APPROVED APRIL 5, 2005

PRESENT:

LBAR: Brown-Givens, Meister, Coward, Heikes, Reeves, Colclough, Shuck-Hall

ENG: Anderson, Gaede, Jovanov Tippett, Karr, Frendi

NUR: Williamson, Newman, Warren

SCI: Boyd, Cox, Ravindran, Friedman

ABSENT WITH PROXY:

ADSC: Bryson

ENGR: Kulick, Lin

LIB: Vaughan

NUR: Lawson

SCI: Mecikalski, Newman

ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:

ADSC: Pendley, Wren

LBAR: Jones, Eaker, Bollinger, Early, Neuschatz

ENGR: Smith, Frederick

SCI: Leahy, George, Paddison, Hillman, Pakhomov

0. President Gerald Karr called the meeting to order at 12:50 p.m.

1. Draft Minutes of Meeting Number 465 were approved. Motion by Dr. Reeves, seconded by Dr. Williamson.

2. Senate Executive Committee Reports accepted. Motion by Dr. Reeves, seconded by Dr. Williamson.

3. President Franz’s Report.

Dr. Franz report he was in Montgomery yesterday for a Chamber trip. There were many people there from the Senate. The Governor’s plan to move $70M from the Education Trust Fund balance was opposed by the Senate and House. Dr. Franz reported the Governor been good to us. The $70M issue is not such a good thing. They have tried to stretch issues to cause them to have some education connection. It is hard to say no but the real answer is to develop more revenue on the general budget side and not to patch problems. No one said anything bad about the education budget and funding of education. Much stuff was put together with one time money. It is scary because things get transferred to education fund and then next year we won’t raise taxes, etc. and then a shortfall is created and then we have real problems. Seth Hammett is insightful and has a good sense of what is going on in Alabama. There was a question of whether he is against tax increase—and the answer was no but the governor says he will veto anything that comes to him to raise taxes. We do have ways to raise revenue.

Dr. Franz thought the Faculty Senate would be interested in seeing the layout for the fraternity and sorority houses. The houses will be of 10 beds each and a common living area.

4. Dr. Radonovich’s Report.

Dr. Radonovich offered to answer any questions the Faculty Senate might have had regarding Dr. Franz presentation and pictures of sorority and fraternity housing, because Dr. Franz had to leave. Dr. Radonovich reported that the wives of Mark Smith and Jim Hudson were donors. Sorority Housing was a positive force in their lives and the want to see it on our campus. There was a question of whether there will be house mother/father, and the answer was no. These houses are designed to provide a place to meet, a place to hold social functions, and a residence for 10 suites. They will be managed similar to dorms and the rates will be similar to the dorm. The Fraternity or Sorority as a whole have to come up with funds $60,000. There was a question regarding thee effect of these houses and the entrance for them on enlarging the pool at UFC. Dr. Radonovich believes it could still be done.

Dr. Radonovich reported we made an Offer to Mr. Bush for Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services. The written offer will go out tomorrow.

Dr. Radonovich reported we are still having the Performance Indicator battle regarding Licensure. We are still battling on Engineering and Business. It makes no sense counting the CPA. Bachelor’s degree students do not qualify to take the exam. It is senseless to use this as a measure and to set goals based on it. We are not battling Nursing because it is already reported and we are not battling Education because students have to get 100% on all three areas and it is published. As soon as we are successful in resolving these issues I will send you a new and final version. The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is not legitimate because no passage is required just that they take the exam. Some schools and departments have stopped requiring the exam. Civil Engineering has the requirement because of work on structures. It is required for those who are in the HVAC area.

5. A. Senate Committee Reports:

1. Executive: The report was distributed with the minutes. The report was approved.

2. Faculty and Student Development: No Report.

4. Governance and Operations:

Dr. Williamson reported we have sent out the request for volunteers to serve on University Standing Committees. This is one of our two prong parts of shared governance. She encouraged the faculty to talk to young faculty to advise them to get on these Committees and learn about university business. After the spring break we should have new senators. It is important to have the faculty voice on these matters.

