Academic Senate
Meeting Minutes

September 17, 2003

Faculty Center, Banquet Room

UPC

2:45 – 4:30 p.m.

 

Present: D. Ann, M. Apostolos, C. Betts, J. Brown,  R. Cole, P. Conti, G. Davison, C. Fogu, R. Garet,  E. Garrett, E. Heikkila, P. Levine, W. Mack, E. McCann, S. Montgomery,  J. Moore, M. Nichol, R. Nishimoto, J. Nyquist, D. O’Leary, G. Painter, P. Pattengale, M. Renov, M. Safonov, G. Schierle,  K. Shing, P. Shrivastava, P. Starr, P. Vorderer, W. Waugaman (alternate for R. Zemke), W. Weber, M. Weinstein, W. Wolf

 

Absent: M. Afifi, E. Cray, E. Forrester, J. Glueckert, E. Hollins, D. Larsen,  N. Lutkehaus, M. Omar, D. Stram, J. Walsh

 

Guests: S. Gupta, K. Harrington, B. Kosko, M. Levine, C. Zachary   

          

 

The first meeting of the Academic Senate for 2003-2004 was called to order by President McCann at 2:50.  Members introduced themselves and their representation.

1.      Senate Procedure   

 

President McCann explained that the green card that was passed out to the regular members upon entering the room will be used for voting purposes.  A green card will be given to alternates when regular members are not present.  President McCann also mentioned that the first priority during discussion at Senate meetings will be focused on those who have not previously addressed the issue of the moment.

 

2.         Approval of May Senate Meeting Minutes

Motion made and seconded.  The motion was approved with one member opposed and one abstaining.

3.      Announcements

 

(a)         Introduction of new Executive Board

Members of the Executive Board discussed their role and terms on the Executive Board.   President McCann explained the rotation process for Executive Board members, and indicated that there will be a Nominating Committee to assemble the ballot for the new terms beginning in 2004.  The Senate was put on notice that the Nominating Committee election will be held at the next meeting.

 

(b)     Change of I.D. to 10 digit                                      

 

Director of the Office for Organization Improvement Services Margaret Harrington introduced a new policy proposed for the USC identification number.  Previously, staff, faculty, and students have used seven digit numbers for University identification. The proposed ten digit identification number is part of a larger effort to assure that the University is able to protect personal information and to expand and codify policies related to security.  Senator Kosko explained that he has represented the faculty on this committee and has been impressed with the level of concern and detail in the proceedings.  He recommended to the Senate that the recommendations of the committee be reviewed carefully by the faculty because of the potential problems that could arise.

 

Several issues were raised.  First, ScanTron sheets only include nine digits, so it must be determined whether it will be possible to change the sheets to expand the number of identifiers.  It was noted that alpha based systems provide more numbers for use.  Director Harrington indicated that it is easier for data entry personnel to use numeric key pads so the proposed identifier has been limited to numeric characters.

 

Second, concern was also expressed about the protection of master data file that includes personal information such as social security numbers.  Director Harrington indicated that the proposed new policies will include additional restrictions on personnel to minimize the potential for identity theft.  Additionally, more of the access points to the system will require extensive password protection.

 

Third, Senators asked whether the identification number included a sequence that distinguished individual positions (i.e., a ‘check’ digit)?  It was explained that there would be no check digits as that would potentially reveal information about the individual to all with access to the identification number.  Again, the password system should provide protection for staff and faculty interested in determining the status of specific individuals.

 

Director Harrington asked for comments by voice or email by October 15. 

 

(c)     Status of resolutions passed in Spring semester

 

President McCann provided a list of resolutions and a summary of their content for review by the Senate.  It was mentioned that it would be useful to update the summary with a progress report regarding the response of Administration to these resolutions.  President McCann indicated that he would follow up on this issue.

 

President McCann indicated that the resolution regarding dismissal language had been tabled and was still on the table.  This is being referred back to handbook committee for additional investigation.   Both the conflict of interest and scientific misconduct issues will be referred to the Research Committee for oversight and response. 

 

The courseware issue that engendered considerable discussion at the May retreat is still in process.  The Senate will continue to work with Profesor O’Malia to develop a policy that is acceptable to the faculty. 

 

(d) Senate Roster and Chairs of Senate and joint Senate-University committees

 

It was noted that the responsibilities of appointment for particular committees remains unclear.  It is not obvious who is responsible for appointment in joint committees.  President McCann will clarify the relationships and report back to the Senate.

 

(e) Nominating committee

 

The next Senate meeting will include the election of the Nominating Committee.  Senators were encouraged to submit nominations two weeks prior to the October 15th meeting.

 

(f) The October 15th Academic Senate meeting will be held in Center for Health Professions (CHP) 101 on the Health Sciences Campus.  It was noted that it would be useful to have videoconferencing capacity that the Senate could use.  While this technology has been used in some University meetings in the past, the cost is generally prohibitive.  This option will be pursued, although the Senate is committed to hold two meetings on the Health Sciences Campus this academic year.

4.      Report on Senate Retreat                                  

 

President McCann addressed three points that were raised at the August retreat:  Issue grid, web space for school councils, and teaching evaluations.  He will be working to place the list of current issues that were discussed at the retreat on the Senate website.  Further, an attempt will be made to allow school councils to have web space on the Senate website.  Teaching evaluations were discussed extensively at the retreat and this issue will be referred to the Academic Policy and Procedures Committee for consideration.

 

Senator Heikkila discussed the neighborhood participation White Paper that was presented at the retreat.  He noted that the dialogue at the retreat was engaged and lively, and it was clear that there was a need to further the discussion about the University’s role in the neighborhood.
 
5.      Vice Provost’s comments

 

Associate Provost Levine represented Provost Armstrong.  He provided an update on the present strategic planning efforts.   The focus of this planning process has been to review the external factors that have influenced the development of higher education in general and USC specifically, including such items as the trend toward new measures of excellence, the move away from federal funding of research, and the demographic shifts that will affect the supply and demand for education.  Provost Levine indicated that it would be reasonable to expect that a draft strategic plan could be submitted to the Board of Trustees by the end of the academic year. 

 

Due to the large number of deans that are scheduled for review in this academic year, the Provost will be consulting with faculty to adjust a few of these schedules to permit full evaluation in a timely fashion.  Admissions are higher than expected, because a larger proportion of those admitted accepted.  The quality of the incoming class has continued to improve.

 

Senators were encouraged to access the Faculty web page http://www.usc.edu/faculty or http://www.usc.edu/academe/faculty/.  This page is intended to provide support and information to faculty and Provost Levine would appreciate comments and suggestions for improvement.

 
7.      New Business

As there was no new business, the meeting was adjourned at   4:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

  Mike Nichol, Ph.D.

 Secretary General of the Academic Senate