[Approved January 30, 2008]

Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate

January 23, 2008

St. Mary’s 113 B; 12:00 PM

 

Present:  D. Biers (presiding), T. Eggemeier, P. Johnson, R. Kearns, L. Laubach, J. O’Gorman, R. Penno, F. Pestello, T. Stevens, R. Wells

 

J. Farrelly (Faculty Board)

 

Roll Call:  

Ten members of the Committee were present.

 

Prayer:

The meeting opened with a prayer offered by J. O’Gorman.

 

Approval of Minutes:

January 16, 2007 approved.

A question arising from the minutes was discussed.  The announcement of the elections for the Promotion and Tenure Committee needs to be sent to faculty.  F. Pestello will check with his office about getting that out.

 

Announcements:

  • The Executive Committee discussion of diversity is scheduled for February 13, 2008.

 

New Business:

  • The Faculty Affairs Committee has sent a memorandum to the Executive Committee regarding its work on post-tenure peer review of faculty.  The letter reports that the Committee does not believe that a separate peer post-tenure process will accomplish improvement in faculty performance.  The Committee notes that the University already has a number of administrative and peer post-tenure review mechanisms in place, such as: promotion, annual, and sabbatical reviews.  The Committee specifically

“recommends that the Provost’ office conduct an audit of both the sabbatical leave policy for the University and the annual review procedures within each academic unit. That audit should focus on the criteria being used to assess faculty sabbatical leave plans and accomplishments and the metrics used to assess faculty relative to their annual performance. The audit should also examine how faculty peers are included in both the sabbatical and annual review procedures.”

The suggestion of the Committee is that after that audit is completed, decisions be made as to how to strengthen the processes already in place in order to ensure that there is longitudinal reflection and peer consultation. For example, peer review could become an integral part of the sabbatical review, possibly part of the annual review, and a strong component in the faculty teaching evaluation.

 

The Executive Committee discussed this proposal with the Provost.  It was noted that the concerns of the Board of Trustees need to be addressed as do the concerns of the faculty about increased workload and the ultimate usefulness of a process.  There was some disappointment expressed about the proposal.  It seems to be a very different direction from what had been suggested earlier. However, it was suggested that this proposal would capitalize on existing processes while also ensuring that those processes include peer components and are conducted fairly, uniformly, and consistently.  It was proposed that the statement of philosophy that has been developed could be taken to the Academic Senate this year along with the proposal to conduct an audit of current practices, and an articulation of an anticipated set of goals and procedures for on-going work on this issue.  The Executive Committee asked the Provost to give this some further reflection.  Results of the conversation will be conveyed to the Faculty Affairs Committee at its meeting on January 24.

  • Doc. 07-04, Challenges and Recommendations for the University of Dayton Honors and Scholars Program was assigned to the Academic Policies Committee of the Academic Senate.  P. Johnson will post the document and link it to previous materials on the program.
  • The Higher Learning Commission Reports are now on the Senate Quickplace. (These are now in the materials section for the Executive Committee).  The Executive Summary is posted on the Provost website.  The complete report will be made available to the University Community on a password protected site.

 

Old Business:

  • F. Pestello reported that the Provost Council supports the Honors and Scholars Program changes.
  • The Academic Policies Committee will meet on January 24.
  • The work of the Faculty Affairs Committee was handled under “New Business” above.
  • R. Kearns reported that the Student Academic Policies Committee met at 7:00 AM on January 23 to discuss the Honor Code.  Members of SGA and Student Development were also at the meeting.  They are looking at student life issues, not just academic issues.  It was suggested that the Committee should look at DOC 05-01, to see if it can be of use in this process.
  • L. Laubach reported that they are receiving information on the University Committees.  It needs to be determined who is going to post this information.

 

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Patricia A. Johnson, Secretary