The University of Idaho Faculty Senate approved new academic programs and curriculum changes during its Tuesday meeting on Jan. 20 and expressed concerns over a proposed policy governing periodic performance reviews of tenured faculty.
The senate approved multiple curriculum proposals, including a new master’s degree in artificial intelligence, which would be the first AI master’s program in Idaho, several law-related graduate certificates and a new interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in construction management.
Senators raised concerns with the proposed construction management degree’s general education requirements, and reliance on temporary instructors until dedicated faculty can be hired. Despite those concerns, the proposal was approved following discussion.
The senate also approved curriculum updates across several programs, including an online sociology degree option, a research track in exercise, sport and health sciences and a name change to the climate science and solutions program. Approved programs will now move forward in the university approval pipeline.
Senate Chair Tim Murphy reported on a memo from UI President C. Scott Green, who formally disapproved of the proposed policy FSH 3515, which would revise periodic performance reviews of tenured faculty.
Green wrote that he was concerned with faculty accountability, review committee structure and administrative authority. The policy will return to the senate for revision and further discussion.
Periodic reviews of tenured faculty are required under Idaho State Board of Education policy. The policy sought to streamline the process so that if faculty have four satisfactory annual reviews, the next year’s post-tenure review will default to satisfactory unless clear evidence is provided to prove otherwise.
The proposal also eased the requirements on who could be in a review committee on tenure evaluations from faculty of the same or higher rank as the person being reviewed to now only one full-time professor, with members coming from closely related parts in the college when necessary.
The revised faculty review policy is expected to return to the senate for further debate, with additional policy discussions scheduled for later January meetings.
The Faculty Senate meets weekly during the spring semester. Meeting agendas and minutes are available on the UI Faculty Senate website.
Scarlet Herway can be reached at [email protected].