Faculty Senate Minutes Nov 3, 2016
Attendees:
Blake / David / xBurke / Brian / x
Cardona / Nancy / Fulbright
Clay / Paul / x
Davis / Ginny / x
Dorr / Betty
Fenster / Steven / x
Frazer / Lee
Fry / Michael / x
Fullmer / Shawn / x
Gore / Rick / x
Greer / Kris
Gulliford / Andrew / x
Holmquist / Tony / x
Lienert / Carl / x
Mangrum / William
Meyer / Felicia / x
Mouzakis / Katie / x
Oliver / Astrid / x
Riggs / Chuck / x
Smith / Ryan / x
Sommerville / Les / x
Valdez / Michael / x
Wendland / Amy / x
Williams / Laurie / x
Visitors:
Barbara Morris
Steve Stovall
Gary Hunter
Jim Cross
- Opening remarks & Announcements
- Recap of the Faculty Assembly
- No Faculty meeting on Nov 17, 2017. Instead President Thomas will host an all campus meeting during the same period, where she will address the Strategic Planning process and the rationale for why FLC is re-evaluating its mission statement and other strategic planning documents.
- Consent Items
- Minutes from Oct 20, 2016 – adopted by consent
- Action Items
- Athletic Director Hunter address the senate and provided an update on the interconnectedness between athletics and academics at FLC
- 468 student athletes (13% of the student body)
- A driver of enrollment
- Average GPA >3.0
- 13 varsity and club sports
- Statement on Shared Governance
- There was a brief discussion surrounding the notion that shared governance ≠ shared decision making
- The Shared Governance Statement was endorsed unanimously
- A resolution to clarify aspects of the Shared Governance statement was proposed
- The BoT should be included as a signatory
- The term ‘curriculum’ should be defined as it relates to shared governance
- Senate should form a committee to operationalize the shared governance statement
- No action was taken on this proposal
- Proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook
- Should there be a minimum number of years of service at FLC prior to eligibility for tenure?
- There needs to be improved clarity regarding the number of years of teaching experience at FLC and other institutions prior to joining FLC.
- Should FLC encourage applicants for tenure to secure letter of support from persons outside FLC?
- There is a request for faculty to review the proposed handbook edits
- No action was taken on these proposed changes
- Motion to Adjourn – passed unanimously
To: David Blake, Faculty President
From: Susan Moss, Chair Faculty Handbook/Personnel Committee
Re:Faculty Handbook/Policy Committee Recommendations to Faculty Senate
Date:November 2, 2016
Recommendations focus on Part II of the Faculty Handbook, Personnel Policies
Major changes recommended and rationales:
- Tenure application be explicitly limited to one time; this would clarify what seems to be in practice and common in academe
- Residency requirement for tenure application; emerged from College Personnel Committee concern that they sometimes didn’t have sufficient performance information, especially regarding teaching
- Possibility of 5th year review; emerged from College Personnel Committee concern that the year before the tenure year requires minimal review but that some candidates might benefit from a fuller review
Minor changes:
- More complete definition of academic ranks
- Correction to PAF/review due dates
- Clarification regarding inclusion of written evaluations from previous years
Library Resources for New Majors or Programs
- During the feasibility and planning phase, developers of the new major or program will coordinate with Reed Library to determine information resource needs and any funds to be requested for this purpose.
- There is already a section in Curriculog that asks: What new library resources (journal subscriptions, online databases, books, videos) will be required?
- This section would be sent to Library personnel for response.
- The Library would respond in three ways:
- The Library would absorb any costs for information resources related to the new program/major.
- The Library would request one-time funds for base-building of information resources for the new program/major and then absorb future costs.
- The Library would request ongoing funds for information resources that require ongoing support, such as database and/or journal subscriptions whose costs the library could not otherwise absorb.
