Report from Faculty Senate Executive
Committee Meeting
1.
Meeting of
Attending:
1.1
Faculty
Senate President’s Report
Melinda Lawson reported that the Presidential Search Committee met and spent time considering candidates. There are many good candidates and they have narrowed the field for interview sessions.
Melinda announced that the
Melinda reported she attended the Board of Trustees Meeting Thursday and Friday and most of the meeting was the UA Institutional Presentation.
Melinda announced that Gloria
Greene would like to address the Faculty Senate again and she is interested in
hearing from faculty.
1.2
Reports from
Administration
Dr. Franz reported things are going well. The roads may be open before fall—perhaps summer.
The Presidential Council Dinner was Tuesday night and went very well.
We have the largest freshmen class this year. The ACTs remain high. Diversity continues to grow. We have some 80 countries and 40 states represented here. Over $70M in research dollars were awarded and $50M in expenditures. We are at an all time high.
Dr. Franz talked about the recent assaults on campus. He would be willing to have Mike Finnegan come and talk to this group. There was discussion regarding more surveillance cameras on campus.
1.3 Committee Items and Chair Reports
1.3.1 Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Sharon George).
Linda Vaughan reported for Shari George. The Committee reviewed revisions from the Management and Marketing Department and from Music. They will also have a Course Repeat Policy revision for the next meeting.
1.3.2 Personnel (Michael Anderson).
Dr. Anderson reported he met with Delois Smith and they are coming up with a statement for the Handbook regarding faculty dating students. The Statement will include faculty not dating students and if there is already a relationship established that it be disclosed to the faculty member’s Chair and Dean. The Committee will work on the wording and have something for the Executive Committee later.
1.3.3 Governance and Operations (Richard Fork for Jeffrey Kulick).
Dr. Fork reported the Committee had an electronic meeting. They identified two people for the University Standing Committees that needed a Faculty Senate Representative. Joyce Thompson will serve on the Use of Human Subjects Committee and Linda Vaughan will serve on the Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Committee. Dr. Fork reported he discovered in looking at the Bylaws that the Research Council is supposed to have two members on it from the Faculty Senate. The Senate is to supply four names and Dr. Greenwood is then to choose two. Melinda Lawson and Richard Fork had a good meeting with Dr. Snider. They were invited to a future meeting. There is a strategic plan for improving the Research environment. The Committee addressed the question of initiating a study of the environment for research at UAH. This follows the study done of OSP that was positively received and provided useful information. The difference would be that the study of the research environment would likely be a long term study. The reason for a long term study would be interest in making changes while also being able to evaluate the influence of those changes over time. The group performing the study would include representation from all interested groups. This would include faculty who are members of research centers and those who are not members of centers. There were six yes votes and one abstention vote on the Committee in support of the study. It was suggested that the Committee make sure they look at faculty issues and what is best for the faculty. Ask what would make it better for the faculty. Two suggestions have been made 1) UAH buildings be heated (or air conditioned) on weekends and holidays since a number of faculty are present and work during those time periods. 2) Attention be given to providing adequate release time for faculty research. The next step would be to draft a survey instrument and move ahead with something similar to what was done for the OSP.
1.3.4 Faculty and Student Development (Kader Frendi).
Dr. Frendi reported the Committee met last week and he had a problem getting people together. The Committee is still waiting for data from the colleges. Dr. Frendi has analyzed the data from Engineering and is waiting for the others.
He mentioned that UAH has no keyword search on the main page. They found this in their discussion about High School Research Experiences. There was a suggestion for creating a page for High School Students. We are behind other universities around the State.
The Committee discussed the QEP and the Oversight Committee. They believe the Faculty Representatives for the Committee should be those that have direct contact with Freshmen. Dr. Frendi gave a copy of the report to Melinda Lawson.
1.3.5 Finance and Resources (Harry Delugach).
Dr. Delugach reported the REU announcements went out. They have received one solid proposal and one that is not so solid. The Committee came up with a good set of criteria that is short, simple, and low stress. The Committee will meet again on December 7 to go over proposals that are in at that time. They will make preliminary decisions and close the details in January. There was some mention and suggestion of having a longer period to work on the proposals. Dr. Delugach will pass this along to the Committee. The Committee will think about extending the deadline.
1.3.6 Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes).
Dr. Heikes reported the Committee has worked on the posthumous grading issue. Dr. Franz stated this is a good idea but he wants automatic withdrawal and the Professor may have the option to assign a grade other than F. Lacking anything else there will be a withdrawal. Work on the wording of a process and Peggy will work with Dr. Heikes and the Committee and the Provost and President. Dr. Delugach moved to table the bill presented and Dr. Karr seconded the motion. This issue will be reworked.
1.3.7
President-Elect—Lynn
Boyd
No Report.
1.4 The November 30 Faculty Senate Meeting was cancelled.