2003-2004 No. 31

ACADEMIC CABINET

Monday, October 20, 2003

Present:

Alfred Guillaume, Academic Affairs

Sarah Cooke, Off-Campus Programs

David Freitas, Education

Linda Fritschner, Academic Affairs

Leda Hall, Public and Environmental Affairs

Paul Joray, General Studies

Suzanne Miller, Continuing Education

Tom Miller, Arts

Nancy Plennert, Academic Affairs

Mary Jo Regan-Kubinski, Nursing and Health Professions

Michele Russo, Library

Bill Schwartz, Business and Economics

Miriam Shillingsburg, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Absent:

David Frantz, Purdue

Paul Mishler, Labor Studies

Paul Newcomb, Social Work

Roy Schreiber, Academic Senate

Guests:

Bev Church, Information Technology

Jim Yocom, Instructional Media Services

Instructional Media (Jim Yocom):

Jim described the plans for installation of technology in the classrooms: eight to ten more classrooms will be upgraded; technology upgrades are scheduled for DW 1001, NS 113, and NS 104; there are plans for AV equipment in every classroom. Currently, there are no funds for drapery, lighting, etc., which would help with acoustical problems and room darkening for films, etc. Jim is working with Randy Landsberg to acquire some funding for these types of classroom upgrades. Jim talked specifically about the following upgrades:

1) Media Link Controller

2) Tech Desk with a wireless key board

3) Equipment for DW 1001 would include: technical (instructional) podium, 2 media link controllers, 2 projectors, robust sound system, voice support, and assisted listening device. Jim described some of the benefits of these upgrades.

4) Equipment for NS 113 would include a technology podium, one high luminance projector, voice support, robust sound system, assisted listening device, and control for lighting from the podium area.

5) Plans to improve the acoustical aspects of NS 104.

Jim also spoke about the approximate timetable for these upgrades: finalize the RFP’s in October (costs over $25,000 go to Bloomington for approval); bids during November; installation of equipment between fall 2003 and spring 2004 semesters; all work completed by fall 2004. The funding for this equipment comes from McRobbie’s office (Action 21 funding).

There were also questions about classroom scheduling, about scheduling conference rooms as classrooms, and about getting faculty who use technology scheduled into the “technology” classrooms. PeopleSoft will automate classroom scheduling.

Sick Leave, Pregnancy and Childbearing Leave, and Partially Paid Family Leave (Linda Fritschner):

Linda distributed and discussed each of the above leaves, the form to request the leave, and the routing for the approval for the leave. For a sick leave, approval is needed from the department chair, dean or program director, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and the Chancellor. In the case of an illness of any full time academic appointee, the faculty member is paid six weeks’ full salary during the illness and 50% of the salary for the balance of the semester should the illness continue that long.

The routing for the pregnancy and childbearing leave is similar to that of the sick leave. A pregnant academic appointee may take, but is not required to take a leave known as pregnancy leave extending up to two weeks prior to expected delivery date through up to four weeks following delivery and, if medically necessary, additional time not to extend beyond fifteen weeks or the end of the semester. Appointees on pregnancy leave are paid up to six weeks full salary during the leave and 50% salary for the balance of the semester should the additional time be medically necessary. With appropriate approvals, the pregnancy leave can be extended beyond the limits of a semester to a total of six weeks at full pay and nine additional weeks at one-half pay when medically required. Beyond such period or upon recognition that the leave will be prolonged, the individual will be placed on leave without pay.

The partially paid family leave requires some additional routing. For this leave, approval is needed from the department chair (or equivalent), dean or director, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Family Leave Policy Committee Chair, and the Chancellor. After one year of service with a frequency not to exceed once every three years, a full time academic appointee is eligible for a partially paid family leave for 1) the birth or adoption of a child by the academic appointee or the academic appointee’s spouse (The leave must be concluded within twelve months of the birth of the child or within twelve months of the date on which the child is placed for adoption with the academic appointee.) and 2) for the serious health condition of the academic appointee’s spouse, child, or parent when the academic appointee is the primary or co-primary caregiver. During the partially paid family leave, the academic appointee is paid two-thirds of the appointee’s salary. Contributions to the appointee’s retirement plan during this period of leave are based on the reduced salary amount.

Some Academic Cabinet members discussed the economic ramifications of the partially paid family leave for their units. Cabinet members asked Alfred to bring this policy up at a future Academic Officer’s Committee (AOC) meeting.

Changes in Procedures for Hiring New Full and Part Time Faculty Who are NOT U.S. Citizens (Linda Fritschner):

There are new processes to be followed when hiring new full and part time faculty who are not U.S. citizens. Academic hires (full and part time) who are not United States citizens must be verified through the International Office and entered into PeopleSoft from that office. This process went into effect on October 13. Each hiring unit is to provide Betty Cory (ecory@indiana.edu or 812-855-9087 or FAX: 812-855-4418) with copies of the following: Personal Profile Form ED, current visa, work authorization, social security card (if the person already has one), effective date of hire, and department of hire. Once Betty Cory has created the university ID, then she will notify the hiring unit of that number and the “hire employee” edoc can then be processed. Undoubtedly there will be additional changes in this process.

Announcements (Alfred Guillaume):

• There will be a “pep” rally on October 22 at 8:00 p.m. in the Student Activity Center (SAC). Chancellor Reck will speak.
• Please send your names of EMA conference candidates to Alfred. Also, Alfred is in the process of choosing the American Democracy Project faculty.
• A VCIT candidate is on campus today for interview.
• The General Education Implementation Task Force is at work.
• Soon candidates for the VC for Fiscal and Administrative Affairs will be coming to campus for interview. Mary Ann Zemke’s last day is December 31, 2003.
• Please send Federal Relations Project proposals to Alfred. He has received a proposal from Reza Espahbodi. The request is for 1.7 million dollars for a 2 + 3 program. There will be a discussion about this proposal at 3:00 this afternoon (October 20). We have pulled back on the Civil Rights Heritage Center proposal. There was some discussion of the time frame for proposals.

Other Items:

At the last Academic Cabinet meeting, Roy Schreiber, President of the Academic Senate, spoke about a merit pay proposal from the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate. Leda Hall, Tom Miller, and Miriam Shillingsburg agreed to draft a response to this proposal and a recommendation regarding merit pay and the decision process.

Leda also expressed some concern over room scheduling for spring term. She was notified by the registrar’s office that she would have to change the schedule for three SPEA evening classes because no rooms were available. Academic Cabinet members thought that there needs to be a discussion with the registrar regarding room scheduling, instructional media issues, availability of classrooms, etc.

Respectfully submitted

Linda Marie Fritschner

Monday, October 20, 2003

cc: Chancellor Mae Reck