Grundy Reporter

University of Illinois System University Senates Conference met March 31.

Here is the minutes provided by the senates

Meeting via ZOOM Videoconference

PRESENT: Brennan, Burbules, Campbell, Dallesasse, Danziger, De Groote (Chair), Erricolo, Fisher, Hunt, Jenkins, Kar, Razfar, Span, Strahle, Stroscio, Tolliver, Vincent, Wade (Vice Chair)

ABSENT: Zhan

GUESTS: Robert Barish, Laura Clower, Timothy Killeen, Barbara Wilson

Professor De Groote, Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

I. Meeting with President Killeen, Executive Vice President Wilson, and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Robert Barish

Professor De Groote thanked President Killeen, Executive Vice President (EVP) Wilson, and Dr. Robert Barish, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, for all they have been doing for the University system and the state and for keeping everyone informed.

President Killeen commented that, while he is trying to not flood the airways, there is no such thing as too much communication. The message today is to continue to stay home.

President Killeen said that the last few weeks have enforced his belief in what an amazing institution we have. A lot of hard work is being done. There were huge efforts in getting coursework online at all three universities. Some decisions have been made regarding the grading process. Hundreds of laptops have been purchased and distributed. Some research continues with strong distancing protocols and other adjustments. Research involving animals must continue. Students are being encouraged to go home if possible, but some residence halls are open for those who cannot. All recreational facilities are closed. There are system-wide working groups making sure students are being taken care of. The President noted that commencement has been postponed. He also mentioned the one-year tenure rollback option that EVP Wilson and the provosts put into place.

All employees who are not on-site essential workers are to be working from home. University-based travel is prohibited. President Killeen said that financial issues resulting from the coronavirus, such as additional expenses and lost revenues, are being tracked.

President Killeen discussed some of the ways the system has been providing enormous amounts of technical assistance to the state, from advising the Governor and providing epidemiological models that were factors in issuing the stay-at-home order, to IIN/DPI managing drive-through testing sites and distributing equipment and personal protective equipment. The College of Engineering at Urbana and Carle Health developed in about a week a prototype emergency ventilator than can be used for low to moderate illnesses.

Dr. Barish said that a COVID-19 planning and response team has been put together. A report is issued each week on how each university is operating and responding to the various aspects of the coronavirus. He reported on the number of coronavirus patients that have been seen or have been admitted to the UIC hospital and clinics and discussed the challenges of testing and treating patients. UIC has been selected to participate in clinical trials for potential COVID-19 treatments. He commented that there will be treatments available before vaccines.

EVP Wilson said that 40 faculty members have signed up to participate in the coronavirus impact studies that are being conducted by the IGPA (Institute of Government and Public Affairs). Faculty experts from all three universities will be issuing reports on the pandemic’s fiscal impact on the state, how to help improve community resilience, and how the healthcare workforce is being affected. The studies will also focus on policy recommendations to address the impact of the coronavirus and will be shared with the Governor, legislators, and the press.

President Killeen discussed the federal funds that have been earmarked for higher education to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic. USC members stressed the need to reassure employees regarding healthcare, finances, and emotional wellbeing. EVP Wilson said that she asked HR to think about the impact on staff and find ways to connect with people who need assistance. She added that it can be difficult to spread information as some employees do not read mass mails. USC members commented that it can be even more difficult to get information to students.

USC members discussed some of the difficulties they are encountering trying to address student concerns, such as visas, health insurance coverage, and equipment for those with unique circumstances. It was mentioned that it would be helpful to have one site to find guidance on answering questions. It was also mentioned that it is actually physical distancing that we are trying to accomplish, not social distancing, since it is important to still be connected to people in a social way. The group discussed creative ways that are taking place to help people stay connected, such as in the arts. It was noted that it can be especially difficult to reach out to rural areas. Another view was that this collective time-out might be an opportunity to assess how non-essential activities have been affecting people’s lives.

Responding to a question about contact tracing systems, Dr. Barish said this was put into place in the beginning but is now too overwhelming. The assumption now when dealing with the masses is that everyone is positive. When things are better under control, it may be possible to go back and look at where there were clusters. President Killeen said that the priority now is to increase testing.

The group discussed how technology changes that are happening now, such as easing restrictions of the Open Meetings Act so members of a group can all participate remotely, might affect how things move forward. There were concerns with rural areas of the state that do not have Wi-Fi and those who are left out when it comes to technology. The group also discussed the importance of moving forward during this time, such as with important hires.

