Minutes

 Emeritus Faculty Council Meeting

December 6, 2021

Zoom Call

Call to Order:  Mitros - at 9:31

Members Attending: Charlie Anderson, Christopher Atchison, Deborah Cobb, Larry Fleckenstein, Minnetta Gardinier, Miriam Gilbert, Bill Hines, Russell Lenth, Frank Mitros, Jacob Odgaard, Siroos Shirazi, Jill Valde, Stephen Vlastos, Carolyn Wanat, Sam Cochran

Approval of November Minutes: Submitted by Chris Atchison

(Note: after soliciting corrections via email which resulted in minor corrections, the October minutes were approved)

Announcement:

Debbie Millsap, who had been our point of contact with the Provost’s Office, has retired. Her replacement is Alaina Hanson (alaina-hanson@uiowa.edu)

Newly retired and recently deceased Faculty (as of November 30th)

Name

College

Retirement Date

William Silverman

Medicine

12/21/2021

Alan MacVey

CLAS

6/30/2022

Mark Marz

Dentistry

6/30/2021

Christopher Goerdt

Medicine

1/5/2022

Marc Armstrong

CLAS

12/31/2021

     
     

Deceased

College

Date of Death

Stefan Loening

Medicine

10/8/2021

Richard DeGowin

Medicine

11/24/2021

Moment of Silence

Mitros also asked that as members become aware of deceased faculty they should contact him via e-mail or bring up names at meetings.  He will see that they are forwarded to the Provost’s office via Alaina Hanson. Mitros will also inquire about notifications from the office of Staff Benefits or other sources.

Permissive Conferral of Emeritus Status

Follow-up of discussions concerning candidates Mitros sought clarification from the Provost’s Office regarding whether Adjunct Faculty could become Emeriti, and whether Adjunct Emeriti had that as part of their title. He was informed that “Adjuncts can request emeritus status based on a review of titles that are currently out there”.

No new candidates for permissive conferral to review.

Report on EFC committee assignments:

  • Elections: Gilbert (Chair), Mitros, Hauserman. Gilbert will check on the status of members and the need for potential candidates.
  • Program: Anderson, Fleckenstein, Vlastos, Wanat – The committee hasn’t met and Wanat suggested that the committee and Mitros meet after this call to discuss how potential speakers be identified.
  • Lecture Series: Gardinier (Chair), Gilbert, Mitros (Consultant)
  • Most recent lecture  was on Thursday, November 18th - Bull in a China Shop by Jacob Odgaard
  • Gilbert has been exploring logistics for future Hybrid meetings, i.e. in person and zoom methods and asked about the EFCs opinion.  Consensus was to develop a hybrid modality for this Spring’s presentations. She will pursue this possibility.
  • Communications/Website: Fleckenstein, Lenth

Up to date on the website with minutes.

Report on Liaisons with University committees/organizations: 

  • Campus planning: Anderson – The Committee met on November 8th with two items of note: 1) Plans are being developed for a significant upgrade of seminar space in the Law School,  2) Plans are underway for the construction of a new building that will hold both the Veterans and ROTC programs.
  • FRIC: Shirazi, Valde – Valde said they met Friday – Report to follow.
  • UIRA: Mitros – Goal continues to coordinate the EFC, UIRA and the Senior College. This might be helpful in discussions regarding issues around retiree benefits such as health coverage. It was suggested that a more formal method of coordinating the groups.
  • Senior College – Mitros – Finishing Fall Semester.  Enrollment has been up due to zoom access.  Want to re-establish in person but probably with Hybrid option. Group consists of both faculty and staff and functions very well.
  • Research Council: Berman – no report
  • Library: Hauserman, Lenth – Nov meeting was cancelled, meets next in Feb.
  • Faculty Senate/Council: Gardinier, Vlastos – No report – will start hybrid in the new year.  Gardinier will inquire about a tri-org meeting with the Senate Council.
  • Hancher: Valde, Shirazi – No report last meeting was cancelled
  • Recreation Services: Atchison  - No report
  • Parking and Transportation: Mitros, Odgaard – Report distributed. Odgaard observed that reducing the carbon footprint remains a goal for the PT unit.  Also raised the possibility that the EFC might consider what benefits or support we provide to the PT enterprise.
  • President’s Committee on Athletics:  Hines – Met Dec 2nd. Baseball – Heller said MLB draft is affecting his program due improved quality of the program. Pres Wilson spoke of values and how athletics is a “corridor” into broader understanding of the University. 
  • Old Business: 

            Motion by Shirazi second by Valde to convene an executive committee consisting of the President and Past presidents of the Emeritus Faculty Council, the Senior College and the University of Iowa Retirees Association to explore ideas for discussion with the University. Shiroos motion second by Jill Valde.  Motion was approved.

New Business:

George Johnson, formerly a member of the EFC and a long time member of the Senior College Committee noted that some Emeriti seemed unaware of the Senior College and how to get on the Senior College mailing list.  Gardinier, Mitros will discuss with Johnson the possibility of using the EFC mailing list to distribute information about Senior College activities.

Meeting adjourned at 11:04

Minutes

Emeritus Faculty Council Meeting

November 1, 2021. 9:30-11:00 AM 

Via Zoom

Call to Order:  Mitros - at 9:32

Members Attending: Charlie Anderson, Christopher Atchison, Constance Berman, Larry Fleckenstein, Minnetta Gardinier, Miriam Gilbert, Bill Hines, Russell Lenth, Frank Mitros, Jacob Odgaard, Siroos Shirazi, Jill Valde, Stephen Vlastos, Carolyn Wanat, Sam Cochran

Approval of October Minutes: (to be approved by e-mail)

Announcements:

Deborah (Debbie) Millsap is now retired (as of October 15th).  She has been an valuable link for the EFC and we owe her a great debt of gratitude.  

Newly retired and recently deceased Faculty (as of October 21)

Name

College

Retirement Date

Leslie Bruch

College of Medicine

2/2/2022

Marcelo Auslender

College of Medicine

12/17/2021

Helena Dettmer

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

12/31/2021

Mark Dion

College of Medicine

12/8/2021

James Dreier

College Liberal Arts and Sciences

6/30/2022

Christopher Goerdt

College of Medicine

1/5/2022

Raymond Mentzer

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

6/30/2022

Leslie Schwalm

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

6/30/2022

Scott Temple

College of Medicine

1/4/2022

Eva Tsalikian

College of Medicine

1/3/2022

John Canady

College of Medicine

 
     

Deceased

College

Date of Death

     

James Martins

Medicine

9/2/2021

Martin Sokoll

Medicine

7/1/2021

Eleanor McClelland

Nursing

10/6/2021

Adel Kasim Afifi

Medicine

10/18/2021

Lawrence Huber

Dentistry

10/18/2021

John Wilson

College of Education

10/9/2021

                                                                                   

Moment of Silence

Permissive Conferral of Emeritus Status

            Two candidates were reviewed and votes deferred

Discussion included the process of adjunct faculty becoming eligible for membership in the EFC.  Gardiner noted that, based upon a Dean’s recommendation, it is allowed under the Operations Manual of the University.  “Non-regular faculty (e.g., adjunct faculty) of the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor who terminate their service to the University under honorable circumstances after serving a significant period of time.”

 Mitros will inquire about the intentions of Provost’s office on their intentions regarding adjunct status as emeritus and the process of conferring this status.

Report on EFC committee assignments:

  • Elections: Gilbert (Chair), Mitros, Hauserman - no report
  • Program: Anderson, Fleckenstein, Vlastos, Wanat – no report
  • Lecture Series: Gardinier (Chair), Gilbert, Mitros (Consultant) -
    • Gardinier noted the lecture on Thursday 21 October (“Inside the Fences and Beyond the Bars”).  Positive reviews of the presentation but concerns also expressed about how to build attendance
    • Bull in a China Shop Jacob Odgaard, professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering Thursday, November 18, 4 p.m.

  • Communications/Website: Fleckenstein, Lenth – Lenth noted the site has been updated

Report on Liaisons with University committees/organizations: 

  •       Campus planning: Anderson – discussion of a new sculpture at the Art building
  • FRIC: Shirazi, Valde – No report
  • UIRA: Mitros – Cochran appreciates having the liaison appt to the EFC. Mitros suggested that the liaison be able to participate fully in EFC activities except voting on permissive status.

Retiree benefit sessions Gary Schwartz from the SHIIP 2 p.m. on Nov 11th. Nov 18th, 1 PM UI Benefits and Health Alliance. Look to Grey Hawk for further information.

  • Research Council: Berman – No report
  • Library: Hauserman, Lenth – Will share the Sept minutes
  • Faculty Senate/Council: Gardinier, Vlastos – See attachment. Vlastos asked for comments on the topics of interest to the EFC. Noted concern about budget reductions begun in 2016 for “deferred maintainence” and effect on infrastructure. There is a “major revision” of the operations manual underway but consultation on issues of tiers of faculty was not sufficient. Specific concermns regarding Section 329  (dispute and grievance procedure) to create more uniformity across the tiers. Additionally, concern about the definition of “Professionalism” as an element of faculty reappointment.

AGENDA ADJUSTED TO HEAR FROM GUEST SPEAKER

Virginia Drake: Information Technology Services, Messaging and Collaboration

Emeritus has special status with the University for access to IT but an issue is paid vs unpaid and whether there should be a distinction in access to Zoom services.  Shirazi noted that we do have parking as a benefit so there is a form of payment to emeritus faculty.

Faculty, emeritus and staff faculty have been removed from access to help desk IT support for their computers and software. Dell and Apple do provide discounts.

Showed a site from the Zoom Help Center (Support.zoom.us) regarding how to host a meeting.

Mitros asked about use of the uiowa.edu addresses.  Emeritus have status with the University which enables contact on behalf of the University and should be encouraged to maintain their University address so that contact can be facilitated.  Gardinier noted her experience that emeritus faculty have changed to a non university address.  Drake said Phishing attacks create problems between uiowa addresses and non university addresses.

Wanat asked about alternatives to training through Lynda (now Linkedin Learning) , which is only available to current staff, faculty and students.  Drake said Lynda has some free courses and costs about 19 dollars/month.

Resumed agenda at 10:57

  • Hancher: Valde, Shirazi
  • Recreation Services: Atchison  (see documents in separate email). Atchison noted that Rec Services has seen a decline in membership and asked if the UIRA could use Grey Hawk, and the EFC used their contacts to convey the use of wellness funds from individual health insurance to have rec services membership.  Cochran will explore availability of health wellness re-imbursements for rec services membership.
  • Parking and Transportation: Mitros, Odgaard - no report
  • President’s Committee on Athletics:  Hines - No report

Adjournment at 11:02

Emeritus Faculty Council Minutes

October 4, 2021

Call to Order: Zoom supported meeting called to order by Mitros at 9:31

Meeting Host: Mitros

Members Attending: Charlie Anderson, Christopher Atchison, Constance Berman, Deborah Cobb Larry Fleckenstein, Minnetta Gardinier, Miriam Gilbert, Bill Hines, Russell Lenth, Frank Mitros, Jacob Odgaard, Siroos Shirazi, Jill Valde, Stephen Vlastos, Carolyn Wanat,

Members Absent:  Nancy Hauserman, Sam Cochran

Approval of  September Minutes:  

Submitted by Chris Atchison – Motion to Approve by Gilbert, second by Odgaard – Unanimous approval

Introductions:

New Emeriti:

            Nancy Coover Andreasen                   College of Medicine

            David Talan                                         College of Medicine

Remembrances: 

Ting-Fong Chin                                    College of Pharmacy     8/11/2021

George Knorr                                      CLAS    (Physics)              8/27/2021

John Lediaev                                       CLAS                                  8/21/2021

Jerry Maynard                                      CLAS    (Exercise Sc)

Michelene Pesantubbee                     CLAS    (Religion)              7/13/2021

Linda Fielding                                      Education                        6/18/2021

Larry Bartlett                                      Education

Lawrence Peterson                             College of Dentistry         8/22/2021     

Ronald Schoewald                              College of Pharmacy        8/21/2019

Duane Van Demark                             College of Medicine          9/1/2021

Thomas Tephly                                   College of Medicine          7/24/2021

Charles (Chuck) DeProsse                   College of Medicine          9/10/2021

Moment of Silence

Old Business

No more info on conferral status

Retirement seminar – very informative, zoom as method very helpful to engage discussion. We should continue our involvement if asked again.

