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Minutes: October 15, 2002
Bozorth Hall Auditorium Attendance: Herb
Appelson, David Applebaum, Bryan Appleby-Wineberg, Lorin Arnold, Joseph Bierman,
Greg Biren, Lori Block, Carl Calliari, Bruce Caswell, Julie Chang, Jay Chaskes,
Joe Davey, Gini Doolittle, John Gallagher, Senate Secretary Dorie Gilchirst, Erick
Guerra, Harriet Hartman, Cindi Hasit, Donna Hathaway-Cook, Jim Haugh, Luke Holbrook,
Judy Holmes, Don Stoll, Jennifer Kay, Lee Kress, Paul Laumakis, Terri Lehr, Denyse
Lemaire, Janet Lindman, Mary Marino, Jeff Maxson, Eric Milou, Janet Moss, James
Newell, Ojusegun Ojewuyi, Julie Peterson, Anne Phillips, Robi Polikar, Nick Schmelz,
Karen Siefring, Kathleen Small, Robert Sterner, Susan Taber, Skeffington Thomas,
Sandy Tweedie, Senate President Cindy Vitto, Barbara Williams, Abe Witonsky, Tricia
Yurak Not In Attendance: Tom Hamer, Phil Lewis,
Stuart McGee, Sandy McHenry, Joe Orlins, Edward Smith, Sonia Spencer, Lori Stephans,
Marian Stieber, Winifred Still, Hal Vogel, Paris VonLockette, Stephanie Weidman,
Faye Zhu Note: If anyone was omitted from attendance
list, it indicates that you did not sign in. If this is the case, notify the Senate
office and the minutes will be corrected. Sabbatical
Leave: Martin Itzkowitz Call to Order: President
Cindy Vitto called the meeting to order at 11:00 AM. Motion
to approve agenda, seconded and carried. Motion
to approve minutes of September 17, 2002, seconded and carried. Open
Period: Report from Director of Public Safety:
Tim Michener - To date there are 62 Public
Safety Officers on campus.
The service areas covered by Public Safety are Police Services, Patrol Services,
Crime Prevention, Investigations, EMS, Fire Safety, and Parking.
During the month of September the number of calls responded to was 3,168. Out
of this total, 1,168 were service calls.
Many of the Public Safety Officers are now patrolling the campus on foot and bicycle.
There were 4,200 contacts at the Welcome Gates in the past year.
Last year 6,100 parking summons were issued. The past month's parking summons
total was 952. This indicates that the parking enforcement program is ineffective,
and changes are being explored.
Michener asked that the campus community contact him with any questions, concerns,
and suggestions for enhanced safety on campus. He can be reached by e-mail at
michener@rowan.edu. Report from the Provost:
Dr Helen-Giles Gee The Provost will hold an
open forum on October 29, 2002 to highlight academic accomplishments of the past
year and how they match the strategic objectives of the Academic Affairs Action
Plan.
The Action Plan details many infrastructure needs. Administration is well aware
of these concerns. The present infrastructure is antiquated and desperately in
need of repair. The condition of pipes and cables is very poor, often beyond the
state of repair, and therefore must be replaced.
The cost of servers, software, hardware, and other technology equipment would
amount to three million dollars the first year. Another cost factor is the training
of individuals to instruct the campus community on how to use the new technology.
A new system could take as long as three to four years to be implemented. Equipment
could cost as much as nine million dollars. We need to build the cost of ongoing
replacement and upgrade of infrastructure into our long-term budgeting.
The Technology Task Force has five sub-committees and will be submitting its recommendations
this fall.
The Provost's Office has put into the hands of Deans a five-year faculty and administrative
staffing plan. One challenge will be how to merge the plan with programmatic needs
as those needs become clear through the curricular process.
The Provost has been addressing concerns from faculty and from the community regarding
new academic programs. Do we want to increase our graduate offerings? What academic
programs will come on board as we refine our plans for the Camden campus and the
"west campus" on Rtes. 55 and 322? Integrating new programs will involve the campus
community as we address the needs of the university and its students, the region,
and the state. We will have opportunities to discuss all of this as we begin to
move forward.