- This information would be included with other program materials going to the Dean for review, then would move on to administration
- Administration can approve a new major/program with or without funding for additional information resources
Resolution to support the Shared Governance Statement of Fort Lewis College
Dr. Andrew Gulliford has worked very hard since early in the Spring 2016 semester to 1) form a committee to address shared governance, 2) draft a shared governance statement for Fort Lewis College, and 3) gain acceptance of the shared governance statement across faculty and administration. Dr. Gulliford has completed the shared governance statement and it is ready for acceptance and implementation as proposed in the document and previous faculty senate meetings.
This resolution proposes a charge to the Shared Governance Committee to amend and/or clarify the shared governance statement as itemized below, and implement this statement into formal practice at Fort Lewis College.
Amendments/Clarifications
- In addition to the FLC President and Faculty Senate President, we propose adding a signature of the President of the Board of Trustees. Although Dene Thomas has authority to approve and sign this document, acknowledgement and approval by the Board of Trustees would ensure consensus across all stakeholders.
- A clear and formal definition of “curriculum” is suggested to be included along with the AAUP-endorsed statement listed as the third paragraph of the shared governance statement.
- Form the committee to operationalize the shared governance statement as proposed in the statement itself.
Fort Lewis College is committed to the principles of shared governance set forward by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in 1966. We believe in the collective decision making process and the representation of key constituency groups. Shared governance requires that all stakeholders (administration, faculty, staff, and students) be allowed meaningful participation in issues that impact them and includes the ability to co-create, co-interpret, and co-enforce policies on a regular basis.
As academic matters are foremost in the operation of the college, we affirm the following statement endorsed by the AAUP, the American Council of Education (ACE), and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB).
The faculty has primary responsibility for such fundamental areas as curriculum, subject matter and methods of instruction, research, faculty status, and those aspects of student life which relate to the educational process.
We acknowledge that the Board of Trustees is charged with the general supervision of the college and the exclusive control and direction of all funds and appropriations to the college, unless otherwise provided by law. Weacknowledge that the Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for all legal decision making related to operations of the college under Colorado State Law and as outlined in the FLC Mission Statement and that this responsibility is tasked to the campus administration. With regard to the administration, we affirm they have the primary responsibility to organize the operations of the college in line with state and national regulatory bodies.
There is a delicate balance between participation in planning, the decision making process, and administrative accountability especially in those in areas where the faculty has primary responsibility. It is the responsibility of the administration making decisions to clearly communicate the decisions and the reasons behind the decisions to all impacted parties.
We are committed to the principle of shared governance whereby the different perspectives of all stakeholders are valued and will be heard. Shared governance requires that all stakeholders participate in discussion of issues impacting them. As adequate communication, trust and transparency are critical to informed participation, information that forms the basis for decisions should be shared among the parties involved and there should be adequate time for consideration and response.
We affirm that a committee of interested parties at all levels of governance will convene to operationalize the ideas in this statement into policy and procedural documents, which will include a plan for assessment.
