Report from
1.
Meeting of
Attending: Etzkorn, English, Miller, Coe, Gaede,
Boyd,
Seemann, Newman,
Gholston, Anderson
The meeting was called to order at
Dr. Williams Report:
Ø The Board met and approved the budget including the tuition for next year. The analysis of investments and return on investments show a better picture and that we may be back to where we started this time last year on the endowments.
Ø There is challenging news for the State budget and it is not predicted to be better. We know no numbers at this time. There is no expectation of escaping proration. It is wise not to spend except on essentials. We need to focus on the revenue generation side.
Ø The credit hour production is up by 5% which is a good income stream. The Average ACT exceeded 25. All diversity has increased. The student body is larger and better.
Ø Michael Griffin’s Center was approved and there will be an announcement going out.
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Early this week there was a Science and
Technology Summit in
Ø There will be several visits to campus in the next few weeks. We will involve Letha and the faculty where appropriate. We will involve Faculty, Staff, and Students where appropriate. Governor Riley will be here October 13. The President of India will visit, the Head of the Missile Defense Agency, General O’Reilly, will visit and General Cartwright will be here on October 27.
Ø There was a question of where the budget information is found now on the new website. Response: It should still be on the website
Ø We received a report on the H1N1 virus in the State at the Board Meeting and we are the lowest of all the Institutions in the State. K-12 is far worse. But Students being able to get information when they are absent is valuable and important. Continuing education in the presence of disaster is important.
Dr. Karbhari’s Report:
Ø Master of Science in Information Assurance and Security (MSIAS) was approved at the Board Meeting. This is a joint program between three colleges. It has been forwarded to ACHE. This is a collaboration with UAB who is working on a program in Computer Forensics and Security Management.
Ø The Podcasts are doing well. There are about 30 courses using it. There was a call to all faculty in the spring for summer courses. There was a glitch in the summer but it has continued in the fall. It is an easy way to do the courses. Some faculty use it for more than the class. We will meet with those faculty in a couple of weeks to take lessons learned and then move forward to other faculty with information. There is not a policy on what happens to the podcast after the course. It is assumed it goes away. That would be the choice of the faculty member. It is a good way to provide information to students. There has not been a problem with absenteeism using this method. It assists the students and enables them to do better in the course. It is important to have information available to students if there is a disaster. The Deans are discussing the topic of continuing in the event of a pandemic or disaster with the colleges. What happens if we have to shut down for a period of time? How do we continue the education and the curriculum sequence?
Ø The Academic Affairs Org Chart was distributed. There was a question regarding whether the Faculty Senate will be on the Org Chart (any org chart). There was a question of to whom do they wish to answer. The choice was Academic Affairs.
Ø Finance and Resources: Dr. Seemann reported the Committee will meet after this meeting and determine the Distinguished Speaker Series. They will discuss the REU Program. The Committee will take a more active role in the Finances and budget process. They will take a look at what they should do. The Committee will meet and discuss this and determine if they need to meet with Ray.
Ø Personnel: Dr. Anderson reported they looked at the Newton Position and investigated some rumors. The Personnel Committee was asked to nominate the Mace Bearer.
Ø Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: Dr. Newman reported they are looking at the residency policy and the concerns with it. He has tried to get John Maxon to come talk to the Committee but he has not been willing to do that. John Maxon indicated this is not in the purview of the Scholastic Affairs Committee. He sent a presentation to Dr. Newman which indicates this is under the purview of this Committee.
Ø Governance and Operations: Dr. Miller has no report but discussed the issue of the Chairmanship of the Committee and the challenge. He was asked to take a look at OSP and Business Services with Dr. Reeves Committee. Dr. Miller will take the lead.
Ø Faculty and Student Development: Dr. Reeves had no report.
Ø Undergraduate Curriculum: Dr. Coe’s reported they approved a course in First Aid for First Responders.
Ø There was some discussion of the Handbook Committee and making sure the realignment procedures are there or match with what is there. The Handbook should be done by December. It is better organized and clearer. It was requested the Handbook Committee send the Lecturer, Clinical, and Research Faculty portion to the Personnel Committee for input.
Ø Jennifer English has had some success regarding the Smoking Policy. The Faculty and Staff resolutions will need to be combined. Jennifer English has gone through the resolutions passed in the last two years and the response and recommendations. She is doing a spreadsheet. This will be on the website. Someone will need to be in charge of it and in charge of the website. They will continue to look at the bylaws and the possibility of a secretary for the Senate. Jennifer English will send out a survey regarding the bylaws. An example: Jennifer English believes the Senate is in violation of the bylaws on representation from departments. She believes the department/unit must have 7 faculty to have a Senator.
Ø It was requested the agenda be set so that Dr. Newman can present the bill from the last meeting at second reading immediately following the administrative reports. Motion by Dr. Boyd, seconded by Dr. English. Vote 8 in favor and 1 abstention.
Ø Dr. Newman brought a bill to the floor regarding accounting for Senate Bills and Resolutions seconded by Dr. Seemann. The bill passed unanimously.
Ø Dr. Newman brought the bill to the floor regarding the Housing Policy. Dr. Newman shared some statistics and some concerns. Seconded by Dr. Gholston. Vote was 7 in favor and 2 opposed. The bill passed at first reading.
Ø The agenda was set for the upcoming meeting.
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The meeting adjourned at