University Faculty Council
Minutes of 10 March 2006 Meeting

Members present: Jeff Budiman (CAE), Kevin Cassel (MMAE), Warren Edelstein (AMat), Bill Grimshaw (SocSci) Joyce Hopkins (Psyc), Andy Howard (BCPS), Robert Krawczyk (Arch), Art Lubin (AMat), Victor Pérez-Luna (ChEE), David Peterson (Psyc), David Rudstein (Kent), Jay Schieber (ChEE), Jack Snapper (HUM), Phil Troyk (BME), Miles Wernick (ECE), Geoff Williamson (ECE)

Members Absent: Howard Chapman (Kent), Joel Goldhar (SGSB), William Newman (MSED), Bogdan Korel (CS), Vijay Kumar (ID), Ganesh Raman (MMAE), David Sharpe (Arch), Chris White (BCPS),

Student representatives present: none.

Student representatives absent: Alejandro Taboada, Govind Wakhlu.

Guests: Bob Carlson (CS), Jafar Saniie (ECE), Mohammad Shahidehpour (ECE), Mary Anne Smith (Counsel).

Opening: The meeting began at 11:47 in the ballroom of the McCormick-Tribune Campus Center.

Professional Masters programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering:

Jafar Saniee and Mohammad Shahidehpour of the ECE Department presented three proposed Professional Masters programs: in Power Engineering, VLSI and Microelectronics, and Biomedical Imaging and Signals. A brief discussion brought forth the question of whether this program will require full-faculty approval at the April University faculty meeting, or whether the proposed change to Appendix P could be applied back to programs like these, so that they would go directly from the Faculty Council to the Trustees for final enactment. On the recommendation of the University Counsel and the judgment of several UniFC members, the decision was to seek approval at the full-faculty level in April for all degree programs approved at this meeting, even if the Appendix P changes are adopted there.

ECE has about 400 graduate students, divided among several existing Professional Masters programs, MS students, and Ph.D. students, and these programs would increase the offerings in that first catgegory. Jay Schieber asked whether the strong emphasis on industrial needs in Professional Masters programs like these might dilute the quality level of the courses they take, thereby impoverishing the scholarly experience for the MS and Ph.D. students. Jafar and others said that the admission criteria are the same for these programs as for the MS programs, so there is unlikely to be a major distinction in quality between one program and another. For the first program, Power Engineering, no new courses will be required. After brief discussion David Peterson moved, and Jack Snapper seconded, approval of the Professional Masters in Power Engineering; the motion carried unanimously.

Similiarly, the Professional Masters Program in VLSI and Microelectronics received brief attention. Bob Krawczyk moved and Geoff Williamson seconded adoption of this program; the motion carried unanimously.

The Professional Masters in Biomedical Imaging and Signals engendered a fuller discussion. Phil Troyk asked what "BME 450," which appeared on the syllabus, was: Jafar said it was the same course as Biology 430, Animal Physiology. Phil also asked about the requirement for BME500, which is normally open only to BME graduate students; Miles Wernick said that Vince Turitto (chair, BME) had allowed this course to appear on the syllabus for this program. After brief additional discussion, Miles moved and Bob Krawczyk seconded a motion to recommend adoption of this program; the motion was approved unanimously.

Healthcare Technology:
Bob Carlson presented a proposal to develop a bachelor degree completion program in Healthcare Technology and Management (HTM). The target audience for this program consists of students already holding an Associate of Applied Science degree in medical technology or a related field. Based on extensive discussions with a Healthcare Advisory Panel, it has become clear that a significant need has arisen for a bachelor degree completion program in this area. It is believed that most students for this program will have already taken enough coursework in technical subjects, so the emphasis will be on courses in Healthcare Billing and Classification (four courses, all new), Healthcare Systems and Technology (four courses: two new, one revised), Healthcare Management (seven courses: two or three revised), Information Technology and Management (four courses, one revised), and Safety (two courses, one new). A typical student will also take two IPros and two courses each in humanities and social sciences. There are recommended courses in these areas. Bob noted that the program will entail recruitment of some new faculty members at the lecturer level in the Center for Professional Development, and that the program is designed to resemble programs in the School of Technology at Purdue. He said the proposal passed 12-0 with some abstentions at the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Joyce suggested that the Institute of Psychology's Industrial Organization courses would be appropriate in this program; Bob agreed to try to work those in, provided that they can be made available at Rice Campus. He noted that there may be other healthcare-related degree programs proposed for the future, perhaps including one in radiation technology, but this Healthcare Technology and Management program is the only one on the table now. He noted that the recommendations for humanities and social sciences would not be printed in the University bulletin, but would be communicated to the student advisors. Geoff asked how IIT is well-suited to offering this kind of degree, given that we do not have close ties with a medical facility. Bob pointed out that IIT has a proven track record in Information Technology management and in coursework in Industrial Organization, so only the specifically medical components of this program are missing.

