2014-06-11

The location for the June retreat is the Thoroughbred Club, at 3555 Rice Road.

Break (10:45 - 11:00)

Lunch (12 - 1:00 pm)

1. Informal Breakfast (8 - 9 am)
2. Welcome and Retreat Overview (9 - 9:15 am)
3. Relations between Senate Council and Fellow Faculty (9:15 - 10:45 am) (PDF) Some discussion points:
   • How can we make the relations less antagonistic and more collaborative?
   • Can there be more transparency in the review process?
   • What tone should we try to set at SC meetings when guests are present?
   • How can we feel 'safe' about speaking freely about a proposal with invited guests present?
   • Should we vote at the end of meeting? Should we adopt electronic voting?
   • Can we do a better job anticipating potential problems during a meeting by contacting a proposer in advance? Or a senate committee chair in advance?

4. Getting the Best Senators (11 - noon) Some discussion points:
   • University service compensation.
   • University service 'requirement', e.g. in tenure & promotion guidelines.
   • Compensation and reward for Senate committee chairs.

5. Senate Committee Structure. (1 - 1:45 pm) (PDF) Some discussion points:
   • Do we need all these committees?
   • How do committees fit with parallel university initiatives?
   • Are there essential committees that currently don't do anything?
   • Should all committees report to SC/Senate at least once a year?
   • How do we identify excellent chairs?
   • How do we get the right senators/faculty on the right committee?

6. Provost Office News (1:45 - 2 pm)
   • Provost Report (PDF)

7. Strategic Plan (Emphasis on Academic Policy - Goal 1, Goal 2 & Goal 3): Wally Ferrier, Chair of Senate's Academic Planning and Priorities Committee (2 - 3:00 pm)
   • Email from Senate's Rules and Elections Chair Outlining the Role of the University Senate in Broad Institutional Academic Policy (PDF)
   • Snippet from Senate Rules 1.2.2 ("Functions of the University Senate") (PDF)