Report on EFC committee assignments:

  • Elections: Gilbert (Chair), Mitros, Hauserman - Mitros is finishing term after this year so a replacement will be needed.
  • Annual Meeting/Program:  Wanat, Anderson, Fleckenstein  - Having a 4th member would be ideal.  e-mail Mitros if interested
  • Lecture Series:  Gardinier (Chair), Gilbert, Mitros (Consultant)
    • Oct 21 panel on Oakdale Prison Choir
    • Nov 18th.  Yackoff lecture
    • Need to contact Greyhawk for further info distribution, deadline usually the 20th of the month.
  • Communications/Website: Fleckenstein (Chair), Lenth. The Emeritus Council website has been updated, contact Lenth to add items

Report on Liaisons with University committees/organizations: 

  • Campus planning: Hines, Anderson – See September meeting notes, planning ongoing, much to be worked out
  • FRIC: Shirazi, Valde. No changes in policy
  • UIRA: Vlastos, Cobb, Mitros No report
  • Research Council: Berman No report
  • Libraries: Hauserman, Lenth No report
  • Faculty Senate/Council: Gardinier, Wanat. 

(Sept 14th Senate Meeting Report Attached) President Wilson addressed the meeting.  Her priorities include visits to colleges, Recruitment and Retention, Student success initiative, developing a Mental Health facility, COVID. The University has done waste water tests showing low Covid infection rates.  Questions from the EFC included concerns about low morale, high occupancy in the hospital and need for a mask mandate.

The next Faculty Council Meeting will be on October 5th.

President Wilson will address the Association of Emeritus Faculty Annual Meeting on May 16, 2022.

  • Hancher: Valde, Shirazi (Report filed?).

50th anniversary planning strained by covid. Hancher doesn’t meet Actor’s Equity standards on masking so events are hard to develop.  $11.1 million goal for a new endowment to support Hancher.

  • Recreation Services: Atchison. (report attached) Wildlife center moving to College of Ed
  • Senior College:  Donham, Mitros. Senior College is getting very good attendance.  Most classes are Zoom only. However, two classes are in person both at the Coralville Arts Center with COVID precautions in place. 
  • Parking and Transportation: Mitros, Odgaard – The Director of the Department, Debby Zumbach will address this meeting.
  • President’s Committee on Athletics:  Hines.

Meeting in person, new woman’s program – wrestling. Next meeting Oct 7th

New Business:   

Mitros asked the Council to consider how we might go about idealizing the relationship amongst three important groups serving the entire University of Iowa community: the EFC, Senior College and UIRA.

Relationship with Senior College

Mitros is the current EFC representative to the Senior College.  His EFC second term ends in 2022, so a new representative and liaison will be necessary.

Shirazi inquired if the sitting EFC president could be ex officio liaison to the EFC.

Mitros had posed, as part of the agenda for this meeting,  the following questions for Council consideration. 

Does an active EFC Committee member need to be an active member of the Senior College Committee?

If not:

Would a liaison from EFC to Senior College be appropriate?

            Would a liaison from Senior College to the EFC be appropriate?

These questions need to be discussed by both Committees (let us start developing our view).

Relationship with UIRA

There has been a move recently to enhance the relationship amongst the three entities (EFC, UIRA, Senior College). Sam Cochran has joined us this year representing the UIRA to the EFC.  Deb Cobb has joined the Board of UIRA. Steve Vlastos has asked to leave his role as a liaison to UIRA as he takes on a new role as one our liaisons to the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Senate Council. Carolyn Wanat and Mitros had a recent discussion concerning this topic, and thought the goals of both organizations would be enhanced this year (while Mitros is the EFC president) if Mitros took on the role of an EFC liaison to the UIRA, and he has tentatively agreed to do so.

Mitros – all three orgs are supportive of coordination. Gilbert asked how can we assure a constant connection?  Carolyn Wanat suggested that  the presidents of each organization could meet regularly to assure ongoing communication.  Discussion was interrupted by guest speaker’s arrival.  Mitros asked members to consider this item for future discussion.

Guest Speaker: Debby Zumbach, Associate Vice President and Director, Parking and Transportation/Business Services

Mitros introduced Debby Zumbach from the Parking and Transportation Department.

(Slides Attached)

Key points:  there are only 16,559 parking spaces on campus so possible demand will always exceed supply.  Moving to license plate recognition will help provide needed data on lot management.

Commented that parking fines are not a focus for profit

CAMBUS - Covid has caused the use of CAMBUS to lessen.  Also, because the majority of workers are students –with students off campus due to COVID service is down significantly in drivers.

            Fleet Services – reduced due to lower useage

Hines commented that emeritus parking through the new LPR, staff don’t recognize emeritus perogatives.  Deb – additional training has been provided.

            License Plate Recognition. – a more efficient system in materials, time and cost

            Planning to remove parking meters in favor of central pay by space.

Gilbert, explain payment in advance – Phone apps allow payment update, otherwise it’s the same as current policy.

Still need card to open the gate even though the LPR system acts as a driver’s permit.

If there are classes eg senior college, let Parking Office (Zumbach) know in advance so they can adjust space allocation. 

Perhaps greater coordination on scheduling senior college programs, e.g. Thurs or Friday, when parking demands are lesser.

Adjourned at 11:06

Next EFC meeting:  9:30 – 11:00 a.m. November 1, 2021 via Zoom

 

Emeritus Faculty Council Minutes

9:30-11:00 , September 8, 2021

The Zoom supported meeting was called to order by Gilbert at 9:32 A.M.

Members Attending: Charlie Anderson, Christopher Atchison, Constance Berman, Larry Fleckenstein, Minnetta Gardinier, Miriam Gilbert, Bill Hines, Frank Mitros, Jacob Odgaard, Siroos Shirazi, Jill Valde, Stephen Vlastos, Carolyn Wanat, Sam Cochran

Members Absent: Deborah Cobb, Nancy Hauserman, Russell Lenth

Meeting Hosts: Gilbert, Mitros

Approval of Minutes: Adoption Moved by Gilbert, Seconded by Fleckenstein

May 3rd Minutes – Unanimous approval

Special Meeting – Amendment by Wanat to Remembrances – May 19, 2019 - William Matthes, College of Education.

Unanimous as amended

Introductions:

  • New member:             Jacob Odgaard   College of Engineering
  • Liaison from UIRA:      Sam Cochran      University Counselling

Remembrances: 

John (Ira) Rapson    July 21, 2021        CLAS

Charles Sabiston      June 16, 2021       College of Dentistry

            Frank Schmidt       August 21, 2021     Tippie College of Business

Transition:

            End of term as President: Miriam Gilbert

            Beginning of term as President: Frank Mitros

Elections of new officers:

            Nominated (by Gilbert) for Vice-President/President-elect:

                        Bill Hines                     College of Law

Unanimous approval

            Nominated (by Gilbert) for Secretary:

                        Chris Atchison College of Public Health

Unanimous Approval

Mitros gave comments of appreciation for election as President and for Miriam Gilbert’s superb leadership during the previous year.

Report on EFC committee assignments:

  • Elections: Gilbert (Chair), Mitros, Hauserman - No additional report
  • Program: Wanat, Anderson, Fleckenstein  - No report
  • Lecture Series: Gardinier (Chair), Gilbert, Mitros (Consultant)
    • Gardiner said she is not sure Gussin will continue involvement and asked that EFC members consider volunteering for the committee. Mitros did.
    • Upcoming lecture:
      • October - Higher Education in Prisons
    • The Committee is also discussing establishing a regular day and time for programs, perhaps the 3rd Thurs at 4 P.M.
  • Communications/Website: Fleckenstein, Lenth - No report

Report on Liaisons with University committees/organizations: 

  • Campus Planning: Anderson (report attached) 
  • FRIC: Shirazi, Valde (report attached)
  • UIRA: Vlastos, Cobb

Wanat is the current president of UIRA. Their goals are to increase the relationship between the Emeritus faculty council,  UIRA and Senior college. Cochran announced the first UIRA meeting will be next week. Letters are being sent out to increase membership.  Trying to increase cross-University relationships. How to manage membership database but need greater University support to accomplish that.  Also looking for potential of staff support. Program committee has been meeting for the next year’s agenda.  Wanat asked all EFC to attend events, e.g next on 9/16.  Following EFC and Senior college model of on-line meetings through the balance of the year. 

  • Research Council: Berman no report
  • Library: Hauserman, Lenth no report
  • Faculty Senate/Council: Gardinier, Wanat (Council Report Attached)
  • Hancher: Valde, Shirazi – no report
  • Recreation Services
    • Atchison - first meeting Sept 21
  • Senior College: 
    • Mitros - Wanat has left the Senior College committee. Mitros will continue for next year. Need to clarify the relationship with EFC. Membership relationship should be discussed in future.  Center for Advancement is host for Senior College and Frank will give more information in future. 
  • Parking and Transportation: Mitros – report to follow.
  • President’s Committee on Athletics:  Hines - no report

Old Business:  None

New Business: 

  • Permissive Conferral of Emeritus status
    • Mitros noted that requests are vetted by the University before our consideration and major concerns are dealt with.
    • Two candidates were reviewed. It was noted that the candidates have demonstrated a benefit to the University, a key element for the Council’s consideration and that both want to continue a relationship with their College. Gilbert asked that the Council also consider a candidate’s body of contributions to the University.

Odgaard and Fleckenstein moved – and membership status was unanimously approved. Cobb and Hausermann also endorsed by e-mail.

  • Deciding on and confirming any changes in EFC committees and liaisons to committees.
    • Mitros:  had sent a note about the composition of our EFC committees and the liaisons to other University committees. He noted that we don’t need to change for sake of change, although “new eyes and ears” can be helpful.
    • Wanat:  Comment - Program committee down a member and it is helpful to have a committee of 4 for more ideas and contacts. Maybe discuss later when more members are participating. 
    • Gilbert:  spoke in favor of membership on Senior College as voting member.  Faculty Council is meeting via hybrid and needs two representatives to distribute workload. Mitros will do outreach to membership.
    • Parking - Odgaard volunteered for the Parking committee.

Upcoming events: 

Sept 9th  Retirement Seminar (with 4 representatives from the EFC participating).

Other Comments:

Gilbert: noted the program committee can be helpful in scheduling speakers.

Gardinier: noted that the College of Medicine doesn’t book classroom space through the University, which may allow greater access for EFC needs.

Gardinier, Odgaard, and Shirazi:  endorsed continuing EFC hybrid meeting strategy. 

