Monday, May 15, 2023

University of Iowa

Association of Emeritus Faculty (AEF)

Minutes of the Annual and General Meeting, May 15, 2023,

2520D University Capitol Center, Iowa City, Iowa and via Zoom

The meeting was called to order at 10:06 A.M. by Bill Hines, President of Emeritus Faculty Council.  He noted that this was the first in person meeting of the Association of Emeritus Faculty (AEF) since the onset of the COVID pandemic. He also acknowledged the importance of former university presidents, Willard (Sandy) Boyd and David Skorton, in the development of the Association.

Hines then recognized the current members of the Council, adding special thanks to members leaving after completing their terms: Charles Anderson, Deborah Cobb, Miriam Gilbert, Siroos Shirazi, Jill Valde.  He also noted that this is his final meeting representing the College of Law.

He observed that in the last year the Association had been joined by 61 new emeritus members with 41 individuals passing. He noted the list of those who have passed is attached to the agenda and offered his personal testimony for former UI President, Willard (Sandy) Boyd.  He then asked for a moment of silence in their memory. (The list of those who have passed in the last year can be found in Attachment 1 to these minutes.)

Hines recounted some of the activities of the Council over the past year including the convening of 8 monthly meetings featuring 6 guest speakers including President Barbara Wilson and regarding topics such as University benefits.  He extended particular thanks to Charles Anderson and John Westefeld who took the lead in arranging these sessions.

Among the initiatives Hines was most proud of was the initiation of welcome letters to new emeritus faculty with information about programs and policies supporting their continued association with the University.

He also noted that 6 of the new emeritus faculty were reviewed for “permissive” conferral. Hines explained that such conferrals are extended to individuals whose eligibility for emeritus status is questioned by the Office of the Provost.  For example, emeritus status normally requires 10 years of faculty status and, occasionally this service may be accomplished through a variety of University roles. Hines said the Council has drafted standards for consideration in the next term, and that the Council has begun a review of whether eligibility ought to also be based on an individual reaching a certain minimum age, such as eligibility for retirement benefits from Human Resources.  He further noted, however, that based on the two meetings where this matter was discussed, the majority of EFC members do not agree that adding a minimum age requirement for emeritus status would serve any important university purpose.

Hines also raised an issue regarding technological support for emeritus faculty, an issue particularly important for those individuals who remain active in the intellectual pursuits of their colleges and of the university. He noted that council member Bernard Sorofman has taken the lead on this issue and led the development of correspondence to the Provost regarding this issue.

Hines then introduced Miriam Gilbert, as chair of the Elections Committee, to give this year’s election report.

Gilbert began by thanking the committee co-chair, Cathy Cole, for her leadership and announced the following results:

New/Re-elected Council Members

College of Dentistry:                                       Ana Diaz-Arnold (for a first 3-year term)

College of Law:                                                Sheldon Kurtz (for a first 3-year term)

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:              Russell Lenth (for a second 3-year term)

Shelton Stromquist (for a first 3-year term)

Tricia Zebrowski (for a first 3-year term)

Carver College of Medicine:                           Minnetta Gardinier (for a second 3-year term)

                                                                        William Silverman (for a first 3-year term)

College of Nursing:                                         Diane Huber (for a first 3-year term)

College of Public Health:                                Christopher Atchison (for a second 3-year term)      

Hines then introduced the Annual Meeting Guest Speaker: Kevin C. Kregel, Executive Vice President and Provost to address the topic: “Academic Challenges Facing the University of Iowa”

Kregel began by saying he prefers to look at challenges as opportunities and that the University’s strategic plan has been developed from this perspective and he shared the University’s vision: “to be the destination of first choice for a diverse and talented body of students, faculty, and staff, who will craft new chapters of exploration, discovery, creation, and engagement.”

Provost Kregel listed five priorities in support of this vision:

  • Excellence in teaching and learning
  • Innovative research and creative discovery
  • Welcoming and inclusive environment
  • Holistic well-being and success
  • Transformative societal impact
  • He also stressed that the university has an active strategy to ensure action on the plan through an oversight committee: Strategic Plan Resource and Action Committee (SPARC) with responsibilities for:

Kregel said it is President Wilson’s vision that enrollment will reach 33,000 students, however he said this target is challenged by a national decline in college aged students and the population of Iowa.  In recognition of these limitations the University is looking at programs, such as the further development and highlighting of areas of expertise that will make the University a “destination University”.

Kregel then highlighted several programs established to recruit and support students and faculty:

  • First Gen Hawk program, a priority for President Wilson aimed at first members of a family to attend college.
  • The Small-Town & Rural Students (STARS) College Network intended to help rural students enroll & succeed in college
  • The Transformational hiring program intended to recruit faculty who can lead change in vital disciplines. He cited the hire of Eric Hunter as Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
  • A Mid-Career Scholar award to help retain faculty with emerging national and international reputations.
  • And the initiation of a Highly Prestigious Faculty Award Investiture of those faculty who have been nationally recognized for excellence. He also noted that this can enhance the AAU ranking of the University.

