
| Alexandra | Piryatinska | COSE |
| Todd | Roehrman | LCA |
| Tony | Schifano | SAEM |
| Rae | Shaw | LCA |
| Lori Beth | Way | DUEAP |
| Grace | Yoo | GCOE Dean's Council |
Guests
| Sophie Clavier | GS |
| Michael Goldman | COSE |
| Yim-Yu Wong | LFCOB |
| Jay Ward | DoIE |
| Victoria Narkewicz | GCOE |
| Anoshua Chaudhuri | CEETL |
| Jeff Greensite | AFC |
| Margo Landy | EM |
| Teddy Albiniak | President's Office |
| Noah Price | GS |
| Carleen Mandolfo | FA |
| Resha Cardone | LCA |
| Ifeoma Nwankwo | LCA |
| Jeff Wilson | A & F |
| Claude Bartolomew | DUEAP |
| Jane Dewit | DUEAP |
| Gilda Bloom | GCOE |
| Jesus Garcia | A & F |
| Eugne Sivadas | LFCOB |
| Andreana Clay | CHSS |
| Ingrid Williams | HR |
| Jamillah Moore | SAEM |
| Janet Remolona | LFCOB |
| Alexander Dursin | President's Office |
| Bruce Heiman | AFC |
- 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.