Dr. Barish said that it is not clear how long it will take until there is herd immunity and how the COVID-19 will mutate. There are also concerns with the coronavirus coming back. Hopefully there will be a treatment by then. EVP Wilson said one of the biggest challenges for the state and country will be to know when to pivot. The focus is on health right now. IGPA is pulling together information on the economy and the healthcare workforce. Epidemiologists will be making recommendations.

President Killeen and EVP Wilson said that fall planning should go on as usual and adjustments can be made if necessary. USC members discussed some of the ways faculty are adapting their teaching methods online for classes that are in non-traditional settings.

Before Dr. Barish left the meeting at noon, President Killeen commented on his background and praised is leadership in everything he is doing now.

EVP Wilson said that the feedback from USC on the sexual misconduct documents was helpful. She commented that the two policies were adjusted based on some of USC’s recommendations. Even though the process is being slowed down to give more time for the senates to provide feedback, she does not want to lose momentum. The revised policies are accompanied by a document that shows what was changed. There is also a document on implementation, which will be a big part of the process going forward. The Board would like to have the documents for the May meeting.

II. Approval of University Senates Conference Minutes of February 20, 2020

Professor Erricolo moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

III. Classification of Senate Minutes

Class I: Matters of policy affecting one campus only. Item is sent to the President and Board of Trustees for action.

Class II: Matters affecting more than one campus. Item is sent to Senate(s) for action, then to President and Board of Trustees. At the time of this classification, the Conference member will file with the recording secretary an accurate final copy of the Senate action.

Class III: Amendments to the University of Illinois Statutes. Procedure is the same as with Class II items. At the time of reporting this classification, the Conference member will file with the recording secretary an accurate final copy of the Senate action.

Class N: This designation requires no USC action, but alerts one or more Senates to an item of interest from the originating Senate. The "N" is preceded by and followed by a lower case letter(s); c = Chicago; s = Springfield; u = Urbana- Champaign; usc = University Senates Conference. Example: "cNs,u" means |that a matter has come up in the Chicago Senate, which may be of interest to Springfield and Urbana-Champaign.

Professor Danziger moved to approve the classification of senate minutes. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

A. The following items were classified I by the University Senates Conference:

1. University of Illinois at Springfield, February 28, 2020

Res 49-15 Create a Minor in Child Advocacy Studies

Res 49-16 Major Revisions in Biology

2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 9, 2020

EP.20.105 Revising Requirements for BS in Industrial Engineering

EP.20.107 Eliminate the Teaching East Asian Languages concentration within the BALAS in East Asian Languages and Cultures

EP.20.108 Add Other Language Courses to the Spanish Minor

EP.20.109 Add Other Language Courses to the Spanish, BALAS

EP.20.112 Deactivate the International Business Concentration

EP.20.113 Create an International Business Minor

EP.20.114 Deactivate the General Management Concentration in Management, BS

EP.20.115 Phase Down of 1-Year M.ARCH Track

EP.20.116 New Concentration in Building Performance in the Master of Architecture (M.ARCH) Program

EP.20.117 New Concentration in Health and Wellbeing in the Master of Architecture (M.ARCH) Program

EP.20.118 New Concentration in Urbanism in the Master of Architecture (M.ARCH) Program

EP.20.119 Eliminate the MS in the Teaching of Earth Science, Department of Geology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

EP.20.120 Revise the Master of Science in Community Health

EP.20.121 Revising EdD Degree Program Course and Exam Requirement

EP.20.122 Proposal to Relocate the Interdisciplinary Health Studies Major: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, BS

EP.20.123 Proposal to Relocate the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, BS (Health & Aging Concentration)

EP.20.124 Proposal to Relocate the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, BS (Health Behavior Change Concentration)

EP.20.125 Proposal to Relocate the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, BS (Health Diversity Concentration)

EP.20.133 Bioengineering, BS: Revising How General Education Requirements are Shown; Revising How Free and Liberal Education Electives are Shown

3. University of Illinois at Chicago, March 19, 2020

PR-20.19 Proposal to Revise the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical and Health Informatics

PR-20.26 Proposal to Establish a Required First-Year Seminar in the College of Applied Health Sciences and Revise the Bachelor of Science in Disability and Human Development

