IU Northwest Faculty Organization Minutes, February 1997

FACULTY ORGANIZATION MINUTES
February 21, 1997

Call to Order/Approval of Minutes
Chair Don Coffin called the meeting to order at 10:10am. The minutes of January 17, 1997 were approved as distributed.
Chancellor's Business
The Chancellor was out of town.
Vice Chancellor's Business
- A. TERA Awards. VC Veeder replied to several questions received by her office about the TERA awards process. The award's guidelines are not more specific than those already distributed and were purposefully left broad. The Teaching Committee will be reviewing applications and making recommendations regarding possible changes in the process.
  In response, a faculty member recalled that all faculty members would be eligible for the award, and that the current discussion was not moving in that direction, but sounded like participation was optional. Both VC Veeder and Chair Don Coffin explained that the short time periods imposed by the Board of Trustees and the volume of paper work required for all faculty to be considered for the award necessitated an abbreviated application process. In the future it is anticipated that the awards process will be closely linked with annual reviews and not require separate paper work to be submitted.
  Discussion ensued regarding the criteria for excellent teaching. It was pointed out that good teaching is best observed and that the TERA guidelines do not contain an observation portion. Furthermore, since the award rests upon written self-evaluation, it seems that it is more of a writing award--who can best present themselves on paper. Don Szarkowicz, Chair of the Teaching Committee, pointed out that one of TERA's purposes was to stimulate discussion on what constitutes good teaching, and there will be future opportunities to discuss TERA. Finally, it was noted that the award could be divisive.
- B. Health Plan Coverage. VC Veeder talked with Bloomington benefits coordinator Dan Rives. The main issue concerns people living outside Indiana but within 30 miles of a preferred provider. IUN administration will try to identify and contact individuals affected. Regarding the provider lists, it was suggested they be placed on the World Wide Web for easy access and updating. If you have any questions, please contact Deloris Rice or use the 800 number on your insurance card.
- C. Computer upgrades and requests. Lab upgrades may free up faster computers to fulfill requests, which will be prioritized at the division level. Faculty members inquired about how much money was available and if money was taken from the upgrade fund for the travel fund. The VC said there was no clearly delineated amount and that money was not taken from the upgrade fund for travel.
- D. Training. There will be training sessions on sexual harassment and service responsibility. Some units are beginning to write service missions.
- E. VC Awards. The VC's office will be giving awards for service, creative activities and scholarship. A committee will make the final decisions.
- F. Distinguished ranks. The VC and the Chancellor will be discussing the issue with the Executive Committee.
- G. Off Campus Sites. A total of 62 new students were obtained through the off campus sites; 52 of the new students were at the Portage Commons site.
- H. Honorary Degrees. VC Veeder encouraged the faculty to start thinking about candidates for honorary degrees. A candidate need not have a tie to the University. Submit names to Mark Hoyert.
Chair's Business
- A. Lilly Grants for retention--Mary Ann Baker, IU Southeast
  IU is receiving 8 million dollars from the Endowment. Lilly is concerned that Indiana is not producing enough bachelor degree students, therefore it is anticipated that the money will be used for retention. While no guidelines have been specified, three committees have been appointed: Bloomington, IUPUI, and a regional campus committee. Patti Lorimer Lundberg and Marilyn Vasquez are IUN's representatives to the regional campus committee.
  Ms. Baker indicated that Lilly is expecting a unified proposal with goals and objectives. The three committees are focusing on the following:
  - I. Instructional Enhancement
    - a. Enhancements to introductory courses
    - b. Enhancements to foundation skills courses (ie: reading, writing and mathematics.)
  - II. Extra curricular support (ie: mentoring, tutoring, supplemental instruction.)
  - III. Co-curricular support (ie: career development, identifying majors)
  Faculty comments and Ms. Baker's responses are summarized as follows:
  Fac: Lilly seems mis-focused. Should be focusing on student's pre-college experiences and education to prepare students for college.
  Baker: Lilly has chosen to focus on students already in a university.
  Fac: The committees focus seems to be on curriculum rather than on analyzing student's lifestyles and the affects of those lifestyles--type of student should be the focus.
  Baker: There's some overlap, and Lilly does not want this money used for research but to implement plans of action. This will not be the retention effort of the University, as there are other retention related activities going on at individual campuses. Lilly's money is meant to augment those efforts.
  Fac: What is the goal of retention--quantity or quality? It is tempting to make admission requirements tougher or lower graduation requirements.
  Baker: Yes, the Committee will emphasize that current standards must be retained. The Committee does not wish to intervene in academic standards at individual campuses.
  Fac: Where does developmental education fit in?
  Baker: Goes back to foundation shills enhancement
  Fac: Is there a profile of those who are dropping out?
  Baker: Yes, there is a profile, which is sent to the Higher Education Commission and breaks down data by socioeconomic and educational achievement levels. This report is being looked at and further break downs are being requested.
  Ms. Baker will be available throughout the day and you may e-mail her your questions, comments, and suggestions at: mabaker@iusmail.ius.indiana.edu or talk to Marilyn Vasquez or Patti Lundberg.
- B. Reminder to turn in Faculty Organization election ballots and evaluations of VC Veeder.
- C. Calendar Committee report will be distributed with the Minutes and on the Agenda of the March Faculty Organization. (See attached)
- D. Resolution to amend the charge of the Academic Affairs Committee will be tabled until next month.
- E. UFC Business.
  - 1. Post tenure review issue has been informally raised by the Board of Trustees. President Brand is opposed to the idea and is forming a university wide committee, which will probably convene in Fall 1998. The idea is to be pro-active and be prepared with a proposal if the Board should pursue the issue further.
  - 2. Tenure ineligible faculty. Discussions on the status of lecturers, clinical professors, etc. began with the introduction of statistical data on use patterns at all the campuses. Interestingly, use patterns among the regional campuses are very similar. The views of the regional campuses towards the issue are more sympathetic then those of Bloomington.
Committee Reports--none
Old Business--none
New Business--none
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00pm.

Submitted by: Ellen Bosman, Secretary

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FACULTY ORGANIZATION

MINUTES

February 21, 1997