Next Meeting:

Monday, October 4th at 9:30 AM. 

Continue by Zoom for indefinite future.

Respectively submitted,

Christopher Atchison

Association of Emeritus Faculty (AEF) Minutes

General Meeting, May 19, 2021, via Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M. by Miriam Gilbert, President of the Emeritus Faculty Council.

Current members of EFC were introduced to the AEF membership.  President Miriam Gilbert reported on the election of new members of the Council. Professor Jacob Odgaard was newly elected to a 3 year term on the EFC representing the College of Engineering. Constance Berman was elected to a second term representing CLAS, Chris Atchison (College of Public Health) was elected to finish his first term with two years remaining, and Siroos Shirazi (College of Medicine) was elected to his finish second term with two years remaining.

A moment of silence was taken in honor of colleagues who passed away during the last academic year. A list of those remembered is attached to the minutes. 

President Gilbert reported on some of the activities of the Emeritus Faculty Council in the 2020-2021 session, focusing on issues that the Council had discussed:

            Discussions of permissive conferral of emeritus status.  Associate Provost Lois Geist was consulted on the criteria the ECF should consider in its’ deliberation on permissive conferral of emeritus status. Adjunct status should be considered as part of the evaluation. Adjunct appointments may vary in terms of paid vs. voluntary appointment and the terms of the appointment. Considering the varying nature of these appointments among the various Colleges of the University, the Provost’s Office should provide the specific terms of the appointment to the EFC to include in its’ evaluation of permissive conferral.  Associate Provost Lois Geist provided a clear sense of how the process should work. Input from the EFC is valued by the Provost Office in these cases.

            Liaison with University committees/organizations.  When the legislature considered the elimination of tenure for the State Universities, the Provost Office provided the legislature with information on the value and the contribution of the tenured faculty.

            In the liaison with the Research Council, Connie Berman alerted the EFC that the University is doing a two-month trial to look at academic performance with a company called Academic Analytics based in Blacksburg, Virginia.  The company claims to be able to help evaluate who are our most valuable faculty members (in terms of getting grants or nominations for national awards).  A number of questions emerged about this contract after discussion of Berman’s report by the Council. These questions were directed to Alberto Segre who chairs the Research Council.  This matter was brought to the attention of Joe Yockey, president of Faculty Senate, for broader discussion of the faculty.

            Further development of the EFC website.  Russell Lenth presented the EFC website, and highlighted the information and news items available on it. He emphasized new improvements and updates to the website made in the past year.  The link can be found at: https://uiowa.edu/emeritusfaculty/.  He called on emeritus faculty to submit ideas for any improvement to the site.

            Emeritus Faculty Lecture Series:  Minnetta Gardinier and Miriam Gilbert organized the Emeritus Faculty Lecture Series for the 2020-2021 session. Gardinier summarized the series with a listing of lecture titles and speakers (List attached). All lectures were delivered via Zoom for the past 2020-21 session and video recordings of the lectures are now posted on the EFC website.  Standardizing the day and time to the third Thursday of the month at 4 PM is under consideration to help avoid conflicts with other programs organized by UIRA.  Ideas for topics and speakers are welcomed.

            Senior College:   H. Dee Hoover, Chair of the Senior College Committee, summarized the recent course delivery of the Senior College. In 2019-20, 12 course were delivered, all in-person lectures. In spring 2020 because of Covid, all in-person courses were canceled.  For Fall, 2020, 7 courses were delivered, all via Zoom. For Spring, 2021, 6 courses were delivered, all via Zoom and a large enrollment was noted.  For Fall 2021, courses will be primarily delivered via Zoom, with perhaps 2 hybrid courses. For the future, the lecture format is under discussion, but likely a combination of Zoom and in-person classes.  The Senior College Committee is trying to take courses off campus, in consideration of on campus parking.

After a brief break, President Miriam Gilbert introduced the guest speakers.

Kevin Kregel, Executive Vice President and Provost received both a bachelor’s degree in biology and a doctorate in physiology and biophysics from the UI and joined the faculty at Iowa in 1993 after completing a NIH postdoctoral fellowship. He became DEO in the Department of Health and Human Physiology before appointment as associate provost in 2014. In 2020 he served as interim Provost and permanently appointed to the Position in February 2021.

Chuck Swanson is the Executive Director of Hancher Auditorium. graduated with an MBA from the University of Iowa in 1976.  He was a student in 1972 when Hancher Auditorium opened, and he attended his first performance. Throughout his 33 years at Hancher, Swanson has emphasized that art is for all demographics, working to build relationships with a variety of community members and making them feel a sense of belonging.

Provost Kregel’s presentation summarized the Spring, 2021 commencement ceremonies, which were all virtual because of the Covid-19 pandemic.  There was also an in-person celebration of graduates at a well-attended event at Kinnick Stadium.  For the Spring, 2021 graduations 5782 degrees were awarded, the large number from CLAS (2464) and the Tippie College of Business (843). Kregel gave an campus update on Covid-19.  Summer semester will be a mix of virtual and in-person classes. For the Fall, 2021 semester, there will be a return to pre-Covid face to face classes along with some safety measures. Courses with greater than 150 students will be online.  Classrooms that meet ventilation standards will be used and all space will be prioritized for instruction.  Fall enrollment expectations include 4750 accepted freshmen with a female to male ratio of 60:40.  Campus life for the Fall semester includes a return of Big 10 athletics.  Also many employees will be returning to campus. The coming year will see a major transition in leadership at the University, including: new President Barbara Wilson, new Dean of the Graduate College, College of Dentistry Dean search, and new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executive Officer (Liz Tovar).  Current issues for the Provost’s Office include Campus Climate Survey, Strategic Planning (new cycle), and the University budget with an anticipation of no new money.

Director Swanson’s presentation emphasized his priorities of bringing world class artists together with University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff; K-12 students from around the community and state; and people of all ages and from all backgrounds. American Ballet Theatre, including local dancers, will give a full-length story ballet performance on July 4th.  Details to be announced soon.  Hancher’s doors will be open in the fall, however the capacity for performances is currently unknown.  Despite the pandemic shut-down of on-stage performances, Hancher has been very activity pursuing its mission on-campus and statewide.

Hancher is committed to teaching students, including younger students. Hancher offered three free virtual programs to local home learners and students from area schools this spring. One of the programs was Step Afrika!, performed by a professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping—a polyrhythmic, percussive dance form that uses the body as an instrument. Hancher reaches out beyond the UI campus and presents artists in performances and educational setting throughout Iowa. In support of the University of Iowa's mission to serve the state of Iowa, a number of Hancher artists visit communities outside of Iowa City. Hancher is collaborating with the Iowa Youth Writing program and Iowa Center for the Book to create an anthology by young artists.

A discussion followed Director Swanson’s presentation about Hancher’s recent budget reduction.  A question was raised about why the Athletic Department received 50 million dollars from the University while nothing was given to Hancher.  Hancher’s treatment did not seem fair because athletics received television money for televised games in the past year while Hancher was forced to completely shut down.  President Gilbert asked whether it would be useful to write of support on behalf of the EFC to incoming President Wilson, asking her to reconsider Hancher’s budget and provide additional funding for the coming year.

Submitted by: Larry Fleckenstein

In Memory of:

            Gilbert Banker               College of Pharmacy                                          February 17, 2020

            Robert Baron                 College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        August 16, 2019

            Marvin Bell                   College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        December 15, 2020

            Ronald Bergman            College of Medicine                                           August 14, 2020

            Veronica Brighton          College of Nursing                                             April 29, 2019

            Richard Caplan              College of Medicine                                           August 21, 2019

            David Carew                 College of Pharmacy                                          April 27, 2021

            Won Choi                      College of Medicine                                           February 1,2021

            Jonathan Cryer              College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        December 11, 2019

            John Doyle                    College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        July 12, 2020

            Carolyn Dyer                 College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        September 7, 2020

            Carl Erbe                       College of Dentistry                                           October 3, 2020

            Howard Field                 College of Dentistry                                           December 4, 2019

            Mildred Freel                 College of Nursing                                             August 7, 2019

            Rebecca Gbasha            College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        April 28, 2020

            John Grant                    College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        November 24, 2020

            Laura Hart                    College of Nursing                                             April 1, 2020

            Ed Hartford                   College of Medicine                                           March 24, 2021

            Ellis Hawley                   College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        September 16, 2020

            Charles Hawtrey            College of Medicine                                           December 30, 2020

            Paula Kempchinsky        College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                       March 1, 2021

            Thomas Kent                 College of Medicine                                           November 21, 2020

            Devore Killip                  College of Dentistry                                           May 27, 2020

            Chong Lim Kim              College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        June 25, 2019

            John Kiraly                    College of Education                                          January 23, 2021

            William Lawton             College of Medicine                                           September 19, 2019

            Gerhard Loewenberg     College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        December 28, 2019

            Meridean Maas             College of Nursing                                             November 14, 2020

            Stanford Markham        College of Medicine                                           July 25, 2019

            Edward Mason              College of Medicine                                           December 30, 2020

            William Matthes            College of Education                                          May 19, 2019

                  Bunny McBride             College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        March 3, 2021

            Edward McCliment        College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        June 1, 2020

            John Nesbitt                  College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        May 21, 2019

            John Nothnagle             College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        October 8, 2019

            Joseph Patrick               College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        November 7, 2019

            David Reynolds              College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        August 20, 2020

            Hal Richerson                College of Medicine                                           March 14, 2020

                  Jose Rodriguez              College of Medicine                                           November 3, 2020

            Howard Rogovin            College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        July 8, 2019

            Keene Swett                  College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        May 27, 2020

            David Thayer                 College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        April 2, 2020

            William Theisen             College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        November 22, 2020

            Wallace Tomasini          College of Liberal Arts & Sciences                        January 31, 2020

            Luis Urdaneta                College of Medicine                                           July 21, 2020

            Sara Wolfson                College of Education                                          March 15, 2020

            Hanchin Wu                  College of Engineering                                       February 29, 2020

            Robert E. Yager             College of Education                                          August 6, 2020

            Nicholas Zavazava         College of Medicine                                           October 14, 2019

            Marilyn Zweng              College of Education                                          August 13, 2019

EFC Lecture Series 2020-21

Sponsored by the Emeritus Faculty Council

Christopher Squier and Karen Wachsmuth: Disease and death in opera

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Tim Barrett: Papermaking

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Katherine Tachau: Medieval manuscripts

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Allyn Mark - Coronary Arteriography

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Carol Scott-Conner: Narrative medicine

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Marvin Bell: Bloody Brainwork

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Frank Salomon - Inka 'Knot Writing'

Saturday, October 31, 2020

James Throgmorton: Transformational Engagement

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Videos of lectures available at: https://emeritus-faculty.uiowa.edu/efc-lecture-series-2020-21

Emeritus Faculty Council Minutes

9:30-11:00 May 3, 2021, Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by President Miriam Gilbert.

Members Attending: Anderson, Atchison, Berman, Cobb, Fleckenstein, Gardinier, Gilbert, Hauserman, Hines, Lenth, Mitros, Shirazi, Valde, Wanat.

