University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Senate Committee General University Policy met Nov. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Present: Chair Nicholas Burbules, Jared Bastian, Maria Bonn, David Lange, Melissa Madsen, Mike Ward
Ex officio: William Bernhard
Absent: Fred Johnson Asiimwe, Adel Ibrahim
Guest: Deb Stone (Executive Director, HR Administration)
A regular meeting of the Senate Committee on General University Policy was called to order at 9:30 am with Chair Burbules presiding.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the October 10, 2019 meeting were approved as distributed.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
No requests received.
III. CHAIR’S REMARKS
No remarks.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
GP.20.01, Revisions to the Bylaws, Part D.12 – General University Policy
Copies of draft revisions to the Bylaws, Part D.12 were distributed. GP discussed the previous suggestion to specify that one of the faculty committee members be a specialized faculty member. Following the discussion, it was determined not to specify a specialized faculty member.
GP reviewed and revised the draft proposal for more clarity. GP approved the revised proposal to be sent to the Senate Committee on University Statutes and Senate Procedures (SP) for transmittal to the Senate.
Chair Burbules noted that once the document is forwarded to SP, then this item can be removed from the agenda.
GP.20.06, Policy on Administrative Leave of Faculty
GP reviewed the draft Policy on Administrative Leave of Faculty. The policy outlines the details when a temporary, paid administrative leave of a faculty member is necessary during an investigation or allegations of misconduct. The draft policy includes two reasons for an administrative leave and GP suggested a third reason:
• The faculty member’s presence in the workplace presents a significant risk of physical harm being incurred to the faculty member, to others within the workplace or to University property or facilities.
• An investigation that could result in the imposition of a sanction or other remedial action has been or is being initiated into whether the faculty member has violated University policy and the leave is necessary to conduct that investigation, to protect University resources, prevent the destruction of evidence, or avoid a continuing violation of the policy while the investigation is being conducted.
• To maintain the integrity of the process.
Bernhard commented that this policy would help the University consider how to justify the use of an administrative leave. He noted that the policy would reside in the Campus Administrative Manual (CAM).
GP noted the need to include an appeal process to provide the faculty member an option if they feel an administrative leave is not appropriate. GP suggested that if the administrative leave is administered by the Provost then the appeal would be to the Chancellor.
Bernhard thanked GP for the helpful feedback. Chair Burbules noted that GP’s business with this item is completed so it will be removed from the agenda.
GP.20.04, Review of the Presiding Officer at Senate Meetings
The Eighth Senate Review Commission recommended a review of the Bylaws, Part A.1 and A.5.g regarding the presiding officer at the Senate meetings. Chair Burbules that some senates at other institutions have a member of the body preside (e.g., executive committee chair) instead of an administrator.
GP discussed a revision for the Chair of the Senate Executive Committee to preside over the Senate meetings and continue to invite the Chancellor to give remarks during the meeting.
Chair Burbules will send GP’s input to the Senate Executive Committee (SEC). It was noted that once the input is sent to SEC, then this item can be removed from the agenda.
GP.20.05, Review of the Role of the Senate Executive Committee Chair and Committee Chairs
Chair Burbules noted that the Eighth Senate Review Commission recommended the creation of a guide to clarify the role of each Senate committee chair. GP discussed the recommendation and noted a guide would be useful, especially for new committee chairs. GP suggested that the guide could also include some best practices such as:
• Development of an agenda
• Running an effective meeting
• Working with support staff
Chair Burbules will share GP’s suggestions with the Senate Executive Committee.
GP.19.09, Discussion of Provost Communication #27: Shared Governance for Academic Units
Bernhard reported that “prominently” has been added to the language of the first bullet under “Guidelines on Information Sharing and Transparency” in Provost Communication #27 to read:
Unit bylaws are made readily available to everyone in the unit (e.g., prominently posted on the website, distributed to new faculty) and are followed conscientiously.
GP noted the need for education of unit executive officers of the requirements specified in Provost Communication #27.
GP.15.01, Statement on Administrative Hiring Practices
No new discussion.
GP.15.08, Tenure Review
No new discussion.
GP.17.03, Guidelines on Senate Meetings
No new discussion.
GP.19.03, Resolution to Protect Instructors from Classroom Disruption
No new discussion.
GP.19.04, Professional Employment Redesign
No new discussion.
GP.20.02, Review of Provost Communication #9: Promotion and Tenure
No new discussion.
GP.20.03, Proposed Revisions to the Statutes, Articles IX and X – Administrative Leave No new discussion.
V. NEW BUSINESS
GP.20.07, Unit Bylaws Template
Chair Burbules commented that this issue was initiated at the last meeting when the suggestion was made to work with the Office of the Provost to develop a template for units to use when developing unit bylaws. It was noted that the template should provide structure and not specific content.
GP members agreed to review their own unit bylaws and send for inclusion with the next meeting packet. Bernhard will identify additional unit bylaws that would be good reference for the template.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.
https://uofi.app.box.com/v/GeneralUniversityPolicy/file/575471973620