West Lafayette Senate report, May 2020
University Senate Report
May 8, 2020
I. The University Senate met on February 17.
A. Remarks of the Chair: Professor Cheryl Cooky, Chair of the University Senate, reported that a proposal for new teaching evaluations is being reviewed by the Educational Policy Committee (EPC) and changes are expected by the end of the semester. A working group has also met with the EPC regarding the feasibility of suggestions that have been made regarding civics literacy.
B. Remarks of the President: President Mitch Daniels announced that there would be no increase in the West Lafayette tuition for the 2020-21 year. Currently, 59 percent of Purdue undergraduate students graduate debt free (43 percent national average) and student borrowing is down by one-third since 2012. Faculty merit pay will average 3 percent for 2020-21 and West Lafayette will recruit to fill 160 faculty vacancies and 28 new positions. The size of the faculty has grown from 1,842 in 2012 to 1,920 currently. If research and clinical faculty are included there were 2,004 in 2012 and 2,199 today. Total University enrollment in Fall 2019 was 102,785, including 44,551 at West Lafayette, 31,042 in Global, 20,214 in the two regional campuses, 6,025 at IUPUI, and 953 in Purdue Polytechnic.
C. Senate Documents
1. Senate Doc. 19-09: Free the Tampon Resolution (For Vote): “Purdue University shall provide menstruation products at no cost in University bathrooms.” – Passed: 66 yea, 1 nay, 0 abstentions.
2. Senate Doc. 19-10: Diversity Statement Resolution (For Vote): “Purdue University shall require all new faculty applicants to submit a Diversity Statement as part of their application packet regardless of the College or administrative unit to which they are applying.” – Passed: 42 yea, 22 nay, 2 abstentions.
3. Senate Doc. 19-12: Gender Marker Options on Purdue University Forms (For Discussion): “Purdue University shall include a non-binary gender marker on all physical and electronic University forms that request gender identification be made.” – Passed: 62 yea, 6 nay, 0 abstentions.
4. Senate Doc. 19-13: Changes to Foundational Outcomes Language of the University Core Curriculum (For Discussion): A proposed change in language to: (1) clarify what is required for each foundational outcome to be adequately met; (2) better align the Purdue University Undergraduate Core and the Indiana Statewide Transfer General Education Core; and (3) ensure that all Purdue undergraduates achieve a solid
education that reflects the most current scholarship related to core skills and outcomes.
5. Senate Doc. 19-14: Grief Absence Policy Revision (For Discussion): A proposal to update the class absence policies to provide better guidance for faculty on consistently handling approved procedures for student absences consistently in times of grief, military duty, jury duty, and family leave.
II. The University Faculty Affairs Committee met on March 11. Given the health situation there was no quorum, thus official votes could not be taken. Nevertheless, some discussions and updates occurred.
A. Faculty Salary Equity Study: A study at West Lafayette indicated that the male/female gap in hiring is slowly closing. For those in the associate professor rank, females generally gained promotion to professor in seven years while the average for males was nine years. Underrepresented minorities accounted for eight percent of all faculty. The study identified faculty by rank and discipline who were outside an 80 percent interval. Purdue want to be within a 90 percent interval or higher in relation to its peer group.
B. Responsible Conduct of Research: A policy on the ethical conduct of research has been drafted and is being circulated for comment. The purpose is to prevent the theft of research and other abuses. This policy would mandate workshops on the conduct of research. Some concern was expressed that this would lead to annual requirements placing yet another burden on faculty that is unnecessary. A copy of the draft appears in Appendix A.
C. Compensation & Benefits Committee: Discussions are underway on how the cost of the benefits package can be reduced. One proposal is having dental care as an option. Another question being explored is whether the premiums charged to for retirees are commensurate with others. With the ending of the PPO option, a search is underway to find a close alternative. There are also other explorations for alternatives to reduce costs.
D. Mandate for Online Instruction: Questions were raised about the lack of consultation with faculty before the administration mandated the use of online learning for classes while classes remain canceled. Questions were also raised about the impact on students who may not have access to the Internet at home and how the policy might affect students on externships and other similar circumstances.
III. The University Senate met remotely via Zoom technology on March 23.
D. Remarks of the Chair: Professor Cheryl Cooky, Chair of the University Senate, expression her gratitude for the efforts everyone is making in helping the University transition to remote, online learning.
E. Remarks of the President: President Mitch Daniels reported that about 9% of students elected to remain on campus in West Lafayette and about 70% of employees were working remotely. No decision had yet been made on summer sessions.
F. Senate Documents
1. Senate Doc. 19-20: Nominees for Vice Chair of the Senate (For Vote): Nominees are: Stephen Beaudoin (Chemical Engineering), Ralph Kaufmann (Mathematics), Jozef Kokini (Food Science), David Sanders (Biological Sciences). – Prof. Beaudoin gained election.
