THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

JOURNAL OF THE FACULTY SENATE

VOLUME XXV

 MINUTES OF MEETING #480, 26 APRIL 2007,

APPROVED AUGUST 30, 2007

PRESENT:

ADSC:   Tseng, Burnett

LBAR:  J. Johnson, Ferris,  Bollinger,  Meister, Gyasi, Reeves,

            ENG:   Anderson, Lin, Karr, Wessling

            LIB:     Vaughan

            NUR:   Lawson, O’Keefe, Anderson, Foote, Linsky, George, Thompson

SCI:     Mecikalski, Boyd, Bishop, Weimer, Scholz,  Delugach,  Etzkorn, Ravindran, Ai, Elsamadicy

ABSENT WITH PROXY:

ADSC:  Gramm, Schnell

LBAR:  Rountree, Moore, M. Johnson

ENGR:  Frendi

SCI:     Magnuson, Aygun, Miller

 

ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:

            ADSC:  Allen, Patnayakuni, Bao

LBAR:  Pritchard, Ragsdale, Heikes, Neuschatz, Sitaraman

ENGR:  Banish, Anderson, Kulick, Joiner, Gholston,

SCI:     Paddison,

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

1.   Draft Minutes of Meeting Number 479 were approved Motion by Andrée Reeves, seconded by Joan Dodson.

2.   Senate Executive Committee Report accepted.  Motion by Andrée Reeves, seconded by Lynn Boyd. Two abstentions. 

3.   President Franz’s Report.

Dr. Franz reported there is no definitive information with regard the budget or the bond issue.

He reported they are fine tuning moves to coincide with the opening of the Applied Sciences Building.  They hope it will be open in the fall.  They have a contingent plan if it is not open by the start of fall semester.

The entrance is almost complete.

There was some discussion regarding University Place School.  There is a desire for an intermediate performing arts building.  One similar to Vanderbilt.  There is support from a donor.  We are trying once again to find out if there is interest in selling the school.  The School Board voted to empower the Superintendent to make this type of decision.

We are working on an emergency plan using cell phones with a text message.  Delois Smith is coordinating this.  Dr. Delugach was asked to participate in advising.  We may need to change the policy and direction of cell phones.  The public school closing also would be a use for this.  Call Delois with thoughts and concerns regarding this.

There was some discussion regarding the University Pre-School.  It is not a forgotten project but it is not urgent at this point. 

4.   Dr. Radonovich’s Report.

Dr. Radonovich reiterated the Wilson Hall plans and reported they are interviewing architects.

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: No Report.

5. Personnel: Dr. Anderson reported there is a bill on the floor today.  The Committee requests the Provost change the Checkout Form/Separation Form to include an exit interview with the Provost or Ombudsperson.  This was presented as a motion and seconded by Dr. Dodson and the vote was unanimous.

6. Undergraduate Curriculum: No Report.

7. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: No Report.

8. Finance and Resources:  Dr. Delugach reported the Distinguished Speaker proposals have been reviewed and awarded $10,500 which was $500 over the budget and the Provost has taken care of that and the departments are being notified.. 

B.         University Committees:

Officer Reports:

Parliamentarian: No Report.

Ombudsperson: No Report.

President-Elect: No Report.

President: No Report.

6.          Senate Bill 309:  Faculty-Student Relationships (Second Reading)

Dr. Anderson explained that this issue was brought to the attention of the Committee by Delois Smith.  She wanted the Senate to do something regarding a policy.  She deals with distressed students in relationships with faculty and the relationship has gone bad during the semester.  We need a policy to keep relationships limited.  There are several alternatives.  It has boiled down to the bill you have today.  Dr. Anderson explained the different parts of the bill.

            There was some concern for the “nonprofessional” language.  Substitute “unprofessional”—“sexual, romantic and/or unprofessional”—“sexual or romantic”.  Friendly amendment, add “advisory or supervisory”.  Add “under your supervision”.  Change “is” to “are” in next line.  Dr. Wessling withdrew the friendly amendment about advisory or supervisory.  The vote was 1 opposed, 1 abstention,  37 in favor.  The bill passed at second reading.  It will be on the agenda for the first meeting fall 2007.

 

  1. University Standing Committee ballots were distributed and the faculty voted and returned the ballots. 

8.                  The Committee Chairs were elected and ratified.

           

9.        Ms. Lawson adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.