Emeritus Faculty Council Minutes
September 6, 2022
Meeting held via Zoom
Approved 10/3/2022
Call to Order: 9:45 by Hines
Members Attending:
Charlie Anderson, Christopher Atchison, Constance Berman, Deborah Cobb, Cathy Cole, Minnetta Gardinier, Miriam Gilbert, Bill Hines, Russell Lenth, Jacob Odgaard, Mary Ann Rasmussen, Carol Scott-Conner, Bernard Sorofman, Jill Valde, John Westefeld
Members Absent:
Siroos Shirazi, Sam Cochran
Introduction of New Council Members:
Cathy Cole, Business
Mary Ann Rasmussen, Clas
Carol Scott-Conner, Medicine
Bernard Sorofman, Pharmacy
John Westefeld, Education
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 2, 2022
(Distributed via e-mail). Approved Unanimously
NEW EMERITUS FACULTY
Name College Retirement Date
Gary Gaeth CBUS 5/13/2022
Kevin Felker CBUS 5/13/2022
Daniel Collins CBUS 5/13/2022
Mark Penno CBUS 5/13/2022
Joyce Berg CBUS 5/13/2022
Thomas Carroll CBUS 5/13/2022
Steven Armstrong CDEN 6/30/2022
Peter Blanchard CLAS 1/1/2022
Charles Frohman CLAS 6/30/2022
Yvonne Farley CLAS 6/30/2022
Jian Huang CLAS 6/30/2022
Kathleen Diffley CLAS 6/30/2022
Victoria Sharp CCOM 6/30/2022
James Folk CCOM 6/30/2022
John Finamore CLAS 6/30/2022
Daniel Diekema CCOM 7/29/2022
Diane Slusarski CLAS 6/30/2022
DECEASED EMERITUS FACULTY
Gilbert suggested that deceased be identified in the advance agenda so full consideration of their passing can be offered.
Deceased College Date of Death
Charles Wunder CCOM 6/5/2022
Hallowell Pope CLAS 5/15/2022
Don VanDyke CCOM 6/16/2022
Jordan Cohen CPHA 6/26/2022
James Sandrock CLAS 6/6/2022
Erling Holtsmark CLAS 7/17/2022
Moment of Silence
PERMISSIVE CONFERRAL OF EMERITUS STATUS FOR PROFESSOR RICHARD HOFFMAN, M.D.) – discussion postponed pending distribution of information
EFC MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2022-2023:
Sept. 6, Oct. 3, Nov 7, Dec. 5, 2022.
Feb. 6, Mar. 6, April 3, May 1, 2023.
EFC Annual Meeting May 15, 2023.
DECIDE FORMAT OF UPCOMING EFC MEETINGS; (IN PERSON, ZOOM OR HYBRID?)
Hines has reserved Room A and it is Zoom equipped. Anderson moved that Hybrid be used for meetings. Atchison seconded and passed unanimously.
ELECTION OF EFC OFFICERS
SLATE OF OFFICERS PROPOSED BY THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:
President: N. William Hines, Law
Vice President: Connie Berman, CLAS
Secretary: Christopher Atchison, Public Health
Valde moved acceptance - Lenth seconded - passed unanimously
REPORTS FROM EFC COMMITTEES
Hines asked members to review their assignments and request adjustments as preferred
Hines also announced he is drafting a letter to be used to welcome new emeritus faculty and to make them aware of the Council and its activities.
Elections: Gilbert, Cole – report above
Annual Meeting/Program: Anderson – Asked for program suggestions from members. Kevin Kruger suggested. Reardon, Troester suggested speakers on benefits
Lecture Series: Gardinier, Gilbert and Scott Conner. Gardinier announced the next program is Jerald Schnoor at 4 p.m. Thursday, September 15th at the Kollros Aud (101BBE). Topic: Climate Change and Our Future
Gilbert announced all programs are planned to be in person.
