Academic Senate
Minutes

September 19, 2001

Present: M. Apostolos.T. Biblarz, F. Clark, R. Clark, E. Cooper, W. Dutton, L. Friss (alternate for G. Siegel), R. Garet, .J. Gates, D. Ghirardo, R. Guralnick, W. Handley,  N. Hanel, E. Heikkila, C. Julienne (alternate for M. Jorgensen), B. Knight, G. Loeb, W. Mack, J. Manegold, D. Mayer, E. McCann, J. Moore, V. Nguyen, M. Nichol, P. Nosco, J. Nyquist, P. Pattengale, M. Renov, M. Safonov, P. Shrivastava (alternate for C. Jacob), M. Stoner, D. Stram, J. Toscan, N. Troy, R. Zemke

Absent: C. Jacob, D. Larsen, S. Murphy, M. Omar, J. Peters, B. Sarter, D. Sloane, 
D. Walsh, M. Weinstein, F. Zufryden

Guests: L. Armstrong, R. Labaree, B. Kosko, M. Levine, P. Levine, L. Macchia,
K. Waldman

Senate called to order at 2:52 p.m. by President Peter Nosco.
Meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.

Action taken by the Senate:

Approval of May 9, 2001 Senate Minutes (Agenda item #2)
Minutes approved as written.

Welcome by President Nosco (Agenda item #1)
The president welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Senate this academic year. He thanked Vice Provost Levine for getting out the faculty contracts in a timely manner and also extended special thanks to Bill Dutton for assuming the mantle of Immediate Past President, and for providing him with a crash course this summer in Senate matters.

Hilary Schor, who was President of the Senate over the summer, and President Nosco met with Provost Armstrong on July 11 and again on August 16. The Provost also met with President Nosco on September 4 and then with the Executive Board on September 6. The Executive Board had lunch with President Sample last week. These were exceptionally helpful meetings, and President Nosco expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Provost for the forthright manner in which he discussed all manner of matters to date, and also for the support he and his office have given to the calling of the October 31 Faculty Assembly. 

Provost Armstrong's Comments (Agenda item #3)
1) Events of September 11, 2001 The Provost stated that it appears that all USC faculty and students in the New York and Washington, DC areas were unharmed. It is hoped that no group is being scapegoated, and the University will conduct a "teach in." He expressed concern that the events of September 11 may have a negative impact on the University in that the decline in the stock market has resulted in a major decline in the endowment, federal government funding priorities may change, it is unknown what will happen when foreign students apply for visas, and no one knows if East coast freshmen applicants will be willing to travel across the county next fall.

2) Current Freshman Class The Provost reported that this is an excellent freshmen class. The average GPA has increased from 3.89 (2000) to 3.93. The average SAT is now 1319 as compared to 1308 last year. The admission rate is 32% and 20% of the freshman class is African-American and Latino.

3) Distance Learning The distance learning report was presented to the Provost's office this week.

4) Health Care Retirement Plan The early retirement health care plan that was approved by the Senate will not be implemented. Provost Armstrong cancelled implementation because certain accounting rules would require the University to establish a 12 to 20 million-dollar fund out of the operating budget. The University could not touch these funds as long as the plan was in place. Originally, it was thought that part of the endowment could be used to fulfill the accounting requirements. Faculty who are looking to retire should discuss it with their respective dean.

5) Unionization of Teaching Assistants The Provost updated the Senate regarding the organizing efforts and the procedures that will have to be followed if 30% or more of the TA's sign the form being circulated calling for a vote to establish a union. The Provost expressed his personal feeling regarding unionization - he feels it is bad idea. His position paper can be found on the Senate's website.

The Provost was queried regarding whether the University was taking steps to measure the extent to which students are cheating. Provost Armstrong indicated that the Administration is aware of the problem. They have not tried to quantify the extent of students' cheating, but they have purchased and have run software to look at cheating. So far they have not been satisfied with the software. Finally, he has established a task force to look into the problem.

Announcements by President of the Faculty Peter Nosco Agenda item #4

a. Academic Vice President nominations and election Owing to having Professor Nosco to become President of the Senate under an accelerated timetable, it behooves the Senate to elect a new Academic Vice President in a timely manner. There are three candidates: Professor Philippa Levine (Department of History in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences); Professor Julie Nyquist (in the Division of Medical Education in the Keck School of Medicine); and Professor Michael Safonov in the Department of Electrical Engineering-Systems, School of Engineering). 
Candidates' information packets will go out this week, and Senators will have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday October 5 to have their ballots received at the Senate Office.

b. Faculty Assembly on October 31, 2001 The Executive Board of the Senate has called for a Faculty Assembly-and all-University faculty meeting-to be held on the afternoon of October 31 in the Davis Auditorium of the Gerontology Building. The various vice provosts have all agreed to be present (or represented) in order to discuss the work their respective offices, and to answer whatever questions may arise. It is President Nosco's hope that something like this might become part of the rhythm of our Fall semesters, in much the same way that the annual breakfast with the President has become part of our Spring semesters. 

