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Francis A. Beer, Chair
Bob Schulzinger, Vice Chair
Jerry Hauser, BFA Secretary
Jinks Cooper, BFA at-large rep
William Atkinson
Barbara Bintliff
Anne Bliss, BFA Minority Affairs Committee Chair
Deane Bowers
Greg Carey, BFA Academic Technology Co-Chair
Ira Chernus, BFA Student Affairs Co-Chair
Claudio Cioffi
Carol Cleland
Donald Darnell
Fred Denny
Oliver Ellsworth
Wayne Gazur
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Phil Graves
Thomas Hollweck, BFA Libraries Committee Chair
Leslie Irvine
Michael Preston
Martha Jo Sani, BFA Academic Affairs Committee Chair
Paul Levitt, BFA Faculty Affairs Committee Chair
Patrick McQuillan
Kayann Short, BFA Committee on Women Chair
Ted Snow, BFA Intercollegiate Athletics Chair
Martin Walter, BFA Student Affairs Co-Chair
Rita Weiss
Bud Coleman, BFA Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Affairs Chair |
Ed Gac, BFA Administrative Services Chair
James Williams, Dean of Libraries
Susan Barney-Jones, Silver and Gold Record
Jeff Dodge, Silver and Gold Record
Pete DeCamillis, Student Administrator to Academic Affairs
Anthony Goodman, UCSU
Rich Loose, Human Resources
Keith Gresham
Laurels Sessler
Carole Anderson
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The State of the Libraries
Williams gave a report on conditions faced by CU-Boulder's library system.
Points are summarized as follows:
- Williams reported that CU's libraries work under the following assumptions:
- In the future, information and knowledge will both continue
to be public goods, but that there are current threats that would
not allow them to continue to be public goods.
- Boulder campus libraries will continue to function as an intellectual
crossroads: the internet will play an important role as will the
teaching function of the libraries.
- Part of the work of the libraries is to ensure that information
and knowledge are passed on from generation to generation, and
systems to support this role must be maintained.
- The library is operating in a "new knowledge commons,"
involving use of paper-based resources in combination with increasing
use of electronic resources. Norlin Library circulates 48 paper-based
books per student per year, on average.
- Regarding the Library's resources budget, Williams made the following
points:
- CU Boulder's libraries operate in a very strong and inelastic
economy.
- Between 1986 and 1998 the consumer price index increased 44%;
the cost of books increased 62%; the cost of health care increased
by 84%; and the cost of scholarly journals increased by 148%.
- In 1986, there were 104,000 journals published and in 1998
there were 165,000 journals published. (CU Boulder's libraries
subscribe to 20,000 journals.) This 60% increase was matched by
a 67% increase in the number of books published. Over the past
10 years: the unit cost of journals has increased by 169% and
Boulder's journals expenditures have increased by 142%; the unit
cost of books has increased by 62% and Boulder's book expenditures
has increased by 30%.
- In 1988 the library's base budget for materials increased by
$1 million dollars, followed by 15% annual increases over the
next 5 years. Currently, the materials budget increases have decreased
to 2.5%. Actual expense increases are between 12% and 15%.
- The Libraries will not support the humanities special purchase
fund this year, so that core materials and journals may continue
to be supported. The Libraries anticipates moving to a faculty
based buy-one-cancel-one plan for journals for Fiscal Year 2000.
- The Libraries have not received any new faculty lines in at
least 12 years, and of the 29 AAU comparison institutions, CU-Boulder's
Libraries rank 27 in salaries.
Discussion followed, including the following points:
- The Human Rights collection has not left the Boulder Campus and
the Libraries are working to keep the archive at CU-Boulder.
- JSTOR is being used to digitize journals and in addition, about
8,000 books are currently available in digital format on the Chinook
web page.
- Williams stressed the importance of maintaining a comprehensive
collection of journals, and that cancellation of journals cannot be
decided purely on the basis of readership.
- CU has received $5 million dollars to build a new storage facility
on the Health Sciences campus, with a capacity of 1.6 million volumes.
- Work on an electronic replacement project for CSU's collection of
journals damaged in the flood will continue at the rate of about 10,000
pages per week for two years.
- The Business library expansion project is currently on the CCHE's
capital construction list at number 37.
- CU's library system is the premier library in the State of Colorado,
but will not continue to be so if the materials budget continues to
be funded at only 2.5%. The Boulder Campus is 51% unique in its collection,
and 20% of the use of the Boulder Campus libraries is made by the
general public, at about 12,000 public patrons each year.
- The Libraries have three projects in in CU-Boulder's Master Plan:
the new Science Library at $28 million, renovation and expansion of
the Business Library at $2 million, and the retrofit of Norlin Library
for social sciences at $27 million.
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Libraries
Hollweck presented the following resolution and noted that it has been
written to make funding changes an ongoing concern, rather than an ad-hoc
request for funding.
