FACULTY PROFESSIONAL POLICIES COUNCIL
Minutes of February 27, 1998 Meeting
Members Present: Beard, Branch, Cutchen, Hatzenbuehler, Horiuchi, Montgomery, Sieber (Chair), Wilson
Members Absent: Nunn, Lawson
Guest: Linda Hill
The meeting of the Faculty Professional Policies Council was convened at 2:16 p.m. in the Business Administration Building, Room 509. The Guest Speaker addressed the meeting before previous minutes were approved.
Guest Speaker: 1) Linda Hill, Faculty Senate Chair, spoke regarding Faculty Senate questions about granting emeritus status posthumously, including a specific recent request. Currently emeritus (from merit) status is regarded to designate a retired faculty member nominated by his/her department to continue professional connection to the university and receive the concommitant privileges regarding the library, parking, computer use, marching in commencement, and, in fact, leading the faculty procession. The emeritus faculty retain these privileges for the rest of their lives. Dictionary definitions of emeritus emphasize "retirement" and "rank held at point of retirement." Posthumous honors, not to be confused with emeritus status, include several ways to honor the deceased faculty member, regardless of emeritus status: setting up scholarships and memorial funds, naming seminar rooms, planting a tree, and buying books for the library.
David Beard moved that while the Council is sympathetic to the issue of honoring a deceased faculty member, the recent request is not appropriate use of the emeritus title; and we suggest that the department involved consider alternate ways of honoring the deceased's memory. Bobbie Branch seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
2) Linda Hatzenbuehler noted the need for a clarifying paragraph to be added to the Handbook, regarding emeritus status, as the current entry simply assumes everyone understands the term. She will research the background and definitions of the term, including AAUP sources.
3) Linda Hill suggested adding a statement to the Handbook to clarify who should not be nominated for emeritus status. The Council agreed that the statement "other means exist within the university to honor those who died before retirement" could be added to the descriptive paragraph that Linda Hatzenbuehler will submit.
4) Linda Hill suggested that the university ensure that only living emeritus faculty appear on the list published in the Bulletin. After discussion, it was decided that Linda Hill will research this matter.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the November 14, 1997 and December 4, t997 meetings were approved. November 14 minutes David Beard moved approval, Bobbie Branch seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. December 4 minutes - Tracy Montgomery moved approval, with the understanding that the first paragraph of the Handbook description of emeritus status will be modified; David Beard seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Effects of Leaves on Years-in-Service Considerations: David Beard consulted Kelly Wiltbank regarding how leaves affect years accrued toward promotion/tenure, etc. Federal- and State-mandated leaves are not problematic, but other leaves are still difficult to generalize about, and it is not clear where faculty members should go for information. David Beard will consult further with Kelly Wiltbank regarding the problem of clarifying leaves in the Handbook.
Use of Students Evaluations for Faculty Assessment: The council decided to invite Barbara Lawrence to address the issue during the April 3 meeting.
ISUPW Suggestions Regarding Sexual Harassment Policies: Discussions led to questions regarding current policies. The ISUPW suggestions seem to include dual relationship issues. Cindy Wilson will research current policies regarding sexual harassment, dual relationships, conflict of interest, and nepotism, including consulting the SBOE Policies and Procedures Manual.
Book Sales Policy: The council discussed the issue o f faculty profiting from sales of unpublished material for classroom use. The Faculty Senate approved a policy on April 3, 1995, but this policy has not yet appeared in the Handbook. Questions still remain regarding "designer books" and Kinko's policy with regard to course packs. Sharon Sieber will research these questions.
Dates for Subsequent Meetings: The council will meet again on the following dates:
Friday, March 6, 2:00 p.m.
Friday, April 3, 2:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Tracy Montgomery, March 2. 1998.