PR-20.27 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in English, and Consolidate and Revise the Concentration in British and Anglophone Literature and Concentration in American Literature

PR-20.28 Proposal to Revise the Minor in Art

PR-20.29 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Coordinated Program Concentration and Nutrition Science Concentration and Revise the Minor in Nutrition

PR-20.30 Proposal to Redesignate and Reorganize the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Psychology, Concentration in General Psychology and Rename and Reorganize the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Psychology, Concentration in Applied Psychology

PR-20.31 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

PR-20.32 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting

PR-20.33 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance

PR-20.34 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design, Production and Technology

PR-20.35 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Education in the Arts

PR-20.36 Proposal to Revise the Master of Urban Planning and Policy

PR-20.37 Proposal to Revise the Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning and Policy, and Eliminate the Concentrations in Community Development, Economic Development, Globalization and International Planning, Spatial Planning, and Urban Transportation

PR-20.38 Proposal to Rename the Department of Civil and Materials Engineering

PR-20.39 Proposal to Revise the Master of Public Health, Concentration in Epidemiology and Revise the Master of Public Health, Concentration in Biostatistics

PR-20.40 Proposal to Establish the Concentration in Population Health for Healthcare Professionals in the Master of Public Health and Establish a Joint MD/MPH, Concentration in Population Health for Healthcare Professionals

PR-20.41 Proposal to Revise the Minor in Kinesiology

PR-20.42 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Eliminate the Concentration in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and Concentration in Movement Science

PR-20.43 Proposal to Revise the Minor in Life Science Visualization

PR-20.44 Proposal to Revise the Bachelor of Science in Finance

PR-20.45 Proposal to Establish the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and (LAS Discipline); and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Linguistics

PR-20.46 Proposal to Establish the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Establish Nine Concentrations in the Bachelor of Science in Data Science

CP-20.06 Proposal to Establish the Undergraduate Campus Certificate in Medical Humanities

B. The following items were classified N by the University Senates Conference:

4. University of Illinois at Springfield, February 28, 2020

sNc,u Academic Calendar Academic Year 2022- Academic Year 2026

5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 9, 2020

uNc,s SP.20.19 Revision to the Bylaws, Part D.12 - Committee on General University Policy

RS.20.02 Resolution on Sexual Harassment Reporting

EP.20.110 Report of Administrative Approvals through February 17, 2020

EP.20.130 Report of Administrative Approvals through March 2, 2020

IV. Remarks from the USC Chair

Professor De Groote thanked USC members for all they are doing, including the switch to online teaching. She hoped everyone was safe and able to keep in communication with family.

V. USC Committee of the Whole Discussion: Follow-up Items from the morning session

USC members thought it would be worthwhile to have conversations about meeting virtually more often, even when it becomes optional rather than mandatory.

The group appreciated receiving the COVID-19 weekly updates and decided to accept EVP Wilson’s offer to continue to receive them. USC discussed some of the many valuable contributions the system is making during the pandemic, and how to get the message out to the public. There was a suggestion that the system organize and centralize information for a one-stop location for updates and answers to questions. Members felt that the administration was very nimble in making decisions and getting equipment needed by students for online classes. There was a question about whether students in need of equipment and internet access would continue to be supported. USC also discussed ways to share ideas among the senates regarding how shared governance can best work during this time, and whether bylaws would need to be modified to allow for electronic meetings and voting.

Explanation of File Numbers

ST - University of Illinois Statutes

GR - The General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure

NC - Nominating Committee

OT - All other items

VI. Old Business - Action Items No old business for action.

VII. New Business

1. OT-366. Policy on Integrity in Research and Publication.

Professor Vincent commented that the table comparison and the summary of key points were very helpful. Professor Burbules suggested that the policy and supplemental documents be sent to the senates and USC can weigh in after they respond. The Conference agreed to forward the documents to the senates.

2. Designation of USC Observer to Board of Trustees meeting:

Thursday, May 21, 2020 Springfield Lynn Fisher

VIII. Old Business – Information and Discussion Items

3. ST-77. Revisions to the Statutes – Edits and Updates (A File). Received from the Board of Trustees Governance, Personnel, and Ethics Committee 10/6/14. Transmitted to Senates 10/10/14. Passed UIC Senate 12/3/14. Passed UIS Senate 1/23/15. Passed UIUC Senate 5/4/15. Transmitted to the President 5/29/15. Transmitted to Senates 9/4/18. Passed UIC Senate with amendments 10/24/18. Passed UIS Senate with amendment 11/9/18. Passed UIUC Senate with amendments 10/14/19. Transmitted to Senates 12/6/19. UIC Senate 1/30/20. UIUC Senate 2/10/20. UIS Senate 2/28/20.