REPORTS FROM LIAISONS TO UNIV. COMMITTEES
Campus Planning: Anderson – Commented that there are many active plans, but it is still speculative to know which will be completed. E.g., changes in the Art building. Anderson suggested this might be topic of interest for a future guest speaker
Communications Committee: Lenth - Website has been updated, asked members to review their information
Faculty Senate & Council: (report in attachment) Gardinier, Rasmussen – Gardinier said the Council met on Tuesday August 30 and announced the new officers.
President: Ann Rodriquez-Rodriquez
Vice-President: Edward Gillan
Secretary: Caroline Sheerin
Gardinier also reviewed items on the Council agenda including a report from the Instructional Faculty Track Review Committee, given by Anne Stapleton, which was accepted.
Discussion at the meeting included review of an August retreat with administration on topics such as burnout, morale, nursing staffing shortages, College of Medicine compensation, mental health among students, diversity and inclusion across campus. She also noted that the 5-year admin reviews will be restarting with the OVPR being one of the first to be undertaken.
Berman asked about student needs for day care, Gardinier said not discussed.
FRIC: Shirazi, Sorofman – Met on Sept 2nd. Valde announced there is a proposed 9.7 increase in retirees’ insurance. FRIC also will make speaker available for a future program. There is also a coverage information session scheduled for Sept 20th featuring Anderson, Gilbert, Atchison.
Hancher/Art Museum: Valde - Has not met
Libraries: Lenth, Cole and Scott-Conner – Has not met
Parking & Transportation: Odgaard, Scott-Conner – (report in attachment)
President’s Committee on Athletics: Hines, Westfeld – Meets Thursday.
Recreation Services: Atchison – not met
Research Council: Berman – not met
Senior College: Mitros (Ex Officio) – No report
UIRA: Cobb – No report
OLD BUSINESS
Formal coordination among EFC, UIRA & Senior College still under discussion
NEW BUSINESS: No new business
GUEST SPEAKER (10:30 A.M.)
University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson
Hines introduced President Wilson
Pres. Wilson thank Hines and the Council for the invitation. She noted that she completed her first year as President on July 1.
Wilson began by asking members to review p. 17 of University’s Strategic Plan which lays out 17 metrics which are guiding her administration.
Among the highlights in her report:
Wilson 5 priorities:
- Excellence in teaching and learning
- Innovative research and creative discovery.
- Welcoming and inclusive environment
- Holistic well-being and success
- Transformative social impact
Wilson noted there are 5,178 new students with plans to have 33,000 students in five years.
A critical focus for the Wilson administration is student success with a key being to find students who are at risk and providing support as well as creating a sense of belonging. This includes providing supports that address mental health and family and personal needs.
Wilson said the national concern over student debt is less in Iowa where 50% graduate with no debt and within 6 mos. of graduation students are either employed or continuing their education.
Key to the University’s success is its faculty and she identified three strategies:
- Transformational faculty hiring program
- Iowa Mid-Career faculty scholar award
- High impact hiring initiative.
Wilson is looking to diversify research funding and noted that philanthropy has doubled in the last year. She stated that a new fund-raising campaign will begin in the Fall.
Wilson emphasized the importance of the University to the State but also noted that the UIHC is at 95 % capacity and has a nursing shortage.
Wilson concluded by pointing out the University’s Impacting Iowa – One Community at a Time initiative begun 13 years ago. More than 2,000 students have been involved with 316 projects in over 50 communities.
Hines asked the Council for questions
Berman asked about support for students as parents. Wilson responded that the University several childcare options and that the UIHC has outside childcare service. However, she does see needs on the East Side.
Rasmussen asked about at risk students – especially for women returning to work. Wilson agreed that this is a challenge. She is in active discussions with policymakers regarding how the University can help address this need.
Hines thanked President Wilson for her appearance.
Next meeting, October 3rd, Hybrid via Zoom and in Meeting Room A at Old Capitol
ADJOURNMENT at 11:09 a.m.