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UVI Senate Meeting Minutes ACC 142A (STT) and EVC 807 (STX) Friday, November 16, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT David Hall Noreen Michael Nancy Morgan Haldane Davies Camille McKayle Tina Koopmans Maria Fleming Shirley Lake-King Dayle Barry Raquel Santiago-Silver Kevin Dixon Bernard Castillo Paul Jobsis Frank Mills Kimberlee Smith Patricia Harkins-Pierre MEMBERS ABSENT/EXCUSED Judith Edwin Dionne Jackson Leslyn Tonge Daniella Henry Cherise Burton OTHERS PRESENT Dannica Thomas CALL TO ORDER Senator Morgan called the meeting of the Senate to order at 1:13 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012. ROLL CALL A quorum was established. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Senator Lake-King made a motion to move the May 18th Senate meeting minutes. It was seconded by Senator Harkin-Pierre. The minutes carried with one abstention by Senator Jobsis. Senator Harkins- Pierre made a motion to move September 21st Senate meeting minutes. It was seconded by Senator Fleming. Motion carried with one abstention by Senator Santiago-Silver. Senator Harkins-Pierre made a motion to move October 12th Senate meeting minutes. It was seconded by Senator Santiago-Silver. The motion carried unanimously. Chair Morgan made an addition to minutes, which included thanking President Hall for lunch for the Special Senate Meeting held on October 12th. CHAIR REMARKS Chair Morgan introduced new Senator, Ms. Kimberlee Smith, President of Student Government Association. Ms. Kimberlee Smith and Mr. Kevin Dixon will be sworn in January 2013 as new Senators. REPORTS Revised Human Resources Policy Manual President Hall sent the revised HR Policy manual to the Faculty and Staff Council Chairs for further review and feedback. An extension to review the revised policy was requested by the constituency groups stated above, which was granted by the President. Both groups provided their comments by the deadline, which was November 1, 2012. Feedback was shared and reviewed between Human Resources and the President’s office. Changes were made according to the feedback provided by the different constituency groups. The document was not shared with students since it does not directly affect them. Yvonne Lawrence was invited into the meeting to provide further clarification per Senators request. Senators may request a copy of the revised document to include feedback received from the President. The same protocol stands for other approving constituencies, which include the Staff and Faculty Councils. Senators requested an extension to review the revised documents with the new changes. The revised HR Policy Manual was tabled. Senator Jobsis made a motion to electronically vote on the revised HR Policy Manual by November 26, 2012 by noon. Once the Senate approves the revised document, it will be presented to the Executive Committee of the Board on November 27th. Once approved by the Executive Committee of the Board, the document will be forwarded to the full Board. The Board holds the right to make additional changes deem necessary. There was a discussion. October Board of Trustees Meeting President Hall provided a meeting highlight for the October 27th Board of Trustees Meeting. The Board of Trustees approved the following at the October 27th Board of Trustees Meeting: • Tuition increase by 5 percent • Accounts Receivable Write-Off Policy • Memorandum of Understanding between UVI and Nevis Island Administration • President Emeritus status to Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster The Board received updated Key Performance Indicators. Outstanding performance awards were given to Mr. Gerry Buggy for his hard work with the new Residence Hall on St. Thomas, Mr. Charles Martin for his effort in maintaining the facilities, Ms. Linda Smith for the increase in alumni contributions. The Senators will be provided a copy of the BOT October 27thmeeting report. The solar energy project is underway and UVI is in negotiation with several companies. Once finalized, the report will be presented to the full Board at the March 2013 meeting. Academic Pursuits The P16 collaborative project has begun. UVI will work with the Department of Education to get some input. The P16 committee will focus on six, which are as followed: • Unpacking the common core between UVI and Department of Education • Database of P16 opportunities and dissemination of such activities • Explore programs and models for dual enrollment for high achieving, technical, hotel and tourism management, entrepreneurship and other students alike • The use of placement tests results to develop diagnostic tests for better informed decision making • Develop a better defined relationship between UVI and Department of Education to include professional development, research opportunities, expertise to look at UVI first for such services • Alignment of goals and academic expectations of incoming freshmen and graduating seniors. The College of Science and Math developed a partnership proposal with School of Education, College of Science and Math and Department of education to create model programs for 4th-6th grade to include teacher training, create model environment, professional