A concern presented to the Provost was the lack of technicians on campus to assist
with training staff and addressing technical problems. The Provost stated that
having more technicians is a priority. Another option is to have students assist
with the technology needs, but the number of students available is limited because
of Institutional Work Study funds.
It is expected that all new facilities will have smart classrooms. A 24-hour computer
lab will be open in about a week and a half. Report
of the Senate President: -Cindy thanked Senators
for their generous contributions to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation in memory
of Ellen Farish.
-Cindy thanked everyone for the support she received at Convocation.
-Senators were reminded that they are representatives of their departments or
areas and should be communicating regularly with their constituents in order to
vote responsibly. Strong governance depends greatly on how well Senators fulfill
their responsibilities.
-The Senate officers have recently met with the SGA President and Vice President.
An effort is being made to strengthen the link between the Senate and SGA. Twenty-nine
students have signed on as members of Senate committees.
-Thirty-eight individuals have volunteered to serve on the Campus Master Plan
Committee. The Committee on Committees will meet this week to make preliminary
decisions about the Campus Master Plan Committee membership.
-Barbara Sjostrom of the Elementary/Early Childhood Department has agreed to serve
as assessment coordinator for the Academic Affairs division of the University
in preparation for the Middle States Periodic Review in 2004.
-Senators are encouraged to make their constituents aware of the capital campaign
and of the importance of faculty/staff contributions. Senate officers will meet
with Anne Hagan, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, to compile a list
of optional designations for Senate contributions. More information will be forthcoming.
Standing Committee Reports: -Academic
Policies & Procedures: no report
-Campus Aesthetics & Environmental Concerns: no report
-Career Development: no report
-Committee on Committees: Janet Moss reported that, based on the list of volunteers
for the Master Plan Committee, every College will have representation. Although
the deadline has passed for submitting a summary of qualifications for anyone
wanting to serve on the committee, anyone wishing to submit a request to serve
on the committee may still do so for a limited time.
Janet Moss requested a motion to approve the appointment of Dick Fopeano and Melanie
Stewart to the Space and Facilities Advisory Committee.
Motion to approve, seconded and carried.
-Curriculum Committee: no report
-Intercollegiate Athletics Committee: The first meeting was held on September
18, 2002.
-Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee: no report
-Professional Ethics & Welfare Committee: no report
-Promotion Committee: A workshop was held on October 14, 2002, and another workshop
will be held on October 22. Questions should be addressed to Bob Zazzali.
-Recruitment, Admissions & Retention Committee: The first meeting will be
held on October 16, 2002.
-Research & Technological Resources Committee: A meeting will be held on October
22, 2002.
-Sabbatical Leave Committee: Notices to sabbatical leave candidates will be distributed
within the next week.
-Student Relations Committee: no report
-Tenure & Recontracting Committee: no report
-University Budget & Planning Committee: A meeting was held on October
1, 2002; minutes of that meeting are
attached. Announcements:
The Office of the Provost and the University Senate will
jointly sponsor the presentation by Dr. Helen Giles-Gee on October 29, 2002, at
11:00 AM in Bozorth Hall Auditorium. Entitled "Annual Report: Reaching a Higher
Level of Excellence: Accomplishments of Academic Year 2001-2002," the report will
present highlights of last year's academic accomplishments from a University-wide
perspective and will engage us in a conversation about where we go from here.
The campus community is encouraged to attend and to participate in this important
discussion. New Business: Mary
Marino expressed concern that it seems the needs of athletes are not considered
when setting up the schedule of courses. Athletes face conflicts between practice
time and class time when classes are offered only in the afternoons. She was advised
to contact the Provost and the College Deans, now that we are getting ready to
implement a new schedule grid beginning in Fall 2003, to bring this concern to
their attention. The new academic schedule should encourage the scheduling of
more morning classes. Unfinished Business:
-Cindy Vitto and Dorie Gilchrist met with Eileen
Morrow and John Aderinto of the University Bookstore to address the problem of
under-ordering textbooks. A "fact-sheet" was distributed to the Senate detailing
the ordering process and explaining why the Bookstore cannot automatically order
the number of texts requested. Several Senate members expressed concern with the
fact-sheet since many of these issues have been brought up in the past and we
are still searching for solutions. Some Senators expressed concern that Administration
may be holding the Bookstore more responsible for profit than for service to the
academic needs of faculty and students. Another concern was that other supplies,
art supplies in particular, are not always in stock and not always of the necessary
quality to meet the needs of students unable to drive to specialized stores for
supplies. -The fact sheet distributed at the Senate
meeting is attached to these minutes. Senators are requested to share this information
with their departments in order to facilitate understanding of the textbook ordering
process. Note in particular that the number of books ordered for each course is
a "best guess" based upon actual enrollment figures and an estimate of how many
students may buy texts from other sources. Faculty members should make John Aderinto
aware, in writing, of special circumstances that may affect the number of textbooks
that should be ordered. It is also crucial that faculty order texts on time and
realize that "bundling" a textbook with another text or item may present special
difficulties for the Bookstore and higher prices for students. Instructions
to Access Senate Web Page:
- go to Rowan Home Page
- click on faculty/staff
- scroll down to offices & services
- click on University Senate
Motion to adjourn at 12:30 PM, seconded and carried.
The next regularly scheduled Senate meeting is November
19, 2002. Note: see University Budget & Planning
Committee Report & Bookstore Fact Sheet below: Minutes
of the University Budget and Planning Committee Meeting 10/01/02 Meeting
was called to order at 11:05 AM by Dr. Laumakis (co-chair) Introductions
were made for new and returning members. Members present were Paul Laumakis, Ray
Cibo, Bob D'Augustine, Greg Hecht, Pat Mosto, Joe Orlins, George Romeo, Nick Schmelz,
Mark Showers, Eileen Stutzbach I. Discussion of
Budget Analysis Sheet
D'Augustine discussed the actual revenues and expenditures for the year ending
2002 using the budget analysis sheet. (The analysis sheet included actual budgets
for the years ending 2001 and 2002, as well as the projected budget for year ending
2003). The University's overall financial results for FY 2002 reflected a surplus
of $290,309.However, within that overall result, there was a deficit of $2,124,400
in the general University budget that was offset by surpluses in sponsored programs
of $662,052 and in auxiliaries of $1,752, 657. Since current University policy
and practice provide no means of using sponsored program and auxiliary surpluses
to cover general University expenses, there remains a serious structural problem
in the University's budget. In addition, the sponsored program and auxiliary surpluses
are needed to address needs in those areas, particularly the need to build new
residence halls and to renovate old residence halls using surplus auxiliary funds.
D'Augustine mentioned that the increase in auxiliary revenues was primarily due
to the tripling of students. Once we have built additional capacity in the residence
halls, the higher expenses for debt service and maintenance will absorb that surplus
revenue.
D'Augustine then talked about the FY 03 projections. There is a deficit in the
University's projected budget for the year ending in 2003 of $437,148. However,
overall the university looks healthy and that will allow us to borrow more monies
in the future. The audited financialstatement shows that there is an increase
in net assets; but some of the increase represents investments, etc. that do not
reflect reality (e.g., land purchases are reflected in the budget as an expense
but represent an asset in the audited financials).
The budget has a $100,000 greater deficit than originally approved by the board.
D'Augustine didn't know at the time of the meeting how to explain the discrepancy.
Summer and Fall tuition revenues were higher than expected. State matching funds
were short by about $160,000 (from $963,000 to slightly more than $800,000). There
is also a possibility of state budget cut of appropriations again next March,
as word out of Trenton is that state revenues are down. The explanation for the
increase in expenditures for auxiliary services was a combination of additional
expense for maintenance and additional purchases, such as furniture, to accommodate
the additional students living in the residence halls. We were conservative in
projecting auxiliary revenues, showing enough for auxiliary services to break
even. The reason for that, once again, is that we cannot use auxiliary revenues
to pay for general University expenses.
The ELF monies were discussed. It seems likely that we will get $3 1/2 million
by November. There was a discussion of matching funds revenues in which the University
will get a proportion of each gift over the amount of $1,000,000. II.
D'Augustine's answers to questions provided to him before the meeting:
- Who is responsible for decisions regarding future
development?
The President in consultation with the Cabinet and the Deans. The President
and the University Senate are putting together a Master Plan Committee, which
will also be consulted.
- What are the plans for the Academy Street School?
The University is looking for a business to rent and renovate the building.
It should not add any additional cost to the University, and probably will not
come under consideration by the Budget and Planning Committee.
- What is the priority on the capital projects planned?
D'Augustine distributed a worksheet with a plan of capital projects and their
costs for the next ten years. However, he mentioned that it was a rough draft,
speculative, and had not been updated for almost a year. He would prefer that
this worksheet not be duplicated or shown to anyone without that explanation.
- We know how the University is going to pay for the
buildings going up at the present time and the Education building, but for
the rest of the projects, there is a lot of speculation (only ideas, no set
monies). Many of these items will be discussed in the Master Plan Committee.
The dollar amount of state bonds for higher education is uncertain. If the amount
ends up being a large sum, there will be monies for new buildings in the future.
The State is supposed to provide a substantial amount of funds to cover the
cost of reducing deferred maintenance. Some buildings (i.e. residence halls)
will be paid for by other funds than the general university funds. However,
D'Augustine feels confident that there will be adequate revenue streams to fund
many of the other projects that must be paid for out of general University funds.
- Do we have a contingency plan to delay projects
if necessary? There was also a question on the debt service limit agreed upon
by the Board of Trustees.
Yes, we do. All construction plans except the new Education building and Wilson
renovation are speculative and depend upon finances. There is a 13% maximum
debt service limit as passed by the Board of Trustees. (Debt service is currently
only 6% when looking at the general University budget alone.) However, D'Augustine
stated that the University is more concerned about the bond rating of the University,
which is currently at "AA," than the percentage of the budget allocated to debt
service. This is the most important factor in determining how much debt we can
incur. The bond rating will probably remain strong as long as we have more students
applying than we want to accept.
There is an enrollment management plan to analyze the increase in revenue due
to students. The question is not one of quantity but one of the improvement
of quality of the University. The "right" size for this institution involves
how many students and faculty we can accommodate to reach our "next level."
There is a list of faculty, staff, and administration searches. Is the list
prioritized, and how are we financing these positions?
We have 42 searches; of those, only 3-4 are new lines. The individual colleges
will prioritize each of the searches. D'Augustine mentioned that we need to
cut the number of sections taught by adjuncts, and there will be no new positions
for staff and administration (only replacement positions). The positions will
be financed by expected revenue increases resulting from the increases in tuition.
What tuition and fee increases are we anticipating for the next academic year?
D'Augustine mentioned that no decision has been made regarding tuition increases
yet. However, the tuition and fee increases will probably go up a minimum of
6%, at worst the same as last year (10%). He then spent a few minutes explaining
why our tuition is still a relative bargain.
We have a different role today at Rowan University than we had 30 years ago
at Glassboro State College. We now have a large number of community colleges
servicing students. Our tuition is higher than the in-state tuitions at colleges
in most other states, and is higher than most of our sister institutions in
NJ, though lower than the College of NJ, Ramapo and Rutgers. However, our tuition
is far lower than the tuitions at the private colleges and universities that
so many NJ students attend.
Students can afford a tuition increase, since the vast majority of our students
come from solidly middle-class backgrounds. We are no longer attracting the
first generation of college students in the family. Now 80% of our students
have at least one parent with a college education. Other states fund higher
education better than NJ (second from the bottom in per capita expenditures),
while we are the second wealthiest state in the country per capita. The cost
of our tuition does not appear to be a problematic issue for our students.
- Are the cost cutting suggestions made last year
still in effect?
D'Augustine mentioned that many of the suggestions are being codified. There
also have been some modifications to them. (We were near the end of the meeting;
thus D'Augustine did not have time to delineate any of them for the committee.)
- Will SBR funding be increased this year?
D'Augustine stated that there will be no increase in SBR funds for this year
because of the budget; but it remains a top priority for next year and for the
future.
