THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

JOURNAL OF THE FACULTY SENATE

VOLUME XXV

MINUTES OF MEETING #475 7 SEPTEMBER 2006,

APPROVED OCTOBER 26, 2006

PRESENT:

ADSC: Tseng, Schnell, Gramm

LBAR: Johnson, Pritchard, Bollinger, Meister, Martin, Ragsdale, Heikes, Neuschatz, Sitaraman

ENG: Banish, Anderson, Joiner, Jovanov, Fork, Gholston, Karr, Frendi, Wessling, Lin

LIB: Vaughan

NUR: Lawson, Anderson, Foote, George, Thompson

SCI: Mecikalski, Boyd, Bishop, Magnuson, Aygun, Delugach, Ai

ABSENT WITH PROXY:

ADSC: Patnayakuni

ENGR: Gaede, Kulick

LBAR: Reeves

SCI: Paddison,

ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:

LBAR: Ferris, Moore

NUR: Newman

SCI: Weimer, Ravindran, Miller, Oluseyi

0. Senate President Melinda Lawson called the meeting to order at 12:50 p.m.

1. Draft Minutes of Meeting Number 474 were approved. Motion by Sharon George, seconded by Harry Delugach.

2. Senate Executive Committee Reports accepted. Motion by Sharon George, seconded by Harry Delugach.

3. President Franz’s Report.

Dr. Franz apologized for the traffic problems. He reported we are underway with many things on campus. The intermodal transportation facility is in process. The paperwork will go to the Board at their next meeting.

Dr. Franz reported we have expanded and renovated Charger Café several times and we will be expanding it again to double the seating capacity. It will be all glass with high ceilings, etc. They will start in the spring and most of the work will be done in the summer with operation to resume in the fall.

The residence halls refurbishing and the completion of the fraternity and sorority housing is 83% complete as of today. We are ahead of the plans.

Diversity continues to be high on campus.

The U.S. News and World Report is out and we remain in tier 3 which is good. It will take a great deal to move to tier 2.

We are doing a good job with recruitment and retention and the graduation rate but not great—we still need more work. The graduation rate is 45% which is better but still need work. We should be at 56%. Freshmen to sophomore retention is at 75% which is ok but we need to do more.

Dr. Franz thanked all those associate with SACS. He discussed the MAPP Test and what happened with it. The results reflected well on us. We will utilize the results in various ways.

Dr. Franz discussed the UAH Preschool issue and where to put it. We have several possibilities. We want the optimum place for it. Dr. Franz has learned that it is not critical to move it now. There was a question of whether expansion is possible when it is moved? The answer was yes it will likely double in capacity. There was some discussion regarding expanding it to include drop off for UAH students.

The faculty were reminded to put money on their Charger Card and use the Charger Café and that carry out is possible now.

Dr. Franz talked briefly about buildings having street names and numbers now.

It was announced there are AEDs in all buildings and thanks go to Senator Butler for this.

4. Dr. Radonovich’s Report.

Dr. Radonovich announced that we will be reprinting the Faculty Handbook so that we can have hardcopies available, especially to new faculty. The updated version is on the web but we need hardcopies that individuals can use as a reference. Beginning in January the Senate will work on this and make any needed changes, etc. and we will then reprint it.

Dr. Radonovich asked the appropriate Committee of the Faculty Senate to consider formulating and institutional policy to ban cell phones, blackberries, etc. from exams unless the instructor has requested or approved their use.

You should received data at a future meeting from Fay Raines regarding SACS.

Dr. Radonovich thanked Melinda Lawson and others who were involved in the REU Program. He reported he spent time at the presentations and they were superb.

There was some questions and discussion regarding the overlap of test and classes for the 5 week and 10 week terms for the summer. Dr. Severn will look at this and try to eliminate this conflict in the future.

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. Fork reported this Committee will review the SACS information and will review the Bylaws of the Senate. He requested the Senators send input to him for the Committee.

5. Personnel: No Report.

6. Undergraduate Curriculum: Ms. George reported the Committee has discussed times to meet and will meet with Dr. Severn to talk about catalog changes.

7. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: No Report.

8. Finance and Resources: Dr. Delugach reported the Committee is evaluating the REU. The Committee thought it was great and we should get an earlier start this year. The Committee will meet next week and see if we can expand the REU and get information out. He noted this is applicable to all the campus. Please pay attention to the announcements that come out.

B. University Committees: No Report.

C. Officer Reports:

Parliamentarian: No Report.

Ombudsperson: Dr. Karr talked about his role as the Ombudsperson and that what he deals with is confidential and will be kept that way for now. Information about his role will be sent in an email to the Faculty.

President-Elect: No Report.

President: Melinda Lawson summarized what each Committee on the Faculty Senate will deal with this year.

Dr. Delugach suggested the Senate take this opportunity to carefully review the Faculty Handbook and take an active role in updating and changing it.

There was a question or whether the Wellness Center is equipped to deal with emergency situations. It was stated that Campus Police should be called in emergency situations and they will contact the City.

Melinda reported the Faculty and Staff Clinic is in the works.

6. Special Election for Publication Board Members:

There was a ballot distributed for a special election of two members to the University Publications Board for a two year term. The ballots were returned to Peggy Bower. The results will be announced later.

7. Melinda Lawson adjourned the meeting at 1:35 p.m.