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Boulder Faculty Assembly
Resolution: Libraries Budget
Whereas libraries constitute an essential resource for the research
and teaching mission of the University of Colorado at Boulder,
Whereas the University of Colorado at Boulder seeks a place of
distinction among the foremost public research universities, and
Whereas the costs of library materials are rising at a rate approaching
[in excess of] 12 per cent per year,
Therefore, the BFA calls upon the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs to take all necessary measures that assure
that the Libraries obtain sufficient funds to acquire library
materials at a rate which will guarantee the University of Colorado
at Boulder Libraries a status equivalent to that of the top fifteen
public research universities.
The BFA further calls upon the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs and the Dean of the Libraries to develop and
implement a plan of funding for the Libraries which will assure
the continuing status of the libraries among the top fifteen public
research universities.
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Notice of Resolution
to the BFA Executive Committee:
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November 4, 1999 |
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Notice of Resolution to
BFA:
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December 2, 1999 |
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From BFA Committee::
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Libraries |
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Approved by Executive Committee
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November 29,
1999 |
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MOVED by Tom Hollweck for the libraries committee and seconded
by Anne Bliss that the Libraries resolution [BFA-R-5-1299]
be approved.
Discussion followed. Chernus noted that the resolution does not refer
to availability of materials, and requested the resolution be amended
to include language that it is equally important to us that funding
be available to ensure that materials will be readily accessible.
MOVED by Ira Chernus and seconded by Anne Bliss that the resolution
be amended to add the words "and make accessible" following
the word "acquire" in the above resolution.
Discussion followed. Cleland stressed the importance of accessibility.
Schulzinger commented that the reason for making acquisition a higher
priority than access is the expense of acquiring things retroactively.
Ellsworth agreed, noting that access is an implied feature of a top
research library. Graves noted the importance of taking advantage of
electronic media. Williams reported that items in storage are currently
accessible within 24 hours of the request.
The motion to amend the resolution failed: 10 in favor, 17 opposed.
Schulzinger proposed a friendly amendment to replace the words "rising
at a rate approaching 12 per cent per year" to "rising at
a rate in excess of 12 per cent per year," which was agreed by
Williams to be accurate.
The motion passed without dissent.
Faculty Affairs
Levitt and Denny reintroduced two motions regarding the tenure review
process, below.
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Motion:
Tenure / Promotion Appeal Process - Discontinue President's Review
Although faculty are given only ten days to appeal an unfavorable
tenure / promotion decision of the Chancellor, presidential review
can take up to nine months, from May to February. This delay has
unfortunate consequences. (1) It causes the appellant considerable
anxiety, uncertainty, and inconvenience. (2) It causes the department
delays in planing course offerings and, in the case of a failed
appeal, costly delays in hiring new faculty.
Recommendation: The Boulder Faculty Assembly recommends that
in tenure and promotion appeals the President's review be
discontinued and, in the event of a negative decision from the Vice
Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Chancellor's review be the
court of last appeal.
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Notice of Motion to BFA:
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November 4, 1999 |
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From BFA Committee:
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Faculty Affairs |
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Motion:
Tenure / Promotion Appeal Process - Limit President's Review to
60 days
Although faculty are given only ten days to appeal an
unfavorable tenure / promotion decision of the Chancellor, presidential
review can take up to nine months, from May to February. This
delay has unfortunate consequences. (1) It causes the appellant
considerable anxiety, uncertainty, and inconvenience. (2) It causes
the department delays in planing course offerings and, in the
case of a failed appeal, costly delays in hiring new faculty.
Recommendation: The Boulder Faculty Assembly recommends that
in tenure and promotion appeals the President's review shall be
concluded no later than sixty days after a decision from the Chancellor.
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Notice of Motion to BFA:
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November 4, 1999 |
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From BFA Committee:
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Faculty Affairs |
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Hauser reported that the two motions must be presented in such as fashion
so that passage of one would preclude passage of the other. Denny agreed,
and stated the assembly should begin by voting on the the motion to
discontinue the President's review.
MOVED by Fred Denny for the Faculty Affairs
Committee and seconded by the Executive Committee that the motion
to discontinue the President's review of tenure and promotion appeals
be approved.
Discussion followed. Graves commented that eliminating the President's
review would help insulate the process from political concerns. Levitt
reported that the Faculty Affairs Committee would generally prefer to
limit the President's review to 60 days, rather than eliminate it. Cooper
stressed the importance of giving faculty as many opportunities as possible
to get a fair hearing, adding that he would not support discontinuance
of the President's review.
The motion to discontinue the President's review did not pass..
MOVED by Fred Denny for the Faculty Affairs
Committee and seconded by the Executive Committee that the motion
to limit the President's review of tenure and promotion appeals to
60 days be approved.
The motion passed without dissent.
Silver and Gold Editorial Board
Norgaard presented the following resolution:
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BFA Resolution:
In support of Silver and Gold Record's Budget Strategy for Fiscal
Year 2001
Because the Silver & Gold Record has not received adequate
general fund increases since its 1994 budget cut and its ability
to self-fund its operations through auxiliary revenue has now
virtually reached its limit, the newspaper faces an extreme financial
situation. Without a substantial increase in the general fund
allocation the newspaper will not be able to begin another publishing
year in July.
Given the vital mission of S&GR as the official newspaper
for faculty and staff at the University of Colorado, be it therefore
resolved that the Boulder Faculty Assembly strongly urges both
campus and system administration to ensure the newspaper's financial
viability.
