forum_200705
PROVOST'S FORUM
16 May 2007
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This forum began at 2 PM in the Ferguson Theater. Ultimately there were perhaps 100-125 people in attendance by about 2:30 PM.
The Provost began by noting the dual nature of this forum where the first half would be a discussion of a review of the tenure process and the second half of the forum would be a faculty-led "presentation" of the recent efforts of the Rank/Promotion Task Force.
Provost Kapelke noted that the review of the tenure process during the 2007-2008 academic year is a scheduled review that is outlined in the tenure document. He wants to talk to as many full time faculty as possible to get their opinions for this review. How do we want to move forward was noted; the current tenure document is ambigious and is too labor intensive for too many people. Simplifying the process while increasing the institution's commitment to academic rigor were noted as goals of the review. The Provost noted that he has recommended to the President and the Chair of the Board of Trustees that there be a sub-committee of the Academic Affairs of the Board of Trustees formed to assist with this review; the Provost then hopes that the revised document will go to the Board of Trustees for their May 2008 meeting.
The composition of the committee will be representative of the college. Twenty or so names have been submitted as possible members of this body [CCFO has recommended six faculty for this task force. They are Michael Welsh, Glennon Graham, Margot Wallace, Hope Daniels, Jeff Ginsberg and Patty McNair]. Overall, this tenure review process "body" will probably have on it four department chairs, six faculty, one dean and the Provost.
The provost would like this review process to put us in line with best practices on tenure, lower the number of faculty involved in the process, perhaps have a 3rd year review of all tenure track faculty and re-evaluate post-tenure review.
COMMENT/QUESTION/ ANSWER SESSION
(I HAVE DONE MY BEST HERE TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE C/Q/A SESSION).
Comment
Noted by Joan Erdman
I would like to note that I am in favor of reviewing the tenure process. However, having only faculty member involved in the tenure process of another would not be good. Post-tenure review came about over a Board of Trustees concern when tenure came into "play". I want to warn faculty against triggered review - I suggest that we work hard to not have triggered review possible. In the current post-tenure review, it is the responsibility of the institution to prove you are not fulfilling your tenure obligations.
Question
Asked by Keith Kostecka; later also asked by Patrick Lichty
If the proposed review occurs and is approved of by the Board of Trustees, when would it take effect?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Immediately, upon the approval of the Board of Trustees. This new tenure document would apply to those who were hired at/or after that time [May 2008?].
Asked by Dawn Larsen
What would be the role of the ACTC in this process?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
I do not know. They play a pivotal role in the tenure process. The institutional role of the ACTC would not significantly change.
Question
Asked by Sarah Odishoo
Will you still have oversight role over all academic matters?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes. I will not address the recently announced restructuring here. I may not be the best person to address this.
Question
Asked by Amy Mooney
Can you say more about this "third year review"? What about external review?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
I question the overall size of tenure-track committees. I would prefer a more comprehensive, sharper review of tenure-track candidates in their third year. The upcoming tenure review task force will have a variety of issues to work through. External review has been a topic brought up by the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee - it is possible that at the time of application for tenure that such external review could occur.
Question
Asked by Peter Hartel
What about the composition of this tenure review task force and in addition will the proceedings of this body be open or closed?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
The meetings will be closed. Periodic updates to the college community will occur.
Follow-up question asked by Gary Johnson
What will be opportunities for faculty input?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Comprehensive updates will occur maybe every six weeks or so. Tenure is a personnel issue. I do not want to insult the College Council. I think that such updates of this task force should not be done at meetings of the College Council
Question
Asked by Kevin Fuller
When could triggered review occur?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
This is possible at almost any time.
Comment
Offered by Joan Erdman
NCA was particularly impressed by our tenure document when they were here last. Specifically, they were impressed by the ability of the tenure applicant to read and respond to the recommendation of the committee before the recommendation went forward. I sincerely hope that we can continue this.
Comment
Offered by Hope Daniels
I think that there should be workshops for tenure track faculty offered through the CTE.
CCFO has already spoken to the CTE Director about this exact point. For new faculty in the 2007-2008 year, such a workshop will occur in November.
Response (Provost Kapelke)
We want to be as faculty-centered as possible.
Question
Asked by Kate Hamerton
Can family issues that postpone the tenure process be formalized?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
We already do this as circumstances arise.
