HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Senate Minutes September 10, 2002

Chair MacConnie called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2002, in Nelson Hall East, Room 102 (Goodwin Forum).

Members Present: Adkins, Bicknell, Cheyne, Dalsant, Derden, Dunk, Fonseca, Fulgham, Gill, Goodman, Kinney, Klein, Knox, Little, MacConnie, Marshall (Staff Council), Martin, Meiggs, Mortazavi, Moyer, Novotney, Oliver, O'Rourke-Andrews, Paselk, Paynton, Richmond, Sanford, Schwab, Shellhase, Snyder, Stokes, Thobaben, Travis, Varkey

Members Absent: Coffey

Proxies: Cranston for Yarnall

Guests: M. Boyd, Department of Biological Sciences; S. Butler, Student Affairs; J. Capaccio, Housing; K. Carlton, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; J. Crosbie, Department of Nursing; N. Fendel, CFA; S. Higgins, College of Professional Studies; C. Mueller, Office of the President; V. Phillips, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; D. Schafer, Office of Research & Graduate Studies; S. Smith, College of Natural Resources and Sciences; S. Tuttle, Department of Computing Science; R. Vrem, Office of Undergraduate Studies

1. Approval of Minutes

It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Varkey) to approve the submitted minutes of April 30, 2002. Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION.

2. Announcements and Communications

Chair MacConnie stated that this is an exciting and hopeful time to be part of the Academic Senate, and acknowledged that this body has a unique opportunity to participate in and contribute to a more effective form of shared governance than has been experienced at Humboldt in the past. In an early demonstration of commitment to shared governance, President Richmond added (provisionally) the Academic Senate Chair to the Executive Committee and Chair MacConnie attended her first meeting on July 11, 2002.

A memo has been received from Vice President Steve Butler indicating that he and Dan Collen, Interim Athletic Director, are available to present an update on the status of the Athletics transition from Academic Affairs to Student Affairs. This will be placed on the agenda early this term.

The Faculty Athletic Representative nomination deadline is September 13, 2002. The position has been vacant since July 1 when Gail Fults' term expired. Thanks go to Gail for ten years of hard work and dedication to the university in carrying out the duties of this important position.

President Richmond attended the September 3 Senate Executive Committee meeting during which several issues were discussed, some of which will be addressed today. The Senate Executive Committee consists of the Senate Chair, the Faculty Affairs Committee Chair (Senate Vice Chair), the Educational Policies Committee Chair (Senate Secretary), the Student Affairs Committee Chair, the Finance Committee Chair, the University Curriculum Committee Chair, the General Faculty President, the CSU Statewide Senators (two), the past Academic Senate Chair and the California Faculty Association Chapter President.

Reports from the Enrollment Management Office indicate that as of September 6, 2002, enrollment for fall term is 222 students more than this time last year. Ron Maggiore will be invited to a future senate meeting to present a more detailed report.

The Student Affairs Committee and the Equal Rights and Diversity Committee each need a senator in order to have complete membership. Please notify Greta or Chair MacConnie if you are is interested in serving on one of these committees.

Contained at the end of the packet is the phone list. Please check for accuracy and notify Greta of any changes. Also attached to the packet is the tentative Senate calendar.

Chair MacConnie reminded senators that there is a schedule of events for the Day of Remembrance and Reflection tomorrow.

As indicated on your agenda, senators are invited to meet with President Richmond at a reception to be held in Windows Café immediately following today's meeting.

3. Committee and State Senate Reports

Statewide Senate - Senator Snyder announced that the proposal to raise the minimum number of units from 56 to 60 units for transfer students from the community colleges will be voted on soon, and any input on this topic would be appreciated.

Educational Policies - The Committee has met and discussed the 4CSU proposal from the CSU system in partnership with the community college system. This proposal is targeted at students entering a community college who have decided to which CSU campus they wish to transfer and what their major will be. It involves making a contract between the student and the CSU institution of choice and the major department of choice. The probability is that the course of study at the community college would include 48 units of general education and 12 units of major courses that have been approved by the CSU and the department. The Committee is preparing a recommendation that will be forwarded to the Senate Executive Committee next week.

Faculty Affairs - No report.

CFA - Chapter President Travis announced that on September 27 the Cal Poly Humboldt Labor Council will be hosting a luncheon reception for President Richmond in Goodwin Forum. All members of the CFA are invited and will receive notification of this event. Ballots for the Calpers Board of Directors election will be sent to the home address of state employees. It is hoped that there will be broad support for George Diehr who is running for this position. This is a critical election given the state of health benefits in California. A rally will be held on campus September 30.

UCC - The Committee has met. Time was spent organizing the work for the upcoming year and forming subcommittees.

Student Affairs - No report.

General Faculty - The committee constituted last academic year to review the bylaws and constitution of the faculty will be meeting this term; there are a couple of items that require the vote of the general faculty and they will be included on the spring ballot.

OAA - Vice President Stokes reported that the OAA Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for September 11; additional information will follow.

4. Resolution of Welcome and Support for Cal Poly Humboldt President Rollin Richmond (#01-02/03-EX)

It was moved and seconded (Cheyne/Little) to place the resolution on the floor.

