Academic Senate
Minutes from April 16, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 2:45 p.m. by Senate President, Erwin Chemerinsky.
Agenda Item #1. Announcements
It was announced that the LAS Faculty Council scheduled a meeting on May 7th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with a reception for Dean Nancy Vickers at 3:30. The last Academic Senate Meeting of the year is also scheduled on that day. President Chemerinsky proposed that the Academic Senate meeting be rescheduled to 1:45 p.m. if the Faculty Center can accommodate such a time change. Senate members will be advised regarding the meeting time.
President-elect Sally Prate thanked Erwin Chemerinsky for his leadership this year, listed his strengths, and acknowledges his accomplishments. A gift was presented, and Jean Keene was thanked for her contributions to the gift.
Agenda Item #2. Approval of the Minutes of March 19, 1997 Senate Meeting
The minutes were approved as presented.
Agenda Item #3. Resolution 96/96-12 Re: The meaning of tenure at the University of Southern California
President Chemerinsky recounted the history of work on revising the Faculty Handbook, and he specifically spoke about the University Administration’s attitude toward tenure. President Chemerinsky said that the Executive Board of the Academic Senate discussed the matter and decided to not only react to the actions of the Administration, but the Board also decided to take a proactive stand in support of tenure at the University of Southern California. Three amendments to resolution 96/96-12 were offered from the floor of the Senate Meeting, and each was seconded. The first amendment passed 14 to 7, with one abstention. The second amendment passed 12 to 11, with 1 abstention. The third amendment passed 22 to 1, with 1 abstention.
A motion was made (and seconded) to table the motion; the motion 15 opposed, 7 in favor of tabling motion. The motion (as amended) passed 18 to 1, with 5 abstentions.
Agenda Item #4. Proposed Plans for Retirement Benefits for Faculty
G. A. Fleischer, Chair of the Task Force on Retirement Benefits recounted the history of why the Task Force was created in the Fall, and he reported on the progress of the Task Force--1) an investigation was made of comparable Universities; 2) the support of the Administration was secured; 3) an analysis of financial benefits to the University was performed; and 4) a draft of the proposed plans were presented to the University lawyers and the Plans were amended to accommodate feedback from the attorneys. The central plan is a retirement program for all staff and faculty -- and includes such elements as parking, tickets, computer accounts, and so forth; and the University pays health care benefits until age 65, and then the University will pay $50 a month to help pay for "Medigap" coverage. The second major plan offers a phased retirement for Faculty members, and the Task Force lists the benefits to both the University and to the Faculty.
While the Task Force was busy working on its plans, Dennis Dougherty issued a retirement plan based on extending the coverage of health care benefits. Dennis Dougherty indicated that few University personnel were opting for the Health Care coverage plan, and stated that current accounting laws made it difficult for him to implement the proposed plans because the University would have to register all of the expenses of the retirement plans as current costs. The President of the Task Force sought advice from USC’s Accounting School, and was assured that "booking" the expenses of the retirement plan was not an obstacle at other Universities and should not be an obstacle at USC. Dennis Dougherty reported that he would take this information to Provost Armstrong and discuss the matter. Professor Fleischer indicated that if additional information were available, he would report at the May 7 meeting if possible.
Agenda Item #5. New Business
No new business was introduced.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Submitted by: Michael Cody
Editor, Academic Senate Forum