University Libraries
Developing and Adopting a
Unit Faculty Governance Structure

Thanks to all who were able to attend today's meeting to work on our bylaws/governance structure document, including those who were otherwise on a day off. Here's a summary of today's activities:

The following small groups will report their recommendations to D.Morrow by noon, Fri. 11 Aug.:

1) P.Parker, K.Waggoner --will consider and make recommendations on the 'Procedures' section of the draft document, and also possibly on procedural elements within the 'University Libraries Faculty Assembly' section as a whole. Pat & Kathryn, you will want to review the comments in the two digests so far, and might want to consider contacting other depts/colleges to look for inspiration or get a feel for how some things are done.

2) R.Beasecker, L.Masselink, D.Morrow --will consider the relationship of, and connections if any between, the Designated Unit Head for Fac. Personnel Actions (DUH) and the Library Personnel Committee.

Once there's a new draft reflecting the work of these groups, I'll post it and initiate a new comment period. We don't have a next meeting date set, what with the fairly concentrated activity already scheduled for the rest of August, but.....

<text omitted>

--Debbie

Comments submitted Aug.31-Sept.14:

From Jean Nagelkerk, Provost's Office: Your question is a good one - To what extent is a faculty member who has elected and been approved for phased retirement eligible for membership in departmental or college governance committees? In relation to most departmental and college level committees - the college bylaws will provide the direction for inclusion of part-time faculty as elected members. For example, the CLAS Bylaws prohibit individuals on sabbatical for a semester from serving on many college level committees. These bylaws were voted and approved by the CLAS faculty. As far as participation in personnel reviews - these are governed by the policy and procedures outlined in Chapter 4 of the Administrative Manual/Faculty Handbook. All regular faculty may vote on personnel actions provided they are "present" for the discussions.
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re: Curricular Support Comittee: Term of office -- wouldn't two year terms, staggered, ensure better continuity and allow for better transitions when projects take longer than a year, or span the change in membership each August/September?
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re: Faculty Development and Retention Committee: Membership -- It looks like a description of the Libraies Personnel Committee membership is inserted under University Libraries Faculty Development and Retention Committee.
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re: Faculty Development and Retention Committee -- I think the concept is not developed enough to make it part of this document.
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re: Notes/Discussion points -- I also feel the Library Faculty need a "space" to call their own without AP's - especially right now.
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re: Faculty Assembly: Membership -- I still think the sentence in front of footnote 6 [assigning "Dean's designee" if this has not been done explicitly by the Dean and the Dean is absent] is a bit fuzzy. Could we perhaps reword it slightly for better clarity? As it stands now, I find it hard to know the reason for the sentence--I assume it is so noone gets to vote twice? You've explained it, I know, but it struck me again as I read it that I can't hold onto its rationale.