Meetings and Council Records

The 36 member FSC meets nine times during the academic year. The content of these meetings may be reviewed in the FSC meeting minutes and meeting summaries.

The FSC committees, which focus on areas including administrative issues, communications, teaching excellence, branch campuses, faculty benefits, faculty/student relations, finance and policy planning, grievance, governance, housing, personnel and affirmative action, and tenure modifications, draft reports, recommendations, and resolutions that are reviewed and voted on by the Council and communicated to university administration. For more information, view FSC reports, recommendations, and resolutions.

The 84 member University Senate meets six times during the academic year. The content of these meetings may be viewed in the University Senate meeting minutes. Members of the Senate also serve on University Senate committees, which focus on issues including academic affairs, financial affairs, organization & governance, public affairs, judicial board, and student life.These Committees have representation from each Council (AMC, FSC, SSC, etc.). FSC representatives on these Senate Committees communicate issues to the relevant FSC Committees and FSC Committees bring issues to the appropriate University Senate Committees for deliberation.

Current Issues, Academic Year 2011-2012

FSC Faculty Survey on NYU 2031

• The FSC has reviewed and assessed the results of its survey on NYU 2031, undertaken between April 5 - 13.
• The survey was distributed to 3,933 tenured, tenure track, and non-tenure track, full-time faculty.
  
• 1,146 responses were received for an overall response rate of 29%.
• Read more on the results of the 2031 survey
  
  

Tax Assistance for Same-Sex Couples Legally Married or in Civil Unions

• The FSC is delighted to announce that it has encouraged the University to extend tax assistance to legally married same-sex couples or those in a civil union.
  
• The plan will begin in 2013 and is modeled after those recently put in place at Columbia and Yale universities.
  
• Details of the benefit will be announced shortly by the administration.
• Read more

NYU Traveler

• In late November 2011, the Executive Committee of the FSC was informed that the Administration was planning to roll out a program termed “NYU Traveler” across the whole University.
  
• This program would require all faculty traveling with the expectation of reimbursement from NYU to register their travel plans on line either individually or automatically if they choose to use one of Traveler’s two travel services, American Express or Egencia.
  
• The reason for this mandatory registration, according to the administration, was to enhance the safety and security of NYU employees and students.
  
• Pilot programs, first at Stern and then at FAS, met with considerable criticism focusing on concerns about privacy and the time consuming nature of the requirement. As a result, the University’s administration has announced a significant modification to the NYU Traveler: the program is now voluntary for all but faculty and other University employees who accompany undergraduates on NYU-affiliated student trips.
• Read more

Participation in University Governance for Non-Tenure Track Faculty

• The FSC passed a resolution calling for the participation of non-tenure track faculty in university governance.
• At present, NYU by-laws recognize tenure and tenure-track faculty, students, administrators, deans, and members of the central administration as eligible participants in university governance, specifically as members of University Senate and its various committees.
  
• The FSC further recommends that the participation of non-tenure track faculty be channeled through its own council, similar in design and purpose to the existing senate councils for full-time faculty, students, and deans.
  
• The resolution now goes to the Senate Committee on Organization and Governance for further consideration. Any change to NYU’s by-laws will require the final approval of the Board of Trustees.
  
• Read more
  

Recommendations on Faculty Compensation, 2012-2013    

• In November, the Finance and Policy Planning Committee developed and FSC approved the recommendation to the administration on matters pertaining to faculty compensation for the Academic Year 2012-2013. The Committee provided a presentation of these recommendations at the Senate Financial Affairs meeting in early December.
• Read more
  

 Changes to Retiree Medical Benefits

• The FSC Benefits Committee worked last year with Human Resources (HR) to improve retiree health and wellness programs. They advocated for a retiree dental plan and access to on-campus wellness programs such as free flu shots.
• In June, the Provost announced changes to retiree medical benefits
• In this memo, the Provost announced that effective January 1, 2012 access to a new group dental plan option for both current and future retirees will be offered. The details of this retiree paid dental plan will be sent in the fall.
• Also, free seasonal flu shots are now being offered to NYU retirees and one household member over age 18 at convenient locations on campus. In addition, after the Committee's suggestion in the fall, the Benefits Office included retirees in the cholesterol, derma scan, and bone density screenings for the Spring.
  
