Report from Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting

November 15, 2007

 

1.  Meeting of 15 November, 2007

 

Attending: Boyd, Schnell, Burnett, Heikes, Lawson, Radonovich, Williams, Reeves, Severn, Frendi, George, Karr

1.1              Faculty Senate President’s Report  

Dr. Boyd reported she attended the Board Meeting last week.  It was the Institutional Presentation for UA.  They look good, their numbers are up.  One interesting thing they are doing is making community service part of the degree.  The one controversial item was a land sale that was tabled.

1.2              Reports from Administration

Dr. Radonovich announced that Steve Springer will be on campus tomorrow to give a presentation regarding immigration.  Anyone working with foreign nationals should attend. 

Dr. Radonovich had a meeting with the Provost at A&M.  They have suggested naming the College of Business the College of Management or Business Management.  Dr. Radonovich will go to the faculty in the college tomorrow and as for their choice.  There is no discussion regarding the degree, that is decided.  Dr. Schnell will bring a resolution to the Senate endorsing the decision of the College. 

Dr. Radonovich talked about Promotion and Tenure guidelines for each college and department.  He would like each college and department to have a set of guidelines that details and refines the statements in the Handbook.  The expectations to candidates need to be more specific.  He would like a set for each college by 08/09 with specific expectations.  It will be different for each college.  This will not be part of the Handbook—it may be an appendices.  There was some discussion regarding effectiveness in teaching and not just using SIEs.  We will need to change the Handbook during this revision to be more specific in using more than one criteria for effectiveness in teaching.  Dr. Radonovich expects to have the college guidelines by May and will bring them in to the Executive Committee as he receives them.

Dr. Williams reported there are several searches underway.  We are close to making a decision on the Admissions position.  UA has increased their numbers impressively and they have an impressive scholarship budget.  Investing in Admissions Personnel is important.  We need to work on reaching out beyond North Alabama.  UA is close to 33% out of State.  We will need the support of the faculty and staff.  We must increase enrollment to do other needed tasks.

We have a good set of candidates for Vice President for Advancement.

There are some applications coming in for Provost.

There was a comment that Marketing is the key to recruiting and there was some discussion regarding hiring part time personnel for other states.  It was mentioned that 70% of our alums are in Madison County.

Dr. Severn reported he went to the first of an annual diversity conference.  It was a great event.  Shirley Malcolm was the speaker.  She had great ideas that were very practical.  It was well attended from across the State.  There were good comments from the Chancellor on diversity in the System and the Commitment.

 

Committee Items and Chair Reports 

 

1.3.1        Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Sharon George).

Dr. George reported they approved three courses in LBAR and one is in process for Science.

Dr. George reported the Honors Proposal need to be in by January to Dr. Mebane.

 

1.3.2   Personnel (Michael Anderson). 

No Report.

 

1.3.3    Governance and Operations (Jeffrey Kulick).

No Report.

 

1.3.4    Faculty and Student Development (Andrée Reeves). 

Dr. Reeves asked if the Lawyer giving a presentation tomorrow take care of the issues regarding immigration?  It was suggested she make an announcement at Senate for those having problems to contact the Committee.  Collect the grievances and send a memo to Dr. Greenwood.

She reported the Benefits Committee met and there is an open enrollment period.  There is a slight premium increase and a dependent age increase to 26.  There is a 5% decrease in dental.  They are expanding the Flexible Spending limit.  There is a change in Life Insurance Provider.

 

1.3.5        Finance and Resources (John Burnett). 

Dr. Burnett reported they have only received one proposal for the REU.  He will send a reminder

.

1.3.6        Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes). 

Dr. Heikes reported they have received the NC data and the bills are still pending.

 

1.3.7    President-Elect—Kader Frendi

No Report.

 

1.3.8    Ombudsperson—Gerald Karr

            No Report.

 

1.3.9        Senate Bill 311—Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Dr. Deborah Heikes)

Abolishing the NC Grade

            On the agenda for the next meeting at second reading.

 

 

1.4.0    Senate Bill 310—Smoke Free Building Environment

             This bill is on the agenda for the next meeting at third reading.

1.4.1    The Agenda was set for the November 29, 2007, Faculty Senate Meeting.