RE: President’s Monthly Report to Policy Committee (1/16/18 – 2/13/18)
Statute revisions: The revisions have been approved by the three senates and the Senates Council. They were transmitted to the president on December 5, 2016. President Killeen and Executive VP Wilson indicated that they are actively pursuing the various details necessary for a major revision effort. Next BoT meetings are on:
Mar 15, 2018 Urbana
May 17, 2018 Springfield
July 18-19, 2018 Urbana
I have been assured of notification prior of transmittal to BoT of the president’s recommendations. Nothing has yet been transmitted. Barbara Wilson has indicated that a general “clean up” of the statute language is in progress.
PC meetings with administrators: I have again requested a PC member meeting with Chancellor Jones and he has indicated that he will be out of town on our Fall meeting dates. The Spring 2018 dates were again communicated to his office. So far, no response.
Tenure and promotion workshop: Provost Andreas Cangellaris and associate provost Bill Bernhard have agreed to participate on March 8, 2018. Craig Koslofsky (FAC) has also agreed to participate. I have experienced difficulties with several members of the Camus Promotion Committee who have prior commitments. Should have a participant this week.
Legislative attacks on tenure, course content and free speech: Bob Parker continues to track and monitor news items on these important subjects. The title for our May 8, 2018 workshop in conjunction with the annual membership meeting is “Academic freedom, free speech and unprejudiced science.” David obtained a commitment from Rochelle Guttierez and I was able to get Don Wuebbles. The sub-committee (O’Brien, Parker, Hilton) decided on these 2 panelists and the above title, subject to PC approval.
Shared governance questionnaire: Twenty per cent of the questionnaires were returned in mid-April. Interim provost Wilkin graciously agreed to resent the questionnaire this summer to the unit heads. Responses were received and our ad hoc committee is evaluating them. Hadi Esfahani will report when the evaluation has been completed. A similar questionnaire will be sent next to the UIUC tenure track and tenured faculty through the provost office. We may wish to consider this topic and responses for a special meeting.
The Jay Rosenstein matter: Jay has asked for the chapter’s help and I have asked John Prussing, chair of our AF&T committee, to investigate. The national office has been active and has sent several email letters to Chancellor Jones raising procedural questions.
Steve Kaufman and the Chief: Steve copied me (and others) on 1/26/ 2018, on an email to the Chancellor asking the UoI take legal action against The Honor the Chief Society and its president Ivan A. Dozier for alleged violations of the settlement agreement.
Nominating committee: I have appointed the following committee to nominate chapter officers O’Brien (chair), Prussing, Williamson.