Minutes
University Assembly
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
401 Physical Sciences Bldg

I. Call to Order

J. Blair called the meeting to order at 4:31.

Attendance:
Present: S. Balik, J. Blair, R. Booker, D. Bunck, N. La Celle, E. Loew, M. Lukasiewicz, A. Moore, G. Ruizcalderon, B. Schaffner, U. Smith, R. Wayne

Absent: R. Adessa, J. Burns, M. Dumas, G. Mezey

Others Present: M. B. Grant, A. O’Donnell, M. Powers, C. McGrath

J. Blair welcomed the assembly to a new year and asked for late additions to the agenda. There were none.

II. Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the April 30, 2013 and May 14, 2013 meetings of the assembly were approved by unanimous consent.

III. Reports from Assemblies

Student Assembly

U. Smith stated the Student Assembly has just begun to get under way and are working on several items including staffing.

Graduate and Professional Student Assembly

A. Moore reported the GPSA held its first meeting of the academic year the previous night. He added they are currently working on staffing.

Employee Assembly

B. Schaffner reported the EA is looking for two new members. The EA is also working on filling vacancies on committees.

Faculty Senate

J. Burns was not present so there was no report. On behalf of J. Burns, J. Blair reported that the FS is finalizing their recommendations on the Ho Plaza incident.

IV. Report on UA Actions Taken over Summer

UA Resolution 16

Over the summer, the assembly made one action, the passage of Resolution 16. The CJC passed this resolution in April of 2013 and it was believed to have been passed by the assembly. However, no conclusive record of this action could be found, so it was approved formally by the UA Executive Committee over the summer. The resolution approved new University Hearing and Review Board members. President Skorton will review the resolution, though the assembly does not anticipate any issues. M. B. Grant asked who must approve these appointments. J. Blair said that he would check.

V. Standing Committee Updates

Campus Infrastructure Committee

G. Ruizcalderon reported that, despite remaining vacancies, the committee has begun its work. Specifically, the committee is working with the GPSA on Resolution 4 and K. Zoner Resolutions 11 and 12. These three resolutions are, respectively, Need for Affordable, Quality Off-Campus Housing; Security Design Mandate for New Buildings on Campus; and Calling for Increase Surveillance and Improved Lockdown Procedure. The committee is awaiting replies. Overall, affordable housing is to be the committee’s main effort.

Campus Welfare Committee

A. Moore reported that there are vacancies on the committee. The committee is looking to make progress on diversity and women’s issues as well as incident management considerations. Overall, the committee is investigating whether required actions in these categories fall under the jurisdiction of the University Assembly.

Codes and Judicial Committee

G. Mezey was absent. J. Blair reported there are four vacancies on the committee. Currently, the committee is working to review President Skorton’s responses to actions from the previous academic year.

VI. New Business

UA Overview Presentation

J. Blair gave a presentation regarding the foundations and operations of the assembly. This presentation served to ensure all members of the UA, regardless of seniority, have a good understanding of the purpose and mechanisms of the assembly.

Adoption of UA Meeting Schedule and Planning Timelines

J. Blair proposed the meeting schedule of the assembly for the coming academic year. The dates were approved by the unanimous consent of the members present.

UA Coordination List Presentation

J. Blair presented a list of list serves of interest for the assembly and described briefly the purposes of some of them.

Review and Referral of Items from Last UA Session

J. Blair reviewed each resolution from the previous academic year, discussing briefly the contents of the resolution, the result of any vote, and the status of any required follow up effort. The recommendations were:

To the UA Chair

• Continue efforts to improve communications and engage Stakeholders per Resolution 2 (Enhanced Outreach and Engagement)

To the UA Vice Chair

• Update the UA Bylaws per Resolution 3 (add PAG Rep)
• Draft Resolution for Bylaws change required by Resolution 8 (Delete PSAG)

To the Campus Infrastructure Committee

• Review and Provide Recommendations regarding issues contained in Resolution 4 (Affordable Housing)
  • Introduce recommendations (if any) as a new UA Resolution for action
• Follow-up with appropriate University organizations regarding issues contained in Resolution 6 (Security Design) and Resolution 7 (Surveillance and Lockdown). Notify the UA of findings
  • Introduce recommendations (if any) as a new Resolution into the UA for action

To the Campus Welfare Committee

• Follow up on issues affecting Campus Climate brought out last year
  • Arrange for members of the University to update the Assembly on the initiatives taken, underway, and planned to improve campus climate
• Follow-up with groups that addressed the Assembly last year regarding Campus Climate to determine if they believe progress is occurring
  • Introduce recommendations (if any) as a new Resolution into the UA for action

To the Codes and Judicial Committee

• Review Pres. Skorton’s proposed alternate language in response to Resolution 5 (Disclose Misconduct).
  • If acceptable, introduce new Resolution into the UA for action.
  • If not, advise UA of concerns
• Review Pres. Skorton’s concern regarding the implementation language of Resolution 10 (Summary Appeal).
  • Introduce recommendations as a new Resolution into the UA for action
• Review the issues contained in Resolution 11 (Clarify Free Expression in the Campus Code).
  • Review should include recommendations contained in the Ho Plaza ad hoc committee’s final report as well as any subsequent recommendations from the Faculty Senate
  • Introduce recommendations as a new UA Resolution by November 18, 2013
• Review the Campus Code for any changes needed in response to the issuance of revised Policy 6.4
  • Introduce recommendations (if any) as a new Resolution into the UA for action

A motion to refer the issues as recommended was made. The motion was seconded. The motion passed 11–0−1.

Report of Standing Committee Vacancies

Campus Infrastructure Committee, Campus Welfare Committee, and Codes and Judicial committee vacancies include two faculty senate and two GPSA members on each of the three committees, two EA members on the CIC, and one EA member on the CWC. All of these assemblies report that they are working on filling the vacancies. E. Loew agreed to serve on the CIC and R. Booker agreed to serve on CWC. U. Smith will continue on the CWC.

J. Blair announced he needs to step down from his position as Policy Advisory Group Advisor and requires a replacement. He agreed to send out an email with more information about the position.

Discussion: Initial UA Focus for AY 2014

J. Blair asked assembly members to feel free to share issues that they may think ought to be addressed throughout the year.

VII. Late Additions to the Agenda

There were no late additions to the agenda.

VIII. Adjournment

J. Blair announced that the next meeting of the UA is to be held on October 8, 2013 and items for this meeting are due by September 28, 2013.

J. Blair adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Noah Wegener
Assemblies Clerk