JOURNAL OF THE FACULTY SENATE

The University of Oklahoma (Norman campus)
Regular session – December 13, 2004 - 3:30 p.m. - Jacobson Faculty Hall 102
office: Jacobson Faculty Hall 206   phone: 325-6789
e-mail: facsen@ou.edu   web site: http://www.ou.edu/admin/facsen/

 

The Faculty Senate was called to order by Professor Valerie Watts, Chair.

 

PRESENT:       Barker, Biggerstaff, Blank, Bradford, Brown, Catlin, Cintrón, Civan, Cramer, Davis, Dohrmann, Driver, Elisens, Forman, Frech, Geletzke, Greene, Gutierrez, Havlicek, Hobbs, Houser, Lewis, Liu, Magnusson, Raadschelders, Ransom, Rupp-Serrano, Scherman, Schwarzkopf, Sharp, Striz, Taylor, Watts, Wheeler, Wood

 

ABSENT:         Bozorgi, Burns, Caldwell, Devenport, Dewers, Draheim, Fincke, Halterman, Hayes-Thumann, Henderson, Kauffman, C. Knapp, R. Knapp, Lai, Marcus-Mendoza, Penrose, Vieux, Wyckoff

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Announcements:

Spring 2005 schedule of Faculty Senate meetings

Financial emergency section of regents’ policy manual

Campus Tenure Committee review of hire-with-tenure cases

Post-tenure review policy

Sooner I.D.

Continuing Education

Senate Chair's Report:

Alcohol task force

Tax underwithholding

Dental insurance

Faculty development award

PeopleSoft

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

The regular meetings of the Faculty Senate for spring 2005 will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Jacobson 102 on the following Mondays:  January 24, February 14, March 21, April 11, and May 9.

 

President Boren approved the following recommendations passed by the Faculty Senate October 11 (see 10/04 Senate Journal--http://www.ou.edu/admin/facsen/minutes/1004jrn.htm): 

Revisions in the Faculty Handbook and Regents’ policy manual to make financial emergency and changes in the University’s educational function subsections of the severe sanctions section;

Recommendation of the Campus Tenure Committee that hire-with-tenure cases not be submitted for CTC review;

Revisions in the Post-Tenure Review policy to clarify the numerical rating system and eliminate the requirement for a five-year review of the process.

 

 

SOONER ID

 

Cheryl Jorgenson, Director of Institutional Research and Reporting, and Rick Skeel, Director of Academic Records, gave a presentation on the Sooner ID Project (see http://soonerid.ou.edu).  Ms. Jorgenson said she and Mr. Skeel had spoken to various campus groups.  She said she had sent an e-mail to instructional faculty offering help to anyone whose databases or files might be impacted. 

 

Mr. Skeel said the project to change the primary ID on campus away from the social security number started in late May/early June, with the conversion expected to take place in March.  The purpose is to keep the social security number secure for students, faculty and staff.  This month the team will set up the file to match the current ID number to the new Sooner ID.  Various systems, screens and files involved in the conversion are being tested.  Faculty and staff are encouraged to have a digital picture made now if they have not done so.  The card will not be printed and distributed, however, until February.  IDs printed before 1999 are not digital.  Individuals are not required to get a new picture unless they need or want a new ID.  The new ID is needed to access certain buildings and facilities. 

 

Prof. Greene asked whether any digital picture could be used.  Mr. Skeel said the picture needed to be taken at the Sooner ID office, on the first floor of the union, so that it is the right size and framing.  For next semester, class rolls will be distributed with both student ID numbers.  Any special permission assigned under the current ID number will be converted to the new ID number.  Faculty and staff who are actively using their cards and students will be issued new ID cards in February.  Other faculty and staff can wait to pick up a card.  Everyone will be assigned a new Sooner ID number, and it will be different from the Employee ID number.

 

Prof. Sharp asked whether arrangements could be made to issue cards to students who attend school at night.  Mr. Skeel said evening times would be available for people to pick up IDs.  The conversion of files will be done during Spring Break, March 12-18.  After Spring Break, the new Sooner ID will be the only active ID.  Ms. Jorgenson noted that the CICS system for student information, such as registration, on-line enrollment, bursar, and financial aid, will not be available during the conversion.  Mr. Skeel explained that the grade sheets distributed in May would show only the Sooner ID.  However, faculty will receive another set of class rolls with both ID numbers.  He referred the senators to the handout distributed at the meeting (available from the senate office), which had additional information.  None of the existing computer login numbers (4+4s) will change.  Prof. Striz pointed out that the 4+4s included the last four digits of the social security number and should also be changed.  Mr. Skeel replied that those four numbers are the least helpful of the nine digits, and changing the 4+4s would have taken an additional year for the conversion.

