University Senate Report for the years 2013-2016

The Michigan Tech University Senate is the representative body for its constituents and speaks on their behalf on matters under the Senate's jurisdiction. The Senate has the responsibility and authority to review and establish policy in many areas, such as curricular matters, teaching quality, evaluation of teaching and all matters pertaining to the academic calendar. Policy for professional staff constituents is also formulated and reviewed by the Senate. The University Senate’s constituency is the University’s academic and research faculty and professional staff, including staff employed at independent research units. These groups meet and operate as a unit under a single Constitution and By-Laws, with a single set of University Senate officers and committees. Evidence of the major impact the University Senate has on Michigan Tech can be described in terms of the actions of each committee.

Academic & Instructional Policy Committee submitted 19 proposals to the senate, 17 of which were approved by the administration, including; defining university copyright policies, class attendance, academic calendars, non-faculty appointments, defining the professor of practice, final exams, thesis deadline schedules and, suspension and dismissal policies.

General Education and Assessment Committee submitted one proposal establishing liaisons for units that are required to perform assessments.

Administrative Policy Committee submitted 7 proposals to the senate, 5 of which were approved by the administration, including; how chairs, deans, and the university president is evaluated, the search procedures for hiring the aforementioned positions, policies on confidentiality, the ombuds and university closure policy.

Curricular Policy Committee submitted 56 proposals to the senate, all of which were approved by the administration, including; defining our general education curricula, defining adjunct and affiliated faculty, graduate school policies and procedures, residency requirements, shelved 17 unused programs and defined 16 minors/certifications, 4 baccalaureate, 5 masters and 2 doctoral programs.

Executive Committee submitted 9 proposals to the senate, 7 of which were approved by the administration, including; defining the form and function of the Honors College, conflict of interest issues, and negotiated compensation for the vice-president of the senate. The senate officers also communicate with the Board of Trustees at each board meeting.

Finance & Institutional Planning Committee has not submitted any proposals. This committee is charged with examining and reporting on the financial aspects of the university and new programs that are to be approved by the senate. The FIPC completed an in depth salary comparison for faculty positions by department and a similar study for university staff. These results are available to the Tech community through the senate website. 

Fringe Benefits Committee submitted 10 proposals to the senate, 3 of which were approved by the administration (1 was withdrawn), including; multiple proposals on healthcare benefits, retirement options, tuition waivers, employee education, and parental leave. Within the last year, the committee has successfully championed policy changes related to employee access to education and paid parental leave. The committee will continue to promote the strength and health of our university community by working on recommendations for changes to employee health and wellness benefits and educational benefits, such as the TRIP program.

Information Technology Committee submitted 1 proposal to the senate, which was approved. The proposal was defining a university-wide IT group, which was rejected by the administration, as they eventually established an IT governance group. The Senate IT Committee was instrumental in getting the IT Services to provide unrestricted WIFI access to the visitors.

Professional Staff Policy Committee submitted and approved 1 proposal to the senate reorganizing the staff constituency to better reflect the university’s organizational structure.

Research Policy Committee submitted 1 proposal changing the per cent sabbatical compensation from 50% for a full year, to 80%. The senate approved this and negotiated with the administration to compensate full year sabbaticals at 67%. Currently, the committee is engaged with the issue of the high costs of journals and textbooks.

Ad Hoc Committee on the Library submitted 1 proposal to establish a Library Advisory Committee and re-establish unit Library Liaisons.

Senate Proposals: 117 Proposals approved by the senate in the past two years. 91 of these were also approved by the administration and 13 rejected, with 4 that bypass administrative participation.

Reports presented to the senate include; annual presentations on university finances, the university president, general education and assessment, studies on compensation, retirement, dependent tuition deductions, inclusion, fringe benefits, strategic plan, ombuds, e-cigarettes, cyber security, library, CATPR, facilities management, lift bridge repairs, sabbatical leave, recycling, IT, patents, MOOC's, student affairs and regular updates from the Graduate school. The Senate continues to be the primary forum where such issues of importance by the campus community are discussed to educate and impact change.