Update: Cross-Functional Taskforce on Faculty Workload
Dear Roadrunners,
The purpose of this memo is to uphold our commitment to updating the university community on the most recent progress of the Cross-Functional Taskforce on Faculty Workload as we continue to develop and identify solutions for implementing a more sustainable workload that allows faculty to best meet the needs of our students.
What follows is the current status report, organized by the Working Teams:
Strategic Communications
- Built a website as a one-stop shop for information on the progress of the Cross-Functional Taskforce on Faculty Workload, which will be updated regularly.
- Collaborated with the University’s Dialogues Program to organize a Forum on Faculty Workload on April 25th from 2:00-3:15pm in JSSB 400.
- To RSVP, please use this link.
- Note: a hybrid (Microsoft Teams) option will be available, and a flier with registration information will be sent shortly.
Processes & Governance
- Completed their first objective: identifying the breakdown in processes leading to the Board of Trustees’ pause on faculty workload.
- Note: This information will be presented to the Steering Committee on Monday 4/17, and then shared via the Steering Committee to their respective constituent groups (e.g., Faculty Senate, Council of Chairs and Directors, MSFF, Deans Council, etc.)
- Began work on their second objective: developing recommendations to improve existing or missing processes for how faculty-driven proposals move beyond faculty.
Student Success
- Built and administered a survey for staff, exploring how faculty support their work.
- Built and administered a survey for students, exploring how faculty support their success.
- Note: Both sets of survey questions will be presented to the Steering Committee on Monday 4/17, and then shared via the Steering Committee to their respective constituent groups as information items.
Data
- Built and administered a survey to the Cross Functional Taskforce on which variables to prioritize when crafting a more authentic list of peer institutions than our current lists; other Working Teams will be able to use this list.
- Supplied data to the other Working Teams as requested.
Budget
- Refined the work scope of the team.
- Current objective centered on providing education about the budget to familiarize the broader university community with both the content of the budget and the budget process.
- Note: By the end of the semester, this information will be presented to the Steering Committee, and then shared via the Steering Committee to their respective constituent groups.
DEI & Faculty Lifecycle
- Formal update expected week of 4/17/23
As Co-Chairs, we have continued to meet with the Working Teams and to answer questions from faculty, staff, students, and administrators across campus. We have also given updates about the Taskforce to the Faculty Senate, Council of Chairs and Directors, and President’s Cabinet, among other constituent groups. Moving forward, we will be discussing options with the Steering Committee, who will be expected to vet them with their constituent groups and provide feedback to the Taskforce. We will also continue to seek opportunities to provide updates and solicit feedback. Our hope is that ultimately any proposal regarding faculty workload we put forward will represent the most sustainable, student-centered option.
Sincerely,
Meredith & Marie
Dr. Marie T. Mora, Provost Ad Interim
Dr. Meredith L. Jeffers, Faculty Trustee