1. Meeting of 1 November, 2001

Attending: Drs. Miller, Williamson, Waring, Redmon, Schnell, Fork, Radonovich, Boyd,

Absent: Dr. Landrum and Smith

1.1. Faculty Senate President’s Report –Information

Dr. Miller reported there will not be a Faculty Senate Meeting next week it will be moved to November 15 due to the Board of Trustees Meeting and the ACUFP meeting. Dr. Miller and Dr. Waring will be out attending these meetings.

Dr. Miller reminded the Committee that the ACUFP meeting is scheduled to be held here at UAH in the spring. We will reserve rooms and work on the details once the dates are set.

Dr. Miller reported since the Chancellor has accepted the position in Georgia, the Faculty Senate does not have a speaker for the January meeting, but we are still working on getting another speaker.

Dr. Williamson reported that the UASPAC has a website up at http://www.uaspac.org. She reported we have several new members and some special events have been occurring to get information out to prospective members.

1.2. Reports from Administration

Dr. Franz did not have a report and did not remain for the meeting.

Dr. Radonovich reported he had established a task force to work on the Learning Communities concept. The task force (Dr. Fix, Dr. Kirkpatrick, Dr. Aunon, Dr. Johnson, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Verzyl) met and worked on an inexpensive way to start the Learning Communities. The concept is to link three courses together for incoming freshman. The same group of freshman (about 25 students) would be able to take the same three courses, would be able to establish study groups, and could establish other ways of helping each other complete the courses. Dr. Radonovich has a two-page handout but it has not yet been approved by Dr. Franz, therefore he could not distribute the information.

Dr. Radonovich reported he has received a request from SACS to extend the date for our visit from 2005 to 2006 due to the backlog resulting from the change in the process. Dr. Radonovich reported we responded in the affirmative. Our self-study year will now be 2003. We will formulate our plan next year.

Dr. Radonovich was asked about the minority position. Dr. Radonovich responded the number of minority students are up and the number of minorities in administration are up. The number of minority faculty have stayed about the same. The students need role models. The Colleges have put forth a good effort and we are in full compliance, but we still need more role models. Part of the problem is that there are fewer Ph.D.s in some areas. Dr. Radonovich stated there has been a minority position designated internally with a February deadline for prospective candidates. The three criteria used are: 1)qualifications, 2)enrollment in the unit; 3) need for a role model. This position will not substitute for any current vacancy in the colleges. We will not advertise externally.

1.3. Committee Items and Chair Reports

1.3.1. Student Faculty Development (Melinda Redmon)

Ms. Redmon reported the Committee is still working on the Academic Misconduct issue.

1.3.2. Finance and Resources (Richard Fork)

Dr. Fork reported the Committee is still working on the Handicapped Parking issue.

He reported the Committee appreciates the budget information received from Dr. Franz. The Committee would like to see more details on how the budget is handled across campus.

1.3.3. Governance and Operations (Tommy Williams)

Dr. Williams was not present but called in the results of the Faculty Appeals Committee elections.

1.3.4. Personnel (Lynn Boyd)

Dr. Boyd reported the Committee is still dealing with the conflict of interest issues.

Dr. Boyd distributed copies of the two bills the Committee submitted at first reading.

Dr. Boyd explained that Senate Bill 290 is adding an interim review for deans every fifth semester or half way through the five-year term. This would simply be a questionnaire distributed by the Office of the Provost and returned to the Provost. The Provost would then issue a report. The purpose is for feedback to the dean.

Dr. Boyd explained that Senate Bill 291 is adding more details and clarification to the current process for the fifth year review of deans. This formalizes the traditional practices of the process.

Senate Bill 290 passed unanimously at first reading and will be placed on the agenda for the next Faculty Senate meeting.

Senate Bill 291 passed unanimously at first reading and will be placed on the agenda for the next Faculty Senate meeting.

1.3.5. Curriculum (Brian Landrum).

Dr. Landrum was not present but sent his Committee Report which Dr. Miller distributed.

1.3.6. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (James Smith)

Dr. Smith was not present.

2.1. BUSINESS – AGENDA

The agenda for the November 15, 2001, Faculty Senate Meeting.