Academic Senate
Plenary Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 29 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.
Acting Chair Holschuh announced that she will be serving as Acting Chair for the day’s plenary. She then explained the structure of the open floor period.
Sen. Harvey gave notice of the presentation, “Quick Posture Reset with the Alexander Technique,” with Lecturer Faculty and yoga instructor Elyse Shafarman. He noted that attendee will learn skills to enhance health. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 12p.m. – 1 p.m., in HSS 306.
Sen. Segovia-McGahan noted that the Latinx Student Center will be putting out a map of all the Dia de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead altars on campus. She noted additionally that the College of Ethnic Studies has one on the first floor of Ethnic Studies/Psychology Building.
CEETL Senior Faculty Directtor Dr. Anoshua Chaudhuri gave notice that CEETL invites the campus community to find rest, joy and community at their WE WEDNESDAY event on November 6th from 3-4 pm. Dr. Elif Balin, Associate Professor in the Counseling Department, will guide participants on how to use expressive movement to promote wellness at work. Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/Register4CEETL by selecting “WE Wednesday Series” and proceeding through the form and choose " Expressive Movement & Wellness: 11/6 @ 3PM.”
2:05 PM: Call to Order
Acting Chair Holschuh brought the meeting to order.
- Approval of agenda
Acting Chair Holschuh asked for amendments to the agenda.
Sen. Trousdale proposed the removal of item 14. He then explained the reasons for the removal. These included late feedback received by SIC (without enough time to evaluate suggestions), the committee’s awaiting of feedback from the president and office of general counsel, and the need for consultation with the Academic Freedom Committee.
The proposal was seconded by Sen. Brewer.
Discussion was then had about the Academic Freedom Committee’s role in drafting the policy. Sen. Trousdale explained the procedure, noting that subcommittees must work with standing committees when seeking to submit policy changes for senate approval.
The amendment was held to a vote:
Yes: 36
No: 0
Abstain: 1
The motion passed and the agenda amended.
Sen. Islami proposed the removal of item 9 from the agenda, noting that APC did not have time to incorporate the needed changes.
The proposal was seconded by Rick.
The amendment was held to a vote:
Yes: 40
No: 0
Abstain: 0
Sen. Harvey proposed changes to the names of items 6 and 7, noting that these items are brought by the Educational Policies Council (EPC).
The proposal was seconded by Sen. Islami.
The amendment was held to a vote:
Yes: 38
No: 0
Abstain: 0
The agenda was approved as amended at 2:14pm
Minutes were approved as read at 2:14pm
- 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.
Sen. Pasion gave notice of an event hosted by Climate HQ: Visioning Climate Change Solutions with Kim Stanley Robinson, held Monday, November 4, 1:30-3:00pm, at the Seven Hills Conference Center.
Interested parties may RSVP using this link:
https://sfsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJF1JCmx6npOaOi
Sen. Islami gave notice of an event hosted by the Department of Philosophy: Keota Fields, Ph.D. asks, "Why Read Philosophy by Problematic Philosophers?" The event will be held Friday, November 08, 2024 in Humanities 587.
Sen. Erickson gave notice of an event hosted by the SF State Academic Senate is hosting “Question of Interest: Generative Artificial Intelligence and Student Success. This event will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 1:00pm – 2:30pm in LIB 121. More information may be found HERE.
4. Reports
4.1. Senate chair's report
Acting Chair Holschuh noted a few items, including SF State School of Design director Mari Hulick’s reference to the concept of the “wicked problem.” Acting Chair Holschuh explained that a wicked problem is one that is complex and lacks a clear solution. The trick is that one must continue to work with a wicked problem. SF State and the CSU system face its own wicked problem now in the form of ongoing enrollment and budget challenges. We must prepare for the future. Acting Chair Holschuh then recommended that everyone review slides from the recent UBC meeting and observe that now is the time to organize and mobilize for a sustainable future.