c. Availability of Executive Board members to visit School Council meetings Consistent with one of the recommendations of the Senate's White Paper on Communications presented at the Senate's August 23rd retreat, the members of the Executive Board have volunteered to make themselves available to attend (if invited) any meeting of any of the individual school faculty councils. President Nosco has written to the Presidents of the school councils about this, and on September 12 new Executive Board member Nancy Troy from Art History in the College attended the first meeting of the Library Faculty Council at the invitation of the council's new president Robert Labaree. 

d. Introduction of the Executive Board President Nosco introduced this year's members of the Senate's Executive Board. They are:
Immediate Past President Bill Dutton, Annenberg School 
Secretary General Jerry Gates, Keck School of Medicine 
Administrative Vice President Ed McCann, Philosophy 
At-large members Florence Clark, Occupational Therapy
Jim Manegold, Accounting
Michael Renov, Cinema-Television
Nancy Troy, Art History

e. Introduction of the Chairs of Senate and joint Senate-University committees President Nosco introduced the chairs who will serve this academic year (see attached handout).

f. Legal representation for faculty During the summer President Nosco received several requests from faculty who were concerned about legal issues that might arise from the conscientious performance of their university-related duties. The Executive Board discussed this matter, and on September 4 President Nosco met with University Counsel Todd Dickey. He has kindly agreed to begin work on a pamphlet (or something similar) identifying some of the more common faculty mistakes that result in litigation, and also to draft a statement clarifying the circumstances under which faculty can expect the University's assistance with legal representation in the event of litigation arising from one's work for the University. It is hoped that something will be available for distribution soon.

g. Conflict of interest issues One of the White Papers presented at the Senate's retreat addressed conflict-of-interest issues. Prof. George Bekey kindly headed the task force that generated this paper and Prof. Bekey has agreed to chair the follow-up task force that will be convened to address this issue. The expectation is to assemble a good working group tasked with generating a university-wide policy.

h. Passing of John Elliott John Elliott was Professor of Economics, Past President of the University Senate (1966) and Past President of the Faculty Senate (1980-81). He died on the evening of Monday July 2, after nearly three weeks in a comma subsequent to a heart attack. President Nosco has been in contact with the College Deans Office and the Dept. of Economics regarding a memorial service, which he was told the Department is planning. When a date is announced, the Senate will send it out through the list-serve.

i. Senate Historian Following John Elliott's death, a discussion arose concerning the practical value of having of a Senate historian or archivist to serve as the institutional memory of the Senate. It was thought that this would also be a way of honoring the memory of John Elliott and the special place he held in our community. President Nosco reported that Frances Feldman, past President of the Senate and Distinguished Emerita Professor in the School of Social Work, has consented to accept this non-paid position, and that several pillars of our community-Profs. Bob Biller, Sol Golomb and Walter Wolf-have kindly agreed to serve on a supporting committee. 

j. Athletic Department Expenditures One issue that has been on the horizon is a resolution that has circulated among the Pac-10 schools concerning a "truce" or "cease-fire" in the so-called athletics arms race. The Executive Board has discussed the issue and intends to continue to explore the related issues, but for the time being, we are not yet inclined to propose becoming a signatory to the resolution

k. Faculty-Coach Program The Guest Coaches Program exposes faculty to the services provided by the Student-Athlete Academic Services office (SAAS) and also allows faculty greater exposure to the unique challenges student-athletes face both in the classroom and in their sport. Faculty are invited to spend the afternoon with coaches and teams and are given a behind-the-scenes look at a particular sport. Included in this afternoon is a complimentary ticket to a sporting event. Faculty also talk with SAAS staff members about academic issues. Faculty are ordinarily selected for the program based on staff, coach, and student recommendations, but President Nosco believes that special priority will be given to Senators. If you are interested in the Guest Coaches program please email Beth E. Morgan at bem@usc.edu

l. Announcement of Zumberg RIF call for proposals The call for proposals has gone out for the James H. Zumberge Research & Innovation Fund, which supports individual research grants, interdisciplinary research grants and grants for research center proposals. The application deadline is November 14, 2001, and one is invited to telephone Sue Anderson at extension 06559 at Vice Provost Sullivan's office or to email Sue at suema@usc.edu.

m. Status of resolutions passed in the Spring Vice Provost Levine reported that the resolutions passed last Spring (tenure clock, conflict of interest, and dismissal language) have been discussed at the Provost Council. 

Report of the Senate Retreat White Papers Agenda item #5
President Nosco stated that the Senate will deal with issues this year as they arise, but for the time being initial attention will be given to carrying forward the issues that emerge from the Senate White Papers presented at the retreat: Conflict of interest, Community and academic life, Special student populations, Gender Equity, and Communications. 