5. Personnel: No Report.

6. Undergraduate Curriculum: Dr. Gaede reported they have one final item for the catalog and continuing to deal with course approvals. Dr. Gaede reported that the resolution that was passed regarding the student classification would be amended to 0-30 hours is a freshman.

7. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: No Report.

8. Finance and Resources: No Report.

B. University Committees: Dr. Reeves reported the Graduate Council will meet 7:30 a.m. Monday morning.

C. Officer Reports:

Parliamentarian: No Report.

Ombudsperson: No Report.

President-Elect: No Report

President: No Report

6. Higher Education Day Report.

Dr. Karr reported Higher Education Day was last Thursday. He reported a bus went from UAH with about 39 people. This was the second largest turn out for Higher Education Day. We were supportive of the Governor’s budget. We were not supportive of taking money out for other things. It was stressed that next year’s budget should include 4% or higher if K-12 gets more. Everyone was encouraged to attend these future events as it is educational and informative. It is also important that we have a good showing because it does make a difference.

Dr. Karr and Dr. Reeves went to the House Chambers and sat in the gallery while they were in session. House members were debating some issues on the docket. The bill to take the money out of the trust fund was on the floor. The House and Senate were speaking against it. They voted yesterday 97-4. Some information was shared about one of the issues debated and the nature of the debates. It was expressed this was an educational experience.

7. Report from ACUFP Meeting

ACUFP—meets twice a year. The meeting in the spring coincides with Higher Ed Day. After the Higher Ed Day rally Dr. Karr and Dr. Reeves went to the ACUFP meeting. They dad various people from the Legislature and from ACHE and the lobbyist from the system. Gordon Stone was there. Person from ACHE could not answer questions. Questions asked about program duplication. Dr. Radonovich reported the moratorium on new programs should end September ‘05 unless extended by the Legislature. He also stated that Core Liberal Arts viability is being discussed in this meeting going on today and tomorrow. Core Liberal Arts programs that were given an extension are going to be required to respond to the viability issue once again. We do not know what we will do yet. Music is one program and it is essential to getting a Liberal Arts degree. Dr. Radonovich believes having music on campus is more important than having 7.5 graduates per year. The possibilities are to request an extension or waiver. Exemptions and Extensions have been sought and granted in the past. It was asked if the numbers have ever been challenged because they do not seem reasonable or logical. Numbers have not been challenged because it is legislated state-wide. It was stated it appears there is a conflict between the State Higher Ed and ACHE. The fight is with the Legislature.

Dr. Karr reported there was a budget presentation explaining the problem with the budget. Years ago when we went through proration all of education had to cut back. K-12 chose to cut one feature and Higher Ed proposed to cut back on PEEHIP for retirees. Last year Higher Ed had to come up with extra money to pay for PEEHIP. K-12 did not. This year there is excess in the trust fund that is being fought over. One issue is to clear the books for Higher Ed by returning money paid for PEEHIP. This requires using the excess funding. Other elements are trying to use the funds. The Governor’s proposal is to use the money to support the general fund budget. Something has to happen with the general fund budget.

Dr. Karr reported at the ACUFP meeting all Faculty Senate Presidents come together from around the State and compare notes. One of the things that is interesting is how the Senate in some schools has had influence. A&M went through the process of firing the President. The Faculty Senate took the position of not endorsing any candidate for Presidency. Wise for them because of the battle in the Board for who would be President. UNA has a new president. The previous president was not someone they supported. Some schools do not allow faculty to speak to Board Members. In some places all faculty are polled every year on the effectiveness of administrators and the poll is distributed. Auburn has a University Senate which includes administrators, faculty, staff, and students. The Faculty controls the senate as officers. Sometimes at some places administration plays a role in the Senate and some do not. The Auburn Senate was instrumental in asking for the resignation of the President and the Board Members.

10. President Karr adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m. Motion by Dr. Gaede, seconded by Dr. Reeves.