Overview of University Senate Actions, 2022-2023
Click on each topic below for more information on the change and links to additional content.
Download a PDF version of the overview here.
Change
In December, the Senate approved minor revisions to the University of Maryland Policy on Excused Absence intended to more clearly communicate to students that mental health was covered under the policy. References to “medically necessitated absences” were changed to “health-related absences, including mental and physical health.” The term “physician” was also replaced with “health care provider.”
Background
In August 2021, the Senate received a proposal to revise the Policy on Excused Absence to better address student mental health needs and change requirements surrounding physician-signed notes, which the proposal argues can present equity issues. The Senate’s Academic Procedures & Standards Committee was charged with considering the proposal.
More Detail
Senate Document #21-22-04 Minutes from the 12.7.22 Senate Meeting University of Maryland Policy on Excused Absence
Change
In March 2023, the Senate approved revisions to the interim University of Maryland Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs. The revisions preserved the substance of the interim policy, which must align with policy at the University System of Maryland (USM) level. In addition to technical and organizational changes, the revisions include:
- The creation of a new Program Naming Committee to consider proposals to name an academic or related program. The committee confidentially considers proposals directed to it by the Provost and makes recommendations.
- Provisions for dealing with situations where a donor does not follow through on their financial commitment, which include removing a name or identifying an alternate naming opportunity appropriate to the size of the gift received.
- A slight loosening of the eligibility criteria for naming a facility or program after an individual. Rather than meeting all of the criteria, individuals must now meet a majority of them.
- Allowing service to the state of Maryland (in addition to the university or the USM) to qualify an individual for a naming opportunity.
- Adding exceptions to a provision requiring individuals to be separated from any connection to the university or USM for a period of one year before being eligible for a naming opportunity.
- Allowing programs to be named for corporations or foundations, providing other eligibility criteria are met.
Background
In September, the Senate’s Educational Affairs Committee was charged with reviewing a revised University Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs. The university adopted this revised policy on an interim basis pending Senate review in response to a directive from the University System of Maryland. The policy covers procedures for naming new or existing facilities, major outdoor areas, or academic programs (which include colleges, departments, centers, and academic programs). It also establishes procedures for removing an existing name. The policy distinguishes between namings associated with a philanthropic gift and those that do not have a monetary component but are intended to honor a distinguished individual.
More Detail
Senate Document #22-23-03 Minutes from the 3.8.23 Senate MeetingUniversity of Maryland Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs
Change
In April 2023, the Senate approved revisions to the Policy on Workload and Responsibilities for Full-Time Tenured, Tenure-Track, Permanent Status, and Permanent Status Track Faculty (these are awaiting final approval by the President). The revisions largely preserve the interim policy and its substance, which emphasized flexibility for units in developing their own workload policies within the broader provisions established in university and USM policy. In addition to technical changes, the revisions include:
- Adding language ensuring that faculty with full or partial extension appointments are explicitly addressed in unit workload policies.
- Emphasizing flexibility by adding language recommending that units consider whether course equivalents can be accumulated over a three-year period.
- The Senate also recommended that the Office of Faculty Affairs revise and expand its guidance in light of the changes made in the interim policy.
Background
In June 2019, the USM revised its policy governing full-time faculty workload and responsibilities. In March 2022, the President approved on an interim basis a revised Policy on Full-Time Faculty Workload and Responsibilities, pending Senate review. In October 2022, the Senate’s Faculty Affairs Committee was charged with reviewing the interim policy and proposing revisions as necessary.
More Detail
Senate Document #22-23-12
Overview of Upcoming University Senate Work, 2022-2023
Click on each topic below for more information on the change and links to additional content.
Download a PDF version of the overview here.
Activity
In September, the Senate’s Educational Affairs Committee was charged with reviewing a revised University Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs.
Background
The university adopted this revised policy in response to a directive from the University System of Maryland. The policy covers procedures for naming new or existing facilities, major outdoor areas, or academic programs (which include colleges, departments, centers, and academic programs). It also establishes procedures for removing an existing name. The policy distinguishes between namings associated with a philanthropic gift and those that do not have a monetary component but are intended to honor a distinguished individual.
More Detail
Interim Policy & Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs
Activity
In October 2021, the Director of the Office of Student Conduct submitted a proposal calling for changes to the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Academic Integrity. The Senate’s Student Conduct Committee was charged with reviewing the proposal and recommending any necessary changes to the codes.
Background
The proposed updates to the codes include updating terminology and revising language to make provisions less legalistic, more accessible, and less ambiguous. They would also streamline hearing board procedures to facilitate more timely resolutions, and update the possible sanctions for violations of each code, including when the grade of “XF” is given.
More Detail
Senate Document #21-22-22 Proposal from the Director of the Office of Student Conduct Code of Student Conduct Code of Academic Integrity
Activity
In September 2021, the Senate received a proposal from the leaders of the Student Government Association, Graduate Student Government, and Residence Hall Association calling for specific changes to the process for setting student fees. The Senate referred the proposal to the university’s Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for consideration during the FY23 fee-setting process.
Background
The process for setting student fees has been a source of tension between student organizations and the administration. Since at least 2012, students have called for greater transparency throughout the process, and for more meaningful opportunities to participate in the process. While a “Policy on the Review and Approval of Student Fees” was agreed to by the President in 2008, it is not included in the formal list of university policies, and has not been consistently followed. In 2021, a new Maryland law went into effect that established new provisions for how presidents of USM institutions communicate information about student fees. The Senate Executive Committee referred the proposal to the university’s CFO, and requested that they report on how the changes in state law were implemented during the 2021-2022 fee-setting process.
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Senate Document #21-22-13
Activity
In September 2021, the Associate Dean for General Education submitted a proposal that would remove the requirement that every course include a final exam.
