Grundy Reporter

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Senate Committee on General University Policy met Dec. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Present: Chair Nicholas Burbules, Maria Bonn, David Lange, Melissa Madsen, Mike WardEx officio: William Bernhard

Absent: Fred Johnson Asiimwe, Jared Bastian, 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 November 7, 2019 meeting were approved as distributed.

II.PUBLIC COMMENT

No requests received. 

III.CHAIR’S REMARKS

Chair Burbules reported that GP will discuss the Classroom Management-Responding to Difficult Situations document during the spring semester. He noted that the document was drafted by the Office of the Dean of Students as a result of GP.19.03 (Resolution to Protect Instructors from Classroom Disruption) which was approved by the Senate on February 4, 2019.

IV. OLD BUSINESS

GP.20.07, Unit Bylaws Template

Copies of the following unit bylaws were distributed:

•Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

•Department of Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership

•School of Information Sciences

•Department of Political Science

Chair Burbules asked committee members to review the documents so GP can develop guidelines for unit bylaws next semester. He noted that bylaws from additional units can be requested if needed.

GP.20.05, Review of the Role of the Senate Executive Committee Chair and Committee Chairs

Chair Burbules reported that he shared the suggestions discussed by GP at the last meeting with the Senate Executive Committee (SEC). Chair Burbules commented that there may need to be a more specific guide for SEC due to the additional duties for the chair of that committee. Chair Burbules will draft a document for review at the next meeting.

GP.19.09, Discussion of Provost Communication #27: Shared Governance for Academic Units

GP noted that units may have a varying understanding of how to comply with needing unit bylaws to be “prominently” posted on the unit website.

GP questioned if the Senate should conduct a regular cycle of review and survey on shared governance practices across campus (e.g., every five years). It was suggested that the review and survey could be considered by the Senate Review Commission each time it is constituted. Chair Burbules will draft a document for review at the next meeting.

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 

Stone reported that business and finance positions are currently being reviewed and human resources positions were done previously. She noted that the campus is working to standardize the benefits between academic professional positions and overtime exempt civil service positions (e.g., vacation leave and sick leave).

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

Chair Burbules reported that the process of revising the Statutes, Article IX and X has been on-going for years. The current review is being done by University Counsel and will be shared with GP once the review is finished.

GP.16.02, Criminal Background Check Policy

GP reviewed the background check data that was distributed at the last meeting. It was noted that there were 1,542 background checks completed between January 1, 2019 and August 15, 2019 and none resulted in the candidate not being hired. GP questioned if the cost of the background checks continues to justify the need to complete them. It was noted that a negligent hiring lawsuit has the potential to cost the University immeasurably more than the cost of completing the background checks.

V.NEW BUSINESSG

P.20.08, Resolution on Sexual Harassment Reporting

Copies of RS.20.02 (Resolution on Sexual Harassment Reporting) were distributed. The resolution was submitted by John Bambenek, student senator, and the Senate Executive Committee referred the resolution to GP for input.

A University employee has a mandatory reporting role in cases of sexual harassment; however, it has been suggested to abandon the mandatory reporting role for employees who are also journalists and may receive information as a member of the press (e.g., National Public Radio at Springfield). Bambenek drafted a resolution to change the definition of mandatory reporting. GP noted that the policy is a system-wide policy so includes all three campuses. GP will work with Bambenek to develop language to move forward to the Senate.

Meeting with Justin Brown, Associate Dean of Students, on Bias Assessment and Response Teams

Chair Burbules reported that Justin Brown, Director of the Office for Student Conflict Resolution, will attend a meeting next semester to discuss the Bias Assessment and Response Teams.

VI.ADJOURNMENTThe meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.

https://uofi.app.box.com/v/GeneralUniversityPolicy/file/614970837422