Faculty Senate to the Missouri Association of Faculty Senates

Faculty Senate to the Missouri Association of Faculty Senates Lincoln University October 6, 2009 Submitted by: Debra F. Greene, Ph.D. Faculty Senate Chair

Important motions/issue addressed:

FS 2008-2009-01: Changes to Senate Bylaws – the chairpersons of the Senate Standing Committees – Educational Policy, General Education and Curriculum – are the Senate representatives to the University Shared Governance Committee (USGC). The Senate chair and the Staff Council chair will serve as chairs for the USGC. Section 2.50 – Standing Committees of the University deleted from Senate Bylaws (approved 10/30/2008). FS2008-2009-02: Changes to Senate Bylaws – Senate quorum changed from 50% +1 to 35% of the on-campus Senate members (approved 1/29/2009). FS2008-2009-03: Changes to Honors graduation designations – All academic coursework from other colleges and universities accepted for transfer credit toward a degree at Lincoln University shall be included in the computation of the student’s official grade point average for the purpose of granting convocation and graduation honors (approved 1/29/2009). FS2008-2009-04: New program in Nursing Science area – Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology (approved 1/29/2009). FS2008-2009-07: approved new Faculty Evaluation document as presented by the Ad Hoc Committee on Faculty Evaluation (approved 3/26/2009). FS 2008-2009-08: approved Distance Learning Policy presented by the Educational Policies Committee with changes imposed by the Senate body. FS2008-2009-09: approved forming an Ad Hoc committee of the University to develop a policy on Intellectual Property (approved 4/30/2009). FS2008-2009-10: approved forming an Ad Hoc committee to draft a Senate Resolution in opposition to HB 668 – An Act Permitting Concealed Weapons on College and University Campuses (Faculty Senate Resolution No. 1 attached) (approved 4/30/2009) Lincoln University of Missouri Faculty Senate Resolution No. 1 Relating to opposition to Missouri House of Representatives House Bill No. 668 WHEREAS, many empirical studies show that an increase in the number of guns is associated with an increase in gun-related violence, and there is little evidence to indicate that an increase in the number of guns is associated with the prevention of crime; and WHEREAS, college students are in an age group with a higher propensity for suicide compared to other age groups; and WHEREAS, alcohol use among college students is common, and alcohol intoxication is associated with aggression; and WHEREAS, learning is best accomplished in an environment free from the potential threat of concealed weapons; and WHEREAS, an increase in the number of guns on campus increases the danger, risk, and complexity of campus security from a law enforcement perspective; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, school board officials, riverboat gambling owners and managers, ministers of churches and amusement parks, still have the authority to limit or prohibit concealed weapons within their boundaries, and WHEREAS, it is in the interest of Lincoln University that its Board of Curators maintain its governance over the campus environment, including the power to set policy regarding concealed weapons on the campus and all other university property, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the members of the Lincoln University Faculty Senate that permitting concealed weapons on campuses of higher learning institutions will increase rather than decrease campus violence, that the Faculty Senate opposes HB 668 and urges the Missouri General Assembly to defeat this legislation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution was approved by the Lincoln University Faculty Senate during its regular session, April 30, 2009; and the Faculty Senate chairperson has been instructed to deliver it to the appropriate Lincoln University and Missouri State government officials. FS2008-2009-11: approved a new minor curriculum in Interdisciplinary International Studies presented by the Curriculum Committee with changes imposed by the Senate body (approved 4/30/2009). FS 2009-2010-01: approved the following changes to the language of 3.36.3 Vacation for Academic Faculty on Academic Year Contracts (6.41; no changes) During the academic year contract period, times when classes are not in session, such as spring and winter break, are generally assumed to constitute vacation with pay for academic faculty on nine-month appointments. University business, however, may require that these faculty members attend meetings or prepare reports or perform other essential tasks during what would normally be considered "vacations." Such participation may legitimately be required by administrative officers, college deans, department heads, and university committee chairpersons (approved 9/24/2009).

FS 2009-2010-02: approved the following changes to the language of 3.05 Colleges: Leadership (4.13; revised) Each college shall be headed by a dean. The dean shall have the academic rank of professor. Deans are selected by the president of the university upon recommendation of a screening committee. The search for appropriate candidates must be conducted in accordance with the university’s hiring practices and procedures. The dean shall be appointed for a term of one, two, or three years and shall be eligible for reappointment. Reappointment shall be at the discretion of the president and shall be based upon recommendation of the vice president for Academic Affairs. Prior to reappointment of a dean, the VPAA shall initiate a systematic, anonymous evaluation of the dean by department heads and faculty members of the college; and

3.06 Academic Departments: Leadership (4.16, 4.17, 4.18; revised) In line with the university’s regular yearly evaluation cycle, the dean will initiate a systematic, anonymous evaluation of the department head by departmental faculty. Prior to reappointment to a new term as department head, the dean will initiate a department faculty vote on whether or not to retain the department head. If the majority of the faculty vote to retain the department head, the dean will review the evaluations and recommendation and forward her/his recommendation to the VPAA. If the majority of the faculty vote against retaining the department head, the college dean will initiate the search for a new department head. A department head may be relieved of her/his duties at any time by the president (approved 9/24/2009).

FS 2009-2010-03: approved the following changes to the language of 8.53 Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement (12.15; minor revisions) It is the policy of Lincoln University to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The university has established a discrimination grievance procedure. This complaint and grievance procedure is for any type of alleged discrimination regarding job decisions, employment practices, and other terms of employment or privileges of employment based on age, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, religion sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, this complaint procedure pertains to a hostile work environment or harassment based on age, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, religion sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Any Lincoln University employee or job applicant has a right to file a complaint of discrimination. Information pertaining to the filing of a complaint is kept on file in Human Resources. (See sections 8.76, 8.77, and 8.78.) (approved 9/24/2009)

Important campus news: Effective July 1, 2009, the management of the university IT system, Datatel “Colleague” ERP system was brought in-house. Out decade long contract with Sungard Collegis was not renewed. Lincoln now has a chief Information officer, a director of administrative IT and a director of academic IT.

Safi Mohammad Hussein, Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock for Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, visited Lincoln and the university’s Carver Farm in August to learn more about the institution’s work and research projects in agriculture and aquaculture. Lincoln has been researching improved methods of growing vegetables and herbs, using hydroponic techniques since 2005.

Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan was the speaker for the 2009 Constitution Day celebration. She spoke on individuals and constitutional change. A new academic department, Library and Information Science, has been formed and will be housed in the College of Behavioral and Technological Sciences.

Lincoln is hosting an Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellow, Mr. Mamlakat Abduhamedova from Uzbekistan. Mr. Abduhamedova is working toward an M.B.A. The Muskie program averages 3,000 applications per year with a 5% rate of acceptance.

The Center for Suicide Prevention Research and Studies has secured $2.7 million in grant funding for FY 2010. Research will be focused on domestic violence as well as continued suicide prevention training for the Army.

Under One Sun, Lincoln University’s Student Art and Literature Journal is now online at http://www.linolnu.edu/pages/618/asp.

The Historic District Accessibility Route/ Pathway intended to provide better access to that part of the campus, relieves traffic between Lincoln and Jefferson City High school and access to the hilltop quadrangle and the Soldiers’ Memorial has been completed.

Benefits information – update, changes: Compensation and Benefits committee now in meetings; anticipate a percentage increase from insurance company but no major changes in coverage Salary information – update, changes: No increases except those related to promotion.

Budget information – An operating budget of $38,044,067 with an auxiliary budget of $5,810,972 for fiscal year 2010 was approved by the Board of Curators during its June meeting