Note: Complete proceedings of the meeting were recorded and are available at https://senate.oregonstate.edu/april-11-2019-faculty-senate-webcast. This recap contains agenda attachments, votes associated with action items, Information Items and the Roll Call.

 

FACULTY SENATE RECAP
October 10, 2019
Recap

A PDF of the recap can be found here.

A. WELCOME AND COMMENTS FROM THE FACULTY SENATE PRESIDENT

B. OSU PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH UPDATE

Mike Bailey, OSU Board of Trustees faculty member (Electrical Engineering & Computer Science), provided a brief update related to the OSU presidential search.

  • The Board of Trustees received extensive input from faculty related to the qualities that the next OSU President should possess.
  • Senator Pappas, Associated Faculty, felt that public speaking, connecting to people and the ability to connect and recognize what’s going on in the room seems to be advantageous – how is that being incorporated? Bailey noted that was one of the first things that came up.
  • Senator Gable, Science, expressed concerns related to the process. Specifically, this process makes it clear that broad opinions are secondary since the selectee is beholden only to the Board of Trustees – how effective will this be to get a person who will listen to the campus? Bailey explained that a number of listening sessions occurred with the purpose of getting those perspectives – the presidential process was closed.
  • Senator Faridani, Science, noted that the last presidential selection had a Q&A with campus – is this intended to be part of the process? Bailey responded that the Board did discuss this, however, if candidate names are revealed publicly, the best candidates would remove themselves from the process. It was a trade off in going public and trying to get the very best applicants in the pool.
  • Senator Jansen, Science, suggested that one way to get faculty input was to have the search committee selected by the faculty.
  • President-Elect Dwaine Plaza, who is serving on the first phase of the search committee, attested that the committee has had long conversations about the process. Regarding the issue of revealing the candidate names, the individuals would be reticent to be considered – some are sitting presidents – and likely would have not applied.

C. STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS 

  • While introducing President Ray, Faculty Senate President Mina Carson made the following comments related to his achievements:
  • Dr. Ray has been OSU’s president for 17 years. On good authority, he was intrigued by the position because he felt that we didn’t know what we had here.
  • Enrollment has grown to 30,000.
  • OSU-Cascades was established, and OSU is extending its reach into Portland.
  • Under President Ray’s leadership, day-to-day interactions with each other have been examined.
  • President Ray has insisted on getting things done right.
  • Senator Pappas asked what advice President Ray would give regarding onboarding. The response was that he first came for interviews, met with a Faculty Senate group – at that time, faculty morale was really depressed (a 10% tuition increase had just been implemented, and there were no wage increases). He said some faculty were depressed – he also said, if you’re not a little depressed, you’re not in touch with reality – and asked them to talk about what steps could be taken to change things. When you retire you can be woeful; while here, he would tell the president to meet colleagues where they are and help them succeed.
  • President-Elect Plaza noted that Ray had seen land grants grow, and inquired where he sees land grants going? Ray responded that progress is being made in terms of being more inclusive and supportive of all faculty, staff and students; slow progress by students are things to keep an eye on. On the research side, need to modernize facilities and tools to be successful, and OSU needs to claim its place. Ray is excited about the Arts complex, which resulted from a donor asking, what is the next big thing? That is a dimension that has been missing. Need to set a base from which we can build. It’s not about high fives and looking back, but determining what is possible in the future.

D. DISCUSSION ITEMS

eSET Update
Bradley Boovy, Robin Pappas and Devon Quick, from the Advancement of Teaching Committee, provided an updated report of the eSET effort.

President Carson stated that the Executive Committee has accepted the report, and continues to support the committee as it moves forward with this issue. There will be forums to further discuss the effort.

