The NLU Faculty Senate met on April 20, 2011.
President’s Report
President Nivine Megahed discussed accomplishments for moving the University forward. Key interim and vacant positions have been filled (e.g., provost, VP for marketing). Better metrics are in place for managing enrollment, and NLU is beginning to see results. For nine weeks, applications have been higher than at the same time last year. The strategic planning process will address moving academics forward and focus on what must be accomplished over the next five years.
Dr. Megahed reported that approximately 20 faculty have accepted the early retirement offer. There will be a university-wide event to honor their legacy.
A question was raised about interim positions: Do those individuals who served in interim positions stay in the administration once permanent hires are made? The President asked that this question be tabled until June.
A CAS resolution recommending an administrative pay cut led to discussion about equity in view of faculty being asked to teach an additional course, no summer overages, and higher insurance costs. President Megahed responded that it is necessary now to look at how all resources are allocated rather than across-the-board pay cuts. This includes how faculty time can be allocated to help the University, i.e., less service, research, etc., during this budget crunch. This is a temporary situation and faculty should work with their deans to determine how to allocate their time.
Provost’s Report
Dr. Quinn outlined ways the institution is moving forward academically, including creating the Learning Commons, the undergrad and NCE grad advising centers, conversations about gen ed and adult learners, NLU’s online learning strategy, an improved academic planning process, the calendar conversion, and the credit hour conversion. Dr. Quinn announced that in May, several open forum meetings will take place to gather faculty input on the Strategic Plan.
Senate brought up the issue of student discipline and how necessary information about policy in general as well as individual students is communicated to the appropriate faculty, including adjuncts. It is apparent that correct policy and procedure are not clear to everyone. Administration promised that appropriate training will be provided to faculty and adjuncts. Senate will invite appropriate administrators to the May meeting to provide more information.
Faculty Welfare and Compensation Committee Report
Linda Gibbons reported that the FWCC continues to respond to faculty concerns. FWCC representatives on the Benefits Committee, along with Human Resource personnel Tom Bergmann and Holly Battaglia, worked together to make the insurance benefit increase as equitable as possible for all employees. She thanked Mr. Bergmann and Ms. Battaglia for their collaboration. The committee has submitted to the Administration a compilation of ideas on increasing workplace satisfaction for all employees without additional cost. The Administration is considering the suggestions
Graduate Advising Center
Steve Neer, Director of Advising, Assessment, and Development, presented an overview of the NCE Graduate Advising Center, which will launch in mid-May. Seven professional advisors located at the Chicago, Lisle, and Wheeling campuses will staff the center. They will travel to other campuses and off-site locations and work evening hours as needed. They will advise students on degree requirements and program deficiencies, serve as main points-of-contact for students, and lead retention efforts.
Academic Planning Subcommittee Report
Rebecca Lake reported on the work of the Academic Planning Subcommittee of Senate. The Academic Planning Task Force will work to implement a revised system for new programs and program revisions in Fall, 2011. Then they will work toward developing a new, simplified system for program reviews for implementation in Winter, 2012. To accommodate the change, the 10 program reviews remaining for this academic year will be postponed to Fall, 2011. Program reviews scheduled for AY 2011-2012 will be postponed until the launch of the new system. Programs will be able to choose from the old or new requirements, depending on the amount of work they have already done preparing their reports under the old system. These steps will allow for ample faculty input, especially from college academic planning units, and ensure that NLU moves forward with appropriate deliberation. More information on academic planning will be shared at the Faculty Association meeting
ULC Representative
Dr. Steve Thompson was elected by Senate to fill a vacancy on ULC. (Because of administrative changes since the Senate meeting, Senate will review ULC membership at its next meeting.)
Forthcoming Meetings
The next Senate meeting will be Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at 11:00 AM on the Chicago Campus. The Senate will meet in executive session at 9:30 AM that day, primarily to organize the agenda of the 11:00 AM meeting. Senate has agreed that all attendees of Senate meetings identify themselves by name when prompted by the NLU Meeting Place system, and those names will be announced aloud by the system to all meeting participants. Callers who do not identify themselves will be asked to hang up and reconnect, saying their names when prompted. As always, Faculty Senate meetings are open to all members of the NLU Community.
Senate agreed that the NLU Faculty Association Meeting will be on Friday, May 20, 2011, at 1:00 PM. Details on locations and teleconferencing are forthcoming.
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