Proposed
Charge on Handling of Student Complaints: Faculty Senator David
Hughes wrote: "The union is now dealing with at least two grievances
arising from student complaints handled poorly." Natalie Borisovets
discussed the matter with Hughes, and wrote that it "...does seem to
be a legitimate area of concern. There are apparently a couple of cases
where the AAUP has had to become involved because the lack of any
recognized channels for student complaints resulted in things
escalating way beyond what would seem to be necessary." Hughes proposed
a charge "along the lines of":
Design a procedure for investigating
student complaints against instructors, beginning at the department
level, and, if necessary, escalating upwards from there.
The issue and proposed charge were discussed, with Ann Gould
summarizing the issue. Barbara Lee said there are many ways for
students to complain, but the method would depend on the type of
complaint. Lee also said she can research the various ways in which
students may complain, and respond to the EC. President Barchi pointed
out that if a complaint involves collective bargaining or a faculty
grievance, the Senate cannot become involved. The matter will come back
to the EC in September.
Proposed Charge on Senate
Standing Committee Structure and Standing Charges, submitted
by Student Senator Justin Schulberg: The following proposed charge,
submitted by Senator Schulberg, was discussed:
Consider and make recommendations for
modifying the Senate's standing committee structure and/or charges.
Consider whether the Senate should issue a standing charge to an
existing committee or create a new committee to deal with issues
concerning athletics, general health and wellness of the University
community, and social issues facing the University. Consider other
committee structure modifications that may be needed or proposed.
Swalagin said that, although some
changes were made to the charges in 2008 and 2012, and minor reviews of
the charges were done then, a comprehensive review of the standing
committee structure was last undertaken
in 2007. Schulberg said that Senator Emily Arezzi had researched other
senates' committee structures, and he would forward the resulting data
to Swalagin. Jon Oliver, who co-chairs the University Structure and
Governance Committee (USGC), said that his committee's charge on the
state of shared governance (dropped because it was unamanageably large)
needed to be split into smaller components, and that this could be one
of them. The EC then issued the following charge to the USGC:
Consider and make recommendations for
modifying the Senate's standing committee structure and standing
charges. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by February 2017.
Report
Reviews - Swalagin said that, in addition to the standing
committee structure and standing charges, the Senate's
Response
to Charge S-0801, Employee Professional and Personal Development is
also due for review. Ann Gould noted that this report was sent as
advice to President McCormick, but that there had been no response from
that administration. The following charge was issued to the Faculty and
Personnel Affairs Committee: