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On Monday, Oct. 19, University Senate heard reports from Bruce Cochrane, chair, Academic Program Review Committee, and David Creamer, vice president for finance and business services. Senate received items on the consent calendar and endorsed proposed changes to the Bylaws of University Senate, Section 6.C.4, Committee Structure of University Senate, Advisory Committees of University Senate, Committee for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching, and University Assessment.
SR 10-02
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT University Senate adopt issues for consideration in the implementation of a furlough as set forth below:
On September 14, 2009, University Senate voted to recognize both the necessity and advisability of adopting a furlough policy and to forward an amended proposed furlough policy to the Board of Trustees prior to the Board’s September 18, 2009, meeting (SR 10‑01). During discussion of the proposed policy, Senate stated many concerns which should be considered when planning the implementation of a furlough.
On September 11, 2009, Senators received a memorandum from the Fiscal Priorities and Budget Planning Committee, a standing committee of University Senate. The Committee endorsed the proposed furlough policy with the understanding that the policy would be enacted “only in the case of a dire, unplanned fiscal emergency.” The Committee’s endorsement came with three provisos:
1.that an employee slated for a layoff be exempt from a furlough;
2.that employees who are within three years of retirement be “kept whole” so that a furlough would not adversely affect retirement benefits; and
3. that the administration carefully consider how the language of the policy affects both employee morale and public relations.
University Senate agrees with the September 11, 2009, memorandum from Fiscal Priorities and with the Committee’s three provisos which the University should consider when planning the implementation of a furlough.
Senate states that the following additional considerations must be taken into account in planning the implementation of a furlough:
1.Consideration of ways in which it might be appropriate to protect lower income employees.
2.Full exploration of the impact of a furlough on employees’ future retirement benefits, with the aim of minimizing the loss of retirement income for those within three years of retirement.
3.Consideration of equity of furlough time, such that individuals on contracts with different annual time commitments (e.g., 9 versus 12 months, and full-time versus part-time), are furloughed in a manner that is proportional to those commitments.
4.Clarification that while no one will be required to work during a furlough, some employees who are permitted (by state regulations) to do so may volunteer to work during all or part of the furlough period. It will be important to also acknowledge that for those who work during a furlough that this amounts to a temporary reduction in pay.
5.Consideration of spreading the financial impact of a furlough across multiple pay periods.
6.Consultation, if time permits, with the Faculty Welfare committee on the implementation of any furlough for faculty.
7.Protection of instructional time to the greatest extent possible.
SR 01-02 carried by voice vote.
SR 10-03
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT University Senate adopt a revision to the proposal forms for Miami Plan Thematic sequences as set forth below:
List courses to be included in this sequence by tier 1, 2 and 3. Note with an * any course that is a foundation course in the liberal education program. (Only one Foundation course in a thematic sequence may count toward a student’s foundation requirements. In those cases where sequences involve two or more Foundation courses, only one course may be at the 100-level.)
SR 10-03 carried by a roll-call vote of: Yes: 44; No: 1; Abstained: 0; Absent: 23.
Twenty-five members of Faculty Assembly can challenge the resolutions by filing a petition with the Secretary of the University during the ten class days after publication in the e-Report. Absent a challenge by Faculty Assembly, these policies will be forwarded to the President for consideration.
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