Members Absent:  Stoner, Vlastos

Also Present: Sam Cochran, representing UIRA

Meeting Host: Fleckenstein, Gilbert

Approval of April Minutes: Fleckenstein

Guest Speaker: John Culshaw, University Library

Remembrances: 

            David Carew (College of Pharmacy) April 26, 2021

Report on EFC committee assignments:

  • Elections: Gilbert (Chair), Mitros, Hauserman. Election for open EFC positions will close this week.
  • Program: Stoner (Chair), Wanat, Anderson, Fleckenstein. No report.
  • Lecture Series: Gilbert (Chair), Gardinier. Emeritus Faculty Lecture, Music in the Shadow of Disease: Famous Last Gasps, Christopher Squier and Karen Wachsmuth.   Thursday, May 13, 4 p.m.,  via Zoom. Gilbert thanked Gardinier for outstanding work preparing promotional fliers for the program.
  • Communications/Website: Fleckenstein, Lenth. Gilbert asked Lenth to report on EFC website at Annual Meeting of Emeritus Faculty.

Report on Liaisons with University committees/organizations: 

  • Campus planning: Hines, Anderson. Anderson reported that labs in Bowen Science Building will be renovated.  Discussion of moving historic brick house donated to the University.  The cost of moving the house is prohibitive and thus, will not be possible.
  • FRIC: Shirazi, Valde. No report.
  • UIRA: Vlastos, Cobb. Cochran reported UIRA surveyed membership regarding opinions about opening up UIRA meetings and activities after the Covid shutdown. For example, opinions sought on holding in-person field trips to local sites of interest.  Transition of board members and officers for the coming year.  Future programming was also discussed.
  • Research Council: Berman. Gilbert reported that Alberto Segre responded to question about UI contract with Academic Analytics. He said this was a pilot program to help the VP for Research facilitate UI compete for collaborative research opportunities with other Universities and research institutions. This is an area in which UI currently underperforms. Cost of contract is unknown.
  • Library: Hauserman, Lenth. Library report below given by today’s guest speaker.
  • Faculty Senate/Council: Gardinier, Wanat. (Report attached). Topics discussed were: revisions to UI Travel Policy, Campus Bookstore privatization, Senate Office election resolution, policy discussion roundtable for 2021-2022, faculty evaluations, charter committee on DEI, and a presidential search update. See attached report for details.
  • Hancher: Valde, Shirazi. (Report attached).  Hancher funding is major issue, update will be given at the Annual Meeting of the Emeritus Faculty. Last meeting discussed how to increase student attendance at May 1 Des Moines Ballet and July 3 ABT.
  • Recreation Services: Atchison. New recreation service app has information about programs and facilities, including: facility hours of operation, group fitness schedule, live visitor counts, access to online program registration and digital Barcode ID linked up to your member or Hawk ID card. App can be downloaded at: https://recserv.uiowa.edu . Wildlife Camps will be open this summer. Consider Michelle Harder or one of the Wellness directors to present to the EFC at a future meeting.
  • Senior College:  Mitros, Wanat. Mitros reported attendance up this year for Senior College. Two classes currently underway: “Promoting Optimal Aging with Physical Therapy” andShakespeare's The Winter's Tale”.  Advantages of Zoom programming discussed.
  • Parking and Transportation: Stoner, Mitros. (Report attached). Topics included: Report from Faculty Staff Parking Appeals Committee, bike share contract still under negotiation, and fleet information.

There are 580 vehicles in the University fleet Most are permanently assigned to individual Departments except for 35 which are available for daily rental). There is now a kiosk location for rental vehicles in Hospital Parking Ramp 2. The new kiosk option will provide a convenient and easy way for faculty and staff on the West Campus to rent university vehicles and allows for 24/7 pick-up and return. A kiosk tutorial is available online. Vehicles can be picked up at Hospital Ramp 2.

  • President’s Committee on Athletics:  Hines. (Report attached). Hines reported topics included one-time transfer rule for NCAA athletes, status of “Name, Image and Likeness” legislation and summary of awards and accomplishments of spring teams and athletes were reviewed.

Old Business: Annual meeting of Emeritus Faculty will be on May 19, 2021, 10:00 AM via Zoom. Gilbert will try to have draft agenda ready for EFC in near future.

New Business: 

Speaker:  John Culshaw, University Librarian, described the shutdown and gradual reopening of the University Library.  The Library tracks carefully the usage of the Main Library on an hourly basis and daily. Tracking information on the usage of the learning commons and collections helps plan staffing and opening hours. The fourth floor of the library has reopened.  Delivery service, that was instituted for the pandemic, is a popular service and will continue. As of June 1st, the main library will be open to everyone and no longer restricted to those with a University ID.  Whether all entrances will be open is an issue that is currently being evaluated.  For the Fall semester, it is expected that the library will, more or less, return to normal operation, with daily hours likely to be 7:30 AM to 11 PM.  Future staffing of the library is under evaluation in terms of whether staff will work in-person, virtually or a hybrid model.  This evaluation will take into consideration staffing fatigue, which is currently an issue.

The Library system was successful in recent grant competition.  Hardin Library for the Health Sciences recently was awarded a 5.7 million dollar competitive grant renewal from the National Library of Medicine to provide regional medical information services.  The library shares a $171,000 award with the Art Museum from the Provost Office to promote joint staff and activities.  The Carver Trust awarded $250,000 to the library to fund journal backfile online access.  The Library had a $600,000 cut in the University budget.

Donations to the University Library collections was paused during the recent pandemic.  The library has to be judicious about items accepted because of the cost on long-term maintenance.  

 


Faculty Council and Senate Meetings

April 2021

            Faculty Council met on April 13 via Zoom. Agenda items of note included: revisions to UI Travel Policy, Campus Bookstore privatization, Senate Office election resolution, policy discussion roundtable for 2021-2022, faculty evaluations, charter committee on DEI, and a presidential search update.

            The Travel Policy committee has been inactive; review was called for when travelers were recalled due to Covid. Travelers must fill out ProTrav so that insurance covers University trips. Contacts at home and the destination need to be listed on ProTrav.

            UI Book Store and Hawk Shop will be outsourced to Follett to handle the management function. Regents approved and transition is in process. Faculty will be required to list books and course materials with the Book Store and may list with other local stores of their choice. Concerns were expressed about Prairie Lights and exclusion of faculty in the decision-making process.

            Office elections will take place via Zoom as they did last year. Higher voter turnout occurred via Zoom than for previous elections.

            Four policy issues will be discussed in 2021-2022 roundtable: caps on the number of clinical faculty who may serve on Faculty Senate, communication with the President’s office regarding the role of shared governance, mental health resources, and embedded counseling resources by college.

            Policy of faculty “evaluating up” to faculty of higher rank was discussed. A great deal of work that has been done to date has focused on the College of Education which conducts a 2-year 360 review of the Dean. College of Education could be a template. Idiosyncrasies of different colleges’ structures may not make it possible to have a campus wide approach.

            DEI Committee is gathering information from other institutions. DEI needs to be included in teaching. There needs to be more open discussion.

            In his President’s report, Yockey provided an update on the President’s search and noted that internal searches will be conducted for Ombudsperson and Dean of the College of Dentistry.

            Faculty Senate met on April 27 via Zoom. New business items included: campus bookstore privatization, faculty policy discussion of clinical and instructional tracks, TIAA Farmland Resolution. Yockey gave an update on the Presidential search, recognized positive student participation on shared governance committees, announced Brody Awards for Excellence, and made closing remarks as FS President.

            Bill Nelson, Associate Dean and Executive Director of IMU, outlined the Book Store transition. Follett was awarded management on March 12, April 22 was the official transition, and Follett assumed management on April 26. Follett was selected for positive responses about the caring element for staff, commitment to working with faculty, and lower prices for students. Faculty must list with the Book Store and Hawk Shop and may list wherever else they want. Individual faculty will receive a 10% discount.

            Gillan gave a history of faculty tracks. A process for faculty disputes was set up in the Ops Manual in 1993; only tenure track faculty were included and most disputes were tenure denial. Clinical track was included in 1995, research track in 1999, and instructional track in 2015-2016. Instructional professors have a different dispute process than the other tracks. The Provost and general counsel are working on the procedure. It appears there will be three separate processes, and tenure track will largely remain unchanged. The Faculty Policy and Compensation Committee is reviewing peer institutions’ policies for clinical faculty. FPCC thinks there will be a mandatory five-year review for instructional staff. This issue is projected to come to FS for discussion in the next 1-2 years.

            TIAA Farmland Resolution in support of sustainable practices was discussed and voted on by Senators. FS supported the resolution by a vote of 42-7 with 2 abstentions. Prior to the vote Laura Graham (UI Anthropology) presented a case in favor of the resolution. TIAA (Zaharis) presented the case for Farmland investments. Joni Troester could not comment because of the lawsuit in Brazil regarding deforestation.

            Yockey updated FS on the Presidential search. Concerns of the search committee included race; Liz Tovar was on the search committee and all candidates were asked about race. There were concerns that problems that affected the 2015 search might affect this search. The search committee followed the best practices document outlined after the UI sanction. Yockey noted that the Board of Regents was different and leaders were different. The majority of the search committee was faculty.

            Following Yockey’s closing message that he will stay engaged and advocates for shared governance, Teresa Marshall, President for 2021-2022, gave opening remarks to the organizational meeting. She described unprecedented challenges of the year and her advocacy for shared governance. She concluded with election results: Ana Rodriguez-Rodriguez is vice president and Melissa Lehan Mackin is secretary for 2021-2022.

Respectfully Submitted,

Carolyn Wanat

Hancher Committee Minutes

April 15th 2021

Discussion question: how to increase student attendance at May 1 Des Moines Ballet and July 3 ABT?

Ideas:

- Engage Student Life services for cross-promotion, since twelve UI students will be performing alongside the artists;

- Engage Student Government Board and Campus Activity Board and UI Lecture Committee;

- Use social media (FB, Instagram and Twitter) to cross-post announcements;

-Create a raffle for students to enter for posting the updates about the events and/or attending.

Other announcements:

- Fishtastic! Book launch announcement. To purchase the book, go here: https://www.uipress.uiowa.edu/books/2021-spring/fishtastic.htm

Ideas for promoting the book: Partnering with Dubuque Aquarium? It is also going to be used in a 3-rd grader collaboration project in Iowa City and surrounding communities.

Submitted by:

Jill Valde

Hancher Charter Committee

May 13, 2021

Discussion continued on plans to reopen the season. Hancher has to follow the University’s guidelines.

Chuck Swanson has communicated with President Wilson on several occasions and invited her to the American Ballet Theatre performance July 4th, but she will be on vacation. She appears supportive of Hancher.

Discussion focused on ways to promote the importance of Hancher in the community.

All members present today plan to continue next year.

Submitted by:

Jill Valde


Parking and Transportation Committee Meeting

April 23, 2021

Report from Faculty Staff Parking Appeals Committee (arrived late, missed start of meeting; this represents an extract from their printed document): The committee reviews appeals on tickets received by Faculty and Staff, as well as providing education when the ticket cannot be dismissed. Of 902 appeals reviewed between June 2019 and March 2020 results were as follows: 636 upheld, 262 suspended, and 4 dismissed. The committee also meets regularly with the Parking Services staff to learn about updated policies and regulations.

Computer Programs Update (Michelle Ribble): The bike share contract signed previously was with a vendor who was bought out during Covid. The program is now in a hold pattern waiting word from the new vendor. Carshare: the ZIP contract in effect currently ends on June 30th 2021.  An RFP bid has been issued. The 380 Express service has been supported partly by DOT funds. Ridership has decreased during the past year due to pandemic and there is concern that the DOT support may be in jeopardy.

