Grundy Reporter

University of Illinois System University Senates Conference met Aug. 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the senates:

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

ABSENT: Hunt, Strahle, Zhan

GUESTS: Timothy Killeen, William Maher, Mark Steinberg, Helga Varden, Barbara Wilson Professor De Groote, Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

I. Approval of Classification of Senate Minutes: Urbana-Champaign Senate, May 27, 2020 

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

Class N: This designation requires no USC action, but alerts one or more Senates to an item of interest from the originating Senate.

Class I:

EP.20.167 Establishment of the Campus Graduate Certificate

EP.20.169 Media Minor - UG

EP.20.176 Engineering: Computational Engineering, MEng

EP.20.177 Proposal to Reclassify Center for Translation Studies as a Program

EP.20.178 Law, LLM

EP.20.179 Law, MSL

EP.20.181 Recreation, Sport and Tourism Minor

Class uNc,s:

EP.20.134 Report of Administrative Approvals through March 30, 2020

EP.20.174 Discussion of the Zhejiang University – University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign Institute in Haining, China

EP.20.180 Report of Administrative Approvals through May 11, 2020

EP.20.182 Information Regarding CR/NC Requests Received

Professor Tolliver moved to approve the classifications. The motion was seconded by Professor Burbules and approved by voice vote.

II. Proposed Revisions to the University of Illinois Residency Status Policy

USC members had concerns about the proposed revised policy, as well as concerns with language that continued from the current policy. Many of the concerns focused on the social impact of the policy. There were questions about the purpose of some of the revisions and what problems were trying to be solved.

Professor Tolliver made a motion to request that USC ask Executive Vice President Wilson to hold off an sending the revised policy to the Board in September until there is careful consultation. The motion was seconded by Professor Burbules and approved by voice vote.

The group generally agreed that it would be helpful to have an analysis of what the consequences of the revisions to the policy might be. There was awareness that some of the changes were directed at people trying to “game” the system, but also concern that there might be unintentional consequences to underrepresented groups and people with less resources.

USC members discussed what USC’s role should be in the consultative process and when the senates should be brought into the process.

III. Updates from the three universities on plans for the Fall Semester

Professor De Groote reported that UIC announced that first-year classes will all be online with the exception of labs. She commented that there are concerns from faculty and students due to the large number of people traveling to campus. In addition, it is not possible to do the same level of testing as UIUC since UIC is more of a transient campus. Professor Vincent said that the Chicago Public School system will all be virtual. Professor Danziger reported that the west side of UIC will have a mixed opening, while continuing patient care. The group discussed plans for students who will be on campus and living in dorms.

Professor Burbules said that faculty at UIUC have the option to teach strictly online. Some faculty members and groups want UIUC to be online only for fall. He felt that the shared governance process has been very open and adequate, even though some faculty have felt that their voices have not been heard. Professor Fisher thought that UIS faculty received their preference as to whether to teach in-person or online. Professor Wade said that another concern with bringing back students is community spread. Professor Campbell wondered if students who will be on campus but taking online classes will be required to test twice a week like students who will need building access, noting that the online students will still be out in the community.

USC discussed the system and campus consultative processes in decision-making.

IV. Discussion with President Killeen and Executive Vice President Wilson

Executive Vice President Wilson commented that the system has not really made many decisions. There is a system coordinating committee that pulls information together, with the individual universities making decisions and providing messaging.

President Killeen provided updates on the coronavirus and fall reopening. He said that a lot of work has been done throughout the UI Healthcare System. There are currently six clinical trials going on. Surveillance testing through SHIELD seems to be working well; rapid testing and rapid isolation work. Around 40% of those who test positive are asymptomatic. Saliva testing is proving to be superior to nasal testing. Frequent testing and isolating will be critical to opening and staying open, in addition to social distancing and mask wearing. The President commented that there would likely be a spike in cases when students return. Testing and isolating quickly those who test positive will help keep spreading under control. The cost of testing is very low, $10 per test, and results are quick. Other universities, companies, school districts, and the Governor are interested in expanding the use of SHIELD. The system is requesting support from the state to expand SHIELD and purchase additional equipment, perhaps even offering mobile units. The Board of Trustees will be considering the creation of a university related organization to expand on the technologies that have been developed here.

There were several questions from USC to which President Killeen responded. The chancellors will develop rules and sanctions for those who are noncompliant. The system will look into having a unified data base for the three universities regarding testing and tracking. Executive Vice President Wilson said that the system has provided all three universities with language for syllabi for on-ground classes. Health campaigns are in the works. There will be issues with compliance.

President Killeen said that both proposed federal relief bills include funds that will go directly to higher education. What is uncertain is whether states will get some relief funding. If not, that will most likely affect us.

President Killeen commented that the University of Illinois system will be involved with any legal pushback regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement restrictions on students trying to take classes here.

President Killeen said that the police chiefs from each university developed recommendations that are very responsive to the current times. Executive Vice President Wilson added that all officers will receive de-escalation training through PTI, each police chief will have a liaison board with community members that will review policies and procedures, and ten NAACP shared principles have been adopted. Each campus is investigating adding a social worker or mental health counselor to each police shift. In addition, each campus is purchasing a use-of-force simulator. The three police chiefs want to make sure training and education is the very best. President Killeen commented that there are also internal cultural issues that need to be addressed. Executive Vice President Wilson said that the system would like to help bring best practices forward that would help with the recruitment and retention of faculty of color.

USC members discussed some concerns with the revised residency policy. Professor

De Groote indicated that USC would like to consider holding off sending the policy to the Board until there is a discussion of the broader implications of the policy, especially the social impact on the vulnerable population. Executive Vice President Wilson said that the system policy has been in place a long time, but each campus manages residency. When a student does not qualify, there are occasionally appeals. The revised policy provides more consistency and creates a committee for the appeals process, rather than having one person making the decisions. The revisions also attempt to circumvent those who try to game the system. Admissions and legal spent a lot of time working on the revisions to the policy. She suggested that USC meet with Julian Parrott from her office, since he is the person in charge of residency appeals and oversees the system policy.

President Killeen thanked USC members for their time and input. He summarized that the system is working to ensure safety and limit the spread of disease while making the universities operational, and needs to demonstrate our commitment to racial inequalities.

The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

http://www.usc.uillinois.edu/sites/usc.uillinois.edu/files/minutes/MIN-0806.20.pdf