Early Bird

Faculty Senate recap

Senators discuss budget, faculty workload and BIPOC resolution.

By Lindsey Coulter

April 28, 2021

The April 21 Faculty Senate meeting began with a presentation by Bethany Fleck Dillen, Ph.D., faculty trustee, on the effort to allow the faculty-trustee position a vote on the Board of Trustees, which would require a legislative change. Fleck Dillen will research models at other universities and in other states to determine the best path forward. She added that the trustees she has spoken with feel that the faculty voice is heard and respected, and she welcomes ideas and comments from the Faculty Senate regarding this effort.

Budget presentation

George Middlemist, Ph.D., associate vice president for Administration/CFO, presented on the budget process, beginning with Phase 1 anticipated revenues including state and federal funding, tuition and fee rates and mandatory expenses. The Phase 2 budget process will begin in May and will look at across-the-board increases, infrastructure investments, etc. Most base-budget decisions are solidified in July, when the University has a clearer idea of fall enrollment.

Middlemist outlined the three budget recommendations that will be submitted to President Janine Davidson, Ph.D.: to hold tuition flat, to close the tuition window and to modestly increase two student fees. The three scenarios include the possibility of a $12 million increase in state support, a projected enrollment decline of 7% and a portion of funding being dedicated to rebalancing the University’s base funds. Mandatory increases include the raise in minimum wage, faculty promotions and expenses related to the Auraria Higher Education Center and infrastructure.

Middlemist also highlighted the work of the compensation subcommittee, which is studying how to continue investing in employees.

If the board were to accept the BRC recommendations and the University were to receive anticipated state funding, Metropolitan State University of Denver will remain among the state’s most affordable institutions of higher education.

Faculty Workload Task Force update

Presented by Sens. Gabrielle Katz, Ph.D. (Geography), Jill Mollenhauer, Ph.D. (Art), and Bill Henry, Ph.D., vice provost for Faculty Affairs, on behalf of the Faculty Workload Task Force, the presentation provided background and context on the effort to adjust faculty workload, which has been in motion since 2009.

Last spring, the Faculty Senate Welfare Committee developed a Faculty Adjusted Teaching Load Proposal to reduce the Category I teaching load to 18 credits per year from the original 24. The proposal has been circulated to members of senior leadership and President Davidson, which prompted the development of the Pain Points Paper, a qualitative description of faculty work including and beyond formal instruction. The goal is to create a workload model that balances formal teaching activities with nonformal teaching responsibilities such as advising, supervision and mentoring, which largely have not been measured or captured, as well as scholarship and service.

“While occasionally working more than 40 hours a week is OK, as a workload model that is not sustainable,” Henry said.

To address this, the group seeks to reduce full-time faculty course load and better define how workload is divided. The task force also opted to examine Categories I and II faculty workloads for greater equity.

The task force is now looking at an adjusted workload model that will more accurately account for full faculty workload, allow departments to better manage resources internally, set new average annual teaching loads for full-time faculty and allow greater flexibility. Benefits would include a more manageable workload, improved tracking and recognition of work, the ability for faculty members to focus more on their areas of interest and expertise, and improved student learning and success.

Costs of the proposal could include lower credit-hour production per full-time faculty member, which could be offset by improved student and faculty recruitment and retention. The task force will survey faculty members to gather feedback this semester and will present a draft proposal to the entire University community for feedback in fall.

See the Faculty Workload Update presentation in the Faculty Senate SharePoint site.

Voting items

With regard to Faculty Employment Handbook updates, which were covered and debated in the previous meeting, senators discussed the 2020 decision to eliminate the position of the University ombuds as a cost-saving measure in response to the economic downturn spurred by Covid-19. Language referencing the Ombuds Office has been removed from the handbook. Senators also discussed language in the “Evaluating Under Extreme Circumstances” section to include more specific, concrete terminology. A larger discussion on the elimination of the ombuds will take place at the next Faculty Senate meeting.

• Senators voted 72 in favor and three against, with five abstentions. Section II. Appeal Timelines in the Faculty Employment Handbook

• Senators voted 61 in favor and two against, with three abstentions. Section II.C.5 Evaluating Under Extreme Circumstance

• Senators voted 39 in favor and 30 against, with 10 abstentions. Section II.H.8 Faculty Tenure for Academic Administrators

• MSU Denver is continuing its partnership with the Association of College and University Educators. This fall, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design is partnering with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to sponsor an Equity and Racism cohort. The CTLD is also partnering with the Classroom to Career Hub to sponsor a Career Preparedness Cohort. Applications are now open.

• The Liberal Arts and Essential Skills team has developed drafts of documents to help students connect their learning to the skills employers seek. These documents were shared via email to all faculty members, who are encouraged to provide feedback and stay tuned for further communications.

• Summer Trentin (Art) introduced new General Studies designations and updates, new certificates, new courses and program modifications. The vote on changes to the Undergraduate and Graduate Curriculum Manuals will take place at the next Faculty Senate meeting.

Safer Spaces Resolution

The Faculty Senate has been called into a special session today from 3:30-5 p.m. for continued discussion and a vote on the Safer Spaces Resolution. For information on the meeting, please click here.

The resolution was first written in early 2020. Following an initial read this semester, the authors responded to Faculty Senate questions and comments (as well as comments from other University groups and individuals) and provided that document to the Senate. Adriana Nieto, Ph.D., representing the authors, presented the process of development, including opportunities for members of the campus community and leadership to engage and provide feedback.

Sen. Richard Russell (Business) moved to table a decision indefinitely and proposed that the Faculty Senate develop its own statement as the body has done previously in response to various social issues. The motion was seconded by Sen. Tony Lopez (Business).

Senators engaged in debate over the motion, voicing support for the language, vision, spirit, intersectionality and inclusive development of the resolution as well as expressing differing perspectives on the content and a commitment to developing a more internal, faculty-led statement.

Senators voted to extend the discussion and to vote on the resolution at the next Faculty Senate meeting.

See the full Safer Spaces Resolution on the Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy website.

Announcements:

• MSU Denver is continuing its partnership with the Association of College and University Educators. This fall, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design is partnering with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to sponsor an Equity and Racism cohort. The CTLD is also partnering with the Classroom to Career Hub to sponsor a Career Preparedness Cohort. Applications are now open.

• The Liberal Arts and Essential Skills team has developed drafts of documents to help students connect their learning to the skills employers seek. These documents were shared via email to all faculty members, who are encouraged to provide feedback and stay tuned for further communications.

• Summer Trentin (Art) introduced new General Studies designations and updates, new certificates, new courses and program modifications. The vote on changes to the Undergraduate and Graduate Curriculum Manuals will take place at the next Faculty Senate meeting.