BOOKSTORE FACTS FOR FACULTY
Prepared by Cindy Vitto, Senate President
10/15/02 Who runs the Rowan University Bookstore?
Eileen Morrow, Rowan University Bookstore Director, and
John Aderinto, who oversees all textbook operations, are the two individuals most
faculty members will deal with on a regular basis. Since she took over as Director
in 1992, Eileen has doubled sales but has added only one person to her staff.
Including Eileen, the Bookstore currently employs 15 people, most of them at the
clerk level. The Bookstore is under the direction of John Finan, Vice President
for Administration and Finance. What happens once
we order a text? (Note: Italicized portions are especially relevant for optimal
coordination between faculty and Bookstore.) John
Aderinto and his staff enter the order into a data system and check for correct
ISBN, current edition status, etc. (As a service to departments, John provides
a list to each secretary indicating which faculty members have ordered textbooks;
this courtesy allows the secretaries to doublecheck with those who have not placed
an order.)
John now engages in a complex process to locate the greatest number of texts at
the cheapest possible price:
He inventories the number of leftover texts in the Bookstore (if the faculty member
used the same text the previous semester) and sets them aside. He can only do
this if we have placed our order by the deadline on the book order form.
He determines whether any copies of the ordered text have come into the Bookstore
through the buy-back system. (Wholesalers will buy back texts at half price from
students during and shortly after the final exam period, up to the number of texts
needed by the Bookstore, provided that we have placed textbook orders in time
to indicate which books we will be using the following semester.)
He checks with 13 used book wholesalers to see how many copies he can obtain at
a reduced price. Because the numbers are in a constant state of flux, this remains
an ongoing process for some time.
He now must determine how many new texts to order:
Although we have indicated on the book order form the number of texts we anticipate
that the Bookstore should order, John cannot accept this number at face value
but must use it as one factor in his decision-making process. Unless we can somehow
guarantee that all of our students will purchase their texts through the Bookstore
rather than some other source, John cannot rely on this number. Note that artificially
inflating the number of texts needed on your order form only exacerbates the problem
of determining how many texts to order.
John next checks the actual enrollment for each course. If we know that for some
reason there will be a discrepancy between official enrollment and the number
of people who will actually need to buy the book, we must let John know.
Based on years of previous experience with the ordering pattern of particular
professors or particular courses, on previous experience of how many texts have
been returned for particular professors or courses, and on the current enrollment
figure for the course, John makes his best guess at the correct number of new
(and therefore highest-priced) texts to order. What
special problems can occur? If we order customized
"bundles," or we accept free items that the publisher promises will be included
with a particular text, we present the Bookstore with difficulties that go beyond
the normal ordering process:
Publishers that offer "freebies" to go along with a particular text often run
out of the specialty product packaged with the text. This creates problems because
now not all students will be purchasing the same bundle, but because the items
were provided free the publisher is under no obligation to fulfill our demands
for consistency. This is a problem that is typically beyond the Bookstore's ability
to resolve. Note also that although we often believe we are doing our students
a favor by ordering a text that comes with a "free" product, we are actually doing
publishers a favor by giving them a competitive edge over lower-priced used texts.
If we order a customized bundle of texts (for example, a book and a workbook sold
together as a package), the Bookstore must order new books rather than used--meaning
that students will be paying more. Bundles take longer to process at the publisher's
end, and so if we order a bundle we must make sure that we order by the deadline.
Finally, most publishers limit the number of unsold bundles that can be returned
to 10% of the total order, resulting in losses for the Bookstore. What
can we do to facilitate the ordering process and prevent problems? Place
textbook orders by the deadline indicated on the Bookstore form. You can place
your orders either in hard copy form or electronically.
Doublecheck the ISBN and edition you order. Quite a few problems result from minor
errors at this step. You can also check the publisher's website to determine if
and when a new edition of your text is forthcoming, and then plan (and order)
accordingly. In addition, the Bookstore website includes a link to Faculty Center
Network, with a bibliography database of over 175,000 titles. Through Faculty
Center Network, you can sort titles by author, review the author(s), link to a
previous edition or next edition of a text, link to the publisher for more information
about a text, read reviews, and obtain desk copy request information.
