Report from Executive Committee Meeting
14 FEBRUARY, 2002
Attending: Drs. Miller, Schnell, Williamson, Waring,
Williams, Fork, Smith, Hillman, Redmon, Radonovich, Franz
Absent: Drs.
Landrum and Boyd
Dr.
Miller reported he will be giving a presentation to the Board of Trustees
tomorrow (February 15, 2002) and welcomed input from anyone of the Faculty
Senate Executive Committee. He reported
he was considering discussing the various aspects of the quality of life for a
Faculty Member.
Dr. Radonovich reported he is eager to receive information on the plagiarism issue. He stated he is concerned about this issue; he has done some research and would like a discussion regarding it. He reiterated we should state our objectives in this issue.
Dr. Franz had a response to the Senate Resolutions on the Amendments to the Faculty Handbook Appendix A regarding the Interim Review of Deans and the Evaluation Process for Review of Deans. Dr. Franz distributed a copy of the response that he and Dr. Radonovich signed to Dr. Miller. This response also included a draft evaluation form for review by the Personnel Committee. This pre-established evaluation form will give the deans a guide as to what will be asked in the evaluation process both at the interim evaluation and the Fifth Year Review. Dr. Franz reported that the administration has accepted the resolutions submitted by the Faculty Senate with a few modest modifications. There was a question regarding the deletion of the last sentence and whether or not Dr. Franz consulted with the lawyers on the discovery issue. Dr. Franz explained that if the interim evaluation is placed in the folder, then we run the risk of skewing the fifth year review. If the fifth semester information is placed in the folder it becomes more of a formal procedure with room for rebuttal, etc. The understanding of the fifth semester evaluation is for the purpose of new feedback to give opportunity to change or improve. Dr. Franz stated that if there is a problem in the interim evaluation it will come up again in the Fifth Year Review. He stated the good could be overshadowed by problems that are focused upon if there were problems in the interim evaluation and it is then included with the Fifth Year Review. Dr. Franz and Dr. Radonovich both stated the Faculty Senate did a very good job on the Resolutions. The Personnel Committee chaired by Dr. Lynn Boyd was commended for their good work on the resolutions and on resolving issues of concern. Dr. Franz reported that he and Dr. Radonovich took the memo with the resolutions to the Deans and they accepted it. They do not like the fifth semester evaluation but they have accepted it with the changes suggested in Dr. Franz’s memo. Dr. Radonovich mentioned that another problem with including the Fifth Semester Evaluation in the file would be that the Review Committee might feel they only had a two and one half year period to review instead of the five-year period. Dr. Franz stated the discoverability is still unclear.
Dr. Williams moved, seconded by Dr. Waring and agreed by all the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to accept the resolutions as modified and approved by the Administration.
Dr. Franz reported that the Board Meeting will be highlighting students and faculty mentoring of students. The Board will be given a tour of campus. There is not much on the agenda affecting us.
Dr. Franz reported the matters in the Legislature are stalled at the moment.
Dr. Franz reported that Senator Tom Butler has been very helpful to Education and he is coming to present a proclamation to the ATO Fraternity as part of the Board activities.
Dr. Redmon reported the Committee has a draft letter regarding the Honor Code. She reported someone from the Office of Counsel will come to the next Committee Meeting to discuss the Honor Code and Plagiarism issues. The Committee is doing research on other universities that are using “turnitin.com” and will give data to Dr. Radonovich. She reported the Committee may need to look at the penalty for students who have charges of cheating and plagiarism brought against them.
Dr. Fork reported the Committee has sent a letter to Dave Brown regarding the handicapped parking issue. Dave Brown has looked at the letter and has agreed to respond.
Dr. Fork had a question regarding Patents and the way the University handles patents applications. He discussed the low cost short-term patents. It was suggested data be collected and look at whether these are cost effective, whether we are using the most cost effective methods, how many should be allowed, and the best way to handle them. Dr. Franz will have Dr. Greenwood talk with Dr. Fork.
There was some discussion regarding centers and their allocations and cooperation and cohesiveness between academic colleges and centers.
No Report.
Dr. Boyd was not present but Dr. Miller reported the Committee is working on a memorandum to the Provost regarding promotional raises. The Committee is trying to get information from other institutions.
Dr. Landrum was not present but sent a report that the Committee facilitated a resolution regarding the Nursing and HPE courses and will approve them when the new course request forms are submitted.
The Committee reviewed the UA revisions to the UAS Strategic Plan and submitted comments and recommendations to the Provost.
The Committee had previously approved a set of special topics courses in CS.
1.3.6. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (James
Smith)
Dr. Smith reported
he modified all the documents relating to the readmissions process. The Administration agreed on a time limit on
the readmissions. These will be done
during the semester. They will go to
the deans and there will be a place on the form for the dean to sign. The review will be done just after final
exams. When the forms are modified Dr.
Smith will bring them to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee for
review. He did not feel a bill was
needed. Dr. Smith stated the he would
still like a recommendation from the Administration before the Committee
reviews them. He has not gotten a
commitment on that request yet.
Dr. Williamson moved, seconded by Dr. Hillman that the Faculty Senate Meeting be moved from February 21, 2002, to February 28, 2002. The Executive Committee voted unanimously in agreement to move the meeting.
Dr. Williamson announced Higher Education Day and encouraged everyone to attend and to call or email his or her reservations for a seat on the bus.
The agenda for the next Faculty Senate Meeting was set.