Executive Board member Florence Clark chaired the Task Force on The Community and Academic Life at USC, and she has graciously agreed to carry this issue forward, though we are still not sure exactly what form this will take. The Task Force on Gender Equity was chaired by Hilary Schor, and the Executive Board proposes to wait until after the current election to see whom we might ask to carry this issue forward. Jim Manegold chaired the Task Force on special student populations, and we will be regularly turning to the office of Student Affairs for updated information. President Nosco chaired the Communications Task Force. For the time being, we are trying to strengthen the lines of communication between the Executive Board and the school councils, and to improve faculty-administration communication by expanding our public sphere with events like the October 31 Faculty Assembly. White Papers from the retreat have been posted on the Senate's web site. The one exception to this is the report of the Task Force on the Community and Academic Life at USC, and here we simply await receipt of the White Paper in electronic form.

Report on Health Benefits by Lisa Macchia Agenda item #6
Early in the summer, Walter Wolf alerted Hilary Schor and President Nosco to the importance of the Senate's monitoring of the University's negotiations with its health-benefits providers, especially during the summer months when these issues typically reach their final form. 

Lisa Macchia, the director of the University's health plans was contacted and three things were requested of her. First, to establish a series of meetings at regular intervals straight through the summer. This was done. Second, to agree that she would not enter into any binding agreements with any health benefits provider without first running the terms past our summer working group. This, too, Lisa did, and at an August 7 meeting we saw essentially the same terms that are being shown today. Finally asked Lisa Macchia to agree to represent the outcome of all this to the Senate at its first meeting in September. She again agreed. 

Lisa Macchia reported that only the Network plan will change. Faculty contributions for each plan was handed out. Changes in the Network plan include increased co-payments and changes regarding cost of drugs. It is expected that the cost of the Network will continue to increase. She mentioned that costs are, in part, based upon the number and age of enrollees. The Network's mean age is 40 while Kaiser's is in the low 30's, and the other plans mean enrollee is under 30. The Network is the largest plan with about 5,200 enrollees. Kaiser is the second largest plan with about 3,000 enrollees. The other plans each have about 1,000 enrollees. There are about 4,500 faculty and staff taking advantage of Plan C (the plan where the spouse provides the primary health policy).

During the questioning period, it was revealed that about 70 faculty and staff are enrolled in the Network II plan (the most expensive plan). Some present were not aware of the cost differences. It was requested that Ms. Macchia send a special letter to those 70 individuals informing them of their options. In addition, there was a query regarding how decisions are made regarding dropping drugs from the Network plan. Ms. Macchia stated that no drugs are dropped during a plan year and that her office can be contacted regarding obtaining a list of which classes of drugs are not covered.

Research Letters Update Agenda item #7
President Nosco reported on the matter of research assistant contracts. Objections to the language in current contracts arose from both units and individual faculty. Some units, e.g. those that go on overnight fieldtrips, were concerned that they would be unable to comply with the limitations on the maximum number of hours an RA might be "on call" in a twenty-four period. Some faculty were concerned about the language in the contracts asking supervising faculty "to ensure" that their RA's not exceed a certain number of hours of service in a day or a week. 

President Nosco reported that by working with Marty Levine, all units and individual faculty who expressed concern were able to reach accommodation for the present academic year. Still, we need to be concerned about the future. In order to address faculty concerns prior to the next cycle, President Nosco has asked that the Executive Board be allowed to appoint two faculty to the same team of administrators who worked on this matter during the Spring and Summer, and was pleased today to learn that this request has been formally accepted by the Administration.

Letter to President Sample
President Nosco noted that President Sample announced that he has early stages of Parkinson Disease. He asked the Senate to endorse the following resolution, which will be sent to President as a letter. The vote was unanimous.

To President Sample,
Your faculty colleagues in the Academic Senate thank and commend you for your forthright acknowledgement of your Parkinson's ailment. We wish you well in this and in everything, and we hereby record our complete confidence in your continued leadership of this outstanding university.

Handouts at the Meeting

1) Draft minutes from the May 9, 2001 meeting
2) Academic Vice President Election, Fall 2001
3) Report of candidates for the election of Academic Vice President, Fall 2001
4) Election Schedule Deadline, Fall 2001
5) Voting Members of the Academic Senate, 2001-2002
6) Letter of invitation to all University Faculty Assembly (Oct. 31, 2001) from President of the Faculty Nosco and Provost Armstrong.
7) Senate Committee/Task Force Chairs
8) Academic Senate Roster, 2001-2002.
9) Academic Senate Meeting Schedule for 2001-2002
10) Chart from Lisa Macchia listing employee contributions for each of the health plans offered during fiscal year 2002.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jerry D. Gates, Ph.D.
Secretary General of the Academic Senate