Minutes
EMERITUS FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING
9:30 a.m. Monday, December 4, 2023
(UCC 2520-C, With Zoom Connection.)
Vice-President Lenth called the meeting to order at 9:33
Roll Call:
EFC Members Attending: Christopher Atchison, Ana Diaz-Arnold, Diane Huber, Russell Lenth; Carol Scott-Connor, Mary Ann Rasmussen, William Silverman, Bernard Sorofman, Shelton Stromquist, John Westefeld, Tricia Zebrowski
EFC Members Absent: Constance Berman, Warren Boe, Minnetta Gardinier, Sheldon Kurtz,Jacob Odgaard
Other participants: Ed Gillan, President of the Faculty Senate
Approval of Minutes. The November minutes were adopted as distributed
New Emeritus Faculty
Name College Retirement Date
Merrel Clubb, CLAS December 31, 2023
Anne Skinstad CPUB November 2, 2023
Sonia Sugg CCOM January 2, 2024
Recently Deceased Emeritus Faculty
Name College Date
Johannes Ledolter, CBUS, November 5, 2023
Moment of Silence in Remembrance
EFC Committee Reports
Elections – Diane Huber, Mary Ann Rasmussen, Bill Silverman (Berman, ex officio). Diane Huber noted that she is new to the committee and requested further information from those who have been through the process
Program – Ana Diaz-Arnold, Sheldon Kurtz, John Westefeld. Westefeld asked that ideas for speakers come to he, Ana, Sheldon or Connie (Berman, ex officio)
Lecture Series – Carol Scott-Conner, Shelton Stromquist, Tricia Zebrowski. Scott-Connor announced that Chuck Connerly from urban planning in scheduled for February. Prior event featuring George Weiner. She said that are in the midst of planning for the final two programs of the year and planning for the fall.
Webpage – Russell Lenth, Minnetta Gardinier, Bernard Sorofman – Lenth noted that or business meeting had been electronically interrupted and suggested that we may need to be a waiting room feature added. It was also noted that the business meetings are to be “open meetings.”
Liaisons to University Committees
Campus Planning: Jacob Odgaard – No report
Faculty Senate and Council: Minnetta Gardinier & Mary Ann Rasmussen. Mary Ann said the last meeting was with the athletic director addressing mental health. Report in the website meeting folder
FRIC: Sheldon Kurtz & William Silverman. Silverman discussed the FRIC meeting chaired by Joni Troester. He recounted a discussion regarding obesity and Rx options. Bernard Sorofman said it may be several years before production meets demand. Carol Scott-Connor expressed uncertainty about efficacy. Further information is in the monthly report.
Hancher and Art Museum: Ana Diaz-Arnold & Bernard Sorofman. No report but discussion of having the new Hancher Director address the council.
Libraries: Russell Lenth & Diane Huber. Report filed. It was also noted that the Library Committee meeting schedule is variable. Russ said this is an interesting committee for those who are still interested in publishing. There was discussion with Bernard, Russ, Carol and Bill re the changing policies regarding open access and payment for publishing. Diane noted that we had a presenter from the library at our last meeting and they can be very supportive
Parking and Transportation: Warren Boe & Carol Scott Conner. Carol mentioned that last meeting was Friday. There is some discussion of rates for emeritus parking and the acquisition of Mercy Hospital.
President’s Committee on Athletics: John Westefeld & Tricia Zebrowski – John and Tricia will be at the next meeting. Noted that prior meeting addressed mental health and student athletes. search for a new Athletic Director. John also described the usual program and participation. Discussion included a suggestion of Beth Goetz as a possible speaker for the Council.
Recreational Services: Christopher Atchison. Report filed. Chris asked if there could be more dialog on the website. Russ said there is a contract with Qualtrics which could assist with a survey process.
Research Council: Shelton Stromquist. Shelton noted there are two working subcommittees. Assessment of available grants and on how researchers can be supported. He participates in the support sub-committee. It was concluded that The EFC needs to make sure that emeritus faculty are identified and represented in Shelton’s subcommittee’s report
Senior College: Warren Boe – No report
UIRA: Russ has talked to Deb Cobb about identifying a liaison so the relationship can be actively maintained.
Old Business:
Letters have been sent to the University regarding emeritus access to healthcare providers and tech support. The receipt of the letters has been acknowledged but no action indicated. Bernard noted there were issues about emeritus losing technical support. Silverman said there can be a period between retirement and emeritus status with loss of support however it was also suggested that this usually isn’t a prolonged lack.
New Business:
Atchison suggested that the Council might use its website as a way to better link emeritus faculty with their university resources. He will work with Sorofman to come up with a emeritus faculty member survey on services framework as a new business item for the next meeting
Russ said we will need to move our annual meeting from May 13 to May 14 due to a room conflict. There were no objections
Guest Speaker Introduction: Ana Diaz Arnold introduced Ed Gillan, chair of the Faculty Senate and professor in the Department of Chemistry.
Guest Speaker:
Gillan discussed shared governance at U and collegiate level. He noted that Pharmacy is exploring mechanism for collegiate governance. He provided some statistical overview of the Senate, e.g., the Senate reps the 10 colleges, with 2800 faculty in multiple categories, i.e., tenure, clinical, research and teaching tracks. Noted that the overall faculty distribution is at 50 percent tenure-track and 50% other, e.g., clinical. However there remains a 20% restriction on non-tenure representation of the Senate.
He said the University is moving to establish assistant professor rather than lecturer as the primary entry level rank.
He briefly noted that the Board of Regents is requiring each of the 3 universities to conduct DEI studies with a report due next Spring to the Governor and Legislature. He said the
undergraduate alumni are especially active in commenting on the BOR DEI process.
Gillan announced that the periodic review process will soon be focused on the Office of the President and noted Shelton Stromquist was on the last review committee.
Atchison asked his thoughts on emeritus support and Gillan commented that emeritus support varies by College. Sorofman recounted the value of emeritus faculty who continue to be involved in research and publishing. Gillan commented that those are valid points for consideration of support.
Westefeld asked for more information on DEI and the AD search. Chair is from the academic liaison perspective and focused on protecting time. The DEI is on a quick turnaround. Liz Tovar is leading the UI process. Report due in March.
Adjournment
Lenth reminded everyone that President Wilson will be across the hall addressing the UIRA at 11:30 and adjourned the meeting at 11:03.