Overview of 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.
More Detail
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.
More Detail
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
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.
More Detail
Senate Document #20-21-10 Minutes from the 3.1.22 Senate Meeting