4.2 University president's report
President Mahoney noted that she joins from CSU Graduation Initiative 2025. She then remarked that we find ourselves in a difficult season for higher education, but that we have many successes to celebrate. These wins include an increased number of incoming first-year students by 31%, the system’s near doubling of its 4-year graduation rate, putting SF State in the 91st percentile for similar institutions. However, she noted that we are a smaller campus than we used to be by about 8,000 fewer students compared to nearly a decade ago. She noted the negative impacts this has had on programs, students, and lecturers. She noted that the governor is proposing a 7.95% reduction to the CSU budget. That amounts to roughly $21 million for SF State. She encouraged all to look for avenues for advocacy, particularly between January and May of the coming year.
No University provost's report
4.3 Associated Students president's report
Sen. Elsy Hernandez-Monroy noted that she will present in place of Sen. Foley (as he is at the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 symposium). Sen. Hernandez-Monroy offered congratulations to Sen. Collins for joining the Board of Directors as the AS Faculty Representative. She then noted that the Governing Gators program is well underway. The AS Board of Directors confirmed grad student Shivani Boca, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, to the Student Affairs Committee. She then moved to report that AS is requesting $100,000 over the next 2 fiscal years to keep Gator Groceries active, noting that they will be looking at the SF State Foundation Board and other local philanthropic groups to receive funding.
Discussion was then had about funding for Gator Groceries, and Sen. Foley’s attendance at CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 (to make an appeal for programmatic funding).
4.4. Standing committee reports
4.4.1. Academic Policies Committee
Sen. Islami began by defining the Educational Policies Council (EPC), noting that it is a collaboration between APC & CCC. She then notes the items they bring, which include a Discontinuance of the BA in Earth Sciences and the Suspension BA in Philosophy and Religion. She then lists out the APC items they bring, which include a proposed revision to the Academic Integrity Policy and a proposed revision to the Grade Appeals Policy.
4.4.2. Campus Curriculum Committee
Sen. Harvey gave notice that CCC brings a consent agenda item to the floor, a BA in Latina/Latino Studies. He explained that the committee unanimously agreed to bring this item to the floor as a consent item.
4.4.3. Faculty Affairs Committee
Sen. Brown gave notice that FAC has two items on the agenda. These include a proposed revision to the By-laws for Departments, Equivalent Units, and All Other Faculty Units that Offer Academic Degrees (in second reading) and a resolution to Prioritize Academic Affairs during times of budget cuts (in first reading). They are also working on the assigned time policy to bring back to second reading, as well as policy revisions for hiring, RTP policy, and department chairs.
4.4.4. Strategic Issues Committee
Sen. Trousdale gave notice that SIC has brought one item to the floor, a Resolution to Celebrate 60 Years of CSU Study Abroad. SIC is also continuing to work on the academic freedom policy and the academic continuity policy.
4.4.5. Student Affairs Committee
Sen. Christensen gave notice that SAC has brought two resolutions to the plenary. These include a resolution in Support of Affirmed Names and a resolution in Support if Affirmed Pronouns, both in first reading. She explained that both resolutions have been brought to the plenary after extensive consultation with campus parties and stakeholders, including students directly impacted by naming practices.
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.
None were presented.
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.
Acting Chair Holschuh summarized what this means, noting that any senator may discuss the item.
Sen. Harvey provided information about this item, noting that it reduces the number of units needed for core and elective courses. The change was recommended unanimously by the committee.
No discussion was had about the item and so it was adopted.
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.
Campus Curriculum Committee Educational Policies Council
6. BA in Earth Sciences: Discontinuance
Sen. Islami began by explaining the difference between program suspension and discontinuance. She then moved to provide context for this item’s discontinuance, noting that the BA has a very small number of students without an expected increase in the next five years. There are alternative routes for students needing to pursue this major.
Sen. Harvey noted that the discontinuance was brought by the faculty of the Earth Science program, and it made sense to them to do so. He urged support for this in this case.
The item was held to a vote:
Yes: 39
No: 0
Abstain: 1
The vote to discontinue passed.
7. BA in Philosophy and Religion: Suspension
Sen. Islami explained that the department feels the program is valuable, but may need to go through curricular changes, such as a potential shift away from a white western focus and open to other focuses/ other philosophical canons. The plan is to institute a three-year suspension for the program to rethink the major and bring it back later.