FACULTY HANDBOOK
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE
September 2016
Table of Contents
PREFACE...... 1
DEFINITIONS...... 2
PARTI.FACULTYCONSTITUTION...... 4
PREAMBLE...... 4
ARTICLE I.THEFACULTY...... 4
ARTICLEII.THE FACULTY SENATE: PURPOSES, POWERSANDFUNCTIONS...4
ARTICLEIII.MEMBERSHIPANDELECTION...... 5
Section1.SenateComposition...... 5
Section2.Definition of theVotingFaculty...... 6
Section3.TermofOffice...... 6
Section4.OpenSenateSeats...... 6
Section5.Election of President of theFacultySenate...... 6
Section6.Faculty Member of the BoardofTrustees...... 7
Section7.AcclamationofSenators...... 7
Section8.Officers...... 7
Section9.RecallofOfficers...... 7
Section10.Vacancies...... 7
Section11.TemporarySenators...... 8
Section12.The InauguralFacultySenate...... 8
ARTICLEIV.MEETINGS...... 9
Section1.Frequency...... 9
Section2.Quorum...... 9
Section3.Voting...... 9
Section4.Minutes...... 9
Section5.RulesofProcedure...... 9
Section6.OpentoPublic...... 9
ARTICLEV.ADOPTIONANDAMENDMENT...... 9
Section1.Adoption...... 9
Section2.Amendment...... 10
Section3.Termination...... 10
ARTICLEVI.STANDINGFACULTYCOMMITTEESANDCOLLEGECOMMITTEES,TASK FORCES, COMMISSIONSANDCOUNCILS 11
i
Section1.StandingFacultyCommittees...... 11
Section2.Membership...... 11
Section3.Officers...... 11
Section4Committees...... 12
Section5.TheExecutiveCommittee...... 12
ARTICLEVII.POWERS OFTHEFACULTY...... 16
Section1.FacultyAuthority...... 16
Section2.Meetings...... 16
Section3.Officers...... 16
Section4.Faculty/FacultySenate Conflict...... 16
Section5.ReferendumandInitiative...... 16
ARTICLEVIII.BY-LAWS...... 17
PARTII.PERSONNELPOLICIES...... 18
A.PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENTANDPERFORMANCE...... 18
Section1.Application...... 18
Section2.FacultyAppointments...... 18
Section3.FacultyAssignments...... 18
Section4.Responsibilities of Regular andTermFaculty...... 18
Section5.AcademicFreedom...... 18
Section6.Professional Ethics, Outside Employment andProfessionalActivities...... 19
Section7.AcademicRanks...... 23
Section8.Emeritus Faculty...... 25
Section9.Tenure...... 25
Section10.Reappointment, Non-renewal, Promotion and TenurePersonnelActions...26
Section11.PostTenureReview...... 33
Section12.FacultySalaries...... 35
Section13.TermFacultyEvaluations...... 35
Section14.PersonnelFiles...... 36
Section15.Resignations...... 36
Section16.Discharge ofTermFaculty...... 36
Section17.Dismissal and OtherDisciplinaryAction...... 37
Section18.Non-Renewal...... 40
Section19.ReductionsinForce...... 41
Section20.Grievances...... 45
ii
Section21.Appeals totheBoard...... 52
Section22.Suspension...... 52
Section23.Retirement...... 53
Section24.Sabbatical, Military andOther Leave...... 53
Section25.Family andMedicalLeave...... 55
Section26.StudyPrivileges...... 57
B.LEGAL ANDBOARDREQUIREMENTS...... 57
Section1.Code of Ethics and ConflictofInterest...... 57
Section2.Family andMedicalLeave...... 57
Section3.Students’ EvaluationsofTeaching...... 58
PARTIII.ACADEMICPOLICIES...... 59
Section1.Academic DishonestybyStudents...... 59
Section2.Procedure for AcademicGrievancePolicy...... 65
Section3.Grades ofIncomplete“I”...... 67
PARTIV.INFORMATIONAL ANDADVISORYSTATEMENTS...... 70
Section1.Department chairs(orequivalents)...... 70
Section2.PosthumousDegree...... 70
Section3.Search Committees for AcademicAdministrativeOfficers...... 71
Section4.HonoraryDegrees...... 72
PARTV.FACULTY SENATE POLICY FOR PROPOSING AMENDMENTSTOPARTSII-V 73
PREFACE
The Faculty Handbook has been assembled to inform the Regular and Term Faculty about the College’sexpectationsofthemandtoexplaintherightsandresponsibilitiesofthemembersofthe RegularandTermFaculty.FollowingthisPrefaceisalistofDefinitionsapprovedbytheBoardof TrusteesonJune2,2004thatapplytothepartsthat follow.
Part I. Faculty Constitution, describes how the faculty participates and organizes itself for self-governance. The Regular Faculty must approve changes in the Constitution and Bylaws of the FacultySenate.ThePresidentandBoardofTrusteesmayvetoanychangesapprovedbythefaculty.