Question
Asked by Pan Papacosta
Will there be changes in departmental tenure criteria and/or standards?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
The language of the standards cannot be easily improved on.
Question
Asked by Joan Erdman
Will there be tenure-track faculty on the tenure review task force?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes. People who have gone through the process have an insight that I do not.
Follow-up questions asked by Rose Economou and Joan Erdman
What about a democratically selected body? What about increased representation on the task force (by maybe two people)?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
I am willing to think about these points but we need more trust.
Question
Asked by Peter Hartel
Will the work of this tenure review task force go to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Nothing will go forward until this committee approves the work of the tenure review task force. We will actively solicit response from the college's faculty - not everyone will though get on this tenure review task force. The work of this task force will be interesting and also time consuming.
Questions
Asked by Randy Albers
What about stopping the tenure "clock" when people travel abroad? What about bringing people in with tenure?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
On the first question, that seems reasonable. As to the second question, it does happen and needs to continue to occur. We need to be able to do this - it makes our faculty candidate pools stronger and thus helps with faculty recruiting.
At this point, the first half of the forum had been completed. The second half of the forum dealt with rank/promotion and it was faculty led.
Keith Kostecka, CCFO President, spoke briefly about previous discussion of rank/promotion at our college and noted the handout that was distributed (copy included) and acknowledged the hard work done by the members of the task force. Keith also noted that he is in favor of rank/promotion here at the college.
Annette Barbier then spoke about how rank/promotion could make us look to the rest of the academic world, how we are viewed now by the academic world and how we are rewarded.
Pan Papacosta began his remarks by noting all the members of task force on rank/promotion. Pan then asked is rank good for us and if we need it. He noted that at the beginning of the task force's discussions we had people in favor of rank, against rank and neutral about rank. The task force now feels almost unanimously in favor of rank! Pan then described why rank would be helpful by noting the points on the handout that was distributed. He also noted that rank/promotion and the tenure track would be "entities" on parallel tracks at the beginning but could intersect at some point in the future. Faculty would be hired at the rank of Assistant Professor rank and then would become an Associate Professor with granting of tenure. There might even be the possibility of merit raises within the individual ranks of Assistant, Associate and Professor.
Dawn Larsen, CCFO Vice-President, then spoke about how the task force had looked at ranked and unranked institutions and even had the Associate Provost of the New School give us a presentation on the recent efforts dealing with rank/promotion in her institution. Dawn continued by noting that the task force was asked to make a recommendation to the Provost on what was best for all. There will be a transition period maybe going over the next five or so years if rank/promotion is approved on how it will be done here at Columbia College Chicago [the more distant future of 5-10 years from now looks a bit clearer on rank/promotion]. Dawn further noted that the task force considered the challenges/problems with rank and concluded that the positives would outweigh the negatives. The task force will now begin working on the process for rank application, how ranks will be determined and by who and what will the criteria be for each of the ranks of Assistant, Associate and Professor.
COMMENT/QUESTION/ ANSWER SESSION
(I HAVE DONE MY BEST HERE TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE C/Q/A SESSION).
Question
Asked by Peter Hartel
Will there be a CCFO referendum on rank/promotion?
Answer (Dawn Larsen)
This has not yet been discussed.
Comment
Offered by Sarah Odishoo
In about 1990 there was a huge division amongst the faculty over the issue of rank. People had a fear that rank that faculty would be so competitive that if you did not meet certain criteria you would not get rank and raises in salary.
Comment
Pan Papacosta
What is the process by which ranks will be decided (also asked by LAS Dean Pacyga)? What are the criteria for each rank? How do we get there?
Pan noted that he did not have the answers to these questions.
Dawn Larsen here noted that we must take into account our diverse nature in our city. She also stated that we do not yet know the criteria for rank/promotion and that the task force was not originally charged with developing such criteria.
Annette Barbier noted that there are no suggestions [from the administration] of a finite number of full professors at our college. You would not be competing against other faculty for this rank; you would be competing against yourself. You could then be recognized and acknowledged for your effort in professional development.
Question
Asked by Bonnie Brooks
What about having a step system for raises within each of the ranks?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes, this is possible. It has been done in other institutions. Town hall meetings will occur but maybe not before the recommendation goes forward. We are not looking at having a referendum on this issue. I have implemented a rank/promotion system before; everyone needs to look at how students will be affected and how the institution will fare.
