Report from Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting

DECEMBER 14, 2006

1. Meeting of 14 December, 2006

Attending: Boyd, Karr, George, Heikes, Delugach, Franz, Fork, Frendi, Radonovich

1.1 Faculty Senate President’s Report

Melinda was at the Presidential Search Committee Meeting.

1.2 Reports from Administration

Dr. Franz reported he attended the SACS meeting in Orlando and UAH’s accreditation was reaffirmed. This was good and Dr. Franz said a thanks to all involved in helping making it happen. He reported there was an attempt to make some changes in the principles at the meeting. Someone wanted every courses assessed. There were some groups that spoke against this and it was remanded back to the Committee.

Dr. Franz gave a report to ACHE and that went well. He will show the presentation to the Executive Committee at some point.

Dr. Radonovich reported that the WebCT contract is in legal and will be signed tomorrow. We will renew the contract. Dr. Radonovich reported he was able to get the cost reduced from $162K to $91K. The cost will increase next year to $112,000, then $100,000 after that. The Angel System is about $30,000 but shifting would not be consistent to the faculty commitment to not have to learn something totally new. This is also still compatible with what the System uses. WebCT interfaces. We are operating with Allen Whitten handling emergencies for faculty and Jim McCullars running the server. We will shift into the new Blackboard and they will be running the server. There will be some adjustments but with a lot of enhancements. Dr. Delugach mentioned it will be slower on campus with them running the server off campus. Blackboard says it will not.

We had another contract with Horizon Wimba and last year at $22,000 per year. We ask for responses from faculty of those who use it and we got none first and three. Jim McCullars sent a notice and received responses. We have renewed the contract. As soon as we fill Barry Scott’s position we will push to get people on Horizon Wimba or get rid of it.

Dr. Radonovich announced to the faculty to remember that Michelle Korf will be at the January 26 Academic Council Meeting to give a presentation on the System Distance Learning information.

1.3 Committee Items and Chair Reports

1.3.1 Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Sharon George).

Shari George reported the Committee will have a bill under new business. They have looked at several course changes and new courses. They have been inundated but they are up to speed and everything has been signed off on except four program changes.

1.3.2 Personnel (Michael Anderson).

No Report.

1.3.3 Governance and Operations (Richard Fork for Jeffrey Kulick).

Dr. Fork reported the Committee met electronically. He distributed minutes from the meeting. The Committee looked at the observance of the Bylaws and having two faculty member on the Research Council. They looked at having one that is a stable position and one that is rotating so there is good representation from across the campus.

The Committee also looked at the study of the Research Environment. There was discussion of the survey instrument and who would oversee the study. There were discussions regarding incremental changes. It was suggested the Committee come for the with a proposal for selecting the members to recommend to Dr. Greenwood for the Research Council. It was also suggested the Committee come forth with a plan for the study of the Research Environment. Dr. Fork will discuss this with Dr. Kulick and advise him that the Committee should come forth with bills to deal with formalizing the process and procedure for the study of Research and for the selection of the members to recommend for the Research Council.

1.3.4 Faculty and Student Development (Kader Frendi).

No meeting. Lack of interest.

1.3.5 Finance and Resources (Harry Delugach).

Dr. Delugach reported the Committee met and looked at the 34 proposals and ranked them. There should be money to fund 14-18 proposals. Dr. Delugach reported he is not waiting on the Committee to let him now the next step. They would like to fund all but 4 or 5 with some sort of funding. Would like to get funding identified by February. The Committee doesn’t think it is necessary to extend the deadline. They have many good proposals. Someone suggested the Committee talk with the Development Office for money.

1.3.6 Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes).

Dr. Heikes reported the Committee has dealt with 3 readmissions and 4 bankruptcies.

1.3.7 President-Elect—Lynn Boyd

Dr. Boyd conducted the meeting in Melinda’s absence.

1.3.8 Senate Bill 308 was moved to the floor and discussed. The bill passed unanimously at first reading and will be on the agenda for the Senate meeting at second reading.

1.3.9 The Agenda was set for the January 11, 2007 Faculty Senate Meeting.