4. GR-46. Revisions to the General Rules – Edits and Updates. Received from the Board of Trustees Governance, Personnel, and Ethics Committee 10/6/14. Transmitted to the President 12/22/14. Intellectual Property transmitted to Senates 1/26/15. Passed UIS Senate 3/6/15. Passed UIC Senate 4/23/15. Passed UIUC Senate 5/4/15. Intellectual Property transmitted to the President 5/29/15. Revised IP to Senates 4/4/18. UIC Senate response 4/26/18 (not approved, provided recommendations) UIUC Senate response 4/30/18 (not approved, provided recommendations). Transmitted to Senates (Article III, Intellectual Property) 9/4/18. Passed UIC Senate 9/20/18. Passed UIUC Senate 10/15/18. Passed UIS Senate 11/9/18. New proposed revisions (Article III, Intellectual Property) transmitted to Senates 3/6/19. Advice from UIC Senate 4/24/19. Advice from the UIUC Senate 9/16/19. Passed UIS Senate 10/11/19. Transmitted to President 11/4/19.

5. ST-72. Revisions to the Statutes, Article X, Section 2 (Academic Freedom). Passed UIUC Senate 12/6/10. Passed UIC Senate 9/22/11. Passed UIS Senate 12/14/12. Transmitted to the President 1/18/13. Revised language approved by USC 3/18/14. Transmitted to Senates 3/21/14. Passed UIUC Senate 11/17/14. Passed UIC Senate as amended 1/29/15. Passed UIS Senate 4/10/15. Transmitted to President 5/12/15. Referred back to UIUC Senate USSP Committee in consultation with CAFT 2/23/17. Passed UIUC Senate 10/14/19. Transmitted to UIC and UIS Senates 11/4/19. Passed UIS Senate 12/6/19. Passed UIC Senate 1/30/20. Transmitted to President 3/4/20.

6. ST-79. Proposed revisions to the Statutes, Article II, Section 2.b, and Article XIII, Section 8 – to authorize the University Senates Conference to initiate revisions to the Statutes. Approved by USC 1/17/13. Transmitted to Senates 4/5/13. Revised language approved by USC 6/18/13. Transmitted to Senates 6/21/13. Passed UIC senate 9/26/13. Alternate language passed UIUC Senate 11/18/13. Transmitted to Senates 11/26/13. Passed UIS Senate 2/21/14. Passed UIC Senate 4/24/14. Transmitted to the President 6/11/14. USC new proposed revisions 4/27/17. Transmitted to Senates 5/11/17. Background statement to senates 9/6/17. Passed UIS Senate 9/15/17. Passed UIUC Senate with revisions 12/11/17. USC reconciled language to Senates 1/29/18. Passed UIUC Senate 4/2/18. Passed UIS Senate 4/6/18. Failed UIC Senate 4/26/18. Approved USC 5/3/18. Transmitted to President 6/1/18 with UIC response.

7. ST-81. Revisions to University of Illinois Nondiscrimination Statement. Received from Vice President Pierre 10/9/15. Transmitted to Senates 10/12/15. Passed UIC Senate 10/28/15. Passed UIS Senate 12/11/15. Passed UIUC Senate 3/7/16. UIUC Senate version transmitted to UIC and UIS Senates 3/31/16. Passed UIS Senate 4/22/16. Passed UIC Senate 9/29/16. Transmitted to Vice President Wilson 11/22/16.

8. ST-82. Revisions to the Statutes, Article IX, Sections 3. (Appointments, Ranks, and Promotions of the Academic and Administrative Staff) a., and 4 (Principles Governing Employment of Academic and Administrative Staffs) b. Passed UIUC Senate 5/2/16. Transmitted to UIC and UIS Senates 6/6/16. Passed UIS Senate 9/23/16. Passed UIC Senate 10/26/16. Transmitted to President 12/5/16.