 

Prof. Forman asked whether the new faculty IDs could be delivered to departments rather than picked up by each person.  Mr. Skeel answered that many individuals who have a digital picture may not need or want a physical ID anytime soon, and there is no way to determine which ones to preprint.  Prof. Forman suggested that the physical ID could be mailed to those who get their picture taken.  Mr. Jeff Davenport, from the Sooner ID office, said that could be done.  Prof. Raadschelders asked whether people could have their picture taken and get the ID a few minutes later.  Mr. Skeel said none of the physical IDs would be ready until February, but later in the spring individuals could have their picture taken and have their ID within about three minutes. 

 

Prof. Greene asked whether faculty could use their old ID to check books out from the library.  Mr. Skeel said he would find out and let the Faculty Senate office know.  [Note:  Faculty will have to use their new IDs after Spring Break to check out books from the library.]  Ms. Jorgenson mentioned that individuals would need a new card to use the Huston Huffman Center.  Mr. Skeel added that some buildings require a card swipe to get in. 

 

Prof. Blank asked whether the old and new numbers would appear on iThink.  Mr. Skeel said the current number would be on iThink up until the conversion, and then it would be replaced by the new number.  That is why faculty will be given a class roll with both numbers.  Faculty can request the roll in electronic format.  The Sooner ID team knew that one of the issues would be the grade books set up by faculty.  This migration in the middle of the term is a one-semester problem.  Prof. Blank asked whether the electronic class roll was in the same format as iThink’s.  Ms. Jorgenson said it was probably a different format because the programs were different.  Mr. Skeet said he would ask the iThink people.  [Note:  Class rolls from iThink can be updated so that faculty can see and download the old and new IDs.]  The Sooner ID web site has additional information and questions can be e-mailed from the web site.  Prof. Forman said he thought the previous e-mail was confusing.  He suggested that the team send another e-mail to faculty indicating the date by which individuals would need a new ID to access various facilities.  Mr. Skeel said the intent of the first e-mail was to encourage people to have a digital picture made when it was less busy.  Other communications will be forthcoming. 

 

Prof. Gutierrez commented that our health insurance card has the social security number printed on it.  Mr. Skeel said it probably would not change because it does not have to do with how a person is identified on campus. 

 

 

APPROVAL OF JOURNAL

 

The Faculty Senate Journal for the regular session of November 8, 2004 was approved.

 

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

 

Dr. James Pappas, Vice President for University Outreach and Dean of the College of Liberal Studies, discussed continuing education programs, activities, and opportunities.  He said several faculty members on the continuing education council had suggested that he share information about continuing education with the Faculty Senate.  He said he would talk about outreach, which refers to both the College of Continuing Education and the College of Liberal Studies.  Most of the activities are in partnership with faculty and departments. 

 

Outreach has a long history at this institution.  About two years after the institution was founded, President Boyd recommended that the university should provide services “beyond the campus.”  By 1913, President Brooks established the “Extension Division.”  The division grew dramatically after World War II.  OU was one of the first institutions to get involved in distance education.  Several faculty members used motion pictures in the classroom, and we were the first campus to offer a course by radio.  During that time, the College of Liberal Studies was created, and the state provided funds specifically for outreach.  In the 1960s, President Cross and Thurman White worked with the Kellogg Foundation to get a $2 million grant to build the Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education.  President Cross wrote that he took great pride in the continuing education activities of the campus. 

 

The College of Continuing Education (CCE) today is among the top ten programs in the country in terms of the number of students, amount of funding generated, and diversity of programs.  Other institutions equal to us in size are in major market areas.  The mission statement includes a commitment to learning and to helping (giving service).  CCE expects to do a large portion of the university’s public service for the constituencies in the state.  The program serves about 200,000 students and participants a year, has over 30 program units, and offers about 48,000 credit enrollments a year, representing about one-third of OU’s graduate students.  In a year, over 2000 activities are conducted throughout the world, 3 million training contact hours are provided, and about 400 learning events are held at OCCE.  In the last twenty years, Outreach has trained over 50,000 air traffic controllers and 100,000 postal workers.  More than 1000 courses are offered a year at a distance.  The Outreach program is one of 11 Kellogg Centers and had a budget in 2003 of over $90 million, 98 percent self-generated.  Of that $90 million, about $60 million was sponsored grants and contracts. 

 

The College of Liberal Studies was established in 1960 and was the first liberal studies degree in the country.  It is primarily a program for non-traditional, adult, working students.  In 1970, the MLS program was established.  Liberal Studies has about 1000 students, the average student age is 39, and the majority of the students are upper division undergraduates.  Most of the students pursue degrees online, even though the online program began just three years ago.  The graduation rate is at about 75 percent.  Liberal Studies provides the opportunity for faculty to do team teaching, online teaching, and accelerated courses.  Under the new marketing program, Liberal Studies had a growth of 77 percent last year.

