Lynett Board Room, Nazareth Hall

Faculty Senate Minutes

3:00 PM, January 13, 2012

Senators and Alternates Voting: Phil Jenkins, Joe Polizzi, Ed O’Brien, Shamshad Ahmed, Trish Arter, Tammy Brown, Frank DeMatteo, Joanne Christaldi, Lori Swanchak, Packiaraj Arumugham, Mary Ann Zimmer, Alex Vari, Laurie Cassidy, Linda Partridge, Sam Olfano, Rick Hoffenberg, Annette Fisher, James Eckler.

Others present: Monica Pierri-Galvao, Charles Truitt, Shelby Yeager, Bill Conlogue, Pat Seffrin

Minutes submitted by Gail Cabral.

Topic Discussion Action Discussion with Dr. Dunleavy answered questions that had arisen after the introduction of six Dr. Pat Dunleavy proposals at the December senate meeting. Regarding the issue of benefits in the Professional Leave of Absence policy, Dr. Dunleavy said that the retirement and tuition benefits would be at the same level or cost to the employee as if the employee were not on leave. At the December meeting the source of the definition of retirement added at the end of the Tuition Remission Benefit policy had been raised. Dr. Dunleavy explained that this is the same definition of retirement that is used throughout the Faculty Handbook. In order to clarify that retired faculty may pursue their professional work, or part-time work, Dr. Dunleavy suggested that the statement be amended to say “who have attained the age of 62 or older and who are not working full-time for any other employer.

Dr. Dunleavy explained that because of the price of Mac computers, the maximum amount of a computer loan should continue to be $2000. Minutes of Dec. Phil Jenkins moved and Shamshad Ahmed seconded the approval of the The minutes were approved 2nd minutes of Dec. 2nd. unanimously as written.

Family and Rick Hoffenberg moved and Linda Partridge seconded the acceptance of the The proposal was approved Medical Leave proposal on Family and Medical Leave. unanimously.

Leave of absence Phil Jenkins moved and Mary Ann Zimmer seconded the proposal for leave of The proposal was approved for personal absence for personal reasons. There was no discussion. unanimously. reasons Professional leave Phil Jenkins moved and Linda Partridge seconded the proposed changes in After discussion of the rewording, this of absence the professional leave of absence policy. There was a typo in the original proposal was approved unanimously. document which was corrected, and the phrase “as if the employee were not on leave” was added. The following is the complete wording of the first sentence in the second paragraph.

While not paid a salary during the leave, the individual would still be covered by the University’s health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, disability insurance, retirement benefits and tuition benefits at the same level and cost to the employee as if the employee were not on leave.

Mary AnnInterruption Zimmer moved of Mary Ann Zimmer moved and Shamshad Ahmed seconded the approval of This proposal was approved the proposalfaculty on service interruptit the policy on interruption of faculty service unanimously.

Tuition remission Senators discussed the exclusion of dissertation credits from the tuition that This proposal was unanimously benefit may be remitted. Originally faculty were paid for each instance of chairing or approved as amended on page 2, and serving on a dissertation committee. That policy was changed at the time of with the addition of “full-time” in the retirement description. the change of regular faculty workload from 4:4 to 4:3. Since there is no additional cost of faculty salary when a student is working on his/her Four senators (Joe Polizzi, Annette dissertation, senators agreed that this aspect of the policy should be Fisher, Lori Swanchak, and Joanne changed. After some discussion about wording, the following amendment Christaldi) agreed to do research about was moved by Ed O’Brien and seconded by Laurie Cassidy: the use of emeritus status at other universities. On page 2, first full paragraph: Employees are eligible for tuition remission in undergraduate programs, master’s degree programs, and doctoral programs; excluded are doctoral internship courses. The amendment was unanimously approved. Lori Swanchak moved and Ed O’Brien seconded the proposal with the added amendment.

The criteria for becoming officially retired were discussed at some length. It was agreed that this should be a topic at a future Senate meeting. The issue of emeritus status was discussed. Sr. Gail agreed to bring more information about benefits current retirees hold.

University plan Faculty were pleased to hear that the maximum loan would remain at $2000. This proposal was tabled, awaiting more for personal There was considerable discussion of a greater need for the loan among first information. computers year faculty who may be just beginning their career; the vote on this proposal was tabled in light of the need for more information, especially regarding the rate at which these loans are not paid back and whether the loan defaults are by faculty or staff. Senators felt there was a need for clearer procedures regarding the selection of one’s first at-work computer, and the availability of used University computers for home use.

Stipulations Senators indicated that the stewardship of grants should allow for the most Faculty asked for more information regarding choice advantageous prices in order to meet as fully as possible the goals of the about the obligations of grantees, and of vendors when grant. To do otherwise appears contrary to the spirit of Marywood’s mission the relationships of the researcher, the spending funds University, and the grantor. and to the strategic goal of appropriate use of resources. The Marywood- from external grants required vendor may not be the most suitable because of price, timing or expertise. In addition, if monies available for the purposes of the grant are not used most judiciously, Marywood’s reputation and identity are compromised. Several faculty involved in different grants provided examples of poor use of funds. It also appears that the process of getting a special dispensation from the restriction of using only approved vendors sometimes takes weeks.

The issue of vendors who have a monopoly on campus also raised questions regarding fairness to students, for campus-related activities.