Report from Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting

April 23, 2009

 

1.  Meeting of 23 April 2009

 

Attending: Lawson, Anderson, Burnett, Etzkorn, Miller, Newman, Vaughan, Severn, Radonovich, Williams, Karbhari, Gholston, English, Pritchard

 

1.1              Faculty Senate President’s Report  

Dr. Gaede was out of town.  Dr. Etzkorn presided over the meeting.

1.2       Reports from Administration

Dr. Williams had the video from the Institutional Presentation of the Board Meeting shown to the group and ask where else it should be shown.  The recommendation was to show it in the Town Hall Meeting.  There was some discussion of why some areas were not represented.  The response was that those who were contacted and responded were those that came through.

Dr. Williams reported that Rhonda Gaede had requested a discussion with Community Leaders and Dr. Williams is setting those up.  Tuesday the 28th at 12:45 p.m. Lou Weiner and Phil Dotts will be present in SKH 369 and Thursday, April 30, at 8:00 a.m. Dan Montgomery and Paula Steigenwald will be present in SKH 369 for discussion.  There are a couple of others, the medical personnel being one of them who have not given a time yet but those will be set up as soon as we have a date and time for those.  Dr. Williams pointed out that anyone is free to ask people from the Community for meetings and are free to contact them.

Dr. Williams announced that Gary Maddox had just received a $77.86M contract over five years.  Gary Maddox has the SMAP Lab and supports ~120 undergraduate interns in a variety of disciplines.  This is the largest single contract in the history of UAHuntsville.  There were some questions and discussions regarding how Gary works and how to get students into his program.  Dr. Williams and Dr. Karbhari and Dr. Severn responded that currently individuals contact Gary directly but eventually it will be handled through SSC using the Simplicity Program.

Dr. Williams reported there was an article about the Oak Ridge National Labs here and the cost but they are paying rent for the offices here on campus.

Dr. Karbhari reported three resolutions were forwarded to him from the Senate and he has forwarded them to several personnel across campus for comment.  He stated the Administration is in favor of the resolutions but some have concerns regarding the implementation and conflict with some other policies already in place.

Dr. Karbhari reported the newspaper had an article regarding the Exponent not going out due to budget cuts but that is not true.  The Exponent did print their last edition for the semester and both of the editors of the Exponent wrote an email explaining this to the newspaper.

Dr. Karbhari reported there was a letter from department chairs cc’d to deans and the Realignment Committee complaining about actions taken.  Dr. Karbhari will write a letter stating we have not taken actions and we are waiting on input from the Realignment Committee.  Dr. Karbhari asked Dr. Newman to please let all the Chairs know of the work of the Realignment Committee and the Administration is waiting on their report.

Dr. Karbhari reported they are looking at the email system and looking at alternatives to our system.  They are looking at gmail and will talk to the Faculty Senate and Students and Staff to get input.  The presents tremendous opportunities with things we cannot do now.  There are more options and more storage.  There is the ability to talk over the internet and do videos.  Linda Vaughan announced at this point that the Students have scheduled an informational meeting for Thursday at 2:00 p.m. and the Faculty and Staff Senates have the option of scheduling a showcase meeting on Tuesday, the 28th at 2:00 p.m. or the 29th at 2:00 p.m. of the 30th at 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.  April 29th at 2:00 p.m. was the chosen date.  Dr. Karbhari stated that Diane and Wilson have done much work and have looked into many issues.  The official email addresses should remain the same. 

 

Dr. Severn reported that the SSC had a Tutoring Blitz yesterday.  It was a good success.  There was a good turnout.  Most subjects were covered.  There were very few from History or English.  The SSC is all moved in.  The tutoring is very much improved.  It is better organized and better staffed. 

Dr. Severn also reported they will get the Dean of Engineering Search going tomorrow.

Dr. Severn announced that Commencement will be like the one in t he fall except the Friday ceremony will include Masters degrees as well as Ph.D. degrees.  Saturday will be the two ceremonies for the undergraduate degrees.

Dr. Radonovich thanked the Handbook Committee for their work, especially Linda Vaughan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

1.3              New Business

 

Melinda Lawson moved seconded by Linda Vaughan to amend the agenda to consider the two bills from the Realignment Committee.

Bill 1:  Change “Curriculum Committee” to “appropriate curriculum committee” in Section VI.

Change in the Whereas “1984” to “1990”

The bill passed unanimously, put it on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

Bill 2:   Delete the information about the faculty member being beyond the mandatory age of retirement.

The bill passed, put it on the agenda for the next meeting.

1.4    Committee Items and Chair Reports 

 

1.4.1        Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Gail Pritchard).

No Report.

 

1.4.2   Personnel (Michael Anderson). 

 Dr. Anderson thanked Diana Bell for her work on the “Partner Benefit” bill.

 

1.4.3    Governance and Operations (Jennifer English).

P&T bill changed to include all Handbook policies as binding.  After talking about this with faculty on and off the Senate, all wanted a stronger bill.  The Handbook is to protect the faculty.  It was moved by Dr. Reeves, seconded by Dr. Newman to make this a bill instead of a Sense of the Senate resolution.  The bill passed and will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

1.4.4    Faculty and Student Development (Andree Reeves). 

 No Report.

 

1.4.5        Finance and Resources (John Burnett). 

No Report.

 

1.4.6        Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Deborah Heikes). 

No Report.

 

1.4.7        Realignment (Timothy Newman)

The Realignment Committee will be coming out with a procedure document.  The group reminded Dr. Newman that the Committee needs to be giving the administration some recommendations.  The Committee needs responses from faculty with other ideas.  Dr. Etzkorn reported that the Administration wants recommendations from the Committee then they will choose 3 or 4 and look closely at those and take a month to talk with departments and work out procedures and processes.  Dr. Newman asked the Committee to go back to faculty and get ideas and input.

 

1.4.8        The Agenda was set for the April 30 Faculty Senate Meeting.