Unapproved Minutes:  FACAS Meeting 11/3/06

 

Present:  D. Biers, P. Johnson, C. Phelps (chair), E., Gustafson, B. John, A. Abueida , G. Doyle, J. Farrelly

Absent:  A. Crowe, L. Hausmann, L. Kloppenberg, T. Lasley, B. Turk

 

Guest: Joe Untener

 

The meeting began with discussion of the background check policy.  J. Untener presented changes to the document and the form.  The noted changes are as follows:

  • document addresses potential delays in the hiring process
  • background information flows straight to Provost’s office as opposed to Human Resources
  • document specifies the use of an outside company
  • form has been edited to meet University needs

Issues that were discussed included:

  • part-time faculty
    • the letter of hire needs to state that employment is contingent on a cleared background check
    • a paragraph regarding procedures from part-time faculty needs to be included
  • costs – document should be specific regarding which office covers the cost of the background check

It was decided that at this point, the proposal needs to be put in document form and submitted to the ECAS to be placed on the agenda for the Dec. 1 Senate meeting.  J. Untener stated that he, Troy Washington, and Joyce Carter will be in attendance at that meeting to address questions.  He will also try to get someone from Legal Affairs to attend.

 

The committee then discussed feedback from the open forums regarding the proposed Promotion and Tenure Policy Review Committee.  Below are the highlights from the open forums provided to the committee. 

major issues raised during the open forums

  • substantive issues/appeals, interaction with other committees
    • needs to be addressed as close to the unit as possible
    • P&T should not hear any appeals following the decision being given
    • FHC – deals with post tenure issues, already deals with some of the procedural issues, the charge to the committee appears to already be addressed by the FHC
  • tenure & promotion combined
    • this will have to be addressed
    • CAS is moving ahead with this
    • what about folks in the pipeline
  • grandfathering
    • will get legal opinion

 

Farrelly, Johnson, Lasley, and Phelps were in attendance at the open forums and provided further information.   In addition to the point above, the question was raised regarding the definition of “unit” as used in the document.  The practice of awarding preliminary tenure was also discussed.  It was decided that a subcommittee would be formed to work on the document with feedback from the initial P&T policy committee, the open forums, and the FACAS.  Doyle, Farrelly, Gustafson, and Phelps agreed to serve on the subcommittee.

 

The next FACAS meeting is scheduled for 11/17/06 when the habits of Inquiry document and any other issues regarding the Background Check policy will be discussed.

 

Respectfully submitted:  C. Phelps