ARIZONA FACULTIES COUNCIL
Arizona Faculties Council Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, August 10, 2006
Place: Coconino Room 224, Memorial Union
Time Frame: 12:00-1:45 p.m.
Present:
Marc Ford, NAU, Arizona Faculty Council President (2006-2007) and NAU Senate Past President, Gary Anders, ASU at the West campus Senate President, Duane Roen, ASU at Tempe campus Senate President, invited guest: Michael Hunter, Board of Regents Legislative Consultant, Bill Alexander, UA South Faculty Forum President, Susan Mattson, ASU at the Tempe campus Senate Past President, and ASU at the Downtown campus interim Senate President, Marsha Yowell, NAU Senate President, Blasé Scarnati, NAU Senate President-Elect, Wanda Howell, UA Senate Chair of the Faculty, Darby Shaw, Tempe Senate Office Executive Assistant, Robert Mitchell, UA Senate Vice-Chair of the Faculty and Presiding Officer of the Senate
The meeting was called order by Marc Ford and introductions around the table followed.
Topic One: Study of the syllabus - offensive content statement
NAU now plans to discuss this further and come up with a policy statement. They will consider aligning with the other campus statements for a system view. Michael Hunter of the ABOR staff was invited to give guidance to the committee.
Discussion Points:
· The idea is to have good communication between the faculty and students through the syllabus about what is being taught in the class. All agreed.
· Using the word "sensitive" really is meant to imply that the receiver has some sensitivity. No one should be made into the "offender" either by identifying that they are "sensitive" to what is placed on the syllabus, or for having placed it on the syllabus or teaching that subject in the classroom.
· The responsibility of the syllabus content remains with the faculty. The goal is to inform students of the content of the class curriculum and activities. We are hoping for some parity among the institutions on this issue but realize that each institution may have a different policy or view.
· Each Senate president reported on what they are doing at their senates so far. UA has a policy in place as of a year ago before this issue came up for consideration. NAU is going to discuss this further. ASU does things administratively to handle issues that come up related to syllabus and course content which students may object to. ASU has several campuses now; it must be processed there also within each senate. ASU's University Academic Council has considered the UA statement.
· Marsha Yowell provided AFC with some ABOR commentary on this issue prior to this meeting, from the ABOR minutes and published legislative conversation. There are legal implications in the language we formulate and in putting this into a syllabus for our students, but each individual campus must decide the matter. Hopefully, we will have a system view too, but there should not be enforcement involved.
· It was suggested that we work behind the scenes with our administrators and key legislators to test the waters with the language we do decide upon.
· Timing may be an issue. For instance, if UA decides to shift their position after NAU and ASU decide upon their campus statements, based on the one that UA has already adopted, then that may cause academic as well as political fallout.
· There is no problem in letting our students know what is expected of them on our syllabus. The AAUP statement refers to using "restraint" in what we do in our classrooms. There is "responsibility" indicated for faculty in the classroom to be cognizant of sensitivities of their student populations.
· We are hoping to "notify" instead of "warn" our students. Be "sensitive" and not "offensive," and communicate this to them in our syllabi. There is no university wide policy from a curriculum standpoint as the faculty are responsible for what they teach in their classroom.
· Better to approach this from what should be placed in a syllabus. Has this issue been fully aired among our faculties yet?
Topic: Global Warming
Marc wanted to know specifically if the other campus' senates are dealing with this issue and if the AFC might consider a consensus resolution or statement to address global warming as a group today, and then consider taking their joint statement/comments back to their individual senates for further discussion.
Points of Discussion
· This is a single important topic for the future of Arizona and the universities may appropriately approach this discussion as they wish, individually and collectively.
· However, although there are things being done at each campus, the Senate presidents are not fully aware what is exactly being done. More education and information time is needed.
· The AFC is the group that facilitates discussion of what the Senate members propose at each of the campus and brings those items to the AFC meetings, but no Senate has requested this item specifically be brought to the AFC as yet.
· Can this body draft a resolution as to how to reduce greenhouse gases? Or look at the general education requirements to address this issue?
Recommendation: It was suggested that Marc take this topic back to his constituency and begin discussion with colleagues in the Senate. He also asked if the other members would be willing to take it to their senates too. Informal conversations can begin with those most knowledgeable about activities at each campus, and then if Marc or any of us receive more direction we will continue this discussion as a group.
Topic: Role of AFC
Points of Discussion
· The Arizona Faculties Council serves as a conduit to the administration, the regents, and the other campuses of the issues important to our senates. We do not have power to make policy but can put forth our joint opinions and those of our constituencies.
· The AFC can take an active role in representing their constituencies, and even in bringing up issues themselves, but their role should in the majority to bring forth issues from their colleagues in the Senates, to the attention of their AFC representatives, their administration, and to the Regents.
Recommendations:
It was suggested that a regular agenda be circulated to all the AFC members before each meeting or event that contains the suggested topics. The final agenda should be agreed upon before the meeting.
The staff member at each campus that supports the AFC leaders at regular Senate meetings should be invited to attend one meeting of the AFC/ABOR annually so they can all meet face to face. This will greatly increase our communication channels on issues before the AFC, and then we will get to know all the staff members as well.
It was further requested that note taking support is needed for both events at each campus when the Regents meet. A suggested format for the AFC minutes was shared from Wanda Howell, and there was consensus that the notes will be foreshortened from the transcript style at future meetings.
It was recommended that nametags or tents be made up to facilitate discussion at each AFC event or meeting.
The meeting concluded at 1:45 p.m.
Submitted by Darby Shaw
Executive Assistant - ASU at the Tempe campus