Let John know, in writing, of any special circumstances that he should take into
consideration when determining how many texts to order for your course.
About a month before classes begin, check the Bookstore website to make sure that
information for your classes is correct. Alert John to any problems.
Just before the semester begins, or the first week of the semester, come into
the Bookstore to make sure that your book order is correct. If for some reason
you cannot come in to check what is on the shelves, call or e-mail John and ask
him to check for you.
Consider placing on reserve in Campbell Library one copy of your text or a photocopy
of the first chapter or two, just in case a textbook problem arises and your students
must manage without books for the first few days of a course.
As much as possible, department chairs should encourage adjuncts either to use
the text already ordered by the department for a particular course or to choose
another text (if the adjunct did not place the original order) as soon as possible.
Why have there been problems recently with under-ordering
of texts? Once you read the explanation above of
the ordering process, you should understand more about why the Bookstore cannot
simply order the number of texts we indicate on the order form. In fact, the Bookstore
is currently battling a serious problem of having an excessive number of texts
left on the shelves unsold. Last spring the Bookstore returned about 40% of the
texts ordered; the projected figure for this fall is closer to 48%. If our book
returns are at a high level, publishers penalize us in various ways, such as asking
for pre-payment of the book order, penalizing us for returns, or allowing us to
return a limited number of texts. In addition, returning so many books has a real
impact on time, labor, and freight costs. In order to lower the percentage of
texts that we return to publishers, the Bookstore cannot take on blind faith the
number of texts we request on our order form but must make a "best guess" as to
how many texts will actually be needed. What do
I need to know about Bookstore policies? Once we
call a textbook availability problem to the attention of the Bookstore, John will
do his best to get additional texts in as quickly as possible. Barring unforeseen
difficulties (such as the problem that arose this fall, when Consolidated Freight
went out of business just before texts were due to be delivered), a rush order
should arrive in the Bookstore within a few days. The situation is not the same,
of course, in the case of a bundled package. If
we need a desk copy of a text, we must request it from the publisher at the time
we place the textbook order. If for some reason the desk copy does not arrive
in time, purchase a text from the Bookstore and return it for a full refund when
the desk copy shows up. (Remember not to write in the purchased text or damage
it in any way.) What special services does the Bookstore
offer? John will obtain copyright permissions if
necessary for faculty members requesting that the Bookstore duplicate and then
sell previously published material. Allow at least six weeks for obtaining copyright
permission, a service which is currently provided free of charge.
Students and faculty members can go online, to the Bookstore website, to locate
the shelf number of a particular text. This should simplify the task of physically
locating your text.
The Bookstore will put together a customized bundle from supplies already available
in the store, but the labor cost of putting those materials together will be reflected
in the final price of the bundle.
Students are able to reserve their texts ahead of time. Bookstore staff will collect
their texts from the shelves and place them in plastic bags for one-stop shopping
at the beginning of a semester. Eight hundred students took advantage of this
service this fall.
John has created an incentive for department secretaries to encourage faculty
members to order their texts on time. Each year, just before Secretary's Day,
the publishers donate a lunch for secretaries and send representatives to talk
with them. Departments and secretaries win prizes for timely and accurate textbook
ordering by all department members. Before this event, John provides a list to
the secretaries of faculty members in their departments who have ordered texts
so that the secretaries can ensure that all needed text orders have been sent
to the Bookstore. How can I contact or learn more
about the Bookstore? The Rowan University Bookstore
maintains a user-friendly website that you can access directly through www.rowan.collegestoreonline.com.
You can also reach this site through the Rowan homepage by clicking on "Site Index"
and then clicking on either "Office, Departmental, and College Web Sites Index"
(alphabetical listing) or "Web Site Index by Organization." (The Bookstore is
the first item listed under the Division of Administration and Finance.)
You can contact Eileen Morrow, Rowan University Bookstore
Director, at 256-4669 or morrow@rowan.edu; you can reach John Aderinto about textbook
matters at 256-4671 or aderinto@rowan.edu.
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