 

Outreach has three major divisions: academic life (Liberal Studies and Advanced Programs), public service, and student services.  CCE receives about 1.6 percent of the E&G funding allocation.  In terms of the grants and contracts the campus receives, CCE accounts for 50 percent.  As of June 2003, CCE was getting more grants and contracts than almost any other portion of the campus.  In the last five years, CCE grant expenditures grew 24 percent.  In FY 1993 CCE had grant expenditures of $17 million; in FY 2003, it was $58 million.  When people mention that the university is one of the fastest growing in research dollars received, they generally include CCE dollars.  No other continuing education unit in the country has the kind of sponsored programs and activities that OU does.  Dr. Pappas gave some examples of major grants and contracts.  The biggest contract is the FAA Air Traffic Control.  Discussing the degree and certificate programs, he mentioned that Advanced Programs is in 41 military bases throughout the world. 

 

Dr. Pappas gave some examples of how faculty can be involved: teaching through Advanced Programs or Liberal Studies, instructing in the Tinker Lean Management Institute, offering a course in the Summer in Santa Fe program, doing research for FAA, directing a book club for Senior Adult Services, working on childhood literacy, designing the race and ethnicity conference curriculum, and working on USAID projects.  CCE welcomes participation of faculty members, whether they have an idea to start a program or want to participate in a program.  He provided a list of contact people in the organization. 

 

Prof. Schwarzkopf asked Dr. Pappas to talk about the steps taken to guarantee academic integrity.  Dr. Pappas answered that departments own the degrees.  CCE asks departments to offer their program and to manage that offering.  CCE does not establish the curriculum or the teachers but asks that the offerings be equivalent to the offerings on campus.  With the exception of Liberal Studies, which is managed by a faculty executive committee, all of the academic work is done with the departments.  Prof. Schwarzkopf asked about the organizational leadership program.  Dr. Pappas said it was an interdisciplinary Ph.D. degree.  The chairs or designees of the departments who offer courses for the degree, as well as the dean of the graduate school and Dr. Pappas, sit on the executive committee.  Also, chairs are asked to find faculty who are endowed or full professors to teach in that program. 

 

Prof. Cintron urged faculty members who would like new opportunities to go to CCE.  Dr. Pappas asked the senators to look at the information he distributed at the meeting (available from the senate office), in particular, the different program units and the annual report, which outlines the kinds of grants CCE has.  Prof. Watts asked Dr. Pappas about the student scholarships available for the national conference on race and ethnicity.  Dr. Pappas said CCE gives a number of scholarships to students who want to attend the conference.  Interested students should contact Davida in his office.  He added that students from across the country, but not many from OU, attend. 

 

 

SENATE CHAIR'S REPORT, by Prof. Valerie Watts

 

“Earlier this month President Boren presented a twelve point plan to address concerns about alcohol abuse on campus.  The regents approved the plan on December 6.  The plan includes the following policies: All fraternities and residence halls will be dry, a ‘three strikes’ policy where a third violation results in automatic suspension from the University for a minimum of one semester, ‘Summer Rush’ will be strictly prohibited, and parties sponsored by campus-affiliated student organizations shall be restricted to only Friday and Saturday nights.  You may have received a memo from the provost through your chair about being sensitive to the situation when hosting a university-sponsored function.

 

“You should have received a memo from Payroll and Personnel Records explaining the error where fewer federal and state taxes were withheld for 9-month faculty who are paid in a nine month period.  This did not affect 9-month contract employees who have their salaries apportioned over a twelve month period.  This oversight affected the September, October and November paychecks.

 

“The senate office has received many concerns from faculty about dental coverage with Aetna, particularly from those whose dentists will not join the network.  You should have received a memo from Human Resources entitled ‘Your Benefits in Brief’ in early December explaining that for most employees, using a non-network dentist will provide the same level of benefits as received from our current Delta Dental plan.  Presently, most of the local dentists are in the broader Delta network and not the preferred Delta network.  If your dentist falls into that category, you should find that you will receive a very comparable level of benefit from a non-network dentist under the Aetna plan.  You may also want to note that the Aetna plan waives the $50 deductible for preventive and diagnostic services, so most employees will see a lower cost for their most common dental needs.  I hope that clarifies any questions you or your colleagues may have.  The executive committee is planning to meet with Julius Hilburn to discuss concerns about more expensive, specialized dental services.  If there are additional concerns, please e-mail me or the senate office. 

 

“The Faculty Development Award Committee met last month and granted several awards.  I am pleased to announce that the number of applications increased this year.  The word is getting out about this source of support.  Please continue to spread the word about this award and encourage your colleagues to apply next semester.”

 

 

PEOPLESOFT

 

Prof. Rupp-Serrano commented that PeopleSoft was being taken over by Oracle.  She asked whether the Human Resources office could let us know what the impact, if any, would be.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.  The next regular session of the Faculty Senate will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2005, in Jacobson Faculty Hall 102.

 

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Sonya Fallgatter, Administrative Coordinator

 

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Roger Frech, Secretary