Addendum: Rationale
1. The president and chancellors requested that S&GR prepare
a comprehensive business plan. The business plan was developed
by Entrepreneurial Solutions and M.B.A. students of the UCB College
of Business and Administration and was reviewed by the Silver
& Gold Record Editorial Board on Oct. 15. This business plan
established the following:
- The paper has increased its reliance on self-funded auxiliary
accounts over time, from 9 percent of total budget in 1994 to
20 percent of total budget in 1999. Professional salaries are
covered by the general allocation.
- However, when only operating expenses are considered, S&GR
is now funding fully 75 percent of its operations through the
auxiliary account. The general fund allocation is only $11,
000 for operating expenses and printing costs alone run $30,000.
- Self-funded revenues are constrained because board policies
do not support an advertising-driven publication in the interest
of providing a service to the University.
- Even if ad rates were doubled, ad revenue would not cover
operating deficits.
- Since 1994 the paper has covered shortfalls in the general
fund with reserve money from the auxiliary account. This reserve
is now virtually depleted and would not provide enough to cover
expenses in 2000-01.
2. After reviewing the business plan, the Editorial Board developed
a three-pronged strategy for recovering financial stability.
- The newspaper will incrementally raise its advertising rates
for both on-campus and off-campus advertisers. Those rates are
currently $7.50 and $15 per column inch, respectively.
- S&GR will seek increased campus-level financial commitments
in the form of a guaranteed number of special inserts each fiscal
year from each campus and various system departments.
- The board will request a significant general fund increase
from the president to meet financial requirements not otherwise
addressed.
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Notice of Resolution to
the BFA
Executive Committee:
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November 1, 1999 |
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Notice of Resolution
to the BFA:
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December 2, 1999 |
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From:
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Silver and
Gold Editorial Board |
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Approved by BFA Executive
Committee:
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November 29,
1999 |
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MOVED by Rolf Norgaard and seconded by Rita
Weiss that the resolution in support
of Silver and Gold Record's Budget Strategy for Fiscal Year 2001
be approved.
The motion passed without dissent.
Student Affairs
Walter presented the following resolution:
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Boulder Faculty Assembly
Resolution: Student Fee Allocation
Whereas:
the current democratic process for the allocation of student
fees supports academic freedom and the representation of diverse
views,
Therefore:
the Boulder Faculty Assembly endorses the position adopted by
UCSU in Section 1 of its 50th Legislative Council Resolution #108,
passed on March 29, 1999:
"The University of Colorado Student Union wholeheartedly
and emphatically stands behind our current system of mandatory
student fees as a basic principle of student fee autonomy and
campus free speech."
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Notice of Resolution
to the BFA Executive Committee:
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November 29,
1999 |
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Notice of Resolution to
the BFA:
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December 2, 1999 |
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From BFA Committee:
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Student Affairs |
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Approved by Executive Committee:
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November 29,
1999 |
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Goodman stated that UCSU's current system is one in which democratically
elected representatives determine fees and how they are distributed,
and that this system supports campus free speech and academic freedom.
Walter reported that the current challenge to student fees distribution
is the suggestion that students should be allowed to individually choose
which groups on campus they will support each semester, if any. Walter
suggested that if there are student groups on campus who would like
to be outspoken about certain issues, they should be allowed to continue
to do so. Walter added that there is an issue before the supreme court
to be decided in June, pertaining to this issue.
MOVED by Martin Walter for the Student Affairs
Committee and seconded by the Executive Committee that the resolution
in support of UCSU's current system
of student fee allocation be approved.
Discussion followed. Cioffi stated that he would oppose the resolution,
on the basis that it does not follow appropriate distribution of powers
on campus: that the issue is one that is internal to UCSU. Chernus noted
that this is not purely an internal challenge, but that there is some
indication that the students' voice may be overridden by other agencies
within the University. Walter noted that the challenge to student fee
distribution would not include fees related to the Athletics Department.
The motion passed with one opposed.
Chernus presented the following notice of motion:
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Notice of Motion:
Academic Policy on Incomplete Grades
The Boulder Faculty Assembly endorses the following change in
academic policy and procedure being proposed by the Student Odyssey
Project:
To require a written agreement between student and instructor,
specified and signed on a standard form, whenever an incomplete
grade is given.
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Notice of Motion
to the BFA Executive Committee:
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November 29,
1999 |
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Notice of Motion to the
BFA:
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December 2, 1999 |
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From BFA Committee:
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Student Affairs |
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Approved by Executive Committee:
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November 29,
1999 |
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Chernus reported that the proposal originates with the Student Odyssey
Project, and would institute campus-wide the completion of a contract
between student and instructor when incomplete grades are requested.
[Chernus provided an example of a rough draft of the contract form -
available through the BFA office]. Chernus stated that the contact would
aid in cases where the student and instructor did not have a clear understanding
between them of what would be required to complete the incomplete work,
or when the instructor departs from the University and the student is
left unclear about what needs to be done. Chernus noted that, in the
case of Arts and Sciences, the Dean's office would keep a copy of each
contract.
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