University of Illinois System Senate Executive Committee met March 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Present: Chair Rob Kar, Vice-Chair John Dallesasse, Mike Bohlmann, Nicholas Burbules, Richard Gegg, Shawn Gilmore, Kim Graber, Prasanta Kalita, Gay Miller, Linda Moorhouse, JJ Pionke, Chaya Sandler, Helga Varden
Ex officio: William Bernhard (Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs on behalf of Chancellor Jones)
Absent: Nicole Arnold, Dana Yun
Guests: Willie Cui (News Editor, The Daily Illini), Ahmed Elbanna (Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), Chris Harris (Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Public Affairs), Robin Kaler (Associate Chancellor for Public Affairs), Susan Martinis (Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation), Shari Mickey-Boggs (Senior Associate Chancellor for Human Resources), Christopher Span (Chief of Staff & Associate Chancellor for Administration and PreK-12 Initiatives), Deborah Stone (Executive Director, Human Resources Policy & Administration)
I. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Senate Executive Committee (SEC) was called to order at 3:12 pm with Chair Kar presiding.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
No requests received.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the February 21, 2022 and February 28, 2022 meetings were approved as distributed by roll call vote.
Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Bohlmann, Burbules, Gegg, Gilmore, Graber, Kalita, Miller, Moorhouse, Pionke, Varden
No: None
Abstain: None
IV. CHAIR’S REMARKS
Chair Kar reviewed today’s agenda. Kare mentioned urged SEC member to encourage people that would be effective in various leadership positions to participate in shared governance leadership roles.
V. CHANCELLOR’S REMARKS
Bernhard gave remarks in the absence of Chancellor Jones. Bernhard reported that faculty, staff, and students that are not fully vaccinated will need to test once per week rather than once every other day. Students were required to acquire at least one negative on-campus COVID test after returning from spring break. The vast majority of students have met this requirement. However, there may be a few students that were not able to acquire a negative test. Bernhard asked that everyone be flexible and accommodating as possible.
Provost Communication #9 has been revised and is posted online. The revised Communication #9 recognizes a wider range of faculty contributions including guidelines for team and interdisciplinary research, community and public engagement, and a candidate statement around diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also includes new processes around evaluating teaching effectiveness.
The review process has taken a long time and included consultation and engagement with stakeholders across campus. Bernhard recognized Eva Pomerantz (LAS) and Amy Ando (ACES) for their leadership of this task force that made these recommendations.
The Senate Committee on General University Policy (GP) had a number of excellent conversations about Communication #9 and very thoughtful feedback. Bernhard encouraged everyone to read and review the revised Communication #9. The Office of the Provost well be scheduling a serious of educational sessions with various groups such as executive officers and candidates for promotion and tenure in the spring and through the fall.
Bernhard encouraged everyone that as the end of the semester approaches, there are still some individuals that are struggling. Be mindfulness of those around you and be sure you encourage anyone in need to reach out to the available resources.
Pionke asked if there will there be an example of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. Bernhard noted that this a new process and plan to give the University community time to develop recommendations. Bernhard anticipates that as everyone gains experience with the statement that there will be an opportunity to develop and provide samples.
Pionke also inquired about a new promotion and tenure (P&T) administration system, Interfolio, and asked when training will take place. Bernhard replied that training has begun and there are videos available online at https://interfolio.illinois.edu.
Gilmore requested information on when Provost Communications #25 and #25, and which aspects of #9 will be included. Bernhard responded that a task force will be established to start a discussion about #25 and #26, most likely this fall. Some elements from #9 will translate to #25 and #26 and some should not.
Graber asked if the faculty third year review will be able to be conducted electronically. Bernhard noted that the dossier is currently a fillable Word document. Interfolio, does present capabilities to digitize other processes, like third year review. However, we want to make sure it works for P&T and to get some experience and familiarity with Interfolio before expanding capabilities.
Miller expressed concern about students only masking when instruction is in session rather than masking when physically present in a classroom. Bernhard stated that he would bring the concern back to the Chancellor and Provost, and indicated that there might be some clarification messaging that can be done. Pionke added his concern about masking not being required in the library.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
SC.21.05, Review of Senate Committees in Response to the 2018 Governance Audit Kar is planning to meet with the auditors and will give an update at next SEC meeting. An incredible amount of progress and work has been done, much of it complex and interconnected.
SC.22.10, Letters of Service
Kar stated that the intention of this item is to have a letter of service issued for those in higher level leadership positions within the Senate. This would be something that can be done strategically and help colleges and units understand Senate leaders’ roles in shared governance, not just in terms of service, but also leadership. Kar suggested an ad hoc committee consisting of Burbules, Graber, and Miller with Bernhard and Span serving in an ex officio capacity. Kar also suggested inviting former SEC member Pia Hunter to serve as well. Kar does not believe the amount of work will be great and to come back with recommendations by the last Senate meeting on April 25. SEC members discussed aspects that the ad hoc committee should consider.
SC.23.01, Election of Faculty Members to the 2022-2023 Committee on Committees SC.23.02, Election of Student Members to the 2022-2023 Committee on Committees Graber, Moorhouse, and Varden will serve on an ad hoc committee to make nominations. Clerk Roether will contact student SEC members to ask for a volunteer to also serve on this ad hoc committee.
EQ.21.01, Resolution on the Revised Diversity Statement
Kar shared the Revised Diversity Statement via Zoom screen share. Pionke noted that the last diversity statement was made in 2012 and was several pages long. The Senate Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EQ) suggested a shorter and updated statement. Pionke asked for feedback from SEC members before sending it to the full Senate. Pionke noted that EQ worked on this statement for over a year and contacted many stakeholders during the development of the revised statement.
Burbules suggested that “systemic racism/ableism/misogyny/etc.” be removed if it will be adopted as a University-wide statement. Gilmore suggested that when this item goes to the full Senate, that EQ Chair Pionke give an introduction that includes how this statement was developed and the stakeholders involved. Gilmore also expressed concern that the Senate may not have the authority to require units adopt this statement. SEC members continued discussion about EQ.21.01.
The discussion concluded with Dallesasse making a motion to send EQ.21.01 to the Offices of the Chancellor, Provost, and Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to request feedback be sent to EQ. Pionke noted that is these offices are to be engaged, the statement would not be ready for Senate approval this semester. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call vote.
Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Burbules, Gegg, Graber, Kalita, Moorhouse, Sandler
No: Bohlmann, Gilmore, Miller
Abstain: Pionke, Varden
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Setting of the April 4, 2022 Senate Meeting Agenda
The April 4, 2022 Senate meeting agenda was approved as amended by roll call vote.
Yes: Kar, Dallesasse, Bohlmann, Burbules, Gegg, Gilmore, Graber, Kalita, Moorhouse, Pionke, Sandler, Varden
No: None
Abstain: None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 pm.
https://uofi.app.box.com/v/SenateExecutiveCommittee/file/969591443895
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