Fleet Information (including Kiosk HPR2)  (presented by Mike Wilson)

There are 580 vehicles in the fleet (does not include CAMBUS). Most are permanently assigned to individual Departments except for 35 which are available for daily rental). There is a planned obsolescence for vehicles, which than go to University Surplus. The Fleet maintains its own fuel station and repair station on Campus. There is now a kiosk location for rental vehicles in Hospital Parking Ramp 2 (HPR2). The new kiosk option will provide a convenient and easy way for faculty and staff on the West Campus to rent university vehicles and allows for 24/7 pick-up and return. The kiosk is located on Lower Level 1 of Hospital Ramp 2 (HPR2) inside the south elevator lobby, next to the Children’s Hospital discharge lobby. (Kiosk tutorial is available online). Vehicles can be picked up at Hospital Ramp 2. The fleet currently has about 15 electric powered vehicles and plans to expand this number, but progress has been slow due to financial concerns

Submitted by:

Frank Mitros


Minutes of the Presidential Committee on Athletics

Zoom Meeting

April 1, 2021

Members Present:        Cavey Lang, Courter, Foley Nicpon, Friestad, Gerke, Hollingworth, Kehoe, Matheson, Mueller (represented by Cary), Nonnenmann, Sayon, Torner, Vogan, Voss, Weinstein, and Zaharis.

Members Absent:         Berg, Grosland, and Kelly.

Also Present:                Barta (Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair), Binns (Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Burke (Deputy Director of Athletics), Clerry (Associate Athletics Director), Davies (Assistant Athletics Director/Chief Financial Officer), Grooms(Assistant Professor, College of Education), Henderson (Senior Associate Athletics Director), Hilleman (Associate Athletics Director), Lehnertz (Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations), Modestou (Director of Equal Opportunity & Diversity and Deputy Title IX Coordinator), and Roe (Director of Athletics Communications).

Chair Zaharis called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

I.         Approval of Minutes - March 2, 2021

Courter moved to approve the March 2, 2021, minutes; Weinstein seconded. Committee members voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

II.         Athletics Department Hiring Report - Modestou

Enclosed is a PowerPoint entitled “UI Athletics: Hiring Activity Report: FY2018-2020” presented by Modestou. The report encompasses search policies and procedures, applicant demographic data, recruitment activity & trends, women & minorities representation in the workforce, DEI (diversity, equity, & inclusion) best practices, etc. Athletics Department data is compared to that of the University of Iowa. She highlighted new initiatives followed by Athletics staff members to improve overall recruitment and hiring practices.

Information presented by Modestou was thorough and well-received. Chair Zaharis thanked her for the presentation.

III.      Chair Report - Zaharis

No report.

IV.        Vice Chair Report - Cavey Lang

Cavey Lang reported Chair Zaharis is on a football search committee.

V.         Subcommittee Updates

  1. Academic Achievement - Gerke

Gerke stated the group meets later this month. They will discuss how Student-Athlete Academic Services staff members identify and provide academic support to at-risk student-athletes. Subcommittee members will also review student-athlete exit survey comments relating to academics with Tovar.

B.         Equity - Nonnenmann

 

1.         Subcommittee members will meet April 9, 2021, with student-athletes to talk about DEI.

2.         The final meeting takes place May 14, 2021. Tovar will discuss student-athlete exit interviews with subcommittee members.

3.         Annual coaches' interviews are ongoing.

4.         In October 2020, subcommittee members agreed to change the Equity Subcommittee's name to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee; however, it was not presented formally to the PCA for vote. Nonnenmann moved to change the name as stated above; Courter seconded the motion. The PCA granted full approval. 

C.         Student-Athlete Well-Being - Torner

1.         Subcommittee members met in March 2021 to discuss time management plans developed by each sport. They discussed the plans, how they are communicated to the student-athletes, and general requirements. 

2.         Student-Athlete Well-Being members will meet in April 2021. In the meantime, Torner is exploring if subcommittee members could join a virtual tour of the golf facility.

VI.        Iowa Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (ISAAC) Report - Mueller

Samantha Cary, soccer student-athlete, presented the following for Mueller:

A.         UI student-athletes raised over $1,800 through ISAAC’s giving page and over $12,000 for Dance Marathon. This figure includes a portion of fan “cutouts” donated by the Athletics Department.

B.         ISAAC’s “Advocates and Allies” joined a virtual presentation on microaggressions led by Binns and Sports Psychologists Aubrette Kinne & Kaye Cole.

C.         In February 2021, former USC Volleyball Student-Athlete Victoria Garrick presented a virtual forum on the importance of mental health resources to student-athletes in February 2021. About 80 student-athletes participated.

D.         ISAAC is partnering with staff from the Athletics Department, Domestic Violence Intervention Program, and Women’s Resource and Action Center to provide annual training to sports teams on sexual assault and violence prevention.

E.         ISAAC will vote on executive board members and representatives for 2021-22. An announcement is expected toward the end of April.

F.         As part of the Big Ten United for One Reading Program, UI student-athletes will Zoom-read books to elementary and middle school students on April 5, 2021. Books read will focus on Black authors and Black history.

G.         This year’s Day of Caring will be known as the Week of Caring to accommodate social distance guidelines due to the pandemic. Virtual and “grab and go” community service projects will occur during the last week of April 2021.

H.         On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at 6:30 p.m., Binns and Cole will host a virtual presentation entitled “Unsportsmanlike Conduct: The Culture.” Student-athletes are invited to join the Zoom session.

I.          The Virtual Golden Herkys event will occur on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. The Zoom link will be sent to PCA members.

J.          This year’s Athletics Senior Celebration event takes place May 9-12, 2021, on the field at Kinnick Stadium. Student-athletes who are graduating and earned their I-Rings will be honored. Individuals will receive their awards and have the opportunity for a photo session. Each student-athlete will make an appointment to comply with social distancing requirements. Photos of the graduates can be viewed on the Instagram account @uisaas.

           

VII.       NCAA Report - Barta, Burke, Grosland, Hollingworth

A.         Barta reported the following:

  1. Big Ten Presidents agreed to allow conference institutions to follow local guidelines pertaining to fan attendance at sporting events. After consultation with the UI’s Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT), the Athletics Department received approval for 50% attendance at outdoor spring events. Capacity at fall sporting events is pending with the UI’s CIMT.

  1. The Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments yesterday in the Alston Case relating to student-athletes play for pay, NIL (name, image, & likeness), etc. Barta listened to the conversations. The Supreme Court will rule before June 2021.

  1. Student-athlete transfers are being discussed nationwide. Currently, more than 1,000 football student-athletes are vying for 300-400 scholarships. The NCAA has not yet voted on the one-time transfer rule, but early indications are it will pass.

Athletics Compliance staff members meet with each UI student-athlete who expresses an interest in transferring to ensure he/she is aware that once that declaration is made, his/her scholarship can be given to someone else. Student-athletes are encouraged to inform their coach.

  1. NCAA officials accepted responsibility for the disparity of equipment furnished in weight rooms for male student-athletes versus female student-athletes at NCAA Tournament sites. The NCAA will hire an outside firm to review all sport championships for equity.

           

B.         Matheson announced the UI Law School will host a panel discussion on the Alston Case on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. CT. Panelists are Matheson, UI Associate Professor Sean Sullivan, an antitrust expert, and Tim Nevius, a college sports attorney, and was on the legal team at Winston & Strawn in New York when the Alston case was initially filed. Chair Zaharis will forward the link to PCA members for those interested in joining.

VIII.      Athletics Director’s Report - Barta

A.         Two recent Athletics Department gifts were brought to the Committee’s attention by Barta. Dr. Sue Beckwith from Des Moines, IA, made a significant gift to endow the P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach position. Will & Renee Moon from Bettendorf, IA, gave a substantial donation to endow the Moon Family Head Football Coach position. Barta reminded the Committee that Henry & Patricia Tippie endowed the Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair position several years ago. Over $50 million in endowments exist on behalf of the Athletics Department, the majority in scholarships, and recently for staff positions.

B.         The April sports reports and schedules are enclosed for perusal.

1.         The women’s basketball team competed in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 before the season ended.

2.         The men’s basketball team won their first game in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Oregon.

3.         The Big Ten Championship title and the National Championship title were awarded to the Iowa wrestling team.

4.         The field hockey team is currently ranked second in the country.

5.         Women’s gymnastics will compete in NCAA Regionals this weekend. The team record is currently 10 wins, 1 loss.

6.         Women’s tennis has 9 wins and 4 losses. The team is ranked 37th nationally at this time.

C.         Barta commented on individual successes/honors:

1.         Basketball student-athlete Caitlin Clark is an All-American. She is also the first women’s basketball student-athlete at Iowa to earn national freshman of the year recognition from any outlet.

2.         Luka Garza, basketball student-athlete, is a two-time consensus All-American—a “first” for the UI. He was named Sporting News Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Basketball star Michael Jordan was the last player to be chosen as Sporting News Player of the Year in consecutive seasons.

3.         Wrestler Spencer Lee is a national champion. He also was awarded the WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy.

4.         Big Ten Coach of the Year honors were bestowed to Head Women’s Gymnastics Coach Larissa Libby, Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Joey Woody, and Head Wrestling Coach Tom Brands. Woody also received Regional Coach of the Year, and Brands also was named National Coach of the Year.

5.         Alexa Noel, a freshman tennis student-athlete, is Iowa’s number 1 in singles. She has 19 wins and no losses and is currently ranked 24th in the country, which is the highest ranking in this sport's history at Iowa.

6.         Coach Bluder will receive the Susan C. Buckley Distinguished Achievement Award for Staff on April 7, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. This annual event is sponsored by the UI’s Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women, a tribute to all women's accomplishments at the University of Iowa. 

D.         Samantha Cary shared experiences and emotions with PCA members on what it was like for her when the soccer season ended abruptly because of COVID until now and being back in competition again.

E.         Courter mentioned an article published in The Des Moines Register about an Iowa women’s gymnast whose best friend was killed in a school shooting incident during their senior year in high school and what the UI coach has done to help the young woman cope once she arrived at the University of Iowa. Her story brought an incredible human element to the women’s gymnastics program. The Big Ten Network also did a piece on that story. Courter recommends PCA members read the article.

IX.        Adjourn

Chair Zaharis adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m.

 __________________________________

                                    Rae L. Parker

Recording Secretary


Report to Emeritus Executive Council

May 6, 2021 Meeting of the President’s Committee on Athletics

            This was a very unusual PCA meeting because A.D. Barta was not able to attend. He was in Phoenix at a NCAA meeting.

            PCA President Zaharis called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and introduced special guest, Jayne Oswald, founder of Herkys. Herkys was organized in 2017 to raise the visibility and celebrate the successes of women’s athletics at Iowa. Oswald described the various activities sponsored by Herkys.  Herkys is gradually expanding its activities and recently started an Excellence Fund to help support women’s athletics.

In her President’s Report Zaharis thanked a number PCA members whose terms were ending for their service on the PCA.  She noted that several searches for athletic personnel were under way in which PCA members were participating. She also called attention to an upcoming campus panel presentation on NCAA issues.

Next, reports were presented from the three PCA standing Subcommittees. The Academic Achievement Subcommittee met April 29 with university support staff who specialize in assisting “at risk” students. The Athletic Department has recently employed a new mental health specialist to counsel student athletes.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee met with a group of student athletes April 9 to discuss issues of inclusion. Exit interviews with graduating student athletes are under way.

The Student Athlete Well Being Subcommittee met April 14 to review programs planned for incoming student athletes to prepare them for the college experience. The Subcommittee received a report on the 46,000 Covid-19 tests administered this year to Iowa student athletes. Once a student athlete is fully vaccinated, plus two weeks, they are no longer tested for Covid-19.