Question
Asked by Joan Erdman
What about the relationship between rank and levels of salary?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
No one will be paid less in a system with rank/promotion at our college. We would create minimums in each rank and have salary bands/ranges in each rank. If people wanted to be an associate professor, they can certainly stay at that rank and still receive base salary increases and step increases. Rank/promotion provides a system of incentives and may allow the college to get rid of post-tenure review entirely.
Comment
Offered by Shelia Baldwin
I would like to thank the task force for their work and note that when rank was previously discussed it was a very divisive topic that bred hostility.
Response (Provost Kapelke)
There is no guarantee that the Board of Trustees will approve a rank/promotion system here at our college. The current administration views this topic very seriously and the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees likes the idea of incentives. It is our responsibility to improve the institution. I am somewhat optimistic about how the Board of Trustees will view Rank/Promotion.
Comment
Offered by Keith Kostecka
CCFO submitted a merit raise proposal to the administration in June 2005. This proposal might be something to begin with in developing the "steps" in each rank. I would like to thank Louise Love who has been the Chair of this rank/promotion task force. The task force will next meet on May 23rd and then again on August 22nd. In addition, we are compensated at present on par with other non-ranked institutions. If we adopt rank/promotion at our college, we must be aware that we are underpaid.
Question
Asked by Dave Berner
I am very much in favor of rank/promotion. What happens next?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
The task force will remain intact to look at issues of criteria and implementation and offer suggestions on the specifics of each area. Performance criteria are not necessarily linked to academic credentials.
Comment
Offered by Rose Economou
It is important for us to have rank!
Comment
Offered by Erin McCarthy
There is a difficulty with grant applications if you do not have rank.
Question
Asked by Randy Albers
Would everyone still receive a base salary raise every year?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes, all would. Moving from step to step in a given rank [and receiving salary increases] would not influence base salary raises. Money that has been set aside to deal with salary compression could help in adopting a rank/promotion system.
Notes submitted by
Keith Kostecka
CCFO President
back to forum index
16 May 2007
back to forum index
This forum began at 2 PM in the Ferguson Theater. Ultimately there were perhaps 100-125 people in attendance by about 2:30 PM.
The Provost began by noting the dual nature of this forum where the first half would be a discussion of a review of the tenure process and the second half of the forum would be a faculty-led "presentation" of the recent efforts of the Rank/Promotion Task Force.
Provost Kapelke noted that the review of the tenure process during the 2007-2008 academic year is a scheduled review that is outlined in the tenure document. He wants to talk to as many full time faculty as possible to get their opinions for this review. How do we want to move forward was noted; the current tenure document is ambigious and is too labor intensive for too many people. Simplifying the process while increasing the institution's commitment to academic rigor were noted as goals of the review. The Provost noted that he has recommended to the President and the Chair of the Board of Trustees that there be a sub-committee of the Academic Affairs of the Board of Trustees formed to assist with this review; the Provost then hopes that the revised document will go to the Board of Trustees for their May 2008 meeting.
The composition of the committee will be representative of the college. Twenty or so names have been submitted as possible members of this body [CCFO has recommended six faculty for this task force. They are Michael Welsh, Glennon Graham, Margot Wallace, Hope Daniels, Jeff Ginsberg and Patty McNair]. Overall, this tenure review process "body" will probably have on it four department chairs, six faculty, one dean and the Provost.
The provost would like this review process to put us in line with best practices on tenure, lower the number of faculty involved in the process, perhaps have a 3rd year review of all tenure track faculty and re-evaluate post-tenure review.
COMMENT/QUESTION/ ANSWER SESSION
(I HAVE DONE MY BEST HERE TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE C/Q/A SESSION).
Comment
Noted by Joan Erdman
I would like to note that I am in favor of reviewing the tenure process. However, having only faculty member involved in the tenure process of another would not be good. Post-tenure review came about over a Board of Trustees concern when tenure came into "play". I want to warn faculty against triggered review - I suggest that we work hard to not have triggered review possible. In the current post-tenure review, it is the responsibility of the institution to prove you are not fulfilling your tenure obligations.