  • One felt that eSETs can be heavily biased and, eSETs, as originally intended at OSU, were not effective.
  • It is anticipated that the Quality Teaching Framework will be adopted across OSU by the end of AY 2019-20.
  • Need to select a new model to collect data about Student Learning Experiences – see the PowerPoint.
  • Senator Gwin, Agricultural Sciences, thanked the group for their efforts. She questioned whether there was a conversation regarding application of the work to the Extension context? Extension has been part of this the entire time. The frameworks are meant to be big enough to encompass all teaching at OSU.
  • Senator Colwell, Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, also thanked the group for their efforts. He questioned whether they were, perhaps, implying that faculty advise their own peer review committees that this is ongoing, and that the opportunity is coming to them. Quick indicated that it was recommended to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee that they form a working group related to peer review of teaching. Senator Colwell indicated that peer review would be timely in his college.
  • President-Elect Plaza stated that younger faculty were concerned about trying to improve their eSETs, but desire some kind of comprise. Pappas explained that part of the task will be to work with various stakeholders and in collaboration with P&T committees in colleges and the Faculty Senate.
  • Senator Gable, Science, struggled with the general perception throughout university and questioned how can we break reducing teaching to a number? Pappas responded that, since there is enough momentum behind us, we need to show up.
  • Senator Grimm, Engineering, questioned what is being done to make sure that the new processes reduce those biases? Pappas responded the need for asking that along the way. Identify how it’s showing up and how to mitigate it. Boovy indicated that other institutions are doing interesting and compelling things by putting questions in place.
  • Senator Faridani, speaking from the position of a teacher, stated that eSETs were biased; the system being suggested is much more complicated and would be more work for him, and would create anxiety – how does the new system unbias the student? What is the upside if the workload is being increased? Quick responded that teaching well is what we should be doing. How do we know if we’re teaching well? Through quality and monitoring – the student voice is an important part of our teaching; students are part of the process. If not soliciting feedback, then how do faculty know, from the student perspective, that faculty are teaching better? Part of becoming a better teacher is to make processes more intentional. We monitor to see how we’re doing. The hope is that the Center for Teaching and Learning, with a new director and FTE, will help faculty get there.

The Baccalaureate Core in a New Decade
Faculty Senate President Mina Carson outlined the steps planned this Fall to gather thoughts from the university community in order to begin a Baccalaureate Core revision process.

  • She stated that the Faculty Senate Executive Committee supports this effort, and forums will be held to provide feedback.
  • It’s time to look at the Bacc Core – perhaps bring it in line with Strategic Plan 4.0 and in line with the new eSETs. Faculty, via forums, will be asked to share what they think about the Bacc Core, how to revamp, etc. There will also be a written opportunity for feedback linked from the Faculty Senate homepage. There will be a group working with the Baccalaureate Core Committee. The first listening session was held last week at OSU-Cascades.
  • Listening session dates, times and locations will be distributed to all faculty.

E. FACULTY SENATE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Carson called attention to the below:

  • Currently soliciting candidates for Faculty Senate President-Elect, Executive Committee and International Faculty Senate Senator elections.
  • There are links from the Faculty Senate homepage to both decline nomination for election as a Faculty Senator and, for non-tenured faculty who have split appointments, to indicate with which apportionment unit they wish to be apportioned.

F. INFORMATION ITEMS

  1. 2019 Faculty Senate Meetings
    Please reserve the following dates for Faculty Senate meetings for the remainder of 2019; check the monthly agenda to determine the location. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM: November 14 and December 12
  1. Remote Participation in Faculty Senate Meetings
    To participate in Faculty Senate meetings via Zoom, log in to https://oregonstate.zoom.us beginning at 2:50 PM on the day of the Senate meeting. Join the meeting by entering the meeting number, 633 654 204. Senators and proxies must log in with their real names so that attendance can be accurately reflected; if you are a proxy, please indicate the Senator you are representing. If you experience problems logging in during the meeting, please contact Vickie Nunnemaker at [email protected].
  1. Faculty Conversations with President Ray
    In an ongoing effort to improve communication lines between the faculty and administration, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee is sponsoring Fall term small group conversations with President Ray and faculty (academic, research and professional). Each conversation will be facilitated by a Faculty Senate Executive Committee member and will consist of up to 12 faculty. This is an opportunity for the President to hear what faculty are thinking and experiencing; faculty are encouraged to speak freely.

