IUPUI Faculty Council (“IFC”)

October 2, 2007

MEETING SUMMARY

ACTION ITEMS

ü The minutes of the 9/4/07 IFC were approved as written and entered into record.

ü Nominating Committee Chair Jacqueline Blackwell directed the Council’s attention to the slate of candidates for election at-large to the Campus Promotion and Tenure Committee for the 12/2007-11/2010 terms. The slate was originally presented at the September IFC meeting.

After ballots were distributed and tallied, IFC Executive Committee member Jack Windsor reported [on Blackwell’s behalf] that Bonnie Blazer-Yost had been elected. Per tradition, Windsor then asked for a motion to destroy the ballots. The motion was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously. Vice President Rosalie Vermette thanked the candidates and congratulated Blazer-Yost on her election.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

• IFC President Bart Ng briefed the Council on the following:
• Kathy Marrs (School of Science) has graciously stepped forward to chair the IFC Academic Affairs and University Faculty Council (“UFC”) Educational Policies Committees, respectively.

• The November 6^th IFC meeting will be held from 3:00-3:50pm in the University Place Conference Center Auditorium. It will be immediately followed by the Chancellor’s annual State of the Campus address from 4:00-5:00pm.

• Ng is working to schedule a meeting between the IFC and the Indiana Commission on Higher Education (“ICHE”). He recommended that IFC members review the recent ICHE report: "Reaching Higher: Strategic Directions for Higher Education in Indiana" to begin formulating questions for such a meeting. Additional ICHE documents for discussion will be posted on the IFC homepage as they are available.

• The IFC, Bloomington Faculty Council (“BFC”), and UFC will all be cooperating this year to review and revise the Partially Paid Family Leave plan. Ng, noting that the Board of Trustees has rejected two previous revisions of the policy approved by the UFC, explained that the UFC Fringe Benefits Co-Chairs and UFC Co-Secretaries are “taking a different tack this year.” Co-Secretaries Ng and Lisa Pratt have approached President McRobbie and several Trustees to ensure a collegial and in-depth drafting process.

• The Trustees have not yet acted on the Intellectual Property Policy, on which the IFC, BFC, and UFC worked for nearly two years. The policy, approved by the UFC in Spring 2007, was offered by former IU President Herbert for further review by advisors. Ng is monitoring the progress of said review and will update the IFC as events warrant or should the policy be revised and/or forwarded for Trustee action.

• IU President McRobbie has asked the IFC to recommend faculty, community members, and a chair for Chancellor Bantz’s upcoming five-year review. This review, Ng noted, will focus only on the Chancellor’s role as Chancellor of IUPUI (as opposed to his role as Vice President within the IU system). The IFC Executive Committee has begun work on this but asks for feedback from IFC members. Please forward suggestions (and a brief rationale for each) to Bart Ng.

• Chancellor Bantz briefed the Council on the following:
• He began by thanking the IFC and the [eventual] review committee, in advance, for their work on his upcoming review. Reviews, he noted, are “exceedingly important.”

• He continued by recognizing Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Bob Martin, retiring after being an integral part of the IUPUI campus since 1969. The IFC stood to applaud Martin for his invaluable service.

• Bantz announced several IUPUI events coinciding with Celebrate IU week, including an October 14^th symposium: “Higher Education: A Change Agent in International Development” (4:00-5:30, IUPUI Lecture Hall). The symposium will feature:

Michael A. McRobbie, President, Indiana University

Bethwel Allan Ogot, Chancellor (President), Moi University, Kenya

Joseph J. Mamlin, Professor Emeritus of Medicine (Kenya), Indiana University

Luis Gil Borja, Rector (President), Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Mexico

• He announced an upcoming program showcasing four scholars from the Translating Research into Practice (“TRIP”) initiative, reminding the Council that “TRIP is [an] IUPUI initiative that aims to illustrate, celebrate, and promote how research makes a real difference in people’s lives. Led by Sandra Petronio of the Department of Communication Studies in the School of Liberal Arts, TRIP is part of a broader national movement to show how research connects to everyday life. TRIP will showcase IUPUI research in the community, create translational research opportunities, and bring translational research scholars to the campus to share their work.”

The program, a translational research discussion, will be held on October 15^th from 12:00-1:30 in the University Place Conference Center. The event and luncheon are free to IUPUI faculty, staff, and students. Please make your reservation by e-mailing Maggie McFarlin.

NOTE: Lorraine Blackman and the IFC Metropolitan Affairs Committee have played a critical role in promoting and planning TRIP. Thank you!

o IUPUI will sponsor student information booths and campus tours during the upcoming annual Future Farmers of America convention.

o Faculty are urged to visit the Academic Affairs website for updates on Academic Action Plan committee recommendations and Signature Center proposals and funding.

• IFC Executive Committee member Jeff Watt presented a proposal seeking to create a new faculty—but not faculty council standing—committee to act in an advisory capacity to the administration: the Undergraduate Curriculum Advisory Committee (“UCAC”). The IFC is being asked for its endorsement. In the interest of continued discussion and further examination, the proposal will return for further IFC consideration and possible action in November or December 2007. Read the proposal online here.