Question
Asked by Keith Kostecka; later also asked by Patrick Lichty
If the proposed review occurs and is approved of by the Board of Trustees, when would it take effect?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Immediately, upon the approval of the Board of Trustees. This new tenure document would apply to those who were hired at/or after that time [May 2008?].
Asked by Dawn Larsen
What would be the role of the ACTC in this process?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
I do not know. They play a pivotal role in the tenure process. The institutional role of the ACTC would not significantly change.
Question
Asked by Sarah Odishoo
Will you still have oversight role over all academic matters?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes. I will not address the recently announced restructuring here. I may not be the best person to address this.
Question
Asked by Amy Mooney
Can you say more about this "third year review"? What about external review?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
I question the overall size of tenure-track committees. I would prefer a more comprehensive, sharper review of tenure-track candidates in their third year. The upcoming tenure review task force will have a variety of issues to work through. External review has been a topic brought up by the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee - it is possible that at the time of application for tenure that such external review could occur.
Question
Asked by Peter Hartel
What about the composition of this tenure review task force and in addition will the proceedings of this body be open or closed?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
The meetings will be closed. Periodic updates to the college community will occur.
Follow-up question asked by Gary Johnson
What will be opportunities for faculty input?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Comprehensive updates will occur maybe every six weeks or so. Tenure is a personnel issue. I do not want to insult the College Council. I think that such updates of this task force should not be done at meetings of the College Council
Question
Asked by Kevin Fuller
When could triggered review occur?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
This is possible at almost any time.
Comment
Offered by Joan Erdman
NCA was particularly impressed by our tenure document when they were here last. Specifically, they were impressed by the ability of the tenure applicant to read and respond to the recommendation of the committee before the recommendation went forward. I sincerely hope that we can continue this.
Comment
Offered by Hope Daniels
I think that there should be workshops for tenure track faculty offered through the CTE.
CCFO has already spoken to the CTE Director about this exact point. For new faculty in the 2007-2008 year, such a workshop will occur in November.
Response (Provost Kapelke)
We want to be as faculty-centered as possible.
Question
Asked by Kate Hamerton
Can family issues that postpone the tenure process be formalized?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
We already do this as circumstances arise.
Question
Asked by Pan Papacosta
Will there be changes in departmental tenure criteria and/or standards?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
The language of the standards cannot be easily improved on.
Question
Asked by Joan Erdman
Will there be tenure-track faculty on the tenure review task force?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes. People who have gone through the process have an insight that I do not.
Follow-up questions asked by Rose Economou and Joan Erdman
What about a democratically selected body? What about increased representation on the task force (by maybe two people)?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
I am willing to think about these points but we need more trust.
Question
Asked by Peter Hartel
Will the work of this tenure review task force go to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Nothing will go forward until this committee approves the work of the tenure review task force. We will actively solicit response from the college's faculty - not everyone will though get on this tenure review task force. The work of this task force will be interesting and also time consuming.
Questions
Asked by Randy Albers
What about stopping the tenure "clock" when people travel abroad? What about bringing people in with tenure?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
On the first question, that seems reasonable. As to the second question, it does happen and needs to continue to occur. We need to be able to do this - it makes our faculty candidate pools stronger and thus helps with faculty recruiting.
At this point, the first half of the forum had been completed. The second half of the forum dealt with rank/promotion and it was faculty led.
Keith Kostecka, CCFO President, spoke briefly about previous discussion of rank/promotion at our college and noted the handout that was distributed (copy included) and acknowledged the hard work done by the members of the task force. Keith also noted that he is in favor of rank/promotion here at the college.
Annette Barbier then spoke about how rank/promotion could make us look to the rest of the academic world, how we are viewed now by the academic world and how we are rewarded.
Pan Papacosta began his remarks by noting all the members of task force on rank/promotion. Pan then asked is rank good for us and if we need it. He noted that at the beginning of the task force's discussions we had people in favor of rank, against rank and neutral about rank. The task force now feels almost unanimously in favor of rank! Pan then described why rank would be helpful by noting the points on the handout that was distributed. He also noted that rank/promotion and the tenure track would be "entities" on parallel tracks at the beginning but could intersect at some point in the future. Faculty would be hired at the rank of Assistant Professor rank and then would become an Associate Professor with granting of tenure. There might even be the possibility of merit raises within the individual ranks of Assistant, Associate and Professor.
