SENATE EDUCATIONAL POLICIES COMMITTEE

Minutes

January 15, 1998

Attending: Sue Whitney, Chairperson; Jean Blachère; David M. Crossman, Barbara Fredette; Richard Hanna; Kerry Holzworth; Leon Khaimovich; Tom Metzger; Byron Woodson; Tony Silvestre


Absent: Jack Daniel, Erica Miller, and Susan Newman


The meeting was held in 6061 Forbes Tower, the Physical Therapy Conference Room


1. Minutes of December 1, 1998 were accepted.

2. Update on the Web Page

Dr. Crossman distributed a map of the new web page and a list of names of Committee members for inclusion on the page (see attached). After discussion it was agreed that only names of Committee members would be listed, that an email address would be created for the Committee that would forward to Dr. Whitney, and that policies to be included are peer evaluation, the faculty handbook, the teaching assistant handbook, and the policy on electronic communication.
Dr. Crossman noted that Mr. Kuzmich, staff member at CIDDE, was very helpful in developing the page. He also asked that Committee members contact him if changes were needed in how they are identified on the page and if they have any other suggestions.


3. Update on CIDDE's Advisory Panel

Dr. Whitney and Dr. Metzger are members of the CIDDE Advisory Panel. They will report on the activities of that panel at our meetings.


4. Update on Elections for the Senate

Dr. Whitney announced that all five members whose terms are up have agreed to stand for re-election. She also received a call from a new student representative, who affirmed her appointment to the Committee and her interest in the Committee's work.



5. Update on Expanded Executive Committee of the Senate

The Expanded Executive Committee (elected officers of the Senate and chairs of standing committees) recently met. The Senate task force on health benefits reported that a decision about what health insurers to contract with will be made very quickly. Dr. Gordon MacLeod will ask the Chancellor for a meeting to discuss faculty concerns about health insurance.


6. Report on the Meeting with Dr. Sorcinelli

Drs. Crossman, Newman, Silvestre and Mr. Khaimovich met with Dr. Sorcinelli during her recent visit to Pitt. Dr. Sorcinelli is an expert in faculty development from the University of Massachusetts. At the meeting, our Committee members were asked to give their views about the state of faculty development at the University. Drs. Crossman and Silvestre and Mr. Khaimovich reported that they were not expecting to be interviewed on the topic. It appears that Dr. Sorcinelli had been enlisted by the Provost to evaluate the state of faculty development at Pitt and to submit a report on her findings. Dr. Crossman and Dr. Silvestre reported that they spoke highly about Dr. Manning's dedication and work and the lack of adequate resources and support for that office. Mr. Khaimovich pointed out the need to link faculty development to organizational development warning that faculty development without systems changes would not be productive. Committee members expressed regret about not knowing that they would be interviewed and not having ample time to prepare. Dr. Whitney noted that she would write the Provost requesting a copy of the report for the Committee.

Mr. Woodson raised the issue of student dissatisfaction with the current faculty evaluation instrument and volunteered to bring his suggestions to the committee in writing. CIommittee members expressed appreciation for his willingness to bring his suggestions to the Committee. Time on the agenda will be set aside for a discussion on the topic at the next meeting. The possibility of sending suggestions to Dr. Baker after the Committee review was also discussed.


7. Update of Peer Evaluation of Teaching

The Committee agreed that an update of peer evaluation would be beneficial. Dr. Whitney agreed to write Dr. Daniel with such a request.


8. New Business

Mr. Hanna alerted the Committee to two issues. The first is that there is growing student sentiment for the elimination of the language requirement for non-traditional students. A major argument is that needed courses are not offered in the evening or weekends when such students would be able to attend. Mr. Hanna suggested that some large language departments were considering alternative programs to meet the needs of non-traditional students. The second issue had to do with student concerns with University policies around the acceptance of external credits. Dr. Whitney indicated that she would invite Dr. Brumble to meet with the Committee to discuss the matter.
Mr. Hanna also announced that he was appointed to the Academic Affairs and Libraries Committee of the Board of Trustees. Committee members expressed well wishes and asked that he report on their activities at our meeting. He agreed to do so.


9. Future Meetings

The Committee agreed to meet on February 5, March 12, and April 16 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p. m. Meetings will take place in 6061 Forbes Tower, the building behind the Iroquis Building. Entrances are on Atwood Street and on Meyran Avenue.




The meeting ended at 2 p.m.

Respectfully submitted: A. J. Silvestre