Yes: 40
No: 0
Abstain: 0
The vote to suspend was passed
Academic Policies Committee
8. 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 context for the revisions, noting clashes with the grade appeals policy. The changes are about making the procedure clearer to students and easier for them to follow. The revisions also include committee changes.
The revision was held to a vote.
Yes: 39
No: 0
Abstain: 1
The revision was passed.
9. Proposed revision: Grade Appeals Policy (We are pilot testing the internal policy construction feature of PolicyStat with this policy)
Current policyLinks to an external site.PDF version with track changesLinks to an external site.showing differences from current policy
Note that this item was removed from the agenda as APC did not have time to incorporate needed changes.
Faculty Affairs Committee
10. 9. Proposed revision: By-laws for Departments, Equivalent Units, and All Other Faculty Units that Offer Academic Degrees
- MS Word version (PDF VersionLinks to an external site.)
- MS Word version with track changes showing differences from current policy
Sen. Brown invited Sen. M. Ernita Joaquin to speak to the item.
Sen Joaquin outlined the revisions to the by-laws. These include added the language about The Office of Faculty Affairs, language suggesting Deans can provide feedback to faculty units If they wish, clarity around questions about where some programs, such as CPAGE, fall in, and an added reference to the Professional Development Council's work on defining service work.
Sen. Harvey added an amendment the chat for inclusion to lines 9-11: It was also recognized that not all faculty units leading to a major, minor, certificate or credential, whether self-supported or state-supported have adopted by-laws.
The amendment was seconded by Segovia-McGahan.
A vote on the amendment was held.
Yes: 39
No: 0
Abstain: 1
The amendment was passed. A vote was then held on the full item as amended.
Yes: 41
No: 0
Abstain: 0
The item passed as amended.
- 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.
Student Affairs Committee
11. 10. Resolution in Support of Affirmed Names
Sen. Christensen invited Sen. Maria Zavala to speak to the item.
Sen. Zavala: explained that the resolution builds on an existing one concerning preferred names that was passed by Senate in 2016 (RF 16350). Sen. Zavala noted that the new resolution emphasizes historical and cultural naming precedents while acknowledging the power inherent in naming. She explained the importance of names to student conceptions of empowered self-identity. She further noted that this resolution concerns affirmed names, and the other concerns pronouns.
This resolution will return at a later time for second reading.
12. Resolution in Support if Affirmed Pronouns
Sen. Christensen invited Sen. Elsy Hernandez-Monroy to speak to the item.
Sen. Hernandez-Monroy introduced the resolution to affirm pronouns. Sen. Hernandez-Monroy explained that SAC has reviewed past policies dealing with affirmed names and related issues that impact transgender students and members of the LGBTQ community, whereupon they discovered a lack of policies speaking in support for affirmed pronouns.
The resolution will come back at a later time in second reading.
Strategic Issues Committee
13. 12. Resolution to Celebrate 60 Years of CSU Study Abroad
Sen. Trousdale explained that study abroad programs have significant positive impacts on those students who participate. These lasting benefits include higher GPAs, greater graduation outcomes, higher rates of job salaries upon graduation, and higher rates of overall employment. Sen. Trousdale then offered historical context, noting that the very first CSU study abroad program was launched in 1963, intended as an arts, language, and culture program in Florence, Italy. The success of this initial program inspired many other programs over the subsequent decades, growing to over 50 programs in 18 different countries (benefitting tens of thousands of CSU students from across the CSU). He then noted that San Francisco State University is not only a leader in the CSU for study abroad programs, but also a leader nationally.
This year, SF State has sent 415 students abroad for either a semester or the whole year in 27 countries.
Sen. Ellis seconded Sen. Trousdale’s statement.