Marissa Mueller gave the report on behalf of ISAAC. New leadership is now in place after recent ISSAC elections. A number of community engagement programs are ongoing and will continue during the summer.

Faculty Representative to the Big Ten, Liz Hollingworth, reported on Big Ten and NCAA developments. The May 1stdeadline is approaching for student athletes wishing to take advantage of the new NCAA rules allowing one transfer without having to sit out a year. Still no action by the NCAA or the Supreme Court on the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) issue. Eight states now have adopted legislation authorizing student athletes to profit from commercial use of their NIL. Iowa failed to adopt proposed NIL legislation this session. Lyla Cleary reported on a new Athletic Dept. program, “NIL 101,” to inform student athletes about developments in this area.

Liz Tovar briefly reported on the recently completed Presidential Search leading to the appointment of Barbara Wilson as the new U of I President.  Tovar was a member of the Search Committee. She also cited a new program in which graduating student athletes are having their graduation photos taken in Kinnick Stadium to celebrate their academic accomplishments.

Finally, Assoc. Athletic Director Matt Henderson described in detail the many successes of Iowa athletic teams during the 2020-2021 academic year. Both men’s and women’s sports recorded unusually successful seasons, with many Iowa student athletes winning individual honors for their academic and athletic accomplishments.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Submitted by Bill Hines

Emeritus Faculty Council Minutes

9:30-11:00 April 5, 2021, Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 A.M. by President Miriam Gilbert.

Attendance: Anderson, Atchison, Berman, Cobb, Fleckenstein, Gardinier, Gilbert, Hines, Lenth, Mitros, Shirazi, Stoner, Valde, Vastos, Wanat.

Absence:  Hauserman

Meeting Host: Fleckenstein, Gilbert

Approval of March Minutes: Fleckenstein

Guest Speaker:  Lois Geist, Associate Provost for Faculty, discussed the definition and duties required for adjunct status and the application for Emeritus status upon retirement from the University. She noted there may be differences in the criteria for adjunct status among the various colleges of the University. She discussed how time spend with adjunct status or as a clinical lecturer counts in meeting the time in service requirement of the University to achieve Emeritus status. She agreed that the EFC should know the specifics of adjunct appointments when considering adjuncts and clinical faculty for permissive conferral of Emeritus status and that the Provost Office would ask the respective collegiate Deans to provide this information.

Associate Provost Geist discussed the response for information provided by the Provost Office to the State Legislature concerning their recent consideration on the elimination of faculty tenure at State Universities. She mentioned that the Provost Office also provided the legislature with information concerning their deliberations on free speech and political affiliation of faculty.

Remembrances:  John Kiraly (Education) 1/22/21, Won Wung Choi (Medicine) 2/2/21, John Liitschwager (Industrial Engineering). 2/25/21, Paula Kempchinsky (CLAS—Linguistics) 2/28/21 and Ed Hartford (Medicine) 3/24/21

Report on EFC committee assignments:

  • Elections: Gilbert (Chair), Mitros, Hauserman. A letter was sent via email to the emeritus faculty for nominations for open EFC positions.  Nominations will be open for one more week.  We still need a candidate from the College of Engineering and possible candidates briefly discussed by the Council.
  • Program: Stoner (Chair), Wanat, Anderson, Fleckenstein: John Culshaw, University Librarian will be the speaker for our May 3rd EFC meeting.
  • Lecture Series: Gilbert (Chair), Gardinier, Gussin (Consultant): Scheduled lectures are listed below under old business.
  • Communications/Website: Fleckenstein, Lenth. Lenth has recently gotten permission to create EFC events on the UI Calendar.

Report on Liaisons with University committees/organizations: 

  • Campus planning: Hines, Anderson. Last month’s meeting was canceled.
  • FRIC: Shirazi, Valde. Meeting consisted of  a Covid-19 update.
  • UIRA: Vlastos, Cobb: No report
  • Research Council: Berman. At the last Research Council meeting Jonathan Fink gave a presentation that revealed the University is doing a two-month trial to look at academic performance with a company called Academic Analytics based in Blacksburg, Virginia.  The company claims to be able to help evaluate who are our most valuable faculty members (in terms of getting grants, and importantly, getting nominations for national awards.  A discussion of Berman’s report followed by the Council and a number of questions emerged about this contract.  What does this work cost? Who decided to hire Academic Analytics?  Was there a particular recommendation for this firm? Is it just a two-month trial, or is there any further commitment already and then did the two-month trial start?

The following action was taken by the EFC: Miriam Gilbert will contact Alberto Segre (Computer Science) who chairs the Research Council to follow-up on the preceding questions; Russ Lenth will write a statement about the use of statistics to evaluate “analytics” to accompany Connie Berman’s report;  and Bill Hines will send Connie’s report to Joe Yockey, president of Faculty Senate, to see if they have considered this issue.

  • Library: Hauserman, Lenth: No report.
  • Faculty Senate/Council: Gardinier, Wanat (Report attached). Topics included: Working at Iowa survey results; Reimagining Campus Safety Action Committee update; strategic planning 2022-2027; shared governance participation in academic leadership appointments; and timeline for the presidential search.
  • Hancher: Valde, Shirazi: (Report attached). Brainstormed ideas on future programs and brainstormed ideas on how to better use the Showcase space.
  • Recreation Services: Atchison: (Report attached) There has been decline in usage recreational facilities and attention paid to wellness programs. We may want Michelle Harder or one of the Wellness directors to present to our Council at a future meeting.  Perhaps because of financial difficulties within Athletics they might be interested in working more with retirees on wellness programs/
  • Senior College:  Mitros, Wanat: No report.
  • Parking and Transportation: Stoner, Mitros: Report attached.
  • President’s Committee on Athletics: Hines:  No report.

Old Business:

Upcoming events: 

Emeritus Faculty Lecture by Tim Barrett (Center for the Book and paper-maker extraordinaire), Wednesday, April 21, 4 p.m., via Zoom.

Emeritus Faculty Lecture, by Christopher Squier, “Famous last gasps: disease and death in opera” Thursday, May 13, 4 pm, via Zoom.

Annual Meeting of the Association of Emeritus Faculty, Wednesday, May 19, 10:00 a.m., via Zoom.

New Business: 

UIRA representative at EFC meeting. The UIRA is composed of retired faculty and staff from the University. The Council discussed having a UIRA representative at EFC meetings.  It was agreed that a collaborative efforts strengthened both organizations.  Joint collaboration with the Senior College was a good example of how UIRA experience with virtual programming strengthened the efforts of EFC.  It was agreed to contact Sam Cochran, President of UIRA to invite a UIRA representative to EFC meetings.

Next Meeting: May 3, 2021, via Zoom.

Respectively submitted,

Larry Fleckenstein

 


Report from Research Council Meeting

April 1, 2021

There were updates on the roll-out of PP3 funds for research proposals.  This was followed by a presentation by Jonathan Fink, calling us from Blacksburg, Virginia. (The implication was that he was a professor at VPI.  In fact, he may have been a temporary lecturer at one point; he does not appear on its faculty or staff lists.) If his employment is ongoing, it seems to have been at one of the Army Math labs in DC, and the outfit he is working for, or running, in Blacksburg is something called Academic Analytics that really has no VPI affiliation.

UI has apparently decided to do a two-month trial with this outfit, Academic Analytics, for an undisclosed cost.  Fink claims to be able to help evaluate who are our most valuable faculty members (in terms of getting grants, but more important getting themselves nominated for national awards, like AAAS or Acoustical Society of America).  We were particularly perplexed by the fact that given his IT expertise he had difficulty turning on his video. Some members of the research council objected that names he had shown on his presentation were of people no longer at Iowa -- so he was not very up to date. Others pointed out that there was no category for teaching or for service to the institution or the state (I can think of providing dental services to rural Iowans, or providing Covid information in Spanish, or teaching ESL in packing plant towns.) 

Fink showed us information on faculty who got grants when he brought up the term "cell" in his data base; they were ranked by the dollar amounts of grants brought into the university. He then showed graphics of how much these faculty members collaborated with other UI faculty members (not overall collaboration with people in other countries or states). Numbers of research contacts within the university were privileged, but those who had no collaborations were disdained, as "silo'ed." No emeritus faculty were included in the data base, so we could not view the results for our Linda Kerbers or Miriam Gilberts.  Nothing was said about teaching, placement of students, numbers of post-docs supported.

Fink argued that the university could use this data to evaluate who were the productive members of the faculty particularly if they were big faculty collaborators; his data would make it possible for the university to encourage, "curate" was his word, awards for which faculty might be nominated by their colleagues. He insisted that categories about race, class, gender, not to mention academic histories and age were irrelevant and had been purposely left out to make the data base more objective (in my experience to leave out such data is to normalize the status quo of white European origin male, ivy league degrees, dominance.)  His data base was based on those journals and those institutional awards that had electronic footprints on-line, and there was no indication that outside of UI collaborations, or for that matter foreign awards, like being knighted by the French government, were taken into consideration. 

I have had some experience with this kind of study, being a member of an American Historical Association task force on the future of graduate education in the 21st century and what we saw was fourth quartile institutions attempting to raise their ranking or survive, by establishing new graduate programs. I objected strongly to the implicit bias to what I described as "dead, white, European males," and articulated a different vision of UI which is based on concern for promoting a community that strives to promote equity across race, class, gender.  We have principles about how we serve the state, not just concern for bringing in grant money.  We are proud of what Mary Sue Coleman recently "bragged on" in the press --that this is an institution that brought great value to the state.  

The presenter could not understand that his not taking into account race, class, and gender was a default position that privileged white men.  Indeed, with regard to the suggested awards to be sought after, he gave no analysis of the biases of those organizations (for instance, that it would be pretty unusual for a male to get a fellowship from the AAUW, or that some of us may have objections to getting funding from DOD). My conclusion was that while such a data base might be useful for a bottom quartile institution trying to make a break into Research One institutions, that here at UI our footprint in this material was one to emulate, rather than to try to change.  

Sincerely submitted,

Constance Hoffman Berman

Professor Emerita

Hancher Advisory Committee Minutes

Meeting of 3-9-21

Summary:

Discussion centered on brainstorming ideas on how to better use the Showcase space ( sell Hancher merchandise, coffee/café, promote local artists and writers

Brainstormed ideas on future programs ( including more family shows, jazz events) as well as fundraising and crowd funding.

Submitted by:

Jill Valde


Recreational Services Meeting

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Welcome: Kelsie Tingle and Michelle Harder

Update on Capacity Numbers: Mallory Valentine – Demand decreasing, see slide. Weather the factor.  Most demand early in a.m. and evenings.  Nicer weather will also decrease demand so very possible to get in.

NIRSA Conference Recap: Mallory Valentine – Well-being centers (term replacing the term Wellness) being developed across the country. Michelle Harder very involved.  Maybe a program for EF? 

New Facility Program Offerings: Mike Valentine – Court sports featured, pickleball, racquetball, squash.

Upcoming Proposed Spring Events: Michelle Harder – Tennis, field hockey, soccer, gymnastics. Solon post prom 5/1. I-fly swim meeting 5/21-23, but no spectators.  6/2-3 women’s tennis tournament.

MNRA Wildlife Camps & State Wildlife Camps: Jay Gorsh – 21 Camps across the state.  Reg starts on 3/31. 30th year for wildlife camp.

