REPORT FROM THE ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING OF MARCH 19, 1997:
The following is my best recollection, but faculty should rely on the official minutes when they become available.
1. REVISION OF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE.
The revised grievance procedure was agreed to by the Senate with few changes. Senate President Chemerinsky and Provost Armstrong stated the language was such that grievances would not be improperly dismissed, and that the Provost or President of the University would not have the power to prevent hearings of grievances. The new procedure will go into effect July 1, 1997.
2. PROVOST STATES ISSM FACULTY WILL NOT BE TERMINATED.
The Provost stated that all faculty in ISSM will be offered a faculty position within a new unit within the University, or offered a buy-out package valued at approximately 4-5 years current salary. The choice would be up to the ISSM faculty member. It appeared that this announcement was news to ISSM faculty in attendance, and that they stated they look forward to receiving a letter from the Provost confirming this announcement. Already on the agenda was resolution calling on the Provost to find ISSM faculty a position within the University. Considerable debate ensued concerning the resolution. Debate centered on whether passing the resolution would derail or encourage events that seemed to now be moving towards protecting these faculty. After considerable debate, the Senate passed the resolution by ~12 aye, ~7 nay vote. All 5 senators from the Medical School supported the resolution.
3. REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES.
Consideration of the report of the Task Force for the Future of the Health Sciences was deferred to the next Senate meeting. The MFAEB has proposed that the report be amended to include an additional point (Point 8) in the section regarding governance:
Governance Principle 8: Governance is best accomplished with a clear statement of rules and procedures. Each school shall develop and ratify a document clearly stating the rules and procedures that govern the school. In addition, the University Academic Senate shall develop and ratify a document that clearly states the rules and procedures by which the University approves and enforces governance documents of schools, and by which the University allows the schools to amend their governance documents.
4. ADMINISTRATION TABLES REVISION OF FACULTY HANDBOOK
The Provost perceives the current relationship between the Senate and his office as not conducive to productive negotiation, and the Administration will not encourage the adoption of a new Faculty Handbook prior to the end of this academic year. The Provost believes the Handbook currently emphasizes Faculty rights but does not adequately deal with Faculty responsibilities as they relate to the mission of the University and its goal to achieve excellence and become a leading research university. He does not want his name associated with a poorly revised Handbook.
It thus appears that on July 1, 1997, the new grievance process will go into effect as an amendment to the current Handbook, and there will not be a new Handbook.
5. CAN THE ADMINISTRATION UNILATERALLY ALTER THE FACULTY HANDBOOK?
In his opening remarks, President of the Senate Chemerinsky stated that he had been told by the Administration that the Administration believes it has the right to unilaterally alter the Handbook. President Chemerinsky disagrees with this position. The Provost was not later questioned on this point.
Harvey Kaslow, Senator