development and others alike for others to emulate. The Building capacity project is underway to develop of models for secondary teachers, especially for Science and Math teachers. UVI faculty members are actively participating in the P16 project – all schools and colleges are represented. There was a discussion. The common core refers to the standards for language arts and mathematics that have been adopted by 47 states and the territory; however, there are no national standards. Middle States Dr. Davies stated that Periodic Review Report (PRR) was submitted on June 1, 2012 as stated in the previous Senate meeting. Responses were received from the reviewers from the Middle States Association and they were shared with the IEAAB. The Commission of Higher Education staff and reviewers met on October 18th. The commissioners will be meeting with reviewers in mid-November and will provide feedback to the IEAAB by the end of November. A special group will created by the Commission to review and advise on the PRR process. The Commission requested that reports are submitted according to the standards of the Department of Education. Consistency and normalcy of financial, academic and other information reported to outside entities is a big concern; so therefore, standardization of the tools to measure of consistency is a priority. A design template will help schools be consistent and transparent, effective 2016. Our next accreditation visit is scheduled for 2017. The proposed submittal date for the PRR here onward will be on November 1 instead of June 1, if approved. Dr. Davies will share information with the Senate accordingly in the near future. IEAAB Dr. Davies stated that the new strategic plan, Pathways to Greatness, was launched. There is an active hyperlink for the new strategic plan to share with everyone across the world. Moving forward with the IEAAB meetings, the recording of the goals for each fiscal year was required by the Board so relevant information is submitted to Administration and Finance to be included in the Budget Call package sent to all component heads, deans and constituency groups. The IEAAB will be provided guidelines to develop the FY 2013-2014 goals. The process for identifying new institutional and aspiring peers was also approved by the Board. A group of individuals with join forces to select appropriate peers. The details are in progress. The Delaware study was conducted and will be taken under advisement. Aspiration goals include UVI being the premier university of choice and being recognized nationally by renowned award entities, which include UVI being listed as a distinguished university to the community. Such recognition will help UVI attract additional funds. Sisters with Purpose Student leaders are in place. Meetings and social events has already taken place, thus far. The officers were very instrumental in the organization at the President’s Guest House for the social event. Approximately 25 females attended the session. The Sisters with Purpose constitution and activities for Spring 2013 are being finalized. New members are welcomed. The planning meeting is scheduled for the St. Croix chapter during week after Thanksgiving. Sister with Purpose continue to move forward in a positive direction. Man Up Conference The Male Empowerment Conference is an initiative of “Brothers With a Cause,” a UVI program that seeks to attract more male students to the University and provide the tools and support to help them graduate. World-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., will be the keynote speaker at the University of the Virgin Islands’ third-annual “Man-Up” Male Empowerment Conference. The conference is scheduled for Feb. 4, at UVI’s Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas, and Feb. 5, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. This year’s theme is: “Man-Up: Discovering Your Gifts and Talents.” This year’s conference will also feature performances by Virgin Islands and internationally known recording artists, Iyaz and Wally Kyat. For the first time, the “Man-Up” Conference will feature the finals of a live poetry contest. Other entertainment includes the UVI Dance Squads, and the Ivanna Eudora Kean, Charlotte Amalie, Central, and Educational Complex High Schools marching bands. The conference is sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services. Research Part of the new Strategic plan is to conduct research. Areas of focus for research efforts are the green initiative, student research to get numbers of research students with the help of faculty. Research is vital now and UVI will continue to conduct more research for many years to come. There is a possibility of merging research day and the Research Symposium. Dates are being finalized for both events. OLD BUSINESS Staff Evaluation Form The revised staff evaluation was electronically approved. The motion carried unanimously. The new form will move forward to other approving constituencies. NEXT MEETING The next Senate meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 18, 2013 at 1pm. ADJOURNMENT Senator Jobsis made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Senator Barry seconded the motion. Chair Morgan adjourned the meeting at approximately 3:25pm.