Editor’s Note: Amy Barkley, executive assistant to the CSU Faculty Council, wrote this article for SOURCE on key reports and discussion items at the Feb. 6 Faculty Council meeting. It is published here on behalf of the Faculty Council Executive Leadership. Details of the reports and presentations referenced below are available in the meeting minutes on the Faculty Council website once they are approved at the March meeting.
Faculty Council had its first meeting of the Spring 2024 semester via Microsoft Teams on Feb. 6. Members heard the first provost report from new Provost and Executive Vice President Marion Underwood, as well as a budget update from Vice President for University Operations Brendan Hanlon.
Provost report
Provost Underwood began with remarks about the importance of shared governance and by expressing excitement for being at Colorado State University, as well as thanking everyone for their warm welcome to the campus. Underwood’s report included information on the leadership searches that are underway, as well as details around emerging priorities in her role as the new provost.
There are three searches underway for the next dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the vice provost for undergraduate affairs. Search details, including committee memberships, job descriptions and timelines, are available on the provost’s website for the College of Agricultural Sciences dean and the vice provost for undergraduate affairs positions, and will soon be available for the College of Liberal Arts dean.
Underwood’s vision for advancing the academic enterprise of CSU is based on five themes organized around the institutional priorities that President Amy Parsons has put forward. These themes are student success, strengthening our democracy, world-class academic and research programs, institutional competitiveness, and outreach and impact around the state and world. Underwood intends to continue to develop these priorities with input from the deans, the vice president for research, vice president for student affairs, and Faculty Council and its leadership.
Comments, questions
Questions and comments from the members included requests to ensure that awards remain a priority amidst potential budget cuts, for updates on the approved revisions to Section E.6 of the Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Manual, and for continued conversations around teaching loads. Other concerns were raised regarding faculty from the Programs for Learning Academic and Community English being let go at the end of the semester.
Underwood agreed that awards are important and committed to keeping awards available and working on getting faculty recognized with more national awards. Faculty Council Chair Melinda Smith also asked about the Section E.6 revisions, which are currently under consideration by the Office of the President. Underwood indicated that she is in conversation with deans about teaching loads and will work closely with them to develop a strategy to work toward more equitable teaching loads. Vice Provost for International Affairs Kathleen Fairfax was present to discuss the issue with PLACE faculty. Fairfax explained that the situation is not financially sustainable, and the hope is that this restructuring will provide a more stable environment, using full-time instead of part-time faculty.
Budget update
Hanlon presented a sneak peek of the third version of the budget to Faculty Council members ahead of presenting it to the Board of Governors. Hanlon explained the three scenarios in this version of the budget. Currently, he said, CSU is working off the governor’s budget proposal, as well as using best past practices and historical information to inform the budget. Hanlon indicated that these scenarios are still being refined. Hanlon also addressed new expenses and explained what these budget lines entail. He also discussed the budget reduction scenarios and the decision around not suspending raises to bring down the numbers preemptively. Hanlon clarified that compensation is a high priority for the University, so CSU leaders are trying to do all they can to maintain that allocation and remain as competitive as possible.
Members asked questions around the raise for administrative professionals and faculty, as well as how CSU relates to the CSU System office and whether CSU subsidizes CSU Spur and Todos Santos. Questions were also asked about administrative costs that have expanded. Hanlon explained that it has been suggested that the 1% pay increase for administrative professionals and faculty be a cost-of-living increase rather than merit, so that is being considered. Hanlon also explained that there are parts of the budget in the base that do support the System office, but funds for CSU Spur and Todos Santos come from the System. Regarding administrative costs, Hanlon indicated that CSU leaders are encouraging conversations in units and having those in leadership roles provide value-based guidance as they come up with new ideas.
Office of the Ombuds overview
Melissa Emerson and Matthew Ricke from the Office of the Ombuds gave Faculty Council members an overview of their office and the services they provide.
Emerson explained that their office assists employees who are managing or needing help managing conflicts or concerns in the workspace. The Office of the Ombuds is a fully confidential resource and is separate from any formal University grievance process and University office. The office exists as an informal resource to explore options in a confidential space. They also provide workshops on conflict management and conflict behaviors, and provide tools for departments and colleges.
More information on the Office of the Ombuds can be found on its website.
Other Faculty Council highlights
- Faculty Council approved two Manual revisions. The first, in Section E.3.1, offers a gender-neutral version of emeritus and emerita with “emerit.” The second revision, for Section E.12.1, reflects inclusion of librarianship as a form of scholarship. Both revisions were sent to the Office of General Counsel for review and were approved. The Board of Governors will review the revisions at its May meeting.
- Associate Dean of Libraries Amy Hoseth presented a resolution in support of Libraries licensing priorities. Hoseth explained that the resolution would assist in negotiations the Libraries has with various vendors. Faculty Council members approved the resolution. The full text of the resolution can be found on the Faculty Council website.
- Faculty Council will hold two more meet-and-greets this semester, on March 21 and April 25 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Lory Student Center room 322. The meet-and-greets are open to everyone.
The next Faculty Council meeting will be on Tuesday, March 5 over Microsoft Teams, 4-6 p.m. For the schedule of Faculty Council meetings, approved minutes and agendas, lists of members of the Council and its committees and other information, visit the Faculty Council website.