Discussion was had about the resolution and about the different study abroad programs coordinated by SF State and the larger CSU system, including an exchange partnership in Delhi, India. Sen. Trousdale directed interested parties to learn more about CSU study abroad programs HERE. There was then discussion about the profile of the type of student likely to participate in such programs. While on other CSU campuses, the study abroad student tends to tend to be white, affluent, and female, the participatory demographic for SF State is more likely to be reflective of the campus’s diversity (a positive thing indeed). Furthermore, when students go abroad, their tuition is unchanged, but their cost-of-living most often decreases (in comparison to the Bay Area cost of living). Sen. Trousdale explained that if the resolution goes back to second reading SIC will add language speaking to this benefit. It was noted that present CSU budget problems make the future uncertain for this and similar programs. He then directed those with more questions to contact Dr. Marilyn Jackson, AVP of the Division of International Education.
Sen. Ellis moved to bring the resolution to a vote to bring to second reading. Sen. Sinha seconded.
The resolution was held to a vote.
Yes: 33
No:
Abstain: 2
The vote was passed, and the resolution placed into second reading. Acting Chair Holschuh noted that comments can be made for and against, as well as recommendations amendments.
Discussion was had about the distribution of programs among global south and global north regions. SF State programs are in the global north, but there are many CSU level programs in the global south.
The resolution was brought to a vote.
Yes: 37
No:
Abstain: 1
The resolution was passed.
14. Proposed revision: Academic Freedom Policy
MS Word version(PDF Version)MS Word version with track changesshowing differences from current policy
Note that this item was struck from the agenda.
Faculty Affairs Committee
15. 13. Resolution to Prioritize Academic Affairs during times of budget cuts
Sen. Brown invited Sen. Van Kampen to speak to the item.
Sen. Van Kampen provided context for the resolution, noting that there was concern from some high enrollment departments about the application of cuts (and its negative impacts on departments, faculty, and students) and a desire for a more strategic approach to how and where future cuts are made, as well as a concern about the lack of shared governance in decisions made around these issues. She then noted that FAC received community feedback after this resolution was published (in part calling for the acknowledgement of impacts to staff). This and other feedback will be addressed at their next meeting.
The floor was opened for discussion.
Sen. Hellman offered appreciation lines 44 and 45 about the cuts to the library collections budget. He requested a clause mentioning other parts of Academic Affairs that have been impacted.
Guest Will Clark shared to the chat concerns coming from faculty about institutional neutrality as an Academic Senate policy and asked the community to consider reviewing: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes1yuVbXlPClO39MyAF1S5cO44J9P…
Discussion was had about the resolution and possible unintended consequences of prioritizing Academic Affairs (at possible cost to Student Affairs, for example). Appreciation was offered for the emphasis the resolution places on transparency. It was requested that the first two resolved clauses be removed in their entirety. The following International opportunities for faculty were shared in the chat: https://csuip.calstate.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_…
The resolution will return at a later time.
- Presentation(s)
16. 14. CPaGE Programming and Development: Alex Hwu, CPaGE Dean (Time approximate 3:30-3:50PM)
Dean Hwu explained CPaGE’s priorities and financial structure. Its priorities include extending academic pathways for non-matriculated students, serving broad demographics (including professionals and international students), and contributing revenue to state support units. He then summarized CPaGE’s financial model, including CPaGE Cost Recovery, Campus Partner Revenue Sharing, the college’s self-support reserve target of 6 months of its annual expenditure (as per EO 1099), and noted CPaGE’s observance of all SF State policies. Dean Hwu then outlined CPaGE’s current program areas, split between domestic partnerships and international partners. It was noted that online degree completion programs are a growing part of the portfolio. He then explained how CPaGE’s Global Online program works, and then related the importance of Winter Session (where state support students may use Spring financial aid). Dean Hwu then described graduate Academic Healthcare Certificates and CPaGE’s future areas of program development. Some potential areas of development may be a Master of Science in Clinical Life Sciences, as well as programs covering AI and Machine Learning.
Discussion was then had about CPaGE and its programs. There was enthusiasm expressed for the college’s expansion of programs. There were questions about ways in which faculty may become more involved in CPaGE programs and ways in which faculty might help spread the word to students about applying spring financial aid to Winter Session.
17. 15. Artificial Intelligence Employee Guideline Campus Review: Andrew Roderick Assistant Vice President of Academic Technology & Tuan Do Interim Information Security Officer (Time approximate 3:50-4:10PM)
Acting Chair Holschuh introduced the presentation and offered a reminder about the Academic Senate event, “Question of Interest: Generative Artificial Intelligence and Student Success,” held on Wednesday, October 30, 1:00pm – 2:30pm in LIB 121.
