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Governance Minutes ArchiveFebruary 4, 1994
Faculty Senate Cabinet Minutes 4 February 1994 Accepted by the Faculty Senate: 15 February 1994 Present: William E. Barbeau, David R. Beagle, Don G. Creamer, David A. de Wolf, N. Larry Shumsky Robert T. Sumichrast David de Wolf distributed copies of background material and a resolution to University Council from Provost Carlisle. This resolution concerns the University's Policy for Reduction in Force Associated with Discontinuance or Reorganization of Programs. President de Wolf said that he would bring up the proposed change, and background surrounding it, at the February 15 Faculty Senate meeting. Then he asked for comments from the Cabinet. Larry Shumsky provided an analysis of the events and circumstances which lead to the proposal. He reviewed the most significant effects of the proposed change: 1)The review required is changed from several levels to one, 2)The University Advisory Council on Strategic Planning and Budgeting replaces an ad hoc committee in the review process. He described the proposed change as "far reaching". Dr. Shumsky reviewed his efforts to have faculty propose a change to the policy some months ago. He said that the effort was abandoned due to low faculty morale and the suspicions which such a change might create. He stated his regret that a faculty initiated change was not created. Dr. Shumsky stated his belief that the proposal is intertwined with the recently announced plan to reduce the College of Education's budget by 20% and this constitutes a change in process after the fact. He pointed to a timetable included in a letter written by the Provost as evidence supporting his belief. He said that if approved, the policy should not apply to the College of Education's announced funding cuts. Dr. Shumsky outlined courses of action available including asking for specific changes and requesting that the proposal be referred back to appropriate commissions from University Council. The Cabinet discussed specific objections to parts of the proposed changes and reviewed events surrounding the proposal including restructuring plans already submitted by the College of Education. Cabinet members were in agreement that the administration must follow policies and procedures. Cabinet members agreed that every effort should be made to work with the University administration on this matter. David de Wolf summarized the discussions and proposed the following plan of action. He will arrange for a meeting between Senate Officers and Provost Carlisle as soon as possible to present concerns raised at the meeting. He will stress the need to de-couple the proposal from changes occurring in the College of Education and will suggest that the matter be taken up by appropriate university commissions before reaching University Council. Cabinet will reconvene February 9 at 7:30 a.m. to discuss developments in this matter. Respectfully submitted, Robert T. Sumichrast Secretary, Faculty Senate
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Last modified on: Tuesday, 25-Sep-2001 13:57:38 EDT