Geoff voiced a concern that this program is more of a training program than an educational venture. Bob suggested that the program resembles the one at UIC in terms of content and the programs at Purdue in terms of organization, and he emphasized that full-time faculty would be in charge of the overall content of the program. Bob, Elie Geisler, and the chairs of Humanities and Social Sciences will be involved on an ongoing basis. The program adheres to the guidelines of the American Health Information Management Association. Joyce suggested that not all BS degrees should be tied to the immediate needs of industry.

Geoff asked how large the program is likely to be. Bob and Jack Snapper said that it will require a minimum of ten students in order to break even. After some additional discussion Andy Howard moved and Bob Krawczyk seconded a motion to approve the program; the motion passed 10-3.

Retirement Plan:
Mary Anne Smith described a new early retirement plan for faculty and staff. It contains a single-payment incentive, unlike some earlier early retirement plans that featured multiple smaller incentives. The program also offers healthcare coverage for life. The program will be considered for authorization by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees on 21 March. Kevin Cassel asked how long the early retirement option will be available; Mary Anne said that was uncertain.

Board of Trustees Items:
Mary Anne said the Bachelors Degree in Manufacturing Technology will have its name changed to a Bachelors in Industrial Technology. This name change was authorized at the Undergraduate Studies Committee and will be brought before the Board of Trustees at its next meeting. Mary Anne announced a new personnel policy under which security background checks will be performed for all new staff and for new faculty hires, but not before the offer of employment is made. She estimated the cost at $30 per candidate, or less than $40,000 per year. Several Council members expressed either displeasure or resignation over this announcement. Bob Krawczyk asked whether the candidate would know about the background check; Mary Anne said yes. She said the reasons for these checks are threefold: protection of other staff members, insistence by the insurance carriers, and a recognition of best practices among universities. Miles Wernick asked how many people on campus would have access to the data obtained from the background check; Mary Anne said that her office, the Provost's office, and the head of the employee's Academic Unit would be the only ones with access to the reports.

Undergraduate Affairs:
Phil distributed a memo from the Provost regarding a change in the structure of the Undergraduate College. The Undergraduate College will be abolished as of 31 May 2006. Don Ucci will resume his faculty responsibilities in the Electrical Engineering Department, and Michael Gosz will be appointed as Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs beginning 1 June 2006. His office will administer activities currently under the purview of the Undergraduate College. Jack Snapper suggested that Associate Provost also carry the title of "Dean of the Undergraduate College" in order to satisfy the requirement in the Faculty Handbook for an individual with that title. Secretary's note: Subsequent to the meeting Mary Anne Smith said that she would submit changes to the Faculty Handbook that would resolve the issues otherwise raised by the abolition of the Undergraduate College and the Dean's title.

Future Faculty and UniFC Meetings:
Phil announced that the President will call a University Faculty Meeting for Wednesday April 19. It was suggested that UniFC-originated business, including the issues not voted on at the March University Faculty meeting, could be discussed either before or after the President's meeting, which will focus on North Central Accreditation Issues and long-range planning. Phil also suggested that there was a need for a UniFC meeting prior to that meeting. After considerable discussion the Council agreed to meet on Friday 31 March 2006 from 11:30am to 3:30pm to resolve the issues still before us—particularly the question of Committees on Promotion and Tenure and the results of the planned abolition of the Undergraduate College. Secretary's note: The President's faculty meeting was subsequently rescheduled for Wednesday 3 May 2006. The meeting on 19 April will, however, be held, and it will be devoted entirely to UniFC-originated business.

Un-addressed old business: At its January meeting, the Council tabled a discussion of changing the statutory quorum level for University Faculty Meetings from the current 25% down to 20%. This issue was not addressed at the 10 March meeting.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:35 pm.