2. Senate Doc. 19-13: Changes to Foundational Outcomes Language of the University Core Curriculum (For Discussion): A proposed change in language to: (1) clarify what is required for each foundational outcome to be adequately met; (2) better align the Purdue University Undergraduate Core and the Indiana Statewide Transfer General Education Core; and (3) ensure that all Purdue undergraduates achieve a solid education that reflects the most current scholarship related to core skills and outcomes.
3. Senate Doc. 19-14: Grief Absence Policy Revision (For Discussion): A proposal to update the class absence policies to provide better guidance for faculty on consistently handling approved procedures for student absences consistently in times of grief, military duty, jury duty, and family leave.
4. Senate Doc. 19-15: Revised Academic and Progress Records (APR) Committee charge (For Discussion): Proposed new wording: “The committee shall be charged with: Matters concerning the review and drafting of academic regulations, as well as student conduct regulations that affect academic regulations, for consideration by the Educational Policy Committee (EPC).”
5. Senate Doc. 19-17: Degree Requirements for Civics Literacy (For Discussion): “Establish a baccalaureate degree requirement for civics literacy. Students would meet the requirement by fulfilling the following: successful completion of a civics literacy exam and completion one of the following three options: 1) 3.0 hours of relevant course work (e.g., relevant introductory course in US politics, public policy, history or other course with civic knowledge content); or 2) successful completion of Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement modules; or 3) attendance at civics-related Purdue-hosted and -sponsored events involving a substantially equivalent number of contact hours.”
6. Senate Doc. 19-18: Mental Health Statement (For Discussion): “The University Senate urges the Administration to require all course syllabi by the Fall 2020 academic semester to include the Mental Health Statement provided by the Purdue
University administration containing a list of mental-health resources available to students on and around campus; and The University Senate urges the Administration to encourage course instructors to take time during the first week of classes to speak about the various resources available to students regarding mental health.”
7. Senate Doc. 19-19: Degree Requirements for Civics Literacy (For Discussion): “Establish a baccalaureate degree requirement for civics literacy. Students would meet the requirement by fulfilling the following: successful completion of a civics literacy exam and completion one of the following three options: 1) 3.0 hours of relevant course work (e.g., relevant introductory course in US politics, public policy, history or other course with civic knowledge content); or 2) successful completion of Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement modules; or 3) attendance at civics-related Purdue-hosted and -sponsored events involving a substantially equivalent number of contact hours.”
8. Senate Doc. 19-16: SAT/ACT and Undergraduate Admissions (For Discussion): “The University Senate strongly urges the Purdue University Office of Admissions to discontinue requiring standardized test results as criteria for admission to the undergraduate program at Purdue University—West Lafayette.”
IV. The University Senate met remotely via Zoom technology on April 20 and in an extension on April 27.
A. Remarks of the Chair: Professor Cheryl Cooky, Chair of the University Senate, thanked everyone for their efforts in moving to online instruction and support our students.
B. Remarks of the President: President Mitch Daniels thanked to everyone for their efforts during these difficult times. He shared a quote, “The outlook for higher education is changing to negative … universities face unprecedented enrollment uncertainty, risks to multiple revenue streams, and potential material erosion in their balance sheets.” But, he also noted that “Affordable universities have a competitive advantage.” With Purdue’s lower cost and high benefit we are in a better position than many institutions.
C. Senate Documents
1. Senate Doc. 19-22 through 19-29: Nominees for University and Standing Committees (For Vote): All nominees were approved.
2. Senate Doc. 19-16: SAT/ACT and Undergraduate Admissions (For Vote): “The University Senate strongly urges the Purdue University Office of Admissions to discontinue requiring standardized test results as criteria for admission to the undergraduate program at Purdue University—West Lafayette.” – Adopted.
3. Senate Doc. 19-17: Degree Requirements for Civics Literacy (For Vote): “Establish a baccalaureate degree requirement for civics literacy. Students would meet the requirement by fulfilling the following: successful completion of a civics literacy exam and completion one of the following three options: 1) 3.0 hours of relevant course work (e.g., relevant introductory course in US politics, public policy, history or other course with civic knowledge content); or 2) successful completion of Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement modules; or 3) attendance at civics-related Purdue-hosted and -sponsored events involving a substantially equivalent number of contact hours.” – Failed.
4. Senate Doc. 19-18: Mental Health Statement (For Vote): “The University Senate urges the Administration to require all course syllabi by the Fall 2020 academic semester to include the Mental Health Statement provided by the Purdue University administration containing a list of mental-health resources available to students on and around campus; and The University Senate urges the Administration to encourage course instructors to take time during the first week of classes to speak about the various resources available to students regarding mental health.” – Adopted.
5. Senate Doc. 19-30: Disposition of the Election Procedures Inquiry Commission (For Vote): Vote on the acceptance of the report by the Senate. – Adopted.
6. Senate Doc. 19-31: University Senate Commendation for Joseph W. Camp, Jr. in Recognition of 17 Years of Distinguished Service (For Vote) – Adopted.