IFC Representative John Hassell expressed concerns about the broad quality of Number 6. IFC Executive Committee member Mary Fisher echoed his concern, asking for more explicit language guiding the types of program or course changes that will be addressed by the UCAC.

IFC Representative Bonnie Blazer-Yost asked if, since the UCAC will assume some of the responsibility of the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee (“APPC”) and augment the work of other campus committees, the charges of other campus committees would need to be revised. She also expressed her belief that non-tenure-track faculty should be represented on the committee. Dean of the Faculties Uday Sukhatme agreed that the non-tenure-line voice is a critical once and that non-tenure-track faculty from schools affected by certain discussions should be engaged.

IFC Representative Martin Spechler expressed his support for the policy, noting that it had been a long time in coming. He believes such a committee will facilitate communication, help avoid duplication, and free up resources.

Executive Director of Enrollment Services and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Services Becky Porter reminded the IFC of several campus efforts regarding course remonstrance.

IFC Representative Bill Schneider applauded the statement in the policy emphasizing that “the curriculum is both the prerogative and the responsibility of the faculty.” He asked why the committee is not being recommended as an IFC standing committee. Watt and Vice President Vermette explained that they conceived of this committee as functioning much as the campus Promotion and Tenure Committee functions (a faculty committee that advises the administration). In closing, Schneider suggested that the following sentence could be removed without impacting the original intent of the proposal: “The Dean of the Faculties retains final authority over all curricular matters.” As an administrative advisory committee—should it remain so—the Dean of Faculties authority in the matter is implicit.

IFC Representative Edward Curtis reminded the IFC that this issue and faculty governance are both somewhat new to some first-time IFC members and urged the mentorship of veteran members. Curtis asked that the IFC be given additional time to review the proposal.

Again: the proposal will return for IFC consideration and possible endorsement in November or December 2007.

• Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students Karen Whitney updated the Council on new and continuing policies guiding the allocation of a portion of student activity fees to schools. Whitney noted that changes to the policies and procedures affecting student organizations came about after several years of student dissatisfaction with the existing system. An external review was completed in Spring 2007, identifying transparency, simplicity, and fairness as the core principles for the eventual system. The review recommended three courses of action:
• Create a uniform process for all student organizations.
• Develop a system that emphasizes accountability.
• Increase funding to student organizations.

Whitney noted that her office will be launching a website which describes the amount each unit receives from the fees in question.  Information will also be posted regarding the programs, services, and facilities funded.  NOTE: Click here to download a chart detailing fee distribution [shared by Karen Whitney].

IFC Representatives Rick Ward and Jeff Watt expressed concerns that, while pursuing a more uniform or consistent policy for the allocation of fees, the process should remain mindful of and sensitive to the importance of school-based organizations to campus life and diversity. Other feedback from the Council illustrated a concern that the proportion of the student activity fee that flows directly to the schools, based on head count, should remain consistent with the past funding levels.

Undergraduate Student Government President Trevor Fulk offered his perspective on fee allocation. A position statement [on this issue] from the USG will be circulated to the IFC in the near future.

The IFC asked Vice Chancellor Whitney to return to meet with the IFC in November or December to discuss this issue further.

• Susan Brewer (University Director, Health Care & Welfare Program Services) updated the IFC on the following:
• M-Plan announced last week that it will discontinue offering its HMO to employers effective January 1, 2008. In response to a question from the floor, Brewer explained that M-Plan’s decision was a surprise to everyone, including the university. As a result of M-Plan’s decision, any university employee participating in M-Plan must select another carrier during Open Enrollment this Fall. As a side note, Brewer added that the Blue Preferred Plan is, perhaps, the most similar to the M-Plan HMO.

• Due to rising costs to the university and participants as well as significant attrition from the plan, the Anthem PPO Plus plan will be discontinued in 2009.

• The university is working to offer a “Tobacco-Free Wellness Plan” in the near future.

• University Benefits Open Enrollment begins in mid-October when employees will receive an Open Enrollment booklet informing them of plan details and a statement informing them of the plans in which they are currently enrolled. November 17^th is the deadline for open enrollment. NOTE: Information on plan changes can be found online. Click here.

• The Annual Health & Benefits Fair will be held on Friday October 26th, 9:00am- 3:00pm in the University Place Conference Center (2nd Floor).

· IUPUI United Way Campaign Co-Chair Roger Schmenner impressed upon the IFC the importance of supporting the United Way. Schmenner cited a decline in participation and funds raised and thanked long-time contributors while welcoming new ones. He explained several changes in Key Club levels for the year. View Dr. Schmenner’s presentation here. You can learn more about the campaign (Sept. 14 - Oct. 26) or pledge online on the 2007 United Way Campaign website.

· Chancellor Bantz recognized faculty achieving twenty years of service honoring, especially, attendees Sharon Hamilton, Margaret Richwine, Roger Schmenner, and Darrell Davidson. The Council, then, adjourned to the Conour Atrium for a reception in their honor. Congratulations and thank you for your countless and invaluable contributions!

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6^th FROM 3:00-3:50PM

IN THE UNIVERSITY PLACE CONFERENCE CENTER AUDITORIUM. THE MEETING WILL BE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE CHANCELLOR’S ANNUAL STATE OF THE CAMPUS ADDRESS.

Information about IFC business, meeting schedules, and more are available on our website.