Background
Current university policy requires that undergraduate courses include a final exam (though exceptions can be made with approval by the unit head). The proposed change would remove this requirement, and introduce language intended to ensure that students are not given excessive amounts of work during the week before finals in courses that choose not to give an exam.
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Senate Document #21-22-11 Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses and Student Grievance Procedure
Activity
In August 2021, the Senate received a proposal to revise the Policy on Excused Absence to better address student mental health needs and change requirements surrounding physician-signed notes, which the proposal argues can present equity issues. The Senate’s Academic Procedures & Standards Committee was charged with considering the proposal.
Background
The current Policy on Excused Absence allows students to provide self-signed documentation for a single absence (once per course) that does not coincide with a major assignment or due date. All other “medically necessitated absences” require documentation from a physician or the University Health Center.
More Detail
Senate Document #21-22-04 Policy on Excused Absence
Activity
In October 2022, the President implemented a University of Maryland Policy on Consulting on an interim basis pending Senate review. The Senate Executive Committee charged the University Research Council with reviewing the interim policy and recommending revisions as appropriate.
Background
After reviewing federal regulations, state ethics laws, and other USM policies, the Division of Research and Office of General Counsel identified a pressing need for a policy addressing consulting by university employees. A stakeholder group then drafted the interim policy, which: establishes a general definition of “consulting,” clarifies exclusions to this definition, defines limits on consulting, establishes a balance between those activities and a University employee’s regular institutional responsibilities, and details new administrative requirements and paperwork required from those who engage in consulting.
More Detail
Senate Document #22-23-13 Proposal from the Director of Research Transparency & Outreach Interim University of Maryland Policy on Consulting
Overview of University Senate Actions, 2021-2022
Click on each topic below for more information on the change and links to additional content.
Download a PDF version of the overview here.
Change
In April, the Senate approved a revised version of an interim Policy on Criminal Background Checks. The policy requires background checks for most new faculty and staff hires who have been extended an offer of employment (conditioned on passing the background check). Current UMD employees who are changing positions, or who have been employed at UMD within the past 18 months, will not undergo a check, nor will hourly student workers or graduate assistants. Checks are conducted by a third-party vendor, and results are reviewed by University Human Resources, who communicates to the hiring official whether or not the hire can proceed. Finalists have the opportunity to dispute the accuracy or completeness of the background check and provide additional information for the university to consider. Decisions on whether or not a particular conviction would prevent employment must take into account the specific duties and responsibilities of the position in question.
Background
In September 2021, the president implemented the Policy on Criminal Background Checks on an interim basis pending Senate review. The Senate’s Faculty and Staff Affairs Committees were charged with reviewing the policy and recommending revisions or other administrative actions.
More Detail
Senate Document #21-22-21 Minutes from the 4.26.22 Senate Meeting
Change
In September 2021, the Senate approved a change in the minimum grade equivalent associated with a “Pass” notation from a D- to a C-.
Background
Students have the option of selecting the pass/fail grading option in certain elective courses within their program. The selection must be made by the end of the schedule adjustment period. Students using this option complete all assignments and their work in the course is assigned a letter grade using normal grading procedures. Any grade of C- or better (previously D- or better) is converted into a “P” (pass); grades of D+, D, D-, and F remain as given.
More Detail
Senate Document #20-31-28 Minutes from the 9.8.21 Senate Meeting
Change
In April, the Senate approved the adoption of a new Policy for Equitable Access to Scholarly Articles Authored by University Faculty. The policy is intended to “remove price and permission barriers related to discoverability, access, and cost for anyone seeking access to UMD’s peer-reviewed scholarly articles.” It does so by automatically granting the university a nonexclusive license to scholarly articles published by faculty members.
Background
In April 2020, the University Library Council formed the Publishing, Access, and Contract Terms (UMD PACT) working group, which was tasked with developing a framework for expanding access to scholarship produced by UMD faculty.
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UMD PACT websiteSenate Document #21-22-31 Minutes from the 4.6.22 Senate Meeting
Change
In December 2021, the Senate approved the adoption of a new Privacy Policy. The policy establishes principles regarding the collection and use of personally identifiable information, principles that address respect, equity, transparency, and responsibility, and that limit data collection and usage to information that “is relevant to accomplish clearly defined outcomes that support the University’s mission” (IV.A.5). The policy also establishes and defines an “Expectation of Privacy,” and indicates how policy violations will be addressed.
Background
In fall 2020, the Senate received a proposal calling for the creation of a university-level privacy policy, and noting that the lack of a formal policy could complicate the institution’s ability to meet regulatory compliance obligations and potentially threaten its ability to conduct sponsored research. The IT Council was charged with consulting with a range of stakeholders and subject-matter experts and proposing a policy.
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Senate Document #20-21-15 Minutes from the 12.9.21 Senate Meeting
Change
In March, the Senate approved a series of principles and recommendations associated with the Gen-Ed diversity requirement. These recommendations will guide the work of a Diversity Education Task Force, which will develop a final set of overarching changes for Senate approval in the coming year(s). General changes will include:
- The Understanding Plural Societies category would be relabeled Understanding Structures of Racism and Inequality and would include one required learning outcome focused on systemic racism.
- The Cultural Competence category would be relabeled Navigating Diverse Social Environments, and instructors would have a larger set of required skills-oriented learning outcomes from which to select at least one.
The full list of recommendations can be found in Appendix 3 of Senate Document #20-21-10 (linked below).
Background
Following the murder of Lt. Collins and in light of pervasive concerns about the racial climate on campus, the president and provost convened two taskforces. One of these – the Diversity Education Task Force (DETF) – was tasked with considering how these concerns could be addressed through the Gen-Ed program.
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Senate Document #20-21-10 Minutes from the 3.1.22 Senate Meeting
