LAUC-SD MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Minutes January 18, 1994
Price Center Davis/Riverside Room 2:30 p.m.
Present: L. Abrams, J. Donovan, T. Echavarria, S. Galloway, C.
Graham, R. Gustafson, J. Hanson, M. Horres, C. Jahns, E. Kanter, R.
Lindemann, G. Lowell, K. Lucas, P. Mirsky, A. Prussing (Chair), B.
Renford, R. Ringler, B. Slater, C. Stave, B. Tillett, E. Valdez, T.
Weintraub.
Fall Assembly
LAUC-SD was represented at the assembly by E. Kanter and C.
Stave; B. Renford was also in attendance in her capacity as
statewide President Elect. A. Prussing summarized action items and
led discussion of the following issues.
- LAUC status of retirees: statewide bylaws address this issue
by giving retires "affiliate" membership, which entitles them
to participate in general meetings of the Assembly but not to
"make motions, nominate candidates, become officers, or vote."
LAUC-SD bylaws are additionally explicit in excluding
affiliate members from committee membership.
Discussion: discussion focused on a set of questions
that B. Renford distributed from the Committee on committee
Rules and Jurisdictions. 1. Should our bylaws be changed to
conform to statewide bylaws? 2. Should retirees be allowed
to serve on local or statewide committees or to receive
research grants?
PRO: retirees would have more time to serve with greater
intensity; retirees (especially those from VERIP) tend to be
younger; at some campuses, there are too few active librarians
to meet all committee responsibilities; retirees bring
valuable institutional memory to the committee process. CON:
if retirees are ineligible for active [i.e., voting]
membership, they should not be in decisive committee positions
either; lack of accountability makes retiree performance and
service problematic.
[A side discussion about the eligibility of retirees for
research grants evolved into majority sentiment to exclude
retirees from eligibility.]
Summary sentiment: it is not appropriate for affiliate
members to have official committee status, voting rights, or
eligibility for research grants, either locally or statewide.
Language governing this issue in the LAUC-SD bylaws should be
adopted statewide.
- LAUC listerv: statewide is looking for people interested in
helping to establish a statewide listerv and for an
institution willing to host it. A. Prussing will post a call
via e-mail soliciting volunteers. The general purpose of the
listserv is to promote discussion, not to disseminate
information.
- LAUC logo: the official LAUC logo was unveiled. It appears
on a new brochure that explains what LAUC is, and this
brochure will be a good tool for inclusion in interview and
orientation packets. Support for memento "applications"
(coffee mugs, sweatshirts, etc.) of the logo was expressed.
- Peer review statistics: J. Hanson presented background on the
mandate and compilation of statistics statewide. The original
concept was to compare peer review processes at all campuses,
and the data do reflect the level of agreement among review
and final decision processes. The statistical validity of
such comparisons comes into question, however, since the
review process is different at various campuses. This makes
interpreting and applying the compilations problematic and
difficult. Compiling the data is tedious and, considering the
dubious utility and purpose of the undertaking, onerous. This
reporting is unique to the Librarians Series; LAUC bylaws
require it. The data could be compiled any time if needed.
a. would simpler statistics be just as useful?
b. should the current compilations be suspended?
c. should the Bylaws be revised to eliminate the
requirement?
Summary sentiment: if these data can be compiled as
needed and are both burdensome to compile and unutilized,
abandon the formal yearly reporting of them.
- General report on Fall Assembly proceedings: E. Kanter
provided a general summary about other Assembly ongoings. The
president's report expressed continuing concerns about
representational and financial considerations, as well as
determination to stay engaged in UC discussions and decision
making as these affect librarians. Broadly speaking, the
Assembly was highlighted by a lack of controversial or
substantive issues.
Additional reports, announcements and discussion items:
- LAUC-SD gopher: SB, SC, D and others have these. SC seems to
have the fullest array of files on which to model an SD
gopher, which would post minutes, position papers, bylaws and
other documents of interest to the membership. E. Kanter and
C. Stave have volunteered to explore possibilities and to form
preliminary ideas about content.
- Research & Professional Development Committee: C. Jahns
reported that Room 506 is now LAN-wired, and an announcement
about access to and use of the research office will come soon
via e-mail.
- Academic Senate Library Committee: E. Kanter reported on the
most recent meeting, at which he explained briefly what LAUC
was and distributed some of the newly printed LAUC brochures.
Among the items discussed were electronic information training
for faculty and graduate students; the need to broaden
communication between library and faculty; plans to form focus
group meetings between the University Librarian and specific
faculty; the Librarian's report. Formal minutes will be
distributed when they become available.
- Treasurer's Report: R. Lindemann reported that the treasury
has exceeded the $400 minimum balance for no-fee checking.
Reimbursement for funds expended during the Spring Assembly
1991 seems closer to realization than ever, but the money
remains outstanding.
Barbara Tillett was recognized during this, her last meeting,
for her years of service and contributions to LAUC. A. Prussing
will coordinate plans for a festive farewell.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Lindemann, Secretary