If you wish to participate, please access the registration form at https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d1dZY5kYTYv4iDb to register for these sessions: October 24, 9:00-10:30 or November 4 from10:00-11:30. Session requests will be honored on a first come, first serve basis.

  1. Candidate Nominations for Faculty Senate President-Elect and Executive Committee and Interinstitutional Faculty Senate Elections
    Faculty are encouraged to suggest colleagues whom they believe are knowledgeable about the university and would well represent OSU Faculty. Faculty may also nominate themselves. Please forward candidate suggestions for any of the below positions by Noon on October 24 to Vickie Nunnemaker at [email protected] who will determine their eligibility. When responding, please insert ‘Candidate’ in the Subject line so your nomination may be easily searched.
  • President-Elect – Candidates must have been an OSU Faculty Senator
  • Interinstitutional Faculty Senate Senator – Candidates need not have been an OSU Faculty Senator
  • Executive Committee – Candidates must now be an OSU Faculty Senate Senator, or have been an OSU Faculty Senator
  1. Faculty Senate Elections – Faculty with Split Appointments
    Faculty are encouraged to suggest colleagues whom they believe are knowledgeable about the university and would well represent OSU Faculty. Faculty may also nominate themselves. Please forward candidate suggestions for any of the below positions by Noon on October 24 to Vickie Nunnemaker at [email protected] who will determine their eligibility. When responding, please insert ‘Candidate’ in the Subject line so your nomination may be easily searched.

Faculty are encouraged to suggest colleagues whom they believe are knowledgeable about the university and would well represent OSU Faculty. Faculty may also nominate themselves. Please forward candidate suggestions for any of the below positions by Noon on October 24 to Vickie Nunnemaker at [email protected] who will determine their eligibility. When responding, please insert ‘Candidate’ in the Subject line so your nomination may be easily searched.

No later than Noon on October 22, please complete and submit the survey at http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7Uwv4rKAOEAe5Pn to indicate with which apportionment unit you wish to be affiliated.

Tenured faculty will be apportioned in their tenure unit, with the exception of the following apportionment units: off-campus Extension, OSU-Cascades and Hatfield Marine Science Center. 

  1. Declining Senator Election
    All currently employed academic, research and professional faculty, regardless of FTE, are eligible to be elected to a Senator position and represent faculty in their respective Faculty Senate apportionment unit. However, Executive Levels 1, 2 and 3 (dean or above) are excluded from being elected, as are Senators who are completing two consecutive three-year terms or faculty on LWOP.

If you wish to decline to have your name placed on the Senator Nomination Ballot, no later than Noon on October 22 please complete and submit the survey at http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8iT2qvutDWDvRat. Faculty must decline each year.

  1. Vacancies
    Please notify the Faculty Senate Office if a sabbatical, leave or retirement will prevent completion of your term as either a Faculty Senator or Faculty Senate committee/council member. If you are away more than one term, exclusive of summer term, a replacement is required. This information will assist us in identifying a replacement.

F. NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business

Meeting adjourned at 4:49 PM.

