Faculty Advisory Council Year End Report 1997-98
1997-98 FAC Committee Members
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Marjorie Woollacott, Chair
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Laura Alpert returning
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Paul Engleking
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Linda Fuller - returning
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Maradel Gale
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Jeffrey Hurwit
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Anne Leavitt - returning
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Margie Paris (Senate liaison)
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Susan Plass
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Anne Tedards - returning
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Anita Weiss - returning
SUMMARY OF THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR.
1. PROCESS FOR CHANGE
As a contributor to the University of Oregon's Process for Change, the
FAC took part in the Issue Definition and Solution Groups and in helping
to draft a final document to aid future implementation teams in carrying
out the suggested solutions. This process continued through the fall, winter
and spring quarters of the 1997-98 Academic Year. During the fall quarter
FAC members chose to participate in each of the Issue Definition groups.
This allowed us to 1) contribute broadly to the process, and 2) to learn
what concerns and ideas other members of the university community had about
issues relating to the economic situation, students, public perception
and support, quality, the changing market and our relationship with OSSHE
and the state, and the role of faculty, students and staff in institutional
change. At the end of the term members helped write reports from the different
issue identification teams that went into a final Issue Definition report.
During winter term, the FAC participated in the second stage in several
ways. FAC members were again assigned to be members of the Solution Group
teams, working with other university staff, students and faculty to create
innovative solutions to the issues previously defined. During the spring
term, after reports were collected from each of the teams, the FAC, the
Senate Executive Committee, the Deans Council and the PSES each created
summary documents that aimed to highlight the range of solutions covered
by the various teams. Then, FAC consulted with Deans and central administration
in creating a final report that was presented to the University Assembly
Town Meeting on May 20th, for comment by the University Community at large.
2. POST-TENURE REVIEW REVISIONS
During the fall and winter quarters the FAC discussed revisions to the
current post-tenure review policy. The impetus for this review and revision
grew out of the 1994 report of the Commission on Faculty Rewards and Development.
The need for revision in our existing policy was also emphasized during
the recent accreditation review and its resulting recommendations. The
FAC created a suggested motion for revisions to post-tenure review. Upon
presenting this motion to the Senate, it became clear that more faculty
input and debate was necessary before the motion was finalized. Therefore
it was moved that The University Senate appoint a committee to study the
motion proposed by the Faculty Advisory Council concerning post tenure
review and to consult widely with the University community on all aspects
of the matter, including the financial implications. It was suggested that
the committee report back to the Senate by the last Senate meeting of the
fall term 1998, and that the Senate take action on the committee's recommendation
by the end of winter term 1999.
3. RIVERFRONT RESEARCH PARK
The FAC also discussed current U of Oregon faculty concerns regarding the
development and expansion of the Riverfront Research Park. The 10 year
expansion plan was discussed. FAC proposed to the President that the council
be advisory in designing a review process. It was suggested that a Riverfront
Research Park review committee be created to discuss further development
and expansion of the Research Park. FAC has representation on the committee
that was formed and has been meeting during spring term to resolve these
issues.
4. STUDENT CONDUCT CODE REVISIONS
During winter and spring terms the FAC also discussed issues related to
revising the student conduct code. Elaine Green (student conduct coordinator)
and Lisa Freinkel (Chair, Student Conduct Committee) attended one of the
FAC meetings to talk with the FAC about faculty and student concerns. Following
these initial meetings, the FAC received from the Student Conduct Committee
a set of proposed changes to the Student Conduct Code. After considerable
discussion the FAC made recommendations to the Student Conduct Committee.
They included suggestions that issues related to the preferred scope of
jurisdiction of the Student Conduct Code should be the focus of a campus-wide
discussion.
5. UNIVERSITY HOUSING
The FAC met with Mike Eyster, Director of University Housing about a number
of issues regarding University Housing. Eyster gave an overview of the
current state of Residence Housing, noting that there were many current
problems. As part of the conversation it was recommended that the FAC should
continue to be part of an ongoing discussion to improve the university
housing situation, and to incorporate possible solutions into the Process
for Change. This is an agenda item that will be continued in the 1998-99
academic year.
6. PEBB AND SEBB MERGER ?RECOMMENDATIONS ON CHANGES
The FAC discussed proposed changes in benefits resulting from a merger
between PEBB and SEBB. The changes are proposed in order to bring into
parity the benefits provided to each board's constituents, but they will
mean a reduction in faculty benefits because the changes remove cafeteria
benefits and the cash-back option from the faculty benefits package. A
letter to President Frohnmayer was drafted requesting that FAC be on record
as opposing PEBB changes in faculty benefits, specifically to changes in
the menu options and cash-back features of our current plans.
7. DEPARTMENTAL TEN YEAR REVIEWS
The FAC began a discussion of the Ten Year Departmental Review Process,
in order to analyze and understand the costs and benefits of this process
that the Graduate school has been administering. A letter was sent out
to all department heads asking for input from their faculty on the process.
The FAC is currently reviewing the input received from University faculty
and administrators on the Ten Year Departmental review process.
8. CONSULTATIONS RELATED TO GOVERNANCE
The FAC also consulted with the President on various governance issues,
including
relationships with OUS, committee appointments, presentations to the
University Senate and OUS State Board and student conduct cases.
Recommendations for next year's committee, including continuing agenda
items:
It is recommended that continuing agenda items for the 1998-99 academic
year include 1) Process for Change implementation plans, 2) discussions
of University Student Housing. 3) following through with FAC advising role
vis a vis the ongoing University review of the Riverfront Research Park,
4) continue discussions on the Ten Year Departmental Review process.
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