The Action Plan
The final action plan had forty-three items, each presented in a uniform format that included all the information faculty needed to consider each item. This format was important in gaining initial faculty approval for the committee’s work and the process. It also ensured that valuable meeting time would not be wasted; no item could be delayed because additional information was needed. The format for each action plan item was:
Date. This fill-in-the-blank line allowed faculty to keep track of
progress through the items.
Item Number and Title. For easy reference, this line included the article and section number in both the existing bylaws and the proposed bylaws.
Bylaws Affected. This section clarified the proposed change and noted the specific bylaws section(s) that would be affected if it was approved. Example from Item 40 (Proposed Academic Planning and Resources Committee): This is a new faculty committee. This committee will not replace the Strategic Planning, Building and Grounds, or College Computer Advisory committees. These three committees would function with liaison members from the new committee (Academic Planning and Resources) as well as from the executive committee.
Rationale. In addition to explaining the reasoning of the review committee, this line included excerpts from relevant authoritative rules and laws. Example: The functions proposed for this committee are not currently being done from a faculty or academic perspective. This new committee would focus on and establish academic and faculty budget priorities, communicating any positions on issues to the appropriate multiconstituent committee as needed.
Concerns. This line included faculty comments and criticism and descriptions of possible consequences of approving an item. Controversial items included majority and minority opinions. Example: This may be too much work for one committee. During the review process, faculty voiced a concern about losing power; however, having one committee address issues related to resources provides a better framework and forum for setting academic priorities. Committee recommendations are made to the executive committee, not directly to administrators, strengthening the faculty voice.
Transition. This section served two purposes. It defined when an item would take effect (either immediately or after passage of the final item of the action plan with the final two-thirds affirmative vote). It also specified how committee membership would change with approval of the item. A critical task was determining how many faculty members to elect or appoint to each committee while permitting continuing members to complete their terms. Example: Year 1: (a) elect six members (two for three-year terms, two for two-year terms, and two for one-year terms); (b) appoint three members (one for a three-year term, one for a two-year term, and one for a one-year term). Year 2 and all subsequent years: elect two, appoint one, all for three-year terms.
Action Taken. Faculty members could check off whether each item passed, failed, or was amended.
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