1. Meeting of 29 November, 2001

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

Absent: Dr. Landrum, Fork, and Hillman

1.1. Faculty Senate President’s Report –Information

Dr. Miller reported Dr. Waring and he went to the ACUFP meeting on November 9 and 10. Information from the meeting included reports from various universities.

Dr. Williamson and Dr. Miller reported there would be a “Town Hall Meeting” this afternoon (November 29) at 4:00 p.m. in the UC sponsored by the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and Student Government Association. Six Legislators will be present.

A question was posed regarding the bi-weekly pay period. Some discussion followed. Dr. Miller will invite Mr. Ray Pinner to the next Faculty Senate Executive Committee Meeting for discussion regarding this topic.

1.2. Reports from Administration

Dr. Radonovich reported and answered questions regarding the “Learning Community Proposal”.

Dr. Radonovich reported there is a revised summer session proposal under evaluation and answered questions related to that proposal.

1.3. Committee Items and Chair Reports

1.3.1. Student Faculty Development (Melinda Redmon)

No Report.

1.3.2. Finance and Resources (Richard Fork)

Dr. Fork was on travel and was unable to attend the meeting. He sent a report that was distributed to the Committee Members.

1.3.3. Governance and Operations (Tommy Williams)

No Report.

1.3.4. Personnel (Lynn Boyd)

Dr. Boyd and Dr. Miller reported Dr. Franz and Dr. Radonovich met with the Deans regarding Senate Bill 290 and 291. Dr. Franz and Dr. Radonovich then met with members of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and discussed concerns regarding these two bills.

Senate Bill 290 will be on the agenda for the next Faculty Senate Meeting (December 6, 2001) at third reading.

Senate Bill 291 was referred back to the Personnel Committee for further revision and refining.

There was some discussion regarding the “Conflict of Interest” issue and the best avenue for the Committee to pursue regarding this topic.

1.3.5. Curriculum (Brian Landrum).

No Report.

1.3.6. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs (James Smith)

Dr. Smith reported the Committee has continued to look at the “Readmission Policy”. There is currently no input from the department or college to the Committee before a student’s petition comes to the Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs Committee. The Committee is working with Dr. Johnson regarding this routing issue in order to get the right recommendations to the Committee before the Committee acts upon the petition. The question was posed of whether we need a Senate Bill or a Sense of the Senate Resolution. It was suggested a form might solve the problem and Dr. Smith should work with Dr. Johnson and Dr. Radonovich to develop the best solution.

Dr. Smith reported the Committee has researched the issue of the “Last Day to Withdraw” from a class. The Committee members talked to professors and many are against making the last day of class the “Last Day to Withdraw”. The consensus was that the current policy does have some constraints. Dr. Smith distributed Senate Bill 292 for first reading. This bill changes the “Last Day to Withdraw” to the end of the tenth week of classes. This will give time for the students to have their midterm and receive feedback on the midterm so they can make an informed decision regarding withdrawal. After some discussion, Dr. Williams moved, seconded by Dr. Redmon, to call the question. The vote was 7 in favor and 1 opposed. Senate Bill 292 passed at first reading and will be placed on the agenda for the December 6 Faculty Senate Meeting.

2.1. BUSINESS – AGENDA

The agenda for the December 6, 2001, Faculty Senate Meeting was set.