It was pointed out that once a person is in a tenure-track position, the rules of that position apply. If a research faculty member were appointed to a tenure-track position, it would be as a result of a search. Language was also edited to make it clear that a faculty member in the research series may not do regularly scheduled teaching, but may direct graduate-student research consistent with department graduate policy, with the approval of the department head and dean of the graduate school. Rather than language in the document, he suggested departments could be directed to have a policy. Merola also said CGSP members wondered if it is fair for research faculty members to compete for graduate students with faculty members who have duties in addition to research.
Students spend more time with a research person because that person has more time.
Merola said there may not be enough graduate students to go around. Len Peters said having a graduate student may improve retention of the research professor through a sense of obligation, while the funding that professor has may attract more students and keep them through the summer. Anne McNabb said many concerns come from a misunderstanding of the department's role. She said the departments decide whether to use the titles, and control the circumstances. In other business, the commission passed a motion for the chair to write a letter of endorsement to the provost encouraging the university to move forward on a competitive grant program through the Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for faculty projects that involve undergraduate research.