Report from Executive Committee Meeting

29 January, 2004

1.      Meeting of 29 JANAURY, 2004

Attending:   Williamson, Wilkerson, Reeves, Gaede, Wren, Hillman, Radonovich, Franz

Absent:   Karr, Pakhomov, Lawson

1.1.      Faculty Senate President’s Report –Information

Dr. Hillman announced the Alliance will hold a meeting on February 6, 2004, at noon at Mom’s in the UC.

1.2.      Reports from Administration

Dr. Franz reported the HOK group has been on campus this week working on the campus master plan.  Things look good overall.   The Governor’s budget looks positive.  We still want to do something with salaries.  There was some discussion regarding the out of state tuition issue.  There was some discussion regarding the Campus Master Plan and the plans for the Shelby Building and issues regarding Holmes Avenue.

Dr. Radonovich reported the Performance Parameters should be finalized this Friday.  They are still working on taking things out and reducing the list.  He will send a copy out to the Executive Committee when it is finalized.  He reported the Chief Academic Officers met with the new Auburn Provost. 

Dr. Radonovich reported we will begin working on SACS.  We will follow UAB and UA by one year.  We will be doing a number of things at the department level.  We will be sending out a new booklet on the program reviews soon.

1.3.      Committee Items and Chair Reports

 

1.3.1.   Undergraduate Curriculum (Rhonda Gaede)

Dr. Gaede reported the Committee has met and has some suggestions for changing the Course Approval Form.  She reported the Committee approved an Honors 499 Project Course.  She stated there was some discussion regarding how this course would count toward course load for faculty.  This was discussed in context of incentive to supervise the courses..

 

1.3.2.   Personnel (Brent Wren)

Dr. Wren reported the Committee is working hard this semester.  The Committee discussed the Conflict of Interest issue regarding faculty teaching their children or spouse.  The Committee concluded no action was needed  in this area.  The Committee voted to add sexual orientation to the antidiscrimination policy.  There was a question regarding how this affects benefits.  The Committee had not addressed this issue.  Dr. Franz will send Dr. Wilkerson a copy of a response to an earlier request regarding benefits.  The Committee also discussed the issue of faculty dating students and whether a policy was needed regarding this issue.  It was decided no policy was necessary but perhaps adding a statement in the Faculty Handbook cautioning regarding this issue.  The Committee will continue to work on this.  The Committee was also asked to look at the incentive for buy out and how it relates to sabbatical.  This issue has been resolved without further action on the part of the Committee.

 

1.3.3.   Governance and Operations (Joan Williamson)

Dr. Williamson reported the Committee has reviewed the University Standing Committees and has concluded that a large number are mandatory and are active.  She noted this was the first time the Committees were reviewed as a whole.  The Committee has concluded that they may want to add some information to the charge for the Educational Technology and Distance Education Committee to emphasize intercollege communication regarding distance learning.  The Committee has also recommended looking at the composition of the Campus Priorities and Resources Advisory Committee.  The remainder of the Committees will be discussed at the next meeting.  The Committee will be bringing two bills forth.

 

1.3.4.   Faculty and Student Development (Melinda Lawson)

Ms. Lawson was not present but sent a bill to present to the Executive Committee for first reading.  The Senate Bill on Sanctions for Academic Misconduct was presented to the Committee.  The Committee had a number of questions and the bill was tabled until Ms. Lawson could be present to respond to the questions.

 

1.3.5.   Finance and Resources (Andrew Pakhomov)

No Report.

 

1.3.6.   Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (Andreé Reeves)

Dr. Reeves reported she had no report from the Committee but there have been some mention of limiting the number of withdrawals and the number of NCs.  Dr. Radonovich will work with Scott Verzyl to see what can be done on this issue.

1.4       Agenda

The agenda for the upcoming Faculty Senate Meeting was set.