April 23, 2008

University Faculty Senate Rules Committee

Prepared by: Don Lehman, Chairperson

The Faculty Senate Rules Committee conducted most of its business via email. One meeting with the Provost was held in April. The Committee approved a resolution from the University Promotion and Tenure Committee that clarified Section Four of the Faculty Handbook. Candidates for promotion and/or tenure will be evaluated based on the criteria in their department’s approved promotion and tenure guidelines appropriately weighted for their workload for the period under review. In addition, scholarship of teaching and service also contribute to the academic community.

An additional change to the Promotion and Tenure section of the Faculty Handbook was approved. Faculty members will be required to include their two and four year reviews as part of their dossier for promotion and tenure; this should include the evaluations or reviews conducted by the established committees of the faculty and by the corresponding administrative office (e.g., department chair).

The Faculty Senate Rules Committee approved a proposal that will increase the position of the Chairperson of the Undergraduate Studies Committee for an additional year making this a two-year term.

The University Faculty Welfare and Privilege Committee submitted a resolution that would prohibit administrators from serving as chairs of University committees. The resolution was approved by the Rules Committee, but the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate sent the resolution back to the Faculty Welfare and Privilege Committee for clarification. The revised resolution was approved by the Rules Committee, but again the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate sent the resolution back to the Faculty Welfare and Privilege Committee for clarification.

The Rules Committee also approved a change to the Faculty Handbook suggested by the Provost. The change specifies situations when faculty may engage in unclassified externally funded research with limits on publication.