Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Senate Executive Committee met Aug. 25.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

Present: Chair Rob Kar, Vice-Chair John Dallesasse, Mike Bohlmann, Nicholas Burbules, Shawn Gilmore, Casey Griffin, Ane Icardo Isasa, Eric Meyer, Christopher Span, Joyce Tolliver, Matthew Wheeler

Absent: Kim Graber, Gay Miller, Susan Zhou

Guests: Robert Jones (Chancellor), Allie Arp (Incoming Council on Academic Professional Vice-Chair), William Bernhard (Vice Provost for Academic Affairs), Chris Harris (Senior Director of Strategic Communications), Robin Kaler (Associate Chancellor for Public Affairs), Franci Miller (Senate Office Staff), Susan Martinis (Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation), Ralph Mathisen (Faculty senator, LAS), Brian Mertz (Communications Process Architect), Bruce Rosenstock (Faculty senator, LAS), Wanda Ward (Executive Associate Chancellor for Administration and University Relations), Ben Zigterman (News-Gazette)

A regular meeting of the Senate Executive Committee (SEC) was called to order at 1:30 pm with

Chair Kar presiding.

I. PUBLIC COMMENT

No requests received.

II. CHAIR’S REMARKS

Chair Kar thanked everyone for their service and time commitment over and beyond what is done in a normal year, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Kar noted this is the last meeting for the 2019-2020 SEC.

Floor privileges were granted to Rosenstock and Mathisen without objection.

Chancellor Jones was invited to give remarks. Jones discussed the unique saliva test that the University is using to detect the COVID-19 virus and the smartphone app, Safer in Illinois. No one else has been able to offer a saliva test that is as efficient and cost effective as the one developed here at the University of Illinois. Because of this robust ability to test, the decision was made to return to some in-person instruction through a hybrid model. Decisions have been data driven. After November 20, 2020, everyone will receive instruction online only.

Tolliver requested information about the smartphone app, Safer in Illinois, and how it will be used for building entry. Jones noted that the app will indicate if building access is granted or denied based on test results or lack of test results. Wellness Support Associates (WSAs) will be asking to check each person’s building access status through the app prior to entering a building. If a person does not have access to a smartphone, a printed boarding pass will need to be presented to the WSA.

Kaler added that building entry will be different for each building. There will also be some spot checks near classrooms. Jones noted that innovation like the rapid saliva test and the smartphone app cannot be utilized without compliance checks. There could potentially be a slight delay in entering buildings and classrooms until the process becomes routine.

If a student refuses to comply with safety measures such as wearing a face covering or refusing to be tested twice a week, the student will then become an online only student.

Attending classes in-person and being on campus is privilege right now.

Kaler clarified that WSAs are not the same as the i-Team. The i-Team is only within the Office of Student Affairs and not at all associated with COVID-19. The i-Team initiative may now be delayed.

III. OLD BUSINESS

EQ.20.04*, Resolution on University Response to Racism

Kar noted that both the Senate Committee on Equal Opportunity and Inclusion (EQ) and the SEC are supporting the resolution. The Senate Committee on University Student Life (SL) will also most likely be added as supporters of the resolution.

SC.20.40*, Senate Executive Committee Statement on Participation and Inclusivity at Senate Meetings

Kar noted that additional work was completed on the statement since the last SEC meeting and the most recent draft of SC.20.40 was distributed as part of today’s meeting materials. After a short discussion, Kar made a motion to adopt the SEC statement and distribute SC.20.40 at the first Senate meeting of the 2020-2021 academic year. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call vote.

Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Bohlmann, Burbules, Gilmore, Griffin, Icardo Isasa, Meyer, Span, Tolliver, Wheeler

No: none

Abstain: none

Before moving onto new business, Gilmore asked for an update on SC.20.24, University Senates Conference Statement on Intellectual Property in Relation to Course Materials -

The General Rules, Article III, Section 2-4 (OT-367) since the topic was referred to Senate committees for further review. Gilmore noted that the Senate Committee on University Statutes and Senate Procedures (SP) had replied to SEC with its feedback. Kar suggested that SEC and the Senate Committee on General University Policy (GP) meet with Kevin Pitts, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, to discuss the topic. Burbules, Chair of GP, noted that the goal is to work towards common language and a shared understanding. Gilmore was concerned that some of the phrasing and categories did not appear to align with The General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

RS.20.07*, Resolution Concerning the University’s Protection of and Accountability for Campus and Community Health

Rosenstock introduced and requested RS.20.07 be included on the August 10, 2020 Senate agenda. Mathisen spoke in support of the resolution and inclusion on the August 10 Senate agenda.

Burbules made a motion to include RS.20.07 on the August 10, 2020 Senate agenda.

Gilmore seconded the motion and the motion was approved by roll call vote.

Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Bohlmann, Burbules, Gilmore, Griffin, Icardo Isasa, Meyer, Span, Tolliver, Wheeler

No: none

Abstain: none

Discussion of Chair’s Remarks for August 10

Kar may contact individual SEC members for feedback on his proposed remarks.

Setting of the of August 10 Senate Meeting Agenda

Kar made a motion to resolution RS.20.07 so that RS.20.07 appears before EQ.20.04 on the agenda. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call vote.

Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Bohlmann, Burbules, Gilmore, Griffin, Icardo Isasa, Meyer, Span, Tolliver, Wheeler

No: none

Abstain: none

Kar made a motion to place the Title IX discussion items before RS.20.07 and EQ.20.04.

The motion was seconded, and discussion followed, which led Kar to withdraw the motion.

Kar made a motion to limit the Safer in Illinois app presentation to 5 minutes with 15 minutes for questions and answers. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Bohlmann, Burbules, Gilmore, Griffin, Icardo Isasa, Meyer, Span, Tolliver, Wheeler

No: none

Abstain: none

Kar made a motion to limit the presentation on WSAs to 5 minutes with 3 minutes for questions and answers. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Bohlmann, Burbules, Gilmore, Griffin, Icardo Isasa, Meyer, Span, Tolliver, Wheeler

No: none

Abstain: none

Tolliver made a motion to place the Committee of the Whole discussion as the last item before adjournment. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

Yes: Kar, Bohlmann, Burbules, Griffin, Icardo Isasa, Meyer, Span, Tolliver, Wheeler

No: none

Abstain: none

Kar moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

Yes: Kar, Bohlmann, Burbules, Griffin, Icardo Isasa, Meyer, Span, Tolliver, Wheeler

No: none

Abstain: none

V. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:42 pm.

https://uofi.app.box.com/v/SenateExecutiveCommittee/file/714330460419