From: Workman, Mark
Sent: Fri 5/30/2008 11:11 AM
To: Klostermeyer, William
Cc: Campbell, Joann; Jaffee, Marianne
Subject: FW: Draft Response to Faculty Association Question

Chip,

Attached are responses to Kathy Bloom’s question that Joann Campbell prepared on behalf of AA.

Mark

Question for Faculty Association Meeting – May

“According to the Procedures for Promulgating Policies and Regulations, ‘Any unit may develop a Policy.  If the proposed Policy affects multiple units, it must be presented to the appropriate Vice President.  When the Vice President has approved the proposed Policy, it will then be referred to the University’s Associates Group for review…The Associates Group votes to approve or disapprove a proposed Policy…If approved by the Associates Group, the proposed Policy…is routed via e-mail, to the Presidents of the Constituent Groups...requesting that they forward the proposed Policy…to its members for review and comment.’

As I read it, then, faculty are not involved in policy-making until very far into the process.  It seems to me that the appropriate standing committee(s) of the Faculty Association should be part of early discussions and development of any new policies or major changes of existing policies that affect faculty at this university.  Such involvement is important as part of shared governance.

Can you please describe how the relevant Faculty Association committees are involved in the early phases of developing new policies and in making major revisions to existing policies that affect faculty at UNF?  If, in fact, they are not involved, what is the rationale for their exclusion at the early phases of policy development?”

Response

There are two policies which govern the creation or revision of University Policies, copies of which are attached.  The policy involving the creation or revision of Academic Policies recognizes that such policies originate through the Faculty Association, an academic unit, or the Office of Academic Affairs.  If a policy originates in an academic unit or the Office of Academic Affairs, the policy is shared with the President of the Faculty Association who in turn shares the policy, as appropriate, with the Faculty Association leadership.  After receiving comment from both the Council of Deans and the leadership of the Faculty Association, if the policy is approved by the Office of Academic Affairs, it is forwarded to the President for review and approval. 

The second policy addresses the process for review and approval of nonacademic University policies.  That policy recognizes that all employees must have the opportunity to provide comments or concerns regarding
a policy prior to implementation.  Draft policies are provided simultaneously to each constituent group -- Faculty Association, A&P Association, and USPA Association – for review and comment.  Since nonacademic policies affect all employees equally, the decision was made to provide each constituent group simultaneous access to draft policies so as not to appear to favor one constituent group over another. 

Thank you for the opportunity to respond.  


Academic Policies
http://www.unf.edu/unfinfo/policies-regs/chapters/academic_affairs/2_0010P.html

Policy Creation
http://www.unf.edu/unfinfo/policies-regs/chapters/organization_general/1_0010P.html