UAH FACULTY SENATE

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

JOURNAL OF THE FACULTY SENATE

VOLUME XXV

MINUTES OF MEETING #395: 12 FEBRUARY, 1998,

APPROVED: 26 FEBRUARY, 1998

PRESENT:

ADSC: Porter, Schoening, Simpson

LA: Harwell, Schenker, Bollinger, Buksa, Hutson, Hanks, Bliss, Haralick, Ellis

ENG: Chittur, Leonard, Ho,Wells, Swain, Bower, Feikema, Wessling

LIB: Warren

NUR: Brookman, Lethbridge

SCI: Christy, Lawton, Lumpkin, Delugach, Hinke, Richards, Zhang, Li, Miller, Lieu

ABSENT WITH PROXY:

LBAR: Waring, Williams

ENGR: Katsinis, Nordin

NUR: Estes, Hays

SCI: Kunin

ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:

ADSC: Floyd

LBAR: Crouse

ENG: Frederick

SCI: Baird, Comfort

1. President Bower called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.

2. Draft Minutes of Meeting #394 were unanimously approved as corrected, after a motion by John Warren, seconded by Craig Hanks.

The Faculty Senate Executive Committee Report was approved after a motion by Joy Haralick, seconded by Janet Brookman.

4. A. Senate Committee Reports:

1. Executive: The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be Thursday, February 19, 1998, at 12:30 p.m. in Madison Hall 110. Two items on the agenda will be the two policies returned to us from Administration; "For Cause Termination" and "Scientific Misconduct."

2. Faculty and Student Development: No Report.

3. Finance and Resources: No Report.

4. Governance and Operations: No Report.

5. Personnel: Dr. Schenker reported the Committee met today and reviewed the draft bill on the "Sick Leave Policy". The Committee will present this bill to the Executive Committee next week.

6. Undergraduate Curriculum: Dr. Haralick reported the Committee met and approved two courses. The Committee has a draft bill on the agenda for today, Senate Bill 266. Dr. Haralick reminded the faculty when submitting course approval requests to please send them with a catalog description and the prerequisite requirements and to please send a representative from their college or department to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee meeting to explain the requests.

7. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: No Report.

University Committees: No Report.

Officer Reports:

Ombudsperson: No report.

2. President-Elect: No Report.

3. President: Dr. Bower invited the faculty to the Legislative Update held on Fridays at noon in Technology Hall Room N 142. Good information is exchanged at this update. Dr. Bower talked briefly about the Knight Amendment that was defeated. He talked briefly about the Jefferson County Representatives bonding together to fight for UAB. There was a brief review of the information presented and a review of the things that are needed. He reminded the faculty of the benefit fo responding when they are asked to fax, write, or call Representatives or Senators. He also reminded them not to use UAH materials to contact Representatives or Senators. He reminded the faculty there is still a need to keep the pressure on.

President Franz:

No Report (Not Present)

Provost McManus:

Dr. McManus reported briefly on the Articulation Matters in the State. He reported recent discussions have dealt with the issue of accepting D's. We have to treat native and transfer students the same. We have to look at our policies and how they are affecting all the students. Dr. McManus suggested the Dean of Liberal Arts and the Dean of Science meet with the Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs Committee to discuss the policies and the need for any changes. He encouraged the Committee to take care of these matters promptly.

Some Colleges are looking at the 41-hour General Studies requirements. Dr. McManus reminded the faculty he will bring information, as it is available.

Dr. McManus reminded the faculty that the second candidate for Dean, College of Science is on campus interviewing today and tomorrow.

Dr. McManus reported that he has received some concerns for the Web Based Faculty Activity Reports and the use of this form this year. Some have complained to him that there are items that cannot be included in the form as it is now (i.e., symbols and other characters in publication titles, etc.). He invites input from any and all faculty. He reported that test runs are being done by faculty members. He reported that we can push the deadline, we do not absolutely have to stick with the March 15 deadline if that will help us accomplish our goal for this year.

There was a questions and brief discussion regarding the bill to establish a uniform semester system across the State with a specified beginning and ending date. Dr. McManus reported he did not have information that anything had passed on that bill.

Senate Bill 263 "Pass/Fail Grading" (Third Reading) Dr. Hanks moved the bill to the floor and introduced it. Dr. Brookman seconded the motion. The vote for the bill at third reading was 31 in favor, 3 opposed, and 3 abstentions. The bill passed at third reading.
Senate Bill 264 "Academic Action Threshold" (Third Reading). Dr. Hanks moved this bill to the floor and introduced it. Dr. Bliss seconded the motion. Some discussion ensued regarding the warnings along the way and what is the benefit of this bill to the student. There was a question of how the students are notified and how they receive assistance when needed. There was some discussion of the affect on the University standards. The favorable point was expressed that we are giving the students every possible chance. The vote on the bill at third reading was 24 in favor, 13 opposed and 0 abstentions. The bill passed at third reading.

9. Senate Bill 266 "Committee for Educational Technology and Distance Education" (Second Reading). Dr. Haralick moved this bill to the floor and introduced it. Dr. Hanks seconded the motion. There was some discussion regarding the need for another Committee and further congesting bureaucracy. Concern was expressed that forming another committee will not address the real problem. The point was reiterated that the infrastructure needs attention. It was expressed that this may address that problem because the Committee will have faculty representatives to address the academic needs, technical issues, training and coordination involved in distance education. It was emphasized that there is a need for organization and centralization in this area. The vote on Senate Bill 266 at Second Reading was 34 in favor, 2 opposed and 0 abstentions.

10. President Bower adjourned the meeting at 1:50 p.m. Motion by Dr. Wessling, seconded by Dr. Leonard.