Meeting Minutes
ACADEMIC SENATE
Minutes
March 1, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Academic Senate, held on March 1, 2021, was called to order at 3:00 pm by Senate President Randy Dryer. As had been announced on the Senate website and by email, this meeting was held using the Zoom online meeting platform due to COVID-19 pandemic closure of the University campus. Attendance was confirmed by requiring Senate members (and invited guests and public attendees) to register in advance for the online meeting.
Present: Rohit Aggarwal, Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski, Soheila Amirsoleimani, Amy Barrios, Michael Battistone, Matthew Bettini, Bryan Bonner, Kelly Bricker, Jonathan Brogaard, Juliet Carlisle, Mike Caserta, Owen Chan, Divya Chandrasekhar, Promothesh Chatterjee, Thomas Cheatham, Gerald Cochran, Hilary Coon, Sarah Creem-Regehr, Shanti Deemyad, James Ehlers, Rachel Factor, Annette Fleckenstein, Candace Floyd, Leslie Francis, Divyam Goel, Ganesh Gopalakrishnan, Manu Goyal, Amos Guiora, Kim Hackford-Peer, Leslie Halpern, Andrew C. Harris, Sara Hart, Bill Hesterly, Camilla Hodge, Anna Hodgson, Christel Hohenegger, John Hollerbach, Harriet Hopf, Howard Horwitz, Christopher Hull, Alexander Hyres, Luis Ibarra, Thunder Jalili, James Karner, R. James Keddington, Seth Keeton, Anne Kirchhoff, Keith Koper, Ephraim Kum, Rich Landward, Dale Larsen, Stephan LeBohec, John Lin, Kerry Lohmeier, Jack Longino, Brad Lundahl, Robin Marcus, Staci McIntosh, Kaitlin McLean, Christopher Mead, Rajesh Menon, Ed Muñoz, Kent Ono, Rick Paine, Adrian Palmer, Marcel Paret, Robert Parker, Jeff Pettey, Wanda Pillow, Tom Quinn, Taylor Randall, Angela Rasmussen, Ofer Rog, Sonia Salari, Wesley Sasaki-Uemura, Peyden Shelton, Xiaoming Sheng, Helene Shugart, Doug Shumway, Roger Silvers, Tim Smith, Taylor Sparks, Cynthia Stark, Ryan Steele, Kathryn Stockton, Kent Udell, Hunter Underhill, Brenda Van Der Wiel, Daniel Vargo, Maeve Wall, Julie Wright-Costa, Jaehee Yi, Jingyi Zhu, Susan Zickmund, Brandon Zielinski
Excused: none
Excused with substitute: Robert Bowles, Kirsten Butcher
Absent: Rima Ajlouni, Simon Brewer, Seodam Kwak, Tuyet Lien Lam, Connor Leeming, Lakshan Lingam, Gabriel Lozada, Susannah Mecham, Krystal Moorman, William Nesse, Tressa Parkes, Jon Rainier, Jeff Schwartz, Brian Snapp, Audrey Stegman, Elpitha Tsoutsounakis, Madison Ulibarri, Maria Velasco, Neil Vickers, Crystal Wallenius, Jessica Wojciechowski, Robert Wood, Teresa Hebron, Georgi Rausch, Tiffany Chan
Ex Officio: Randy Dryer, Julio Facelli, Robert Flores, Robert Fujinami, Michael Good, David Hill, Lisa Hutton, Paul Mogren, Christina Porucznik, Sarah Projansky, Daniel Reed, Ruth Watkins, Bryce Williams, Jane Laird
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes dated February 1, 2021 were approved upon a motion from Julio Facelli and a second by Katlin McClean, with one abstention.
REQUEST FOR NEW BUSINESS
Senate President Randy Dryer announced that ASUU representatives had asked to resubmit the previously tabled discussion and vote on ASUU Resolution 6.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items require Senate approval, but the Executive Committee has judged these to be non-controversial and appropriate to place on the Consent Calendar, rather than the Debate Calendar, under protocols adopted earlier this year:
Teaching Awards Approval:
- i) Hatch Teaching Prize
- Sarah Shippobotham, Professor, Theatre
- ii) Early Career Teaching Awards
- Amanda Cangelosi, Instructor (Lecturer), Mathematics
- Marcel Paret, Assistant Professor, Sociology
- Bryan Trump, Associate Professor (Clinical), Dentistry
- Kary Woodruff, Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Nutrition & Integrative Physiology
The other item on the Consent Calendar was the Faculty Matters Report. Katlin McClean moved to approve all items on the Consent Calendar. After a second from Julio Facelli, the motion passed, with one opposed.
REPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION
President Ruth Watkins explained that the Utah State legislative session will end in a few days, and the team that has been working on current legislation concerning the University expects to see some positive results. The annual Giving Day, held on February 23rd and 24th, was a success, raising $1.2 million from more than 5,000 individuals. It was notable that donations came in from students and supporters from around the world. This year’s Founders Day was held virtually, honoring a remarkable group of University of Utah alumni. SVP Michael Good reported that the UofU is staying focused on becoming part of the state’s COVID 19 vaccination programs, and he anticipates the state will receive additional shipments of vaccine within the week. SVP Daniel Reed added that extensive fall term planning, going on at this time, will include adjustments that consider scenarios where a majority of faculty and students will be vaccinated by the time the semester begins. Enrollment numbers for the Spring semester are up 3% over last year, and fall applications are up 14%.
SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Senate Executive Committee met on February 22, 2021 and developed the agenda for this meeting, noted Senate President-elect Christy Porucznik. Several presenters were asked to submit revised materials, and those updates are included with the current meeting materials. One item was placed on the Intent Calendar so to give Senators additional time to generate and forward feedback from constituents prior to a final presentation, at a later Senate meeting, for a formal vote.
REPORT FROM ASUU
ASUU President Ephraim Kum reported that February was a busy month for the ASUU. It held its Conference for Diverse Excellence, where Angela Davis was the keynote speaker. It additionally provided Black History Month programming and raised funds for the George Floyd Memorial Fund. He announced that the student body had elected a new ASUU President for next year, Jessica Wojciechowski.
DEBATE CALENDAR
Two Honors College Integrated Minors in Health and Human Rights and Resources
Honors College Dean Sylva Torti explained that the College is proposing two new integrated minors: Integrated Minor in Human Rights and Resources and Integrated Minor in Health. Integrated minors are comprised of Honors College core/general education requirements packaged around a theme. The first integrated minor offered, the Integrated Minor in Ecology and Legacy in 2015, continues to be in high demand. These two latest programs will build on the success of that pilot and the expertise of the faculty from not only the College, but across the University campuses-local and global. The offering of integrated minors has already proven to be a valuable recruitment tool; it is unique among peer institutions. There is also donor funding to support enrolled honors students in need. Sara Hart moved that the Senate approve the Integrated Minor in Health. The motion passed, with one abstention, after a second from Leslie Halpern. The motion to approve the Integrated Minor in Human Rights and Resources, offered by Leslie Francis, passed with one abstention after a second from Sonia Salari.
Ad Hoc Committee on Senate Scheduling and University Holidays
Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski introduced a report prepared by the members of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Senate Scheduling and University Holidays. The report identified its committee charge and schedule, recommendations, and associated rationales. Sharon, the committee Chair, thanked the members for their time and effort in producing the report. The first recommendation proposed is that the Senate Leaders should follow the University of Utah calendar when developing the annual Academic Senate Meeting Calendar because of the need to comply with laws and policies that govern a public institution of higher education in the State of Utah. The committee also suggests that having regularly scheduled meeting dates and times allows attendees to block the time for attendance far in advance or make appropriate arrangements for a substitute. Doing this promotes better attendance. Because the Academic Senate values the diversity of its members and constituents, consulting other UofU calendars for other significant dates supports the best Senate participation. The second recommendation is that the University of Utah continues to follow State of Utah Code, Utah System of Higher Education Rules, and University of Utah policy that establishes holidays and closure days for the University of Utah calendar. In addition, one committee member produced a minority report, included in the Senate meeting materials, offering alternative viewpoints for consideration. Christy Porucznik moved to thank the committee for its efforts in developing the report and approve the adoption of its recommendations. The motion passed, with two abstentions, after a second from Amos Guiora.
NOTICE OF INTENT CALENDAR
Authorship Policy 7-020
The Office of Research Integrity and Compliance (ORIC) has determined that the University needs a formal authorship policy, explained Associate Vice President Erin Rothwell. It held discussion sessions with the campus community inquiring about the need for a campus-wide policy, and a majority of participants expressed support. In addition, numerous complaints concerning authorship that get directed to the ORIC are mistaken for research misconduct by the submitters. She, Senate Past President Julio Facelli, and Michele Ballantyne of the Office of General Counsel presented a proposed draft of a university-wide Authorship Policy 7-020, reviewed its key points, and additionally thanked Policy Liaison Bob Flores for his assistance. Erin added that another benefit of the proposed policy is that it is an effective tool to encourage faculty, and students, to begin authorship conversations prior to beginning work on a project. Julio pointed out that individual units would not have to develop a detailed policy, but instead simply state which journals’ guidelines they will follow when establishing authorship credit. They asked Senators to take the draft back to their constituents for further comments and feedback, which should be then sent to Erin and Julio. With the proposal today being presented on the Notice of Intent Calendar, it is expected to be on the Debate Calendar of the next Senate meeting.
INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS CALENDAR
Senate Personnel & Elections Committee Report
Dale Larsen, Chair of the Senate Personnel & Elections Committee (SPEC), updated the Senate on the faculty committee interest survey and requirements for the upcoming election for Senate President-elect. He asked that Senators encourage faculty colleagues to take the survey before it closes March 8. SPEC depends upon wide survey participation to ensure that its final recommendations are equitable, diverse, and representational of all faculty. Nominations for Senate President-elect and Senate Executive Committee members are due by April 12, 2021.
Graduate Council Reviews
Associate Dean of the Graduate School Katie Ullman presented reports from four Graduate Council seven-year reviews covering the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Department of Finance, Department of Management, and Department of Marketing. She explained that these department reviews were part of a larger review of the entire college (the David Eccles School of Business –DESB), which the Senate will see soon.
Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Postdoc Policy Report
Amy Barrios, Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs and Chair of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Postdoctoral Policy, asked the Senate to review the Committee’s report with recommendations for addressing policy gaps concerning postdoctoral members of the university community. Recommendations suggested were further identified: i) a minimum salary determination, five-year term limits, and a 30-day notice of terminations; ii) a grievance procedure process; and iii) parental leave benefits in line with other University employment categories. In the categories of minimum salary and term limits, reasonable exceptions to individual areas could be granted. Part of the Committee’s charge is to draft a variety of policy changes, at a future time, that address these areas; the goal of this presentation was to generate a sense of whether the Academic Senate members support the proposed recommendations so to support further action. Feedback received from the Senate and other areas of the university will be incorporated into upcoming policy proposals. Amy offered to speak both individually with faculty and present in a team setting if asked. Discussion involved looking at ways to optimally benchmark minimum salary requirements among different units and how to incorporate dependable health benefits for those who are in a postdoctoral position.
Interim Revised Policy 1-006: Conflict of Interest
Senate President Randy Dryer directed Senators’ attention to the final versions of the Interim Revised Policy 1-006: Conflict of Interest Policy and associated Rules, that were included in the meeting materials. These versions now put into effect by President Watkins reflect feedback provided by Senate and Executive Committee members responding to earlier drafts. The Senate will see proposed permanent versions of the Policy and Rules to approve within the year to replace these Interim versions.
Distinguished Professors Awards
The following faculty members have received Distinguished Professor Awards, Randy Dryer reported:
- Saundra Buys, Department of Internal Medicine
- Elaine Cohen, School of Computing
- Eric Garland, College of Social Work
- David Kieda, Department of Physics & Astronomy
- Randall Olson, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
- Eric Schmidt, Department of Medicinal Chemistry
Presidential Search Committee Update
Randy Dryer announced that he had followed up on the Senate Executive Committee’s request to further identify why the Presidential Search Committee composition was minimal as far as faculty representation of the four core undergraduate teaching colleges of Humanities, Social and Behavior Science, Science, and the Fine Arts. There had been only one faculty member included from those four areas. He was pleased to report that the Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner’s office and the two search committee co-chairs had agreed, after his communications, to add two additional faculty members to the Committee–one from the College of Humanities and one from the College of Social and Behavioral Science.
President Watkins Report to the Board of Trustees
Randy Dryer noted that President Watkins’ most recent report to the Board of Trustees had been posted in the Senate meeting materials.
NEW BUSINESS
ASUU Resolution 6
ASUU Vice President Ayana Amaechi updated the Senate on ASUU Joint Resolution 6. Student leaders had carefully considered the feedback provided on the resolution at the February 1, 2021, Senate meeting, and further consulted with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). They had also met with concerned Senators, such as Sonia Salari, to review how best to resolve the issues brought up. Input from the OGC and OEO indicated that the language of Lauren’s Promise, which includes a statement of belief when hearing an incident report, poses no concerns to either office. Because course instructors are mandatory reporters, the idea of believing those who report being threatened is embedded in that requirement. In addition, Senator Sonia Salari summarized her victim advocacy background and explained that expressing the idea of believing someone who reports an incident represents the best trauma-informed language to use, for multiple compelling reasons. Lauren’s Promise phrasing should remain as proposed and instructors do not have to employ it if uncomfortable for any reason. Senators also discussed ways of making sure that students know about mandatory reporting requirements, and that instructors also continue to be educated on this role and the resources available. Maeve Wall moved that the motion proposed by ASUU leaders be approved by the Senate: “I hereby move that the Academic Senate endorse the spirit of ASUU Joint Resolution No. 6 (JR6) and encourage the adaptation and adoption of this resolution at other institutions of higher education in the state of Utah as an effort to promote a culture of safety on campus and raise awareness of the problem of interpersonal violence and encourage faculty to consider incorporating Lauren’s Promise in their syllabi, department, and college mission statements/values.” After a second from Ephraim Kum, the motion was approved with 1 opposed and 4 abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.