• Read more
  

Global Network University

• The Global Network University Initiatives Committee will meet with various administrators involved in the development of portal campuses and other Global Network University initiatives. The topics the Committee will focus on include quality control, governance, hiring, and academic freedom issues.
• Read more

Coles Sports Center/Palladium Facilities

• The Administrative Issues Committee met with senior administrators to discuss issues regarding the Coles/Palladium facilities raised in the Spring 2010 FSC Survey
• Read More

NYU 2031: NYU in NYC 

• A new FSC Committee was formed this year to focus on the topic of NYU 2031 space planning. 
• The Committee, along with the Housing Committee, continues to meet with members of the Office of Government and Community Affairs this fall to discuss the current status of these plans.
• The FSC is hosting two Faculty Forums in the spring on this issue
• Read more

Teaching Excellence

• The Teaching Excellence Committee is colloborating with students to address the issue of the high cost of course materials for students.
• The Committee is also working with the Center for Teaching Excellence to increase faculty input into the Center's programs.
• Read more
  

Review of revisions to the Policies and Procedures for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure at the School of Medicine

• The Tenure Modifications Committee and PAAC are reviewing this document, which incorporates the establishment of a full-time non-tenure track for librarians. The Committee is looking into several issues and will meet again to develop a final recommendation.
• Read more

Review of the document: NYU Washington Square Policy for Postdoctoral Appointments

• In September, the Personnel and Affirmative Action Committee reviewed the draft of this document and presented recommendations to the administration.

 University-wide Policy on Academic Integrity for Students

• The new Academic Integrity for Students at NYU Policy is a general statement of NYU’s standards regarding academic integrity and is applicable to all students at all NYU schools.  
• The Faculty/Student Relations Committee and Educational Policies: Teaching Excellence Committee will examine the process of implementation of the new policy in NYU Schools.

Highlights, Academic Year 2010-2011

 University-wide Policy on Academic Integrity for Students

• In 2009, the Provost charged the FSC Executive Committee with the task of reporting on best practices in assessment in higher education.  The recommendations of the Task Force on Best Practices in Student Performance Assessment, chaired by Professor Carol Shoshkes Reiss, former Vice Chair of the FSC Executive Committee, were submitted to the University-wide Assessment Council.  The Assessment Council, assembled by Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Jane Tylus, and comprised of faculty and administrators from across the University, formulated the policy on Academic Integrity for Students at NYU over the course of this past academic year in consultation with deans, General Counsel, and others.  
• The Academic Integrity for Students at NYU Policy is a general statement of NYU’s standards regarding academic integrity and is applicable to all students at all NYU schools.  The individual school policies further address issues in academic integrity and school-based processes.

Shared Governance

• At the May FSC meeting, the Council approved a resolution presented by the Governance Committee regarding shared governance. The Governance Committee outlined 5 basic features of shared governance:  Representation, Information, Consultation, Reasoned Justifications, and Communication. The resolution also outlined an implementation process for revising the Faculty Handbook to incorporate the text of the Resolutions on Shared Governance.
  
• The Provost responded in June indicating the intention of the administration to work with the FSC on these issues and concerns and establish mutually agreeable guidelines and operating principles.

FSC Motions and Voting Procedure

• At the May FSC meeting, a resolution was approved to require the text of all substantive motions to be considered at a regular meeting of the Faculty Senators Council be submitted and distributed prior to the meeting. This allows items of business which require votes to receive the fullest consideration by all members of FSC. 
• The FSC Rules of Procedure were amended to incorporate this addition.

Proposed Changes in Retiree Medical Benefits

• The FSC sent two resolutions in February regarding the proposed changes in retiree medical benefits, specifically the Premium Reimbursement Account (PRA). This is a change from a defined benefit to a defined contribution. Retirees covered by the new plan will have a medical premium reimbursement account that is funded by NYU on an annual basis. 
• The first resolution expressed concern regarding faculty consultation and the second resolution requested more time to examine other cost-saving options.
• The Executive Committee and Benefits Committee met with members of the administration and Office of Human Resources to gain a better understanding of these changes and the process.
• EVP Alfano clarified the opportunities for input into the discussion on retiree health by faculty on UBAT and HRPAT. He also stated they will look into the suggestion of creating University based insurance counselors to assist retirees with making choices. In addition Katie Casey, the Senior Vice President for Administration & Human Resources, agreed to meet with the FSC and the health benefits expert to answer questions.
• In June, the Provost sent an announcement for current NYU employees about changes to retiree medical benefits.

