Report from Executive Committee Meeting
1.
Meeting of
Attending: Pakhomov, Neuschatz, Karr, Radonovich, Williamson, Coward, Reeves, Gaede
Absent: Hillman, Lawson
1.1 Faculty Senate President’s report:
Dr. Karr distributed a complaint from Dr. Miller. The Committee is going to let the Ombudsperson take care of this issue.
SACS and the Senate. Dr. Karr distributed a list of units that have been approved. Dr. Karr thinks it would be useful for the Faculty Senate to go through this exercise. He wants the Senate Executive Committee to decide if we are meeting goals and outcomes. We need a Mission Statement and outcomes for the Faculty Senate. Dr. Reeves will develop this with the help of the Senate Executive Committee.
Dr. Karr announced that the UAH Long Term Care Provider wants to come to the Faculty Senate to make people aware of the program and the options.
The next Senate Executive Committee Meeting is changed to March 1 due to ACUFP and Higher Education Day being held on March 3.
1.2 Reports from Administration
Dr. Franz reported regarding the Higher Education Partnership and Professional Liability Insurance. He received a response to Dr. Williamson’s question regarding Liability Insurance. He discovered there is nothing in the Faculty or Staff Handbooks. He distributed the statement that will go into the Faculty and Staff Handbooks. There was a question regarding alleged accusations for sexual harassment and claims of discrimination and how that would be handled and whether it was covered in the University’s liability policy. The response was there is a University process in place to handle either of those accusations. There was a questions that if a person worked here and left and was accused of something after they left—what happens? There was another question of What if an individual is being sued by a State or Federal Agency? What about discrimination claimed by student? If it is a student against a faculty who does the University defend? If two faculty members are involved who does the university defend—which one? Dr. Franz stated if anyone has other questions let him know and he will try to get answers. Is there a limit on the university defense?
Dr. Franz announced that the Campus Master Plan appeared in the Monday paper. It was a very nice article and good coverage.
There was some discussion regarding the work on the sports fields. Dr. Franz reported the County is donating work, and much of the materials have been donated. These will be practice quality fields.
Dr. Franz reported that yesterday
we received word from the State that the $10M is on the way for the
Dr. Franz reported the Morton Hall Parking Lot issue has been passed to Ray Pinner for action. This is a temporary solution and something that will still need to be researched for a long term solution.
There was some discussion regarding whether there are new policies regarding early walk for graduation. It was reported it is still the College Dean’s decision and the student can appeal to the Provost.
There was some discussion regarding procedures for medical emergencies. Dr. Reeves will send a note to Mr. Pinner.
1.3 Committee Items and Chair Reports
1.3.1 Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Rhonda Gaede).
Dr. Gaede reported the Committee is processing course approval forms.
Dr. Gaede announced she received an email that academic standards for financial aid changed. Sixty six percent of the hours attempted must be passed.
Course approval requests should be done on the current course approval forms that are on the provost web site. If program changes occur they should have the program approval form completed and signed.
Dr. Gaede mentioned there will be a dynamic catalog which will be up to date but the legally binding one will continue to be the printed version.
1.3.2
Personnel
(Andrew Coward).
Dr. Coward reported the Committee is working on three issues. The Faculty Activity Report summary
reports—feedback coming from Faculty Activity Report evaluations. The faculty have no way to determine relative
ranking. What factors are considered in
the rating?
Evaluation of Administrators for reappointment. Should we have access to
information used to evaluate deans?
Standard term for people who are not full time faculty.
The Committee will meet in two weeks.
1.3.3 Governance and Operations (Joan Williamson).
No Report. Dr. Williamson announced March 3 is Higher Education Day. She is talking to Joel Lonergan about getting signs for Higher Education Day.
Dr. Williamson announced the Higher Education partnership pushed to get the same treatment for Higher Education as K-12.
Dr. Williamson will get information out to everyone.
1.3.4 Faculty and Student Development (Melinda Lawson).
Ms. Lawson was not present. Dr. Karr presented Senate Bill 299. The Senate Executive Committee reviewed the changes to the bill. There was some discussion regarding the process and how it affects faculty rights and prerogative. Dr. Williamson seconded the motion from Dr. Karr to accept the bill as currently presented and put it on the agenda for the next Senate Meeting. The bill was accepted for placement on the agenda for the upcoming Faculty Senate meeting.
1.3.5 Finance and Resources (Andrew Pakhomov).
Dr. Pakhomov reported the Committee has had two meetings on one item. They have looked at the Undergraduate Research Experience. They had discussions with John Gregory and Bernhard Vogler. Dr. Pakhomov distributed the proposal. There was a question regarding whether this has to go through the full Senate. The answer was yes, unless it is an emergency.
The program will be opened to all students and all disciplines. Dr. Pakhomov distributed the Senate Bill. There was a request for a friendly amendment to change the wording to “faculty members” not “every faculty member”. There was a suggestion to have the bill portion stop after the first paragraph in the Therefore… and have the rest of the information as an attachment backup material. Dr. Pakhomov moved to accept the bill at first reading with the suggested changes, seconded by Dr. Gaede. The bill passed at first reading.
1.3.6 Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Jeffrey Neuschatz).
No Report.
1.4 Agenda
Senate Bills
Long Term Care Presentation
Higher Ed Partnership Presentation