Report from
Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting
1.
Meeting of
Attending:
1.1
Faculty
Senate President’s Report
Dr. Gaede talked about getting prerequisites in order in Banner and in the Catalog. The need for a Calendar Committee was also mentioned. There was some discussion regarding summer semesters and alternative delivery methods and Saturday offerings. The Smoking Policy is still pending. The partner benefits are still being worked on.
Dr. Gaede plans to meet with
faculty and see if there are issues that should be addressed. She will have a series of meetings at
different times and places (Morton Hall,
Dr. Gaede reported she will need to appoint a new Parliamentarian.
1.2 Reports from Administration
Dr. Williams reported changes are being made at the administrative level of the University. These changes are being made t o improve the operations of the University and make it more efficient. We are trying to make sure we better serve the students. We also need to better align with the UA System. This also places us in a better position when growth occurs. We needed to give diversity a higher role in the university. We want to be ahead of the curve.
Also we want to get in a better position regarding external relations and be able to get the word out in a more structured fashion. We want to be responsive to the community and have better cooperation.
Dr. Williams reported he met with the two new mayors and is trying to get them on campus. He wants to get a structured message of the good things that are happening on campus.
Dr. Williams stated we are experiencing real cuts not one time events and all areas will be affected. We are actually receiving less state funding than we received nine years ago.
Dr. Williams stated admissions is up 12-16% and we have received $1M in new gifts. We have some new research awards. Good things are happening.
Rick Barth received good support from the Faculty and will be asking for your support again in the spring.
There was some discussion regarding Research and Academic Affairs working together.
There were some discussions regarding ideas and concerns of faculty.
There was some discussion regarding the possibility of layoffs. Dr. Williams states there is no discussion of salary cuts for this year. We believe we can survive without salary cuts but everything is on the table at this point. Restructuring would be part of avoiding salary cuts.
Dr. Karbhari reported that Rick
Barth, John Maxon and Scott Walter are working to improve the Open House. The next Open House will be February 21. They will be calling on faculty for assistance. Restructuring and planning with Dr. Severn to
help students in all aspects. Will talk
to Departments trying to move all colleges to
Dr. Karbhari reported he is putting together a Promotion and Tenure Meeting for one hour to talk about what faculty feel are the concerns in the review process, etc. This does not affect the work on the Handbook. This will be used as the first step to determine if there is a need for real changes. We will also be looking at workload across all colleges.
There was some discussion of Banner issues and fixing the issues across the board. Dr. Severn reported they are looking at CAP for Banner. He went to a meeting and based on what he learned at the meeting thinks we should implement this. He sees it is very possible. We would need to send a couple of people to boot camp and use personnel from UAB to assist us. We will also need to put the 100 and 200 level course equivalencies in t he hands of the Registrar. He thinks we can implement this by fall.
There was an announcement of the situation at the Bookstore and the hope for a solution for books by next week.
Dr. Severn reported we are restructuring the ARC and making it a one stop shop. We will put out a chart when everything is set. This sends a powerful message to students that the University is interested in helping. On-line Tutoring has been implemented that covers many hours.
1.3
New Business
There was some discussion regarding Distance Learning and using material in subsequent semesters and teaching overloads. Want policies to cover these issues and guidelines and legal issues for faculty regarding Distance Learning. It was suggested this be brought back to the next Executive Committee Meeting.
1.4 Committee Items and Chair Reports
1.4.1 Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Gail Pritchard).
Dr. Pritchard reported they received three new course proposals and approved MAE 444, MAE 493, and MAE 494.
They will check on the prerequisite information and make sure what is out is the correct information.
1.4.2
Personnel
(Michael Anderson).
No Report.
1.4.3 Governance and Operations (Jennifer English).
No Report.
1.4.4 Faculty and Student Development (Andree Reeves).
No Report.
1.4.5 Finance and Resources (John Burnett).
The REU information is in. They received 30 proposals. The Provost expanded the project and funded 12 projects. The ASGC puts in funds and will fund 8 proposals.
1.4.6 Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes).
Dr. Heikes reported she did some research and Rebecca Blount is the Academic Coach for students in Academic Warning. She works with the students and then refers them. She only works with freshmen. It was suggested this or something like this is needed for all students and when a hold is put on then require the student to see an advisor (Professional Advisor). Early intervention is important. It was suggested that Dr. Heikes or Dr. Gaede get the numbers on this and then meet with the Professional Advisors.
The two bills will be on the agenda at third reading.
1.4.7 The Agenda was set for the January 15, Faculty Senate Meeting.