Interim Information Security Officer Do began by outlining Employee Generative AI Guidelines and their purpose, emphasizing what the guidelines attempt to do and what they will not do. He then described the review process for the guidelines.
Assistant Vice President of Academic Technology Roderick continued by highlighting portions of the guidelines, indicating that the campus will begin to see a greater AI presence in the tools it uses. He then shared the Campus AI Website (https://ai.sfsu.edu/) and the AI Employee Guideline Review (https://qaservices.sfsu.edu/drafts-under-review). He emphasized that what is being covered are guidelines and not policies.
Interim Information Security Officer Do and Assistant Vice President of Academic Technology Roderick invited the campus community to contact them with concerns, questions, and ideas.
Adjournment: Time definite 4:13PM
Ryan Gurney
Secretary
Attendance
| Brian | Aday | LFCOB |
| Fatima | Alaoui | LCA |
| Michael | Anderson | LCA |
| Maya | Bal | ASI |
| John | Brewer | COSE |
| Elizabeth | Brown | 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 |
| Frederick | Green | LCA |
| Ryan | Gurney | CPaGE staff |
| 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 |
| Lynn | Mahoney | President |
| 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 |
| Michael | Scott | ORSP |
| Gabriela | Segovia-McGahan | COES |
| Dipendra | Sinha | ASCSU |
| Alesha | Sohler | GCOE staff |
| Emiko | Takagi | CHSS |
| Alaric | Trousdale | SAEM |
| Time | Ubungen | LFCOB staff |
| Wesley | Ueunten | COES |
| Saskia | Van Kampen | LCA |
| Jude | Wolf | GCOE |
| Grace | Yoo | GCOE Dean's Council |
| Maria | Zavala | GCOE |
| Yabin | Zhao | LFCOB |
Absent
| Steve | Choe | LCA |
| Fang-yu | Chou | CHSS |
| Brandon | Foley | ASI |
| Jason | Harris-Boundy | LFCOB |
| Bahar | Javadi | LFCOB |
| John | Kim | AR |
| Katie | Lynch | EM |
| Anthony | Pahnke | LCA |
| Alexandra | Piryatinska | COSE |
| Todd | Roehrman | LCA |
| Tony | Schifano | SAEM |
| Alexander | Schuster | COSE |
| Rae | Shaw | LCA |
| Amy | Sueyoshi | Provost |
| Janey | Wang | CHSS |
| Lori Beth | Way | DUEAP |
| Jackson | Wilson | CHSS |
Guests
| Yim-Yu Wong | LFCOB |
| Melissa Garcia | GGX |
| Victoria Narkewicz | GCOE |
| Bruce Heiman | LFCOB/AFC |
| Gilda Bloom | GCOE |
| Serkan Hosten | COSE/AFC |
| Teddy Albiniak | President's Office |
| Andreana Clay | CHSS |
| Sophie Clavier | GS |
| James Martel | LCA |
| Rama Ali Kasad | COES |
| Gitanjali Shahani | LCA |
| Anoshua Chaudhuri | CEETL |
| Eugene Sivadas | LFCOB |
| Ifeoma Nwankwo | LCA |
| Jeff Wilson | A & F |
| Constance Gordon | LCA |
| Margo Landy | EM |
| Michael Goldman | COSE |
| Nancy Ganner | HR |
| Nancy Gerber | COSE |
| Will Clark | LCA |
| Kenzie Harris | LCA |
| Sage Russo | LCA |
| Ana | |
| BL | |
| Ingrid Williams | HR |
| Resha Cardone | LCA |
| Claude Bartholomew | DUEAP |
| Carleen Mandolfo | FA |
| Noah Price | GS |
| Jane Dewitt | DUEAP |
| Jesus Garcia | A & F |
| Sam Ward | CHSS |
| Cynthia Grutzik | GCOE |
| Alex Hwu | CPaGE |
| Andrew Roderick | AT |
| Tuan Do | IT |
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.