Kregel then responded to questions from attendees noting that leadership builds state policy support by stressing the University’s contributions to the state, especially in healthcare. He noted that survey results indicate an 85% support for the University among the public.

He noted revenue proceeds from research are overestimated but the enterprise is vital for student and faculty excellence. He also noted that support from the general fund has moved from 70% to 30%.

Hines thanked the Provost for his remarks and introduced Minnetta Gardinier to review the Emeritus Faculty Lecture Series.

Gardinier thanked Gilbert and Carol Scott-Connor then reviewed the lecture titles and speakers for the past year:

Gardinier concluded by advising that videos of lectures available at: https://emeritus-faculty.uiowa.edu/ and by asking that the emeritus faculty support the series by suggesting ideas or speakers to her at m-gardinier@uiowa.edu or carol-scott-conner@uiowa.edu

Hines then introduced Russell Lenth for an overview on the AEF website. Lenth began by thanking Bernard Sorofman for his support as co-chair and then demonstrated features such as information on services and programs at the site: Emeritus-faculty.uiowa.edu.  He concluded by leaving his e-mail address if additional information is needed: russell-lenth@uiowa.edu

Hines noted there are three organizations serving the interests of retired faculty, the Association of Emeritus Faculty, the University of Iowa Retirees Association and the Senior College. He stated that it is an active goal of all three organizations to work in harmony.

Hines also noted that the EFC monitors 13 different University committees and organizations and that reports from each of these important engagements can be found on the EFC website.

Hines introduced Minnetta Gardinier and Maryann Rasmussen to discuss issues from the faculty senate and faculty council. Rasmussen cited three recurring themes for the organizations: organizational development of instructional track faculty, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Mental Health and Well-Being. (For further information about this work see Attachment 2 in these minutes.)

Hines then introduced Bernard Sorofman who reported on the Funded Retirement and Insurance Committee (FRIC). Sorofman thanked his co-chair Siroos Shirazi and noted that issues of coverage and cost of increasingly a concern among retirees and that solutions remain unclear. He said coverage costs will be discussed the end of summer.

Hines introduced Carol Scott-Conner as the representative to the Parking and Transportation Committee.  She indicated that parking on the West campus is increasingly tight. Comment from the floor indicated that emeritus faculty who wish to continue to contribute to University programs in research need spaces besides downhill locations.

Hines then introduced Deborah Cobb on the University of Iowa Retirees Association who recounted a short history of organization and noting that a significant development had occurred with formalization of University support and the funding of a 25%-time administrator.  She thanked current president, Ed Dove, and past president, Carolyn Wanat, for their work in achieving this goal.  She invited AEF members to join the UIRA and announced that their annual meeting will be on June 15th. She said more information is available on the website: https://uira.org.uiowa.edu/

Hines introduced Frank Mitros, the liaison from the Senior College to the EFC.

Mitros outlined courses offered by the Senior College that are provided by both emeritus faculty and staff. The courses generally consist of four weekly 2-hour sessions, a week apart and are offered in and via zoom. A fee or tuition for a course is $30.00. He said more information about the Senior College at its offerings can be found at https://www.foriowa.org/senior-college/.

Hines then introduced Connie Berman as Pres-elect.  Berman thanked Hines and expressed 4 goals for the next year:

  1. Ensuring that the health care needs of University retirees are prioritized.
  2. Technological support for emeritus faculty who engage in research.
  3. Enhanced facilities to support emeritus faculty in grant development and intellectual property protection
  4. Highlight emeritus faculty contributions to the University.

Hines concluded by thanking all for attending and for the support provided by Ann Howard of the Office of the Provost. He announced the Annual Meeting was ended at 12:11 p.m.

Submitted by: Christopher Atchison

Attachment 1

In Memory of:

Willard (Sandy) Boyd                          COL                                          12/13/2022

Joan Cantor                                          CLAS                                         10/27/2022

Martha Carpenter                              CNUR                                       9/11/2022

Jordan Cohen                                     CPHA                                       6/26/2022

Delbert Disselhorst                             CLAS                                        9/1/2022

William Eichinger                                CEND                                        01/30/2023

Darrell Eyman                                      CLAS                                         10/6/2022

Bill Field                                                CPH                                          11/04/2022

Helen Goldstein                                  CLAS                                         11/08/2022

Isidore Gormezano                              CLAS                                         1/05/2023

Keith Guillory                                       CPHAR                                     10/7/2022

Geraldine R. Hall                                 CNUR                                       11/10/2022

Benny Hawkins                                    CDEN                                       8/31/2022

Sohan Hayreh                                      CCOM                                      9/28/2022

Louis Hoffmann                                   CCOM                                      11/16/2022

Erling Holtsmark                                 CLAS                                        7/17/2022

Peter Jebson                                       CCOM                                      3/29/2023

Jun Kimura                                           CCOM                                      3/3/2022

William Kirk                                         CLAS                                         10/20/2022

Thomas Kisker                                     CCOM                                       02/17/2023

Charles Kremenak                               CDEN                                       9/1/2022

Sonja Lively                                         CNUR                                      3/20/2023

