Faculty Council Business Meeting
Tuesday, October 22, 2002, Noon
Esther M. Cohen Dining Room, Cohen House

Present: John Zammito (Speaker), Ed Akin, Stephen Baker, Chandler Davidson, André Droxler, Deborah Harter, Tom Haskell, Lynne Huffer, Julia Morgan, and Bob Patten. Absent: Steven Crowell, Seiichi Matsuda, Barbara Ostdiek, Herb Ward, Jennifer West, and Mark Wiesner.

(1) Minutes (September 24 and October 8): The October 8 minutes were approved as written; however, the minutes for September 24 will need to be extended and presented at Council’s meeting on November 12.

(2) Discussion of junior faculty replacements on Faculty Council (Baker): Hannah Landecker, Scott McGill, and Julia Morgan were invited to become Faculty Council members and to attend today’s meeting. McGill and Landecker were not available, but they will attend Council’s meeting on November 11. Jennifer West will be asked to continue her present Faculty Council service.

(3) Faculty Council Election Reform (Akin/Baker): Akin presented Council’s revised proposal (for amendments to the By-Laws) for Faculty Council service terms to be reduced from four years to two years for the “Assistant Professors” positions. The following motion was made:

“I move that we forward this to the general faculty for vote in the October 29 meeting.” (vote, unanimous)

(4) Mid-Term Review Language (Zammito): Zammito stated that if the language in the Mid-Term Reviews document (distributed in today’s meeting) is acceptable to Council, it must be included in Rice’s Policy 214-96. The following motion was made:

“I make the motion that this document be carried forward to the general faculty for vote in the October 29 meeting.” (vote, unanimous)

(5) Shepherd School Degree Requirements (resolution to present to general faculty) (Zammito): The Speaker described Council’s findings regarding the impact caused by the altering (via the General Announcements) of the undergraduate degree requirements. The Council discussed the language of the following draft resolution, which they plan to present to the general faculty:

DRAFT RESOLUTION: On the Shepherd School Degree Requirement Changes

In the spring of 2002 the Dean’s Council unilaterally altered the degree requirements in the Shepherd School of Music and placed these revised requirements in the General Announcements for academic year 2002-2003. This was in violation of the general faculty’s authority to determine curriculum and degree requirements. The prior degree requirements for the Shepherd School remain in force.

Proposals for degree requirement changes must be submitted to the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. Upon that committee’s recommendation, Faculty Council brings the matter before the general faculty for consideration.

After discussion, the following motion was made:

“I make the motion that we request that this resolution topic be added to the agenda for the general faculty meeting on October 29.” (vote, unanimous)

(6) Maternity Benefits (Huffer): Huffer described a discussion with Provost Levy concerning legal matters pertaining to changing the present maternity leaves policy (regarding parental distinctions, adoption situations, childcare issues, etc.). She stated that Provost Levy was very supportive of the revisions that were suggested. The Policy Committee will meet with the Provost and the General Counsel to work up a proposal that incorporates these revisions.

(7) Confirmation that we will be sending Honorary Titles Policy to the general faculty for consideration (Akin): Akin distributed copies of the proposed Honorary Titles Policy (with the revised wording discussed during Council’s September 24 meeting) and he made the following motion:

“I move that we take this policy to the general faculty, as we agreed during our last meeting.” (vote, unanimous)

(8) Possible dates for second meeting this fall with President, Board Chair, etc. (Zammito): The Speaker stated that another meeting with the President and Board Chair is needed to discuss the topics that were not covered in their October 8 meeting. Council asked the Secretary to query all concerned about their availability in December for that meeting.

(9) Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m., and the next Faculty Council business meeting is scheduled for November 12, noon, Cohen House, Esther M. Cohen Dining Room.

Ellen Butler, Secretary