Part II. Personnel Policies, describes College personnel policies that apply specifically to the Regular and Term. These are an extension of each Regular and Term faculty member’s appointment and employment contract.
SectionAdescribesthosepoliciesandproceduresthatspecificallygoverntheprofessional performance of Regular and Term Faculty. These policies and procedures have been developedinconsultationwiththeRegular andTermfacultythroughtheFacultySenateand approvedbytheBoardofTrusteesonJune2,2004.TheBoardofTrusteesmustapproveall changesorrevisionstothesepersonnelpoliciesandprocedures.
SectionBdescribesthosepoliciesthatarerequiredbyfederalorstatelaworbymandateof the Board of Trustees. Generally, the Faculty Senate and the President jointly develop procedures for the implementation of these policies, asneeded.
Part III.Academic Policies, describes policies and procedures that guide the implementation of academic standards. The Regular and Term Faculty guides the development of these policies, but such policies must be approved by the Administration of Fort Lewis College. The Academic Standards Committee of the Faculty Senate and the College Office of Academic Affairs are responsiblefortheimplementationandenforcementofthesepolicies.Thesepoliciesdonotneedto beapprovedbytheBoardofTrustees.
Part IV. Informational And Advisory Statements, describes miscellaneous guidelines for the Regular and Term Faculty and College Administration.
Part V. Faculty Senate Policy For Proposing Amendments To Parts II-V, describes process for proposing and approval of amendments. This policy has not been adopted or approved by the Board or the College administration.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions are agreed upon by the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College, Administration,andthegoverningbodyoftheFacultyofFortLewisCollege,andapplythroughout thisHandbook:
1.“AcademicAdministrators”meansallmembersoftheAcademicFacultywhosepositions do not primarily require teaching or scholarlyactivities.
2.“Academic Faculty” means all employees of the Board holding Tenure or Tenure-track positions; i.e., all Academic Administrators and RegularFaculty.
3.“Administration”meanstheadministrationofFortLewisCollege,includingitsPresident, Vice Presidents and deans (or equivalents), and their designees andstaffs.
4.“Board” means the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College, the governing Board of theCollege.
5.“Probationary Faculty” means all members of the Faculty appointed to a Tenure- track position but who have not been awarded Tenure, includinglibrarians.
6.“Regular Faculty” means all members of the Teaching Faculty holding a Tenure or Tenure- track position in one of the followingcategories:
i)“Full-Time Ranked Faculty” means those faculty members who serve in academic departments or Schools with teaching as their primary duty and are appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, orProfessor.
ii)“Library Faculty” means those faculty members who serve in the Library and are appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor Librarian, Associate Professor Librarian, or ProfessorLibrarian.
ii) “Instructor” means those faculty members who have not completed their terminal degree in their area of specialization and are actively working toward degree completion.
7.“Tenure” means the contractual right to continuous yearly appointment by the Board until resignation or retirement, subject to dismissal or termination onlyin accordance with the Personnel Policies stated in thisHandbook.
8.“Tenured Faculty” means all members of the Regular Faculty who have been awarded Tenure and the rank of Associate Professor orProfessor.
9.“Tenure-track” means the eligibility to achieve Tenure for demonstrated merit in teaching, service, scholarly activities, and on the judgment that meritorious performance shall continue in the future. A Tenure-track appointment is an appointment to a permanent positioninanacademicprogram,department,orunitwithoutTenuretooneofthefollowing ranks: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, Assistant Professor Librarian, Associate Professor Librarian, or Professor Librarian.
