Approval of Previous Minutes —

The minutes from September 8 were sent before the meeting. Jesse motioned to approve. Haiying seconded. Hearing no changes, the minutes were approved. 

Faculty Senate Report

Brendan reported on his meeting with Provost Mafi. In the meeting, Mafi discussed KBOR workload policy and the tool for reporting-Faculty Insight. We talked about personnel changes. In general, Provost Mafi’s has a top priority of faculty. He wants to make sure that faculty are adequately compensated. Mafi is supportive of Faculty Senate and was involved with the unionization of faculty in New Mexico. We discussed how faculty are being asked to do so many administrative tasks. He is aware of this and does not want to add to that burden.

In response to a question, Brendan said he did not talk about the budget. There was a question if he discussed in more detail bringing faculty to market pay. Brendan said that the savings from Jayhawk Global reorganization will be used for this, though Brendan did not know the exact dollar amount. 

The provost operates as if faculty, staff, and the previous provost’s responsibilities are still his. The provost is supportive of faculty senate. The provost is open to presenting to Faculty Senate. He prefers specific reasons to visit, as opposed to a general provost overview presentation. 

New Business —

USRR 2.2.5 Excused Absence Policy. A red-lined version of the proposed changes was shared. FacEx does not need to approve this, but rather it will be sent directly to Faculty Senate to approve. There was a discussion on the “make up assignment”. This will be a vote at Faculty Senate.

Brendan reintroduced the discussion started by Jesse Wiley prior to the start of the meeting about IT policy. Brendan encouraged FacEx members to utilize their positions to look at issues and he, as president, will back them up. Brendan discussed OneKU. Erik posted a link to the Chancellor’s cabinet. Brendan suggested we make a list of people we would want to talk with and invite them to FacEx. 

Jesse Wiley explained the challenges he is facing with his lab with the use of data. No other schools are encountering this issue that KU is facing. This is a huge problem with research at KU and prohibitive to researchers. 

Brendan put into the chat the steps that FacEx can exert its policy. Is it a policy? If so, FacEx can address this. If it is not a policy issue, is talking to the right person going to fix it? If this doesn’t work, pen a letter to the faculty. If this does not get traction, you can go to the public. You could go to UDK and let them know that faculty are not able to do research. 

There was more discussion on the issue of data. Brendan suggested inviting VCR Shelly Hooks to speak with FacEx and Faculty Senate to address the IT contracts.

Closed session to appoint faculty to Faculty Rights Board. Jesse Wiley motioned to move to closed session. Erik Lundquist seconded the motion. Moved to closed session.