ERFSA Senator Steven V. Winter
Report of the Chair of the Faculty – (L. Krier)
- Commencement Committee has decided, because of the lower number of graduates, to do the ceremonies over 1 day versus 2.
Business Items:
1. AAS & SAC: Academic Advising Policy; 1st Reading – M. Balasek & H. Smith
- Policy has not been updated in 16 years. Cover letter was provided with rationale for changes.
- Questions: Says Faculty Advisors do graduation requirements – this should only be graduation
requirements related to the department. / Why does it say students should be advised each
semester by the department instead of saying Faculty Advisor? / Do Professional Advisors do
even department-requirement advising for students in assistance programs?
2. EPC: Introductory Computer Science Supplemental Authorization; 1st Reading – E. Asencio &
M. Gondree
• https://sonoma.curriculog.com/proposal:3193/form
NSF grant program run through SEIE to provide already credentialed single subject or multi-
subject teachers a supplemental authorization to teach computer science.
Motion to Waive 1st reading for this business item and item #3 / Passed Unanimously
Motion to Approve this business item and item #3 / Passed Unanimously
3. EPC: Specific Subject Computer Science Supplemental Authorization; 1st Reading – E.
Asencio & M. Gondree
• https://sonoma.curriculog.com/proposal:3194/form
- See item #2
4. EPC: Course Modality Policy; 2nd Reading – E. Asencio
- Changes made since 1st Reading: removed number-percentage from face-to-face courses / add
sentence that face-to-face classes may still require online reading and work / added on AS
website EPC Guidelines for Deciding Course Modality (template).
- Need this policy as COVID Modality Waiver expires this summer so scheduling for Fall 2024
would have courses revert to their previous designation. / Policy has built-in a review every 2
years.
- Questions: Can we have a different course modality during summer session? Ans. Yes / True
that department decides modality not each individual instructor? Ans. Yes
- Motion to eliminate under Synchronous Online courses the phrase that hours correspond to
course unit load / Passed Unanimously
- Motion to Approve / Passed Unanimously
5. EPC: Policy for Suspending or Discontinuing Academic Programs; 2nd Reading – E. Asencio
- Changes made since 1 st Reading: Separate documents for policy and procedure. / Provost may initiate process / Executive Committee can act on behalf of EPC during the summer.
- Motion to Postpone till first AS Meeting of Spring (because document was not available before
meeting) / Passed Unanimously,
Standing Reports
1. President of the University – (M. Lee)
- Received today the Resolution regarding elimination of department chairs / Not out-of-the-
woods with budget due to uncertainties regarding State Budget for Higher Education, increased
collective bargaining compensation for faculty and Chancellor’s Office reallocation of funds for
under-enrolled CSU’s. (3% this year and 5% next year if 10% under-enrolled; SSU is 39%).
- Questions: What is being done different with enrollment? Ans. A lot more outreach to high
schools and community colleges. / Where is information about what other division on the campus are doing to trim the budget. Ans. 80% of cost is personnel. Decided CFO will present information in the Spring. / Praise for admission letters with financial detail, the welcome center and Seawolf Day to produce student yield / Session on Student Recruitment by Faculty at the Faculty Retreat / Is website being converted to Spanish version? Ans. Provost indicated the process has just started with Elias Lopez as a consultant.
2. Provost/Vice-President, Academic Affairs – (K. Moranski)
- Mentoring Program for pre-tenure faculty will start this spring with volunteer faculty mentors.
- Doxing Incident against a faculty member that spoke about the Israel-Hamas situation as a
private citizen at a city council meeting. The university police, Academic Affairs, and the office of inclusion, equity and diversity have given support to the faculty member.
3. Vice President/Admin & Finance - (M. Ahmed)
- Power on campus will be off for repairs on December 26-29 with limited campus access.
- Sustainability survey regarding electric vehicle charging is being completed.
4. Vice President for Student Affairs – (G.L. Jones)
- Housing and food services at a hotel off-campus will be provided for displaced students during
the power outage.
- A external review of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has concluded with results in the Spring.
5. Statewide Senators - (R. Senghas & D. Wilson)
- Resolutions being worked on regarding Doxing and DACA
6. Academic Planning, Assessment & Resources – (P. Amri)
- Charged with preparing a report on the Omnibus Reorganization Plan. Will look to see if the
plan is harmonious with equitable workloads. Will look at in relation to Academic Master Plan and Strategic Scheduling documents. Look to see if the proposal matches the mission and learning outcomes of the previous departments and schools. Look at if the plan achieves the cost savings indicated and in an equitable manner. Look at how to access the changes in 5 years for success.
7. CFA Chapter President – (N. Reyes)
- No movement by the Chancellor’s Bargaining Team. Will meet with CFA Bargaining Team in
early January. CFA may call for a System-wide Strike.