Recap prepared by Vickie Nunnemaker, Faculty Senate staff

ROLL CALL
Approximately 83 different individuals logged on remotely.
Members Present:
Agricultural Sciences: Alix-Garcia (remote), Epps, Gwin, Heppell, Moyer, Murthy (remote), Sanchez, Jung Kwon (v. Waite-Cusic)
Associated Faculty: Birky, Bruce (remote), Bunnage, Fleming, Gaines (remote), Gillies, Greenough, McKnight (remote), Pappas, Riggs, Riney (remote), Signs (remote), Silbernagel (remote), Trelstad, Viggiani, Yee (remote)
Business: Bourne (remote), Cluver (remote), LeMay (remote), Scott
Cascades: Dahl (remote), Reuter (remote), Witzke (remote)
Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences: Colwell, Dever (remote), Watkins-Brandt (remote)
Education: Tevis (remote), Thompson (remote)
Engineering: Grimm (remote), Jensen (remote), Mayaram (remote)
Extension: Arispe (remote), Hein (remote)
Forestry: Creighton
Hatfield Marine Science Center: Miller (remote)
Liberal Arts: Edwards (remote), Emerson (remote), Lauer (remote), Maes (remote), Bradley Boovy (v. Shaw), Sheehan (remote), Shirazi (remote), Warner
Library: Lorente
Pharmacy: Linares, Zumach
Public Health & Human Sciences: Bethel (remote), Khanna (remote), MacTavish (remote), Mendez-Luck (remote)
ROTC: N/A
Science: Bruslind, Dick, Faridani, Gable, Giovanonni (remote), Jansen, Kayes, McIntyre, Thomann, van Zee
Student Affairs: Alvarez-Cortez, Atebe, Bowling (remote), Nakic (remote), Smith
Veterinary Medicine: No senators present

Members Absent:
Agricultural Sciences: Bohnert, Bolte, Cassidy, Field, Godwin, Mata-Gonzalez, Mundt, Noller, Sterns
Associated Faculty: Bradoch, Davis-White Eyes, Mathern, Milic, Vignos
Business: Gerasymenko, Murnieks, Swift
Cascades: McCalpine
Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences: Ruggiero, Shiel, Zirbel
Education: No senators absent
Engineering: Fronk, Ideker, Johnston, Kelly, Lee, Nembhard, Paasch, Porter, Squires, Sweeney, Yeh
Extension: Johnson
Forestry: Belart, Hatten, Schimleck
Hatfield Marine Science Center: No senators absent
Liberal Arts: Akins, Below, Burkhardt, Duncan, Mize, Orosco, Roper, Trujillo
Library: No senators absent
Pharmacy: No senators absent
Public Health & Human Sciences: Bovbjerg, Bray
ROTC: N/A
Science: Schellman, Weis
Student Affairs: Le, Sanchez
Veterinary Medicine: Ackermann, Milovancev, Pastey

Ex-Officio members present:
Vrushali Bokil, Mina Carson, John Edwards, Ed Feser, Dwaine Plaza, Ed Ray

Non-Voting members present:
Bailey, Beachley

Guests:
Jennifer Almquist, Kathryn Becker-Blease (remote), Tam Belknap (remote), Tasha Biesinger (remote), Sherm Bloomer (remote), Bella Bose (remote), Stephen Brandt (remote), Chris Branam (remote), Trent Bray (remote), Kim Calvery (remote), Susan Capalbo (remote), Karren Cholewinski (remote), Marjorie Coffey (remote), Debbie Colbert, Jeannine Cropley (remote), Kathy DeBellis (remote), David Farrington, Rosemary Garagnani (remote), Alix Gitelman (remote), Romeo Lopez Gonzalez (remote), Maria Herbison (remote), Carrie Hertel (remote), Brooke Howland (remote), Sarah Kolesar (remote), Aedra McCarthy (remote), Jeff Merth (remote), Megan Mobley (remote), Janice Nave-Abele (remote), Ed Ostrander, Deborah Parkins (remote), Robynn Pease (remote), McKenzie Pittman (remote), Devon Quick, Lyn Riverstone (remote), Apolo Aguirre Rodriguez (remote), Skip Rung (remote), Elena Sapp (remote), Denis Sather (remote), Beth Shields (remote), Warren Sisson III (remote), Lauren Skousen (remote), Kathleen Stanley, John Sweet (remote), Lucas Turpin (remote)