Consultation Completed

The Ad Hoc UNI Policy Committee was established to review UNI policy alignment with revisions to the Iowa Board of Regents Policies 3.10 and 3.20 that were passed by the board on August 12, 2025. The committee requests a consultation with the Faculty Senate to present and receive feedback regarding their proposed revisions to UNI Policy 6.10: Academic Freedom, Shared Governance, and Academic Responsibility. The revised Board of Regents policies and the proposed revisions to UNI Policy 6.10 are included in this petition's Fact Files.

Brenda White, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, will inform the Senate of the Green Dot Program, its mission and activities.

The move of the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development M.A. (PNP) program into the Department of Political Science was initiated as a result of conversations related to moving the Criminology program into the department. Those discussions have identified a mission focused on public affairs and public service. There are many possibilities for program synergy and resource efficiency in bringing together within a single administrative unit these programs whose areas of study prepare students for fulfilling careers in public affairs and public and nonprofit service.

The faculty handbook committee will update the Senate on proposed changes to the faculty handbook.

UNIFI Chairs Jeremy Schraffenberger and Donald Gaff will update the Senate on UNIFI for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Cara Burnidge and Kristen Moser will provide an update on the work of the Campus Climate Study committee.

During fiscal year 2023, $906,593 was moved from the General Education Fund to Athletics (see UNI's Comprehensive Fiscal Report, page 18). Given faculty concerns and questions about this shift in funds, President Nook will update the Senate on why these funds were moved, why faculty was not consulted, and what the status is for the auxiliary audit of Athletics.

The Faculty Handbook Committee (FHC) voted unanimously to approve temporary deviations to the 2023 Faculty Handbook.  Additionally, the FHC voted unanimously to make this language permanent beginning July 1, 2024.  

The changes impact Section 2.2 Temporary (Adjunct) Appointments, Section 2.4 Term (1-4) and Renewable Term Appointments, and Chapter 10 Insurance.

Changes to Section 2.2 and 2.4 concern job titles.  United Faculty administered a survey on academic titles and received over 300 responses.  Those results are attached.

Allyson Rafanello, Dean of Students, and Tiffany Dodd, Assistant Dean of Students-Student Accessibility Services, will provide an update on Student Accessibility Services and address faculty questions previously submitted by the Senate.

Please note:  This consultation was rescheduled from the November 27, 2023 meeting.

Cara Burnidge and Kristen Moser will update the Faculty Senate on the Campus Climate Study.