Faculty Council meeting marks Tyrer’s first, Rubin’s last
Harry Tyrer
Faculty Council met Thursday for the last time in its 2010-11 annual cycle.
After some small talk amongst the members, former chairwoman Leona Rubin passed the gavel to Harry Tyrer, who took over the duties of chairman.
Tyrer initiated the meeting with a reminder that he would be continuing the periodic faculty dinners already in place, citing the importance of conversation between members of the faculty.
“I think we need to talk more to each other,” he said. “It’s important.”
Tyrer reminded the attending members of the faculty of the upcoming Faculty Council workshop, at which they will discuss methods of saving money.
Tyrer then suggested the council advise Chancellor Brady Deaton to dissolve a number of defunct faculty committees. This recommendation was made to the council by the Committee on Committees and was met with no opposition.
Rubin brought up a problem with the Committee on Committees, saying it had serious communication problems and was just “spinning its wheels.”
“There doesn’t seem to be a direct reporting system,” Rubin said, referring to the lack of communication between the committee and the committees for which it had recommendations.
She suggested the process be re-evaluated to fix the issue, but nothing was done at the meeting.
There was also brief discussion on distance learning and the unique challenges it causes with professors. Several professors wondered how hours should be calculated for distance classes and whether professors should be paid extra for the additional work necessary in distance learning. No definite solutions were reached.
Council members also discussed the rising cost of health care and its effects on professors’ retirement plans.
Associate professor of journalism Clyde Bentley then exhorted his fellow council members to email the people in their departments or colleges about the faculty councils, saying that it increased people’s interest in the meetings.
“It has an incredible impact,” Bentley said.
Tyrer agreed.
“Engagement is critical,” he said.
The council lacked a quorum, so no votes were taken.