“Change of Responsibilities” Letters at the School of Medicine

• The FSC sent a resolution concerning the “Change of Responsibilities” letters at the School of Medicine (SOM) in November. The resolution stated that the current practice of the NYU School of Medicine to request that certain faculty members sign agreements limiting their tenure rights is in violation of the Handbook.
• In December, the FSC received a response from Provost McLaughlin stating that the letters did not contain modifications of the rules regarding tenure and did not affect university tenure regulations.
• In February, the President of the SOM Faculty Council sent a letter to President Sexton and Provost McLaughlin urging the leadership of NYU to disregard the resolution passed by the FSC and urging the FSC to rescind the resolution and reconsider it once the SOM Faculty Council has made a determination on the matter and to consult with the SOM FC in deliberations on future matters that specifically affect the Medical Center faculty.
• The FSC sent a response to this letter in March stating the FSC is a University-wide body and the Faculty Personnel Committee of the Senate and, as such, may consider any matters of educational and administrative policy. Committees within Schools do not have the standing to override FSC Resolutions.

Faculty Senators’ Access to NYU School Faculty Email Distribution Lists

• In February, the FSC sent a resolution to the Office of the Provost regarding faculty senators’ access to NYU School faculty email distribution lists.
• Some school senators currently have access to send emails to their school’s faculty members but others, including Faculty of Arts and Science senators, do not have access.
• Provost McLaughlin responded agreeing to the resolution and stating he will advise the deans to grant access.

Recommendations on Faculty Compensation, 2011-2012

• The Finance and Policy Planning Committee sent their recommendations to the administration on matters pertaining to faculty compensation for the Academic Year 2011-2012 in December.
• The FSC recommended an increase of 5.79% in this year’s faculty salary pool.
• In April, President Sexton sent a memo regarding the Academic Year 2011-2012 and the University Budget.

Documents reviewed by the Personnel and Affirmative Action Committee

• The Personnel and Affirmative Action Committee reviewed and made recommendations to the administration on the Guidelines for Clinical Faculty at NYU Steinhardt School and recommendations on the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment.
• Along with the Governance Committee, PAAC will also soon review the policies on Research Personnel Appointments and Postdoctoral Appointments.

Documents reviewed by the Tenure Modifications Committee

• The Tenure Modifications Committee reviewed and made recommendations to the administration on the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW)’s Tenure and Promotion Guidelines and the Institute for Fine Arts (IFA)'s Promotion and Tenure Guidelines. The Provost sent a response memo and addressed the FSC's recommendations, which were not incorporated in the final document.
  

New Age Limit on Tuition Remission

• In September, the FSC sent a resolution regarding the new age limit on tuition remission.
• A notice sent by the Benefits Office in July stated that effective June 1, 2010, a child must meet the following qualification in order to be deemed a dependent child for purposes of tuition benefits:
• “A dependent child must be age 23 or younger as of the end of the calendar year to be eligible for TR in that year, aligning eligibility with the IRS definition of a dependent child.  If a child will be 24 by the end of the calendar year, he or she is not eligible for TR in that year.”
• The Benefits Committee and FSC felt there was an absence of an opportunity for the faculty to discuss, and it resulted in a sudden imposition of an unanticipated financial burden on affected faculty members.
• 14 students were immediately affected in the fall of 2010. After conversations with EVP Alfano and Provost McLaughlin, 13 of the 14 students' tuitions were "reversed out" and repaid. One student received a scholarship. This reversal of policy will be for one year only.

FSC Faculty Survey  

• The final report of the findings of the FSC survey was sent in November. The survey was sent to all NYU faculty and retired faculty, except for faculty from the School of Medicine, in the spring of 2010. The purpose of the survey was to determine the faculty’s experience and level of satisfaction with such matters as benefits, housing, tenure, faculty governance, etc. and to elicit their ideas, recommendations, and priorities about issues of concern to all faculty.

Representation of NYU Abu Dhabi, Poly, and non-tenure track (NTTF) faculty

• At the March FSC meeting, one guest from NYU Abu Dhabi, Shamoon Zamir, and two guests from NYU Poly, John Iacono and Avi Ulman, attended. They discussed current issues and governance structures at their schools.
• Following the May FSC meeting, the Personnel and Affirmative Action Committee (PAAC) presented a recommendation regarding the representation in the FSC for NYU Poly faculty, and NYUAD faculty. They recommended representation for NYUAD faculty once they have completed setting up their faculty governance and are in a position to elect a representative and representation for NYU Poly faculty once NYU Poly has officially become a school of NYU. 
• After receiving statistics in early May on the number, location by school and department and growth over the last ten years of NTTF faculty, PAAC and the FSC will review these numbers and discuss representation at the early September retreat and hopes to present the FSC's recommendation regarding NTTF faculty representation during the fall semester.