FAC Recommendations 2005-2006

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To: faculty of FHSS

From: FAC representatives

To all of our FAC colleagues,

We want to report the results of our meeting with the administration. As you know, we sent seven recommendations to the administration this year. We appreciate all the work and effort you contributed to formulating these recommendations. The final recommendations are attached to this email. Following is a summary of our meeting that you may use to inform your college faculty of the work done by the FAC this year. Also, the recommendations will be published on the FAC web site soon.

Warmest Regards,

Bill Barrett, Scott Ferrin, Craig Merrill

FAC 2005-2006 Recommendations:

The FAC Executive Committee members had the opportunity to present recommendations for this year to Pres. Samuelson and the Vice- Presidents. The response was, overall, quite positive and they appreciated the thought and effort that went into this year's recommendations. They expressed a strong interest to continue the dialogue and work together.

1. Peer Evaluations of Teaching
They heartily agreed with these recommendations and have agreed to work more closely with Deans, Chairs, and rank and status committees to be sure that quality peer reviews are being done as mandated by policy. If necessary a file may be sent back for adequate peer review of teaching.

2. On-line Course Syllabi
They were supportive of this and will take up the matter with the Deans Council. Meanwhile, the Office of OIT and the Office of the Associate Academic Vice President for Faculty will look into possible avenues of technical implementation.

3. Investment Alternatives within DMBA Offered Alternatives
There was a good discussion on the issue of how investment alternatives offered by DMBA might correspond to what are generally referred to as Socially Responsible Investments in other plans. Such investment strategies are of interest to some faculty. The administration supported pursuing discussions with DMBA. We will be meeting with DMBA and the administration to explore alternatives going forward.

4. Implementation of Extensity
Faculty frustration with Extensity, including expenses of faculty time, was well understood. Recommendations regarding future implementations of similar systems and the groundwork necessary to implement them were likewise understood. The recommendations include looking at the real cost to faculty and to departments and colleges, (and the use of data on projected costs in making implementation decisions), the possibility of designating certain staff to work with Extensity, and better and earlier consultation with faculty. The administration will work more closely with the FAC on such issues as they arise.

5. Phased or Flexible Retirement Plan
The administration will look at this issue in detail and try to develop a clear picture of the real costs and alternatives, as well as the potential benefits. A successful plan would need to be cost- neutral (or nearly so). This might be possible if carefully conceived and implemented correctly. This will require some study. I would say that we have had the first round conversation on this and that the administration is willing to study the issue with us. But, at this point no details as to what would be offered are available because we don't know those yet.

6. FAC Website Use
This recommendation was well received in the hope of facilitating an ongoing dialogue with the Administration regarding key issues currently under study with the FAC. Part of the discussion dealt with the need for FAC members to report back to their colleges about what has been accomplished, pointing to the work of recent years. Issues currently under discussion in the FAC and with the administration can be posted on the FAC web site with good effect. All agreed that it should be included in Route Y.

7. Salary Equity
There was much good discussion about where the university should be positioned in terms of faculty salaries in comparison with the norm group included in the yearly Oklahoma State survey. The administration indicated that they will continue to review current pay levels relative to the comparison schools. How our salaries compare with these reference schools will always be considered in terms of our mission and the Board’s sense of what and where we should be. It was also agreed to revisit the "bump" in pay for advancement in rank since it had been some time since that has happened.