Submitted by:

Christopher Atchison


Faculty Senate Meeting

March 23, 2021

3:30-5:15 pm via Zoom

Five new business items were addressed as summarized below:

  1.  Working at Iowa Survey Results: Eean Crawford, Associate Professor of Management and Operations, and Theresa Kulper, UHR Lead of Organizational Effectiveness, summarized Working at Iowa Survey Results. Survey results do not include Health Care. Engagement measures are valid for all employees with 68% participation rate. There were moderate correlations of working at Iowa with engagement. Strengths included expectations, respect, and service. Opportunities exist concerning workloads, accomplishment, and promotions. Improvements are needed in constructive management of work conflicts.
  2. Reimagining Campus Safety Action Committee Update:  CLAS Dean Sara Sanders and David Supp-Montgomerie, RCSAC, reported on committee work which began in July. A diverse group of 20 people served on the committee and held multiple town hall meetings. Taking a holistic approach to campus safety, the committee focused on three prototypes: (a) Refocusing, accountability, and retraining for campus police for non-criminal and mental health/social issues, (b) Proactive responses with central campus support and safety center, (c) an oversight committee for the community and police with community police oversight.
  3. Strategic Planning 2022-2027: Provost Kevin Kregel and Vice President of Research Marty Scholtz reported. The goal of the strategic plan is to become a destination university that attracts multiple stakeholders. The plan will use an integrated process combining implementation and outcomes. Themes includes DEI, Research and Discovery, and Student, Faculty, and Staff Success. Engagement is embedded throughout the plan which is posted at the website https://strategicplan.sites.uiowa.edu. Board of Regents will approve the strategic plan at the June 2 meeting.
  1. Shared Governance Participation in Academic Leadership Appointments: FS President Joe Yockey expressed faculty concerns about appointments of the Dean of CLAS and the Executive Officer of DEI. The President and Provost say these appointments had unique circumstances. There will be an internal search for the Dean of the Graduate College and an external search for the Dean of Dentistry. Many faculty have expressed concerns to FS about shared governance. FS member Jonathan Carlson emphasized that decisions are better if shared. FS member Ed Gillam expressed hope that central administration will come to the faculty for advice.
  2. President’s Report: President Yockey reported the timeline for the presidential search. April 1-2 finalists will be interviewed virtually. In Mid-April, hybrid interviews will take place on campus. Final feedback is due to the search committee by April 27. On April 30, the Board of Regents will announce the new President.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Wanat

Parking and Transportation Committee Meeting

26 March 2021

Stakeholder Projects – presented by Greg Schmidt (Projects Manager)  Projects funded by other University Departments or from outside the University

Stanley Museum of Art – impact on street closures, entrances and exits available to Library parking lot

Replacement of Old Capitol tunnel – lane closures, transit detours, affects Library lot (March 22 – September 24)

Iowa City Asphalt repaving – affects Jefferson and Clinton streets – ADA sidewalk improvements and sewer repairs

Iowa City Jordan Well removal – brick building near Lot 18 entrance and North Campus ramp (May 17- June4)

Parking and Transportation Projects

Newton Road Ramp upgrade (May 31 – August 13)  Elevators, lighting

2021 annual ramp maintenance – emphasis east half of Hospital Ramp 4 (May 17 – August ?)

2021 annual surface lot maintenance – concrete and asphalt repair

Fall 2021 Cambus plans

Relates to the anticipation of many in person classes resuming

Return to normal service (times and stops). Will monitor ridership anticipating significant increases. The current plan is to require masks. There have been difficulties hiring sufficient staffing (especially from the students) due to the pandemic and with decreased student population on campus

2020 Sustainability Plan – Target #4

Continue to try to reduce carbon footprint by reducing vehicle rental miles, increase van and car pooling, support the popular 380 Express, convert to LED lighting in parking ramps, increase electric vehicle charging stations.

There is also a plan to reduce the number of Departmental parking placards.

           

 

Emeritus Faculty Council Minutes

9:30-11:00 March 1, 2021, Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by President Miriam Gilbert.

Attendance: Anderson, Atchison, Berman, Cobb, Fleckenstein, Gardinier, Gilbert, Hauserman, Hines, Lenth, Mitros, Shirazi, Stoner, Valde, Wanat.

Absence:  Vastos

Guest Speaker: Peter Damiano

Meeting Host: Fleckenstein, Gilbert

Approval of February Minutes: Fleckenstein

Report on EFC committee assignments:

  • Elections: Gilbert (Chair), Mitros, Hauserman Gilbert, Mitros and Hauserman will confer via email to determine whose term is up this year and need to be replaced.
  • Program: Stoner (Chair), Wanat, Anderson, Fleckenstein. Lois Geist will be speaker for April EFC meeting.  Speakers for Annual Meeting of Emeritus Faculty (May 19th) will be Chuck Swanson and Kevin Kregel. A notice will be sent out in advance to the Emeritus faculty to promote the Annual Meeting.
  • Lecture Series: Gilbert (Chair), Gardinier, Gussin (Consultant): Gilbert and Gardinier will plan one or two more speakers this term for the lecture series.
  • Communications/Website: Fleckenstein, Lenth: Lenth reported a plan underway to record and post future EFC Lecture Series.

Report on Liaisons with University committees/organizations: 

  • Campus planning: Hines, Anderson (report attached).  Plan to tear down parking ramp and gym across from Memorial Union.  Parking ramp will be replaced.  Plan to build wrestling facility South of Carver Hawkeye Arena. Other planning is far into the future.
  • FRIC: Shirazi, Valde. Some TIAA CREF participants paying small “bookkeeping” fee and amount varies among 3 tiers.  There is an effort to change tier structure so that all participants pay at the same level.
  • UIRA: Vlastos, Cobb. Carolyn Wanat will be next president of UIRA. Discussion noted that EFC Council and UIRA have been working on closer collaborations, particularly in past 2 years.
  • Research Council: Berman. Nothing to report from last meeting.
  • Library: Hauserman, Lenth (report attached). The committee discussed how the Library Committee charge might change to focus more on mission and outreach, and engaging students more fully. The library received a generous major gift from a local donor for a new endowment in the Iowa Women’s Archives.
  • Faculty Senate/Council: Gardinier, Wanat. At the February 9th meeting, diversity, equity and inclusion reported on improving campus climate.  Campus climate survey results were discussed. Recruitment for diversity has seen some improvement.  Compared to previous surveys, the questions have not been uniform, making it hard to compare most recent results with previous surveys.  Gary Barta reported on athletics.  Iowa has the most comprehensive Covid-19 testing program in the Big 10 Conference.  Athletics had no hospitalizations related to Covid-19. Budget shortfalls related to Covid-19 amounted to 75 million dollars.  Four intercollegiate sports were eliminated for budgetary reasons.  However, scholarships to athletes for the eliminated programs will be honored. Direct support to athletes estimated to be $75,000 per year per student. It is likely that athletes will soon be able to sign contracts for likeness and appearances. Regarding the University presidential search, a discussion was held on how broad of a net will be cast by the search committee to be able to identify nonconventional candidates.
  • Hancher: Valde, Shirazi. Meeting will be held next week.
  • Recreation Services: Atchison. Meeting will be held later this March.
  • Senior College:  Mitros, Wanat.  Two courses were recently completed, one on “Big Pictures in American Art” and the other on “Pediatrics for Grandparents”. Both courses were well received.  Courses on Sports Betting and Broadway Viewing Club start this week. Enrollment varies from course to course, but overall enrollment in Senior College is up.  Courses offered via Zoom enable larger enrollment.
  • Parking and Transportation: Stoner, Mitros (report attached). Meeting was devoted almost entirely to a discussion of the updated document concerning Parking and Transportation. This document combines information concerning motor vehicles, bicycles and public transportation and later will be available online. The use of License Plate Recognition technology is expected to become the standard for monitoring parking for UI students, faculty, and employees soon.
  • President’s Committee on Athletics:  Hines. Short meeting. Gary Barta does not support unionization of athletes and payment of stipends to athletes.  Summary of recent improvement in athlete support include: payment for full cost of attendance, guaranteed scholarships for 4 years, transfer rule liberalized, payment of medical costs for injuries to athletes beyond graduation and improved nutrition programs. Likeness payments come from sponsors, not University. Question on proposal to carve out Division I football from the rest of NCAA unlikely to happen because NCAA depends so heavily on football income.

New Business: 

An invitation has been extended to Lois Geist, Associate Provost for Faculty, for April EFC meeting. Council members can submit any specific questions they wish for Provost Geist to address by sending an email to Gilbert in advance of the April meeting.

There was a brief discussion held on the state legislatures consideration on the elimination of faculty tenure.  The EFC felt it was not useful to advance an opinion as a Council on this issue.  Gilbert stated that anyone who wished to express an opinion on this issue as a private individual is free to do so, but gave the reminder that in such communications should not use University email.

Speaker: 

Guest speaker Peter Damiano, Director and Distinguished Research Fellow, Public Policy Center;  and Bernstein Professor, College of Dentistry spoke on the Public Policy Center and the IowaRISE Initiative.

UI Public Policy Center is within the central University administration and works with all of the colleges of the University.  It’s core mission is to provide policymakers with information to make their lives and communities thrive through academic research. It is composed of jointly appointed faculty (77), administrative and research staffs and students. The Center’s policy-relevant research is externally funded, interdisciplinary and academically rigorous.  The Center works with a number of government agencies. It engages and shares knowledge with the academic community and units outside the University to policymakers and the public. It offers a number of classes through University College.

IowaRISE Initiative is an engagement work group with over 170 participants and collaboration with many Colleges and units of the University. Among many activities, the initiative offers experiential research and education opportunities for research and service learning.  One of the student participants  of the initiative gave a very engaging brief summary of her participation on a research project with mentorship from Iowa RISE faculty.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Next Meeting: April 5, 2021, via Zoom.

Respectively submitted,

Larry Fleckenstein


Report on the Campus Planning Committee (CPC)

February 8, 2021

Agenda

Building and Other Site Amenities Naming

The University currently does not have an official “Naming Policy” other than for buildings. The administration has appointed a 12-member committee (including 4 CPC members) to develop such a policy.  It should be noted that this committee’s charge is to develop a commonly accepted process for all types of “naming” including scholarships, named faculty chairs in departments, etc.

Performing Arts Long-Range Plan Task Force

The charge to this task force is to develop a plan that includes coordination with the community to make all facilities as accessible to students and faculty as possible.  The object is to make more efficient use of the many great facilities we have on campus and in the community.

Illustrative Plan Review Part 1

This plan was described as a far-reaching layered plan for the physical development of the campus for the future so that decisions made today will not cause problems 50 to 100 years in the future.  “Making sure that in the future we don’t regret the past.”  For instance, developing the Iowa River Corridor with full knowledge that the river does flood.

The three items covered that may be developed in the next 10 to 20 years are

  1. Demolishing the IMU parking ramp and Halsey and replacing them with a user-friendly parking ramp
  2. Building a wrestling facility south of Carver Hawkeye assuring that it will be compatible with the arena and the stone sculpture that is currently in the area and
  3. Developing an aerial tram across the river from Mac Clean Hall to a location in the dormitory and medical area on the west side. They expect to have a proposal within the year.

None of these three projects is funded at this time. The funds are currently being raised for the wrestling facility.