WHEREAS, Beginning July 1, 2002, Dr. Rollin C. Richmond assumed his duties as the new President of Cal Poly Humboldt; and

WHEREAS, In support of Dr. Rollin Richmond's presidency, he was accompanied to Arcata by his wife, Dr. Ann Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Since July 1, 2002, President Richmond has engaged in numerous activities which demonstrate an open, consultative and collaborative style of leadership; and

WHEREAS, The faculty, staff and students of Cal Poly Humboldt welcome the opportunity to participate in meaningful shared governance; and

WHEREAS, The faculty, staff and students of Cal Poly Humboldt desire and appreciate leadership that seeks out, encompasses and reflects diverse perspectives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt extend to Dr. Rollin Richmond and his wife, Dr. Ann Richmond, our warmest welcome and sincere wishes for a rewarding experience in Humboldt County and at Cal Poly Humboldt; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt commend President Richmond on the consultative and collaborative nature of the initiatives he has undertaken since assuming his Presidency, and express its confidence in this approach to leadership; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Cal Poly Humboldt commits itself to working with President Richmond in embracing those practices that will enhance communication, facilitate shared governance, and promote our educational mission.

Voting occurred and MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Overview of Objectives for the Academic Year - [President Richmond]

Chair MacConnie introduced President Richmond and provided the senators with a short biography of President Richmond's education, qualifications and accomplishments. President Richmond expressed his appreciation for the resolution, acknowledged his pleasure at being Humboldt's new president and stated that he intends to attend the senate meetings as often as his schedule will allow.

President Richmond distributed a handout (and provided senators with a simultaneous power point presentation) listing ideas and directions for the university. He invited comment from the senators.

Issues for consideration outlined by President Richmond included:

1. The status of the search for a Vice President for Administrative and Development Affairs
2. The status of the university budget
3. Student enrollment
4. Organizational issues including: addition of the senate chair to the University Executive Committee; President's cabinet and council; the Foundation; and Advancement
5. Diversity and Common Ground Recertification
6. A process for developing a strategic plan and a master plan
7. An update on the BSS and Daly Buildings

Budget - This year's base budget is approximately $2.7 billion. The governor may reduce the budget by $750 - $900 million; it is not known what cuts will be made, but the CSU may be affected. The trustees will be meeting next week so additional information may be available after that meeting.

Humboldt Budget - The difference between the general fund appropriation for 2001/02 and 2002/03 is approximately $1 million; however, there are some mandatory reductions of approximately $1.5 million and some mandatory spending increases of approximately $3.6 million. Preliminary reports indicate that the university will need to reduce its budget by approximately $1.5 million; however, it is important to remember that the budget is still fluid.

Ways to Reduce the University Budget - The university has approximately $1.8 million in reserves. President Richmond stated that he believes Humboldt should allocate the $1.5 million reduction across the vice presidential and presidential units in anticipation of having to take some additional cuts, as well as anticipation of other needs such as augmenting the academic budget and developing a master plan. The two ways to allocate this cut include 1) a simple pro-rata reduction based on the May revised budget; or 2) review unit mission and purpose and make some differential cuts across the vice presidential and presidential areas. President Richmond prefers the latter of these two choices but would like to hear senators' perspectives. According to President Richmond, using the reserves and not asking the different units to take a cut would not be fiscally prudent since it would leave the university with no reserve of resources to cover any unforeseen budget issues.

Faculty Search Allocation - The CSU has agreed with the CFA to recruit 1200 new tenure-track faculty; Humboldt's allocation is 25 recruitments.

Humboldt Fall 2002 Enrollments - The total headcount for this year is up 2 percent over last year, as is the FTE. The average unit load is down by only 0.1 percent.

The President's Cabinet - This group would consist of the executive committee, academic deans, directors, general faculty president, the CSU senate representative and the Associated Students President. Meetings would occur bimonthly, and the purpose of this group would be to provide a broader decision-making perspective on university issues such as budget reductions and decisions that may be made by the president of a campus (i.e., smoking on campuses) but should be a community decision.

The President's Council - This group would be an information transfer system. It is a large group and includes everyone on the President's Cabinet, as well as administrative affairs deans and directors, student affairs directors, members of the Academic Senate Executive Committee, department chairs, the university budget director, a staff representative, a labor council representative and students. Meetings would occur at least twice each term and provide an opportunity for information to be exchanged among its members and disseminated to the campus.

President Richmond will chair both the President's Cabinet and the Council. He would like to establish these two committees now and then review their work in a year or so to determine if they are meeting the university's needs. He is willing to visit the senate at any time. In addition, President Richmond stated that he believes that if the cabinet structure is adopted, then the functions of the URPBC should be revisited. There is a proposal coming to the executive committee to discuss the formation of a new committee that would report to the facilities director. If this committee is established, then a part of the function of the URPBC would be removed so an overall review of the URPBC would be timely.

Diversity and Common Ground Recertification - This is the final year of a three-year process; approximately seven or eight courses have been recertified out of 100+ courses. It is important that these courses be recertified and that the involved departments become active in this recertification process. Given the time frame, it is possible that courses may be recertified in Spring 2003 and available for students to take in Fall 2003; however, such classes will not be listed in the schedule or the catalog.