Donald McClain                                   CLAS                                         10/8/2022

Ken Mobily                                            CLAS                                         12/28/2022

Eugene Parrott                                    CPHAR                                     7/26/2022

Kent Pearson                                      CCOM                                      5/05/2023

Hallowell Pope                                   CLAS                                        5/15/2022

Nicholas Rossi                                     CCOM                                      11/05/2022

James Sandrock                                  CLAS                                        6/6/2022

Yvonne Slatton                                    CLAS                                         9/8/2022

Gerald Solomons                                 CCOM                                      1/11/2023

Janet Kay Spect                                    CNUR                                       10/24/2022

William Stanford                                  CCOM                                      1/28/2023

Kenneth Starck                                     CLAS                                         1/08/2023

Gerald Stern                                       CLAS                                        10/27/2022

Gerry Suchanek                                   CBUS                                        01/29/2023

Stanley Thompson                               CCOM                                      1/15/2023

Don VanDyke                                      CCOM                                      6/16/2022

Rafiq Waziri                                         CCOM                                      10/12/2022

John Weiler                                         CCOM                                      9/ 7/ 2022

Charles Wunder                                 CCOM                                      6/5/2022

Attachment 2

End of the year report on the 2022-2023 Faculty Senate

Prepared by EFC member Maryann Rasmussen

There were three important recurring topics within meetings and presentations by guest speakers:  

  1. Instructional Track Faculty

At its very first meeting in August Faculty Senate endorsed the findings of the Instructional Track Faculty review committee whose charge was to assess the impact of the 2016 ITF policy.  The review committee’s recommendations included creating clear dispute resolution procedures, adjusting representation of ITF on Faculty Senate; changing titles and ranks and length of terms; and clarifying and adjusting review and promotion procedures.

Several times through the year President Rodríguez-Rodríguez reported on discussions within Faculty Council on ITF issues.  The issue mentioned most was the one surrounding the cap on ITF participation in on FS. President Rodríguez-Rodríguez explained that currently there are caps on the percentages of clinical-track (20%), research-track (10%), and instructional-track (10%) faculty who can serve on the Senate from each collegiate delegation. Councilors, she reported, overwhelmingly advocated for changes to this cap system.  Rodriguez-Rodriguez reminded the Senate that any changes to the constitution will need a majority in the Senate for approval.  The last thing we heard was that the Senate’s Committee on Rules and Bylaws was going to examine the issue of Senate representation and offer recommendations for modifying the Senate structure.

.

  1. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

A series of Sparkshops organized for Faculty Senate by staff from DEI and the Teaching Center were held during Faculty Senate meetings throughout the year. These were meant to help senators gain and share skills around relevant DEI topics Including dealing with microaggression, creating inclusive classroom spaces, using students preferred pronouns, and ensuring equity in the way students are accessed.

Many speakers who made presentations to FS talked about DEI efforts and issues.

In February President Wilson talked about the way UI takes a very expansive view of diversity, to encompass persons with disabilities, veterans, first generation students, and rural students, and she emphasized her commitment to these efforts.

Recently the presidents of UGS, the Graduate and Professional Student, and Staff Council all emphasized their commitment to DEI.

At the March meeting Liz Tovar, VP of DEI, spoke about the need to stand up for and be able to explain to others the value and importance of university DEI efforts and the negative impacts in numerous areas of the university of proposed state legislation to end or curtail DEI.

Another speaker from the Division of DEI spoke in February about the results of the Campus Climate Survey, highlighting why a commitment to DEI and the creation of a more inclusive campus is important to the university community.  She cited results from the Survey that showed that 45% of faculty respondents experienced bias, intimidating, or hostile treatment at UI in the past 12 months. 

And at the December meeting Provost Kregel talked about programs within the university’s new Strategic Plan for retaining and recruiting faculty and how they synced with the university’s diversity goals.

  1. Mental Health and Well-Being

In October the chairs of the Well-Being and Mental Health Campus Collaborative 

talked about the committee’s work developing a framework to support and strengthen student and employee health and well-being and increase student awareness of and access to programs and services.

During her presentation in February, President Wilson talked about how student mental health is a serious concern for her. She cited how nationally, more than 30% of college students reported receiving mental health services in the last year. She described how the university is investing in mental health services for students, for example, setting up a 24/7 phone, text, and chat mental health support line and providing faculty and staff with training and other tools to assist students with mental health challenges.

Also, at the February meeting, Athletic Director Gary Barta talked about the ways in which the mental health of our student athletes is a high priority for athletics staff and how mental health professionals are now working in the Athletic Department.

At her In December presentation Lynette Marshall, President of the UI Center for Advancement talked about how, in response to the Strategic Plan’s focus on holistic well-being and success, donors have now shown an interest in funding mental health-related initiatives, such as counselors in the residence halls,


Finally, this year in March FS passed the Mental Health Training Resolution put forward to University of Iowa faculty and staff by Undergraduate Student Government. The resolution encouraged all faculty and staff to participate in an online mental health training program called Kognito which would provide faculty and staff with the skill set necessary to partake in interactions with students experiencing mental health struggles or crises.