Author: Ali Amin

2020-2021, Answered, From Floor

Computer Currency Program Cancellation

Questioner: Debbie Wang

Question asked from the floor

The computer currency program has been cancelled in 2020 (and maybe 2021?). Could someone comment on this? Why is this program cancelled during a time when we are using technology to support distance learning?

Answered by Dr. Karen Patterson, Interim Provost and VP of Academic Affairs

Dr. Patterson affirmed that Scott Bennett would be the best person to follow up on this question with to provide a response for faculty, and a response would be forthcoming.

2020-2021, Answered, In Writing

Bookstore failure to order correct textbooks

Written Question

For President, Provost, or FA President:

I want to know how the university is responding to the dozens of classes affected by the bookstore’s failure this term to order correct textbooks (or any) for Spring Term. Since this is a third party provider what contract compliance measures are being taken to insure this does not recur? What do we tell students who have waited a month for the correct texts?

Answered by Dr. John White, Faculty Association President

Dr. White shared that he had received complaints from faculty over the past month and a half, and he reached out the bookstore manager and their regional person but has not heard back. He confirmed that they have met with a number of chairs to discuss several complex issues. He noted that he understood that going forward the bookstore would be purchasing enough textbooks to cover enrollments, which had previously been an issue as the bookstore was fearful of being able to sell enough texts.

Dr. Karen Patterson, Interim Provost and VP of Academic Affairs added

Dr. Patterson added that a meeting took place to discuss this concern, and she will share a follow-up with FA to share any of the outcomes from that meeting.

Dr. Gordon Rakita, Director of Academic Technology and Interim Associate Vice President for Faculty Development suggested

Dr. Rakita suggested that FA reach out to Tully Burnett (A&F – Business Services) to discuss possible next steps, and Dr. White remarked that Mr. Burnett has been a part of the conversation so far and he will follow up with him, too.

Dr. Georgette Dumont shared her personal experience with bookstore ordering issues and how they affect student learning

Explaining this issue has been ongoing for at least several years. She shared that the bookstore has previously explained this under-purchasing issue (i.e., not purchasing enough for enrolled students) as stemming from their ordering based on a percentage calculation of previous semesters’ purchases for that class. Dr. Dumont added that this business model may work for the bookstore but that it doesn’t align with the university’s model of ensuring students have the materials they need when they need them.

Dr. Marianne Jaffee, Executive Assistant to the Provost and Director of Planning added

Marianne Jaffee added that there has been a number of issues this term, echoing Dr. White’s note that these issues tend to be complex, but that the bookstore is working to add more supports and processes to ensure fewer issues in the face of issues related to COVID and lack of staffing. She reported, too, that a conversation is scheduled to take place with the bookstore to help them understand faculty needs.

2020-2021, Answered, In Writing

New strain affecting basketball games

Written Question

For President Szymanski

Given the evidence of the new strain and the demographics on infections with young people why are we continuing basketball games?

Answered by President Szymanski, UNF President

Dr. Szymanski answered that the university is being very careful. He noted that they had an athlete test positive recently, and they canceled the subsequent game. He shared that they have a robust set of guidelines to ensure safety, from CDC and NCAA/Sun, but they are erring on the side of caution to ensure that students are safe.

 

2020-2021, Answered, In Writing

Using personal computers on the secure wifi

Written Question

I see in the campus update this new information about using personal computers on the secure wifi: “The University is updating the security requirements for gaining access to UNF-Wireless (the University’s secure wireless network) for personal computers or laptops. Starting Wednesday, Dec 16, 2020, any personal computers or laptops needing to connect to the UNF-Wireless Network will first be required to install a small application called OnGuard. It’s necessary for machines to meet the requirements to install OnGuard in order to connect to the wireless network. Any computer connected will be subject to the rules and regulations as defined by the Acceptable Use Policy. Devices connecting to guest wireless will not be affected by this change. ”

I would like more information about why this is necessary for faculty.

 

Answered by Dr. Deb Miller, Assistant Vice President of Digital Learning

This change, which applies to personal computers that connect to UNF’s secure wireless network, is required for all University employees to prevent computers that lack basic security features from accessing the campus network and placing other computers at risk. Risks include cross-contamination from worms and viruses that can permanently harm personal computers as well as computers on UNF’s network.

2020-2021, Answered, In Writing

OIR Faculty and Staff Data Webpage

Written Question

For Office of Institutional Research/Academic Affairs

The OIR Faculty and Staff Data (by rank, gender, ethnicity) webpage has not been updated since fall 2017 (https://www.unf.edu/ir/inst-research/Faculty_and_staff_data.aspx). Does OIR have these data for fall 2018, 2019, and 2020 to report out?

Answered by Dr. Abby Willcox, Director of Institutional Research & Data Administrator

We are in the process of developing a more comprehensive interactive faculty dashboard to replace the existing page that we plan to roll out in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, ensuring ADA compliance of our website as well as staffing issues have slowed down our efforts to update and modernize the IR page.

 

Below are our current numbers.

Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2020
Total 617 634 654
Tenured 55% 51% 50%
Tenure-Earning 17% 16% 17%
Non-Tenure-Earning 29% 32% 33%

 

Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2020
Total 617 634 654
Professor 24% 22% 22%
Associate Professor 30% 30% 28%
Assistant Professor 19% 18% 20%
Asst. Professor Equivalent 0% 0% 0%
University Librarian 1% 1% 1%
Assoc. University Librarian 1% 1% 1%
Asst. University Librarian 0% 1% 1%
Instructor 19% 21% 21%
Lecturer 4% 4% 5%
No Rank 1% 2% 1%

 

Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2020
Total 617 634 654
Female 48% 49% 50%
Male 52% 51% 50%

 

 

Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2020
Total 617 634 654
Non-Resident Alien 6% 6% 6%
Hispanic 4% 4% 4%
American Indian or Alaskan Native 0% 0% 0%
Asian 7% 7% 8%
Black or African American 5% 6% 6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0% 0% 0%
White 75% 74% 73%
Two or More 3% 2% 2%
Unknown 0% 0% 1%

 

2020-2021, Answered, In Writing

COVID Testing and Notifications

Written Question

About COVID testing and notifications, discussion about notifications for negative test results has been ongoing and noted as improved, but (faculty member) has herself experienced irregularities in hearing back about negatives, as well as lapses in secure/personal responses.

Answered by Bob Greenlaw, Emergency Manager

Our notification did run into some delays in the last few weeks due to not getting results from the lab. We found out the delays were from the “middle man” we were using. We have negotiated getting our results directly from the lab and should elimiate those delays for the next semester. Obviously the notifications won’t be necessary for who taking the 15 minute results test.

We continue and will continue to make notifications to students and employees of both positive and negative test results. In the Spring, we will be offering both the 48 hour PCR tests we have been plus 15 minute Antigen testing on campus. Both tests are nasal swabs.

2020-2021, Answered, In Writing

Building 1 Costs

Written Question

I am still unclear about the threats to the administration is experiencing that justify the costs of a permanent security service in Building 1. Do you know if there are any plans to save student and taxpayer money by elimination [of] this unnecessary service?

Answered by Dr. John White, UNF Faculty Association President

President Szymanski has decided to change the security arrangements for Building one effective immediately. Additional security precautions will be put in place for the Presidential Offices (suite) but the rest of the building will operate as do all other university buildings.

President Szymanski, UNF President affirmed

We’ve eliminated that position.

2020-2021, Answered, In Writing

COVID-19 Vaccines

Written Question

When COVID-19 vaccines are available, will students be required to get immunized? Will faculty and staff be required to get immunized?

Answered by Dr. John White, Faculty Association President

This issue is being discussed among the Board of Governors. The SUS would prefer to have a system-wide approach to possible mandatory vaccinations.

President Szymanski, UNF President added

We are not talking about mandating anything at this point in time, and the Board of Governors is not talking about mandating things, either. The word “mandate” is not in our discussion here, and in fact we don’t have access to the vaccine yet, so this is not where we are.

 

2018-2019, Anonymous, Answered

Metrics to Shorten Students’ Time to Graduation

Questioner: Anonymous

Posted to: Mark Dawkins, Dean, Coggin College of Business 

In the wake of UNF’s poor showing on the BOG Performance Based Funding Metrics, some colleges are taking steps to increase student retention and shorten student’s time to graduation – the two metrics UNF has consistently scored the lowest on. However, at least one college has taken steps over time that education research shows do just the opposite. In the last few years, the Coggin College of Business has taken steps to materially lower their admission standards, significantly increase the number of part-time faculty teaching their courses, dramatically increase the number of their courses being taught online, and increase the number of faculty teaching overload assignments. Although they have increased their enrollments, education research demonstrates that less qualified students, those taught by part-time faculty, those taking online courses, and those being taught by faculty teaching overloads are more likely to drop out of their classes and take a longer time to graduate. If the administration is serious about increasing student retention rates and shortening student’s time to graduation, should not these decisions be reevaluated? Are the benefits in enrollments worth the costs to UNF in terms of lost funding and reputation due to lower student retention and higher times to graduation?

Answered by: Mark Dawkins, Dean, Coggin College of Business

The Coggin College of Business (CCB) has not lowered its admission standards, although CCB faculty has revised the graduate admissions policies. Nor has CCB significantly increased the number of part-time faculty teaching its courses. In fact, CCB hired five (5) new tenure-track faculty in Fall 2018. Additionally, CCB hired five (5) instructors in Fall 2018 (1 new hire, 2 visiting instructor hired as permanent instructors, and 2 adjunct instructors hired as permanent instructors).

CCB has increased the number of its courses being taught online, and this increase is not “dramatic” relative to the overall number of courses taught by CCB. CCB did increase the number of faculty teaching overload assignments in 2016-17 and 2017-18 to staff the Master of Science in Management (MSM) Program (about 200 new graduate students) and the Fidelity on-site MBA Program in 2018-19 (22 new graduate students), and the overload assignments have decreased with the addition of the five (5) new tenure-track faculty in Fall 2018. CCB started the MSM Program in the summer of 2016 with an agreement with AA to staff the classes with teaching overload assignments for two years, and based on enrollments, to hire two new tenure-track faculty in Fall 2018.

2018-2019, Anonymous, Answered

Policies and Restrictions on Drinking Alcohol on Campus

Questioner: Anonymous

Posted to: David S. Szymanski, UNF President

Can you please explain the recent new restrictions on students drinking alcohol?  Are these warranted?

In my country, most of universities give the students freedoms for drinking the alcohol when legal age is attained. To me it now seems that UNF wants more restrictives for students drinking the alcohol. How come is this? We know the students will drink – we now should focus the efforts on education and safety. Please someone to explain the reasons for more alcohol restrictives.
Thank you much.

Response from the Floor:

We have a new alcohol policy. It is modeled off of national trends set forth by the National Institute of Fraternity guidelines will be followed; alcohol will be allowed on a permission basis.