Submitted by Charlie Anderson

 


Committee on University Libraries – Meeting of Feb 10, 2021

  1. Committee charge revision. The committee charge has been the same for many years. It focuses mostly on spaces; but meanwhile, the number of satellite libraries has decreased drastically, and how libraries are used has changed drastically as well. The committee discussed how the charge might change to focus more on mission and outreach, and engaging students more fully. There was also discussion on the specific areas that faculty committee members are supposed to represent current charter says 1 humanities, 1 biological sciences, 1 social science, 1 at large). The latter discussion brought out all sorts of opinions. Librarian John Culshaw will try to digest this and draft a new revision to discuss again at a later meeting.
  2. Self-study. The latest report will be sent to members (and we received it Feb. 15). An external review committee will meet in late March.
  3. Strategic plan. This was on the agenda, but deferred to later when appropriate people can attend.
  4. Updates from the University Librarian.
    1. University Library received a $60K grant from Provost under a DEI project, to institute a summer program for under-represented groups, on librarianship as a career choice. It will be virtual this summer but subsequently in-person, we hope.
    2. Libraries received a major gift from a local donor for a new endowment in the Iowa Women’s Archives
    3. UI has received an OK to move forward in planning renovations to much of the rest of the main library building: the rest of the first floor, S third of second floor, SW corner of third floor, for special collections and more collaborative space
    4. Day-to-day operations have been similar to the fall semester, with some modifications to hours open. Peak occupancy (about 400 people) occurs typically 2:00—3:00pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
    5. Finance director is retiring April 1. Also Karen Mason (Iowa Women’s Archives) retired recently. Replacements are being recruited.
    6. Efforts to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion of employees in leadership roles.

The next meeting will be via Zoom on March 10.

Submitted by Russ Lenth


Parking and Transportation Committee Meeting

 There were no meetings held during the prior two months. This meeting was devoted almost entirely to a discussion of the updated document concerning Parking and Transportation. This 37 page long document combines information concerning motor vehicles, bicycles and public transportation. It will be available online at the Parking and Transportation website as of 1 August 2021. This represents a considerable expansion of the previous document, partly because it combines information for more than motor vehicles. Much of the language and regulations in the old document were felt to be outdated. A significant part of the discussion dealt with the use of License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology which is expected to become the standard for monitoring UI students, faculty, and employees soon (? Fall Semester). The use of hang tags will disappear and those with parking permits will be required to register their vehicles by license plate number. Since more than one car may be used by an individual, each individual can register up to 3 different license plates. An area of particular concern because of past problems was the use of ramps close to the hospital by faculty/staff/employees not entitled to do so. It was thought that the LPR technology would be able to determine if such an individual was allowed to park (or not) because of being seen as a patient that day (avoiding unnecessary tickets and subsequent appeals). The one concern about the document raised by a Committee member dealt with privacy issues incurred because of the use of LPR technology. The reply to this concern was  a statement that the ACLU had a policy dealing with this problem, allowing its use because it was a not a direct source of identifying information, although it could be used in order to make a distinct identification (???). Also, a chart briefly displayed gave information concerning the frequency of violations issued by Parking by the year. The most common violation, by far, dealt with expired time on meters. The next most frequent dealt with individuals parking in areas not covered by their permit. It was also noted that individuals could check their parking usage online by using UI Employee Self Service site and going to My Parking (found under Transportation & Parking).  Further discussion of the Parking and Campus Master Plan, an item on the original agenda, was postponed until next month’s meeting because of the length of this meeting.

Submitted by Frank Mitros

Emeritus Faculty Council Minutes

9:30-11:00 February 1, 2021, via Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by President Miriam Gilbert.

Attendance: Anderson, Atchison, Berman, Fleckenstein, Gardinier, Gilbert, Hines, Lenth, Mitros, Shirazi, Stoner, Valde, Vlastos, Wanat.

Absence:  Cobb, Hauserman

Guest: Sam Cochran and Emil Rinderspacher, UIRA

Remembrances:  Edward Mason (12/29/2020 Carver College of Medicine), Marvin Bell (12/14/2020. CLAS, Writers Workshop), Barbara Welch Breder (11/30/2020. CLAS, Communication Studies)

Minutes for December 2020 EFC Meeting Fleckenstein, were approved.

New Business:  [Permissive conferral request moved up from the end of the agenda]

The Council considered three requests for permissive conferral of emeritus status.   In the first request, from the College of Dentistry, the faculty member had an outstanding record of scholarship and administrative leadership, but the faculty member was one month short of meeting the normal time in service requirement.   The Council voted unanimously to recommend that emeritus status be conferred.   In the second request, from the College of Dentistry, the faculty member had an excellent record of teaching, scholarship, and administrative leadership. Again, in this case, the candidate was one month short of meeting the normal time in service requirement.   The Council voted unanimously to recommend that emeritus status be conferred. For the third request, from the Graduate College, the candidate had over 30 years’ service to the University, but did not serve in a faculty position long enough to meet the 10 year time in service requirement.  The candidate contributed unique and highly valued expertise, teaching and scholarship to the University. This scholar was recognized with major national awards and grants. The Council voted unanimously to recommend that emeritus status be conferred.

Old Business: [Speaker for May meeting moved up from the end of the agenda]

Potential speakers for May Annual Meeting of the Emeritus Faculty were discussed.  Possible speakers were discussed in previous EFC meetings and email communications without reaching a consensus. Additional names of potential speakers and a range of topics were discussed today. A decision was made to have two speakers for the meeting, each with 25 minute presentations. UI Provost Kevin Kregel will be invited to speak on the University going forward and Hancher Executive Director Chuck Swanson on Hancher Auditoriums contributions to the University.

Report on EFC committee assignments: Given the limited remaining time available for this meeting, President Gilbert suggested that oral reports from the Council would be postponed to the March meeting and any written committee reports including in the meeting minutes. Connie Berman briefly reported on the Research Council, stating there was a discussion at the meeting of University funds derived from the lease of  UI Power Plant were being awarded to UI faculty for research projects. It raised a question about the campus community awareness of the program and how the program funds were administered.

Speakers:

Sam Cochran, current President of the University of Iowa  Retirees Association (UIRA), gave a presentation of the purpose and history of the UIRA. UI faculty or staff retirees, and spouses or domestic partners of a retired or deceased faculty or staff members, are eligible to join UIRA.  Dues are $10 for each person each year or $25 per person for three years. As of April 2020, UIRA had 622 members representing 482 households.

The purpose of this association is to facilitate support of the University of Iowa by retired faculty and staff members and to promote the interests and welfare of those retirees. UIRA works to keep retirees in touch with each other and with the social and intellectual life of the University. 

The UIRA was founded in 1995, publishes a monthly newsletter (The Greyhawk), offers monthly programs, and hosts an annual picnic and banquet (suspending during pandemic). UIRA programs include: Discussions of University programs; local cultural and civic activities; tours of University buildings and a yearly presentation by Staff Benefits on health insurance options for retirees

Emil Rinderspacher, chair of UIRA program committee, highlighted past, current and future programs. Currently, there is a link to the UIRA website (https://uira.org.uiowa.edu) on the EFC website and UIRA programs are now featured on the news page of the EFC website.

Next EFC Meeting: March 1, 2021, via Zoom.

Emeritus Faculty Lecture Scheduled:  Katherine Tachau, Professor Emerita of History, on February 25, 2021, entitled:  The King in the Manuscript: A Case Study in Medical Imaging for Medievalists.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry Fleckenstein


Report from Research Council Meeting, December 17, 2020, on Zoom.

Discussed were:

New Sexual Harassment reporting guidelines to conform to requirements from federal agencies, appeared to me to make complaints harder.

Description of limited call for proposals for 100 to 200 K December 14--18 for Path Forward in year zero of P3 funds availability -- this is looking for "shovel ready" proposals. that would fulfill strategic initiatives or propose new ones? Building collaboration in terms towards applications to some federal source. Need to provide possibility of good return on investment.  P3 funds are those coming from the 50-year contract to outside entity to manage the power plant.

Pause of Human Subject’s Research has been lifted; need to keep up research enterprise.

Do not yet have the report on issues about restricted (once intended to prevent secret, defense contracts) research. There is a committee working on this.

Proposed revisions of Operations Manual's guidelines for reporting on Research Conflicts of Interest would encompass in one procedure: financial, devotion of time or effort, personal ties, or human subjects’ conflict; currently this is reported only for the first and it is retrospective, but we need to encourage divulging all of these earlier in a prospective action at the moment of inception. To be discussed more next time. 

Respectfully submitted,

Constance Berman

Faculty Senate Meeting, December 8, 2020

3:30-5:15 pm via Zoom

            Faculty Senate addressed five new business items. Seventy-four members attended.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Recommendations from Governmental Relations Task Force:  Jerry Anthony, Chair, presented two proposals, that Faculty Council has supported unanimously—1. Making election day a University holiday (would need approval by Board of Regents). 2. Focusing one week of fall on DEI instruction. Recommendations are vision statements and will require implementation plans. Faculty Senate will vote by Outlook ballot.

            Proposed Endorsement of Recommendation Letter from Search Committee for Associate Vice President for DEI: Faculty Council has endorsed the letter. Nicole Nisly stated that this position should be an Associate Provost role in addition to reporting to the President. Two senators of color expressed frustration at not feeling part of the DEI process; one is leaving at the end of the AY. A discussion followed in which senators expressed support. Yockey will schedule meetings with both senators. Faculty Senate will vote on endorsement of the letter by Outlook.

            DEI Short Presentation: Accommodation Requests: Mark Harris, Director, and Michael Venzon, Associate Director of Student Disability Services, made a presentation about how to make academic accommodations in an inclusive environment. All attendees were put in breakout rooms to discuss inclusion and equitable course design. FS was introduced to using the annotate function to post ideas from the breakout rooms. (It was cool!)

            COVID-19 Update: Daniel Diekema, Director of Division of Infectious Diseases, discussed plans for expanded testing in spring, types of tests, surveillance testing, and the CDC’s recommendations on screening testing.  CDC recommends universities for expanded testing to confirm positive tests in asymptomic persons. Daniel Sewell, Assistant Professor, Biostatistics, College of Public Health, presented goals of describing disease burden, monitoring tools, and identification of outbreaks. He stated that the ideal is contact tracing and quarantine, but that this approach is extremely difficult and needs massive resources. He stated that what we can do is pooled tracing which reduces costs and tests one of ten in a pool. There are algorithms that identify people in a network to determine group testing surveillance. Testing is one piece of the puzzle; we must do all the other recommendations. Diekema concluded by saying that “we’ve done miserably” in addressing the consequences in self-report testing.

            Open Dialogue: Yockey invited agenda items. Two senators expressed concern that the two senators of color felt unwelcome.

            President’s Report: Yockey stated that the first Presidential Search committee meeting information meeting is available on the website. Upcoming listening sessions will be available at https://presidentialsearch.uiowa.edu/

Next meeting is February 9, 3:30-5:15.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Wanat

Report from Hancher Meeting, January 22, 2021

Summary:

  1. Results of a survey committee members had completed which asked for ideas on how to provide virtual programming for students and how to reopen safely were shared.
  2. Ideas included looking at streaming local artists and performers as well as global talents; having a focus on interactive content; and looking at racial justice and cultural issues. Other ideas included having outdoor performances and single performers as Hancher gradually reopens following science based guidelines.
  3. Tentative plans are to re-open Hancher in the Fall, but it is difficult to get performers to commit to dates given the uncertainty of the pandemic.
  4. The budget short fall was again discussed as well as the critical need to increase   fund raising and endowments.

Submitted by:

Jill Valde