Report from Executive Committee Meeting
4 NOVEMBER, 1999
1. Meeting of 4 November, 1999
Attending: Bliss, Delugach, Iris Warren for Janet Brookman, Lawton and Williams
1.1. DISCUSSION –Information
Dr. Williams presided over the Executive Committee Meeting because Dr. Hanks was attending a conference.
Dr. McManus reported there is an individual Dr. Dees Stallings on campus today to talk about distance education and options available. Dr. McManus encouraged the faculty to attend the session this afternoon.
Dr. McManus reported he will bring some issues to the Personnel Committee—issues that need addressing in the Faculty Handbook. We currently have clinical titles for faculty and instructor and lecturer ranks. There is no promotion provision in these nontenure-earning ranks. Dr. McManus reported he has discussed these with the deans and they agree we need these categories developed in a controlled way. Dr. McManus has worked on a draft to broaden the clinical track to include instructor, Instructional Assistant Professor, etc. There will have to be a limit to what a department can have in this category. Based on what we currently have the limit of 20% has been set. The department would be limited to 20% of the tenured and tenure-earning faculty in the departments with majors. These categories would also apply to part-time faculty.
Also the faculty with half appointments in a Center and half appointments in a department need to be better defined in the Handbook. Dr. McManus will be delivering these items to the Personnel Committee for work.
1.2. Committee Items and Chair Reports
1.2.1. Student Faculty Development (Jim Swain)
Dr. Swain could not attend but sent a written report that the Committee had met with Dr. Fisher and learned a fair amount about the history of the athletic center project and various issues related to the cost to the faculty. The electable benefit is still the current thinking of the administration. The cost is a function of the tax code combined with the particular feature that the operation of the upgraded facility is being financed by selling memberships to the general public. This facility will help in the recruiting and retention aspect. This facility will also bring the public into UAH which allows them to see it as a value and make it a destination.
1.2.2. Finance and Resources (John Jarem)
No Report
1.2.3. Governance and Operations (Tommy Williams)
Dr. Williams brought a bill to the Executive Committee for first reading. This bill is a result of Dr. Hanks request that the Committee look at the University Standing Committee structures and meeting frequency. Dr. Williams formed a subcommittee headed by Dr. Wilkerson. The Subcommittee produced a Senate bill amending the Senate Bylaws. This bill is presented for first reading and it will be on the agenda at second reading for the next Senate meeting.
Dr. Williams lead a brief discussion regarding nominations for President-Elect to replace Jane Cash and the individuals eligible. The consensus is that nominations will be taken from last year’s Senate and this year’s Senate. The person elected must be a member of the Senate during his or her term of office.
Dr. McManus was asked if he would convene the Educational Technology and Distance Education Committee so they can elect a Chair.
1.2.4. Personnel (Bill Garstka)
No Report.
1.2.4. Curriculum (Phil Richards)
No Report.
1.2.5. Scholastic Affairs (Jim Bliss)
Dr. Bliss reported the Committee is still looking at the Administrative Withdrawal and the A, B, C, NC grading. Dr. Bliss has a list of issues to go over with the Committee and then with the Office of the Provost. The Committee will meet tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
1.2.6. Ombudsperson (Bob Lawton)
Dr. Lawton reported some students have complained that they registered for a Biology Course and were not charged a lab fee. The lab fee was changed during the semester and they have now received a bill with the newly assessed lab fee. He referred them to the SGA and the Bursar.
2.1. BUSINESS -- AGENDA
The Committee set the agenda for Senate Meeting 413, November 11, 1999.