Dawn Larsen, CCFO Vice-President, then spoke about how the task force had looked at ranked and unranked institutions and even had the Associate Provost of the New School give us a presentation on the recent efforts dealing with rank/promotion in her institution. Dawn continued by noting that the task force was asked to make a recommendation to the Provost on what was best for all. There will be a transition period maybe going over the next five or so years if rank/promotion is approved on how it will be done here at Columbia College Chicago [the more distant future of 5-10 years from now looks a bit clearer on rank/promotion]. Dawn further noted that the task force considered the challenges/problems with rank and concluded that the positives would outweigh the negatives. The task force will now begin working on the process for rank application, how ranks will be determined and by who and what will the criteria be for each of the ranks of Assistant, Associate and Professor.
COMMENT/QUESTION/ ANSWER SESSION
(I HAVE DONE MY BEST HERE TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE C/Q/A SESSION).
Question
Asked by Peter Hartel
Will there be a CCFO referendum on rank/promotion?
Answer (Dawn Larsen)
This has not yet been discussed.
Comment
Offered by Sarah Odishoo
In about 1990 there was a huge division amongst the faculty over the issue of rank. People had a fear that rank that faculty would be so competitive that if you did not meet certain criteria you would not get rank and raises in salary.
Comment
Pan Papacosta
What is the process by which ranks will be decided (also asked by LAS Dean Pacyga)? What are the criteria for each rank? How do we get there?
Pan noted that he did not have the answers to these questions.
Dawn Larsen here noted that we must take into account our diverse nature in our city. She also stated that we do not yet know the criteria for rank/promotion and that the task force was not originally charged with developing such criteria.
Annette Barbier noted that there are no suggestions [from the administration] of a finite number of full professors at our college. You would not be competing against other faculty for this rank; you would be competing against yourself. You could then be recognized and acknowledged for your effort in professional development.
Question
Asked by Bonnie Brooks
What about having a step system for raises within each of the ranks?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes, this is possible. It has been done in other institutions. Town hall meetings will occur but maybe not before the recommendation goes forward. We are not looking at having a referendum on this issue. I have implemented a rank/promotion system before; everyone needs to look at how students will be affected and how the institution will fare.
Question
Asked by Joan Erdman
What about the relationship between rank and levels of salary?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
No one will be paid less in a system with rank/promotion at our college. We would create minimums in each rank and have salary bands/ranges in each rank. If people wanted to be an associate professor, they can certainly stay at that rank and still receive base salary increases and step increases. Rank/promotion provides a system of incentives and may allow the college to get rid of post-tenure review entirely.
Comment
Offered by Shelia Baldwin
I would like to thank the task force for their work and note that when rank was previously discussed it was a very divisive topic that bred hostility.
Response (Provost Kapelke)
There is no guarantee that the Board of Trustees will approve a rank/promotion system here at our college. The current administration views this topic very seriously and the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees likes the idea of incentives. It is our responsibility to improve the institution. I am somewhat optimistic about how the Board of Trustees will view Rank/Promotion.
Comment
Offered by Keith Kostecka
CCFO submitted a merit raise proposal to the administration in June 2005. This proposal might be something to begin with in developing the "steps" in each rank. I would like to thank Louise Love who has been the Chair of this rank/promotion task force. The task force will next meet on May 23rd and then again on August 22nd. In addition, we are compensated at present on par with other non-ranked institutions. If we adopt rank/promotion at our college, we must be aware that we are underpaid.
Question
Asked by Dave Berner
I am very much in favor of rank/promotion. What happens next?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
The task force will remain intact to look at issues of criteria and implementation and offer suggestions on the specifics of each area. Performance criteria are not necessarily linked to academic credentials.
Comment
Offered by Rose Economou
It is important for us to have rank!
Comment
Offered by Erin McCarthy
There is a difficulty with grant applications if you do not have rank.
Question
Asked by Randy Albers
Would everyone still receive a base salary raise every year?
Answer (Provost Kapelke)
Yes, all would. Moving from step to step in a given rank [and receiving salary increases] would not influence base salary raises. Money that has been set aside to deal with salary compression could help in adopting a rank/promotion system.
Notes submitted by
Keith Kostecka
CCFO President
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