[Items 3-8] Professor Burbules said that ST-77 was ready to be sent to President Killeen. The other statutory revisions that were approved separately (ST-72, ST-79, ST-81, and ST- 82) have been incorporated into the overall revisions in ST-77.

9. ST-83. Revisions to the Statutes – new proposed revisions and proposed revisions from ST-77 that need further discussion (B File).

Professor Burbules reported that there is a new draft of the proposed revisions to the Statutes that deal with defining faculty and removing the term academic staff from the Statutes. The document has been sent to EVP Wilson and will most likely be reviewed by her along with the USC Statutes and Governance Committee, Legal Counsel, and Jami Painter. The proposed revisions will then need to go to the senates.

Professor Campbell thanked Professor Burbules and the SGC for the hard work that has gone into revising the Statutes. Other USC members joined in to express appreciation.

10. ST-84. Proposed Revisions to the Statutes, Article VIII, Section 4 – Changes in Existing Units. Passed UIUC Senate 11/12/18. Transmitted to Senates 12/18/18. Revised UIUC Senate document transmitted to UIC and UIS Senates 5/7/19. Passed UIS Senate 8/30/19. Passed with amendments UIC Senate 1/30/20. UIC Senate amendments transmitted to UIS and UIUC Senates 3/2/20.

There was no new information.

11. OT-326. USC Presentations to the Board of Trustees. USC discussed ideas for the next report to the Board.

12. OT-356. Discovery Partners Institute. Transmitted to Senates 2/28/19. Endorsed UIS Senate 3/22/19. UIC Senate did not pass; sent list of concerns 3/27/19. Endorsed UIUC Senate 4/22/19. Transmitted to President 5/7/19. USC Response to Recommendations for Shared Governance for the Discovery Partners Institute from the DPI Academic Governance Advisory Group 9/23/19.

There was no new information.

13. OT-357. Lifelong Alumni Connections. USC Resolution approved 4/2/19. Transmitted to President 4/18/19.

USC members agreed that this item could be removed from the agenda.

14. OT-363. Recognizing and Rewarding Faculty Participation in Shared Governance.

USC members discussed whether this item could be removed from the agenda. The group decided to keep it on the agenda with a new emphasis on the tremendous amount of new work the senate executive committees are now faced with due to the coronavirus.

15. OT-364. Student Mental Health Services Summit. There was no new information.

16. OT-365. System Policies on Sexual Misconduct.

USC members discussed transmitting the policies, University of Illinois System Policy on Intimate Personal Relationships and University of Illinois System Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment, to the senates. Professor Stroscio recommended also sending the document on implementation.

Professor Kar discussed the work that has been done in the Urbana Senate on sexual misconduct. He offered to share information on the documents and vetting process with the other two senate chairs.

Professor De Groote suggested transmitting the two policies along with the implementation document to the senates for feedback, acknowledging that implementation would be ongoing. USC members agreed and set a target date of May 1 to respond to EVP Wilson.

17. OT-123. University Senates Conference Guests.

The Conference discussed guests to invite to future meetings.

18. OT-339. Audit of the University Senates Conference.

There was no new information.

19. Report of USC Observer to Board of Trustees meeting:

Thursday, March 12, 2020 Urbana 20. UniversityUpdates.

There were no updates.

Magic Wade

21. OT-142. Updates on External Committees: Policy on Background Checks Review Committee (Maher); DPI Academic Governance Advisory Group (De Groote, Johnson); DPI Academic Executive Committee (Karri); Enrollment Management Policy Council (Wade); President’s Executive Leadership Program (Dallesasse); Establish UI System Guidelines for Invited Speakers Task Force (Span); Vice President for Academic Affairs Faculty Advisory Committee for System Academic Affairs (Tolliver); System-wide Committee to develop a process for identifying terminated employees who are not eligible for rehire (Strahle, Stroscio, Tolliver).

Professor Dallesasse reported that the President’s Executive Leadership Program (PELP) had its last session of the program in Springfield. He commented that PELP has been valuable and recommended that USC continue its participation.

22. Reports from USC Committee Chairs:

Academic Affairs and Research Committee Aria Razfar, Chair

Finance, Budget and Benefits Committee Roy Campbell, Chair

Statutes and Governance Committee Nick Burbules, Chair

There were no committee reports.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

http://www.usc.uillinois.edu/sites/usc.uillinois.edu/files/minutes/MIN-0331.20.pdf