Minutes of the Faculty Senate

February 9, 2001

Minutes of the January 5, 2000 meeting were approved, with a request for addition of the specific language of the Intellectual Property motion.

There was discussion of the NCA Accreditation Report. This report is not yet approved for publication.

President Sadler reported on the final disposition of the Intellectual Property Policy (IPP). Following the last Senate Meeting, President Sadler received substantial input from Senators Reichardt and Kamin and met again with Vice Chancellor Coombe. VC Coombe was at this point still considering internet access as constituting substantial support.

President Sadler drafted a letter to VC Coombe, Provost Zaranka, Chancellor Ritchie and John Low (FEAC Chair) outlining the concerns of the faculty and the Faculty Senate. After the FEAC meeting, an additional compromise was drafted into the document. These changes were communicated to President Sadler following the FEAC meeting, but were not referred to the Intellectual Property Policy Committee. During the meeting of the full Board of Trustees meeting, President Sadler voiced her willingness to accept the compromise document but stated her strong concerns about the process followed in drafting and examining the policy. President Sadler clearly stated to the Board that the lack of committee involvement throughout the process was unacceptable.

The Senate must now appoint 3 members to the Intellectual Property Committee to serve staggered 3-year terms. Members are needed to serve a one-year, a two-year and a three-year term.

President Sadler noted that the Faculty Senate had effected considerable change in the proposed IP policy. Members of the Board of Trustees were clearly reluctant to approve a policy without Senate support.

Provost Zaranka praised President Sadlers work on this issue and the Senate responded with an accolade. President Sadler noted the contributions of Senators Kamin, Reichardt, Best and Wilcots. Senator Nanda proposed a formal vote of thanks to these Senators which, being seconded, was passed by acclamation.

Jo Calhoun, Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, Wellness and Campus Life provided an update on the UDCC Mentoring Program. She circulated a draft description of the program and invited Senate input. Discussion ensued regarding several aspects of the program, including meeting times, credit hours, stipend support for faculty members. Ms. Calhoun noted that questions have been raised about how to schedule athletes into mentoring sections. It is felt that student athletes should be integrated with other students. The program will pilot a peer advising and mentoring program as well, in which upper-class persons will be assigned to assist faculty mentors. These efforts are undertaken for several reasons, including increasing our persistence rates. A student decision to leave DU often comes as the culmination of many small issues.

There was discussion also of the Partners in Scholarship (PINS) program. Students and faculty are encouraged to design student projects and apply for the program. There is a $500 merit award to the student and $500 for expenses. Applications can now be made for both Fall Quarter and Spring Quarter projects. Senator Nanda observed that the faculty relationship with students is critical.

John Dolan, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management gave a report on the current admission picture at DU. As of this date, DU has in excess of 4000 applications for 950 freshman slots. Twelve hundred students applied for early action. The average SAT score for early action students was 1200. The rolling admission process is being phased out and has caused some difficulties this year. Some 2900 offers of admission will be made assuming an acceptance rate of 35%.

Applicants are evaluated using a whole person assessment system. One part of the assessment focuses on academic potential, the second focuses on student information regarding personal attributes. Mr. Dolan is happy to email the Whole Person checklist to those who are interested.

The question was raised as to the involvement of faculty in admissions decisions. At this point Deans are consulted regarding certain students. There is interest in an Enrollment Management Committee that would include faculty, and a process for seeking departmental input regarding students at the lower end of our selection range. [Senators are reminded that VC Dolan made plans for such a committee in Fall, 2000; faculty representing the various undergraduate constituencies were recommended to Mr. Dolan as committee members by the Senate Executive Committee ; but the committee has not met.]

Recruitment areas include ethnicity (14%- 16% target), musicians (50), international students and athletes. Questions were raised regarding academic division targets and differential acceptance rates among divisions.

Questions were raised regarding graduate enrollments. Provost Zaranka reported that some units, such as GSIS and the Law School, have increased numbers of applications, while others such as GSSW, Daniels and DUXL have decreasing numbers of applications.

Senator Nancy Sampson raised areas for faculty concern. First, ongoing problems with the Banner System are causing problems in many areas of the University.

Senator Sampson also has concerns about student athletes. As the NCAA faculty representative she is concerned greatly about academic integrity. Academic advising is under debate. The Faculty Athletic Committee needs to take a stand in support of academic rigor.

Deborah Howard, Chair of the Senate Personnel Committee reported on progress in examining potential DU involvement in a tuition exchange consortium. An ad hoc committee will design a survey to be sent to all faculty and staff during Spring Quarter.

Dennis Barrett, Chair of NCR reports the election of two new Senators, Cynthia Fisk from the Art Department and Celia Taylor from the Law School.

Sarah Nelson, Vice Provost for Research had asked the Senate if it wishes to appoint a member to SPARC. Since SPARC members are all faculty members, the Senate Executive Committee feels that additional representation is not warranted, and recommends against this.

Senator Kutateladze reports that the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department had difficulty appointing a retired, tenured Professor as a Research Professor with no salary. A need was also noted for a temporary guest or visiting status for scholars that might be collaborators on research grants. The matter was referred to the Personnel Committee.

Senator Urquhart raised a question about how other Universities handle spousal hiring. This question was also referred to the Personnel Committee.

A motion to close the meeting was seconded and approved.

Respectfully Submitted 3/5/01

Cathryn C. Potter

Secretary, Faculty Senate