THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

JOURNAL OF THE FACULTY SENATE

VOLUME XXV

 MINUTES OF MEETING #483, 25 OCTOBER 2007,

APPROVED NOVEMBER 29, 2007

PRESENT:

ADSC:   Schnell, Burnett, Bao

LBAR:  J. Johnson, Rountree, Bollinger, Moore, Gyasi, Johnson, Ragsdale, Heikes, Reeves, Neushatz, Sitaraman

            ENG:   Banish, Anderson, Gaede, Jovanov, Kulick, Karr, Frendi, Wessling, Lin

            LIB:     Vaughan

            NUR:   Lawson, Linsky, George, Thompson

SCI:     Boyd, Bishop, Magnuson, Scholz, Aygun, Etzkorn, Ai, Miller, Elsamadicy

ABSENT WITH PROXY:

NUR:  O’Keefe

SCI:     Edmondson, Ravindran

 

ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:

ADSC:  Allen

ENGR:  Gholston

LBAR:  Pritchard

0.   Senate President Lynn Boyd called the meeting to order at 12:47 p.m.

1.   Draft Minutes of Meeting Number 482 were approved.  Motion by Melinda Lawson, seconded by Gerald Karr.

2.   Senate Executive Committee Report accepted.  Motion by Melinda Lawson seconded by Andrée Reeves.  One abstention. 

3.   President Williams’ Report.

      The Shelby Building is open.  It is a testament of the generosity of Senator Shelby and the hard work of Dr. Franz and others.  It raises the expectations for the future buildings.  It will be open in the spring for classes.  If we continue to grow we will need more facilities and we need to renovate Wilson Hall and Madison Hall and Morton hall.  We had hoped to receive help from the State but the amount was much less which makes it difficult to do the things we need to do.  We may have to take a bond ourselves.  There is ongoing housing need when we grow.  We need to improve the Student Center.  VBRH needs work.  We are talking about a $125 to $150M price to get to where we need to be.  We must use contacts and work and be optimistic.  We are well aware of the infrastructure needs.  We have active searches ongoing for the Provost, V.P. for Advancement, Assistant V.P. for Enrollment Services and the Director of Admissions.  We need to grow and serve as the population grows.  Our area is growing and we need to react to the needs based on the growth. 

      Dr. Williams has been meeting with Legislators on and off campus and learning the Alabama political system.

      Dr. Williams is working on a plan to revisit t he mission statement.  We will have a Committee to look at it.

      We are also looking at the crisis management.  We are not as well prepared as we should be.  We had a meeting with the Executive Council and Chief Gailes and looked at some software systems for our use.  We need to move quickly to get a plan in place so that we can respond more efficiently. 

      The President’s Council is tonight in the UC.

      The inauguration is April 11.  We want to show off strengths of the University during this ceremony.  April 10 we will have talks and April 11 will be the inauguration with a party afterward.

      There was a question regarding the tactical changes such as CNS.  The hope is that this is a potential solution.  We will give Dr. Luquire what he needs.  The light rail will help.  We must make investments in that area. There was discussion regarding Purchasing and OSP.  It has been suggested that Ray and Pat talk to faculty about how they do things and then be given a chance to respond to faculty concerns.

      There was discussion regarding the expectation of back and forth communication.  There must be an understanding of the role and responsibility of each party. Dialogues are needed for the requirements and responsibilities of each party.

      There was some discussion regarding visa problems and Dr. Severn and Dr. Radonovich clarified the issues and have dealt with the problems.  Dr. Radonovich will schedule an appointment with Marisa to discuss other solutions.

4.   Dr. Radonovich’s Report.

Dr. Radonovich reported the issue of clickers for the classroom has come up again.  There is interest in a new program.  Dr. Severn will work with the Bookstore Advisory Committee to resolve this issue.

5.   A.  Senate Committee Reports:

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

2. Faculty and Student Development:  Dr. Reeves: A subcommittee met and talked about the visa problem and what is available for faculty development.  There was a suggestion to talk to the faculty and students involved in the process.

4. Governance and Operations: Dr. Kulick reported they have been collecting information regarding OSP issues.  He has interviewed some faculty.  If you have any issues please send an email to Dr. Kulick.

5. Personnel: No Report.

6. Undergraduate Curriculum: No Report.

7. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: Dr. Heikes reported the Committee has a bill to bring forward today.

8. Finance and Resources:  Dr. Burnett reported you should have gotten an email regarding the REU program.  This is a good program and he encouraged the faculty to submit proposals.  There was a question regarding responses to those not receiving the award.  Dr. Burnett will check with the Committee and determine if it is possible to send letters to those not receiving the awards and let them know what were the problems with the proposals.  It was suggested K. Taconi be invited to sit on the Committee for review of these proposals..

B.         University Committees: Dr. George reported The Honors Council is still accepting proposals for the seminars for 09-10. 

            Dr. George reported The Faculty/Staff Traffic Appeals Committee met.

            Dr. Gaede reported the ETDE Committee, the CNS Advisory Committee, and the Library Committee be combined to one Committee.

Officer Reports:

Parliamentarian: No Report.

Ombudsperson: No Report.

President-Elect: No Report.

President: Suspended the agenda for a report from Gordon Stone.

6.                    Gordon Stone(Representative from the Higher Education Partnership)

The HEP was formed ten years ago.  The partnership works with the Presidents and lobbyists regarding Higher Education Day.  We have had 2000+ attendees each year for the past four years.  This year Higher Education Day is March 6.  This is a Thursday.  We ask faculty to work with students that need to attend.  One of the Legislators is on tape as saying keep doing what you are doing.  It is impacting the decisions in Montgomery.  We are dealing with and recommending reasonableness in funding all of education appropriately.  The issues are sensitive economy, new programs, the math science initiative, tuition and fees.  Contact information for Gordon is 334-220-2161 and information can be found at higheredpartners.org.

7.                  Senate Bill 310:  Smoke Free Building Environment

Melinda Lawson introduced the bill and discussed some of the background.  Basically it is to eliminate the problem of second hand smoke in entry ways and air intakes so that it does not trigger health problems for individuals.  This is also consistent with new city ordinances.  Dr. Wessling seconded the motion.

The bill passed at second reading with 28 in favor and 4 opposed.

8.               Senate Bill 311:  Abolishing NC Grading.

Dr. Heikes introduced the bill.  Dr. Gaede moved to table the bill and Dr. Reeves seconded the motion.  There were 3 opposed and 2 abstentions, 27 opposed.

           

9.        Dr. Boyd adjourned the meeting at 2:15 p.m. Motion by Dr. Gaede, seconded by Ms. Lawson.