10.“Term Faculty” means full-time or part-time faculty members who are not eligible for tenure. Term faculty members are subject to the rights, responsibilities, and standards of professional conduct for faculty as specified in this Handbook. The College makes the
following term faculty appointments:
a)“Renewable Faculty” means faculty members appointed with the title of Lecturer or Senior Lecturer with the applicable qualifications and standards for appointment in those ranks. Renewable Faculty may be identified as Senior Lecturer after serving ina Lecturer position for fiveyears.
b)“Visiting Faculty” means all members of the Faculty who hold temporary positions or temporarily hold unfilled permanent positions. A “temporary position” is a position that is either not Tenure-track or is expected to be funded only on a temporary basis. Afacultymemberwithaterminalappointment,becausehe/shedidnotachieveTenure, shall be considered Visiting NonrenewableFaculty.
c)“Adjunct Faculty” means all members of the Faculty who hold part-time faculty appointments that are defined one semester at a time. Adjunct faculty members are hired by departments or Schools on a per-course basis. Their primary obligation is teaching the course(s) for which they are hired; however, Adjunct Faculty are expected to hold office hours to be available to their students outside of class.
PARTI.FACULTYCONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
Fort Lewis College is committed to the growth, perpetuation and application of knowledge. Legal authority to govern Fort Lewis College is vested by the Colorado State Legislature in the College Board of Trustees (the Board). In accordance with the principle of academic freedom, the Faculty has responsibility for academic matters, including guiding the curriculum and related scholarly activity. The Faculty has a solemn professional commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence in knowledge and learning and to govern itself in thispursuit.
ARTICLE I.THEFACULTY
Subject to state law and Board and Administration policy, the Faculty of Fort Lewis College governs itself in the pursuit of academic excellence.
•AFacultySenate, arepresentativebodydulyelectedbyandfromtheFaculty,ishereby established.
•Facultygovernanceisherebydelegatedbythe Facultyto theFacultySenatewhichis empowered to act on behalf of theFaculty.
•Fort Lewis College is an equal opportunity institution. The Faculty Senate and any committee, body or agent acting under its authority will not discriminate on the basisof race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability or sexualorientation.
ARTICLE II. THE FACULTY SENATE: PURPOSES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
The Faculty Senate serves as the primary governing, advisory and review body of the Faculty. The Faculty Senate
•hasresponsibilityandauthority,withinthelimitsdelegatedbytheBoard,regardingthe conduct of academic matters, including issues of academic freedom, curricular design, academic standards, requirements for conferring academic degrees and certificates and other matters under the normal purview of the academicprofession.
•shall advise the Board of Trustees and the College President on matters pertaining tothe College, including the appointment of the College President and the appointment of College wide administrativeofficials.
•shall advise the College administration on the preparation of the annual budget and its allocation to operational units; on equipment and physical facilities; and on themission, goals and objectives of theCollege.
•shall review academic programs and policies. Examples include policies governing intellectualproperty,studentacademicconductandoperationoftheCollegelibraries.
•shallreviewandmakerecommendationsonpoliciesandproceduresdirectlyaffectingthe Faculty, including, but not limited to, academic freedom; tenure and promotions; appointments, reappointments and dismissals; teaching loads; working conditions; salary schedules or other compensation or benefits; retirement, sabbatical or other leaves;issues of employment; and the reorganization of academicunits.
The Faculty Senate, through its review and advisory functions, serves as an integral participant in the governance of Fort Lewis College and its planning processes. The Senate shall be provided with reasonable financial and space resources and staff assistance. Reassigned time shall be provided for the President of the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Member of the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP AND ELECTION
Section1.The Senate shall consist of 24 senators and a President of theFacultySenate, totaling 25people:
a.The President of the Faculty Senate is elected at large by the Faculty(the Faculty is defined as those faculty members eligible to vote as defined in section 2 of thisArticle).
b.One Faculty Member of the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees is electedat large by theFaculty.
c.One senator is elected from the faculty of the College libraries. In the case that no faculty reside in the College libraries, this senate seat would be elected atlarge.
d.One senator is elected from the faculty of the TeacherEducation.
e.Two senators are elected from full-time, non-Tenure-trackfaculty.