Strategic Plan - Since the current strategic plan is approximately five years old, it is important to reconsider it. It also is important for a master plan to be developed. Both of these processes need to be completed with broad consultation including faculty, staff, students and members of the local community. One approach is to create a steering committee and ask that committee to generate a system for developing these plans. In all likelihood, most of the academic year will be needed in order to have this in place by Fall 2003.

BSS Building - Efforts are continuing to move forward with the BSS Building. It is believed that this building is needed, and it is important that Humboldt not lose the approximate $18 million that will come to campus if Proposition 47 passes. Efforts also are being made to mitigate some of the concerns of residents living in close proximity to the building's proposed location. Moving the building to another location probably would result in the loss of the money Humboldt may receive because of Proposition 47. The best decision seems to be do not change the location; just search for the best positioning on the selected site. Additional information on how much movement is available on this site will be provided at a meeting tonight, and legal advice has been sought regarding this possibility.

Daly Building - The building has been sold to a developer who intends to sell a portion of the facility to a theatre group in Eureka. It is not clear what will be done with the remainder of the building.

Search for Vice President for Administrative & Development Affairs - This search was started last academic year and two candidates were invited to campus by President Richmond. The position was offered to Dr. Stauffer, but he declined. A search probably will be reopened as soon as possible. Any ideas regarding suitable candidates for this position may be forwarded to President Richmond.

President Richmond stated that he looks forward to working with the senate and is anxious for dialogue on any of these issues or other concerns of the senators.

Discussion included the following:

Concern was expressed regarding the role of the cabinet and its relationship to other existing committees that make recommendations on the same issues. [President Richmond stated that he is not sure about this role, but would appreciate any input. URPBC is the most significant group in this regard, and it may be that this committee's structure will be reconsidered if the president's cabinet is established.] [The word implementation is contained in the definition of the cabinet because any decision made by this group may require the involvement of certain groups or areas on campus. Adding bargaining representatives to the cabinet may not be appropriate but President Richmond will look into this.]

The structure of the President's Cabinet was questioned. Some issues will go before the cabinet and the senate; how can senators be assured that significant policy issues regarding faculty will not go just to the cabinet and bypass the senate? [The cabinet's membership includes three faculty members including the senate chair, the statewide senator and the general faculty president who would be in a position to bring information to the senate and ensure a close liaison between the senate and the cabinet. The cabinet is not envisioned as a vote-taking body so that although there are many more administrators than faculty on the cabinet, faculty need not worry about being outvoted by sheer numbers. President Richmond stated that he would be willing to outline this belief in a written document that would make it clear to all that this is not an attempt to strengthen the power of the administration over the academic senate.]

An agenda will be posted so that, if appropriate, there will be an opportunity for increased input on a particular item.

Other concerns regarding the cabinet include its size, which seems large and unwieldy, and the fact that often those who become administrators become separated from what faculty are doing so that interpretations of what ought to be done differ between these two groups. [President Richmond stated he does not disagree with these concerns; however, the cabinet is an effort to bring together a diversity of perspectives. It is an experiment. Why not give it a chance and then review it in a year or so.]

The primary function of the President's Council is to provide a forum in which both a formal and informal exchange of information can occur. It is an opportunity for individuals who need to work together to gain a better understanding of the other's perspective. It also is an opportunity for the President and his colleagues to be able to answer questions from anyone regarding a variety of issues and in this way perhaps prevent the spread of rumors and facilitate the transfer of accurate information.

Regarding the strategic plan, a primary concern is that it be the result of broad consultation. Several areas need to be addressed: where will the university be in the next five to ten years in terms of its academic strengths; what changes need to be made to the organization of the university, both academic and administrative; and the governance structure of the university and the administrative structure need to be reviewed. President Richmond recommended the creation of a broadly constituted steering committee whose responsibility would be to organize the process by which a strategic plan would be reviewed and adopted. Appropriate resources would be provided to the committee. Some of the processes from approximately seven years ago may prove useful. The final document would then be discussed widely both on and off campus before its final adoption.

Concern regarding enrollment was expressed. If Humboldt reaches its target, that is a significant increase and no additional monies will be received for this increase. How will the campus be able to accommodate the additional students without additional funding. [Humboldt does have the best student to faculty ratio in the CSU, and the quality of education here points to that ratio. Some classes will lend themselves to larger size classes and this option may be utilized. Humboldt has an obligation as a part of the CSU to provide a good education to students and an ethical obligation to provide more opportunities to students here. President Richmond believes that the campus can accommodate another 500 students without a significant decrement in the quality of the education students receive.] [Many questions need to be asked before a comparison of offered classes and student to faculty ratio among the 23 campuses can be made. The strategic plan process ought to address this issue in a systematic manner.]

A straw vote was taken regarding the senates' position on establishing the cabinet and the council now and then reevaluating their usefulness in one year. Senators were generally supportive of the idea, with two no votes being cast.

It was moved and seconded (Fulgham/Klein) to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting adjourned 5:25 p.m.