UAH FACULTY SENATE

DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING #408

25 MARCH, 1999

PRESENT:

ADSC: Schoening

LA: Dasher, Schenker, Bollinger, Meister, Waring, Bliss, Sitaraman, Williams

ENG: Hayes, Toutanji, Shen, Wells, Landrum, Frederick

NUR: Brookman, Hays, Warren

SCI: Christopher, Lumpkin, Delugach, Richards, Li, Miller

ABSENT WITH PROXY:

ADSC: Floyd

ENGR: Swain, Boykin

LBAR: Enger

NUR: McLeod

SCI: Hinke, Lawton, Garstka, Kunin, Zhang, Comfort, Lieu

ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:

ADSC: Sherman

LBAR: Hanks, McDuffie

ENGR: Nordin, Wessling

LIB: Warren

SCI: Baird

0. President Delugach called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m.

1. Draft Minutes of Meeting #407 were unanimously approved after minor corrections submitted by Dr. Phil Richards.

  1. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee Reports were accepted as presented. Motion by Dr. Lumpkin, seconded by Dr. Bollinger.

3. A. Senate Committee Reports:

1. Executive: The Senate Executive Committee met March 18 and discussed some information from the System Office regarding the Legislature and set the agenda for this meeting. You have the report from the meeting.

2. Faculty and Student Development: No Report.

3. Finance and Resources: No Report

4. Governance and Operations: No Report.

 
    1. Personnel: No Report.
    2. Undergraduate Curriculum: Dr. Comfort was not present but Dr. Delugach reported on a point of interest. There is a new course University 011. This is renamed from University 101. It is approved. It is a no credit course for graduation. For financial aid purposes there are hours counted for enrollment. The course is designed to orient Freshman students to University Life and study skills for university coursework, etc. Dr. Johnson commented that the Faculty will be identified as Faculty of record and will come from all colleges. All colleges will participate.
    3. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: No Report.
  1. University Committees: Library Committee: Dr. Schenker reported there was a letter sent to Dr. Franz and the Provost alerting them to the crisis of the serials budget. The cost increases every year and there have been no budget increases to cover the cost increases. The Dean of the Library has covered this in the past but cannot continue to do this. The plea is to please include this in the budget plans for the next year. The RSIC survey has been circulated and returned. Any further comments should be addressed to Dean Luquire. Dr. Schenker also reported on the building issue that the architect selection process is in motion.
  1. Officer Reports:
    1. Ombudsperson: No report.
    2. President-Elect: No Report.
    3. President: Dr. Delugach informed the Faculty Senate that the University of Alabama System is gearing up for the Legislative year. Gary Smith has put together a Legislative Action Packet. It explains what to do and how to handle Legislative Actions. Don Siegelman has pushed for the 2:1 ratio budget. We need to make sure we hold that. Salaries need assistance and the RSA increase needs to be funded. We need 2.35% return to counter the RSA increase and a 6% budget increase. We need to encourage equity with K-12 in health insurance. K-12 and Junior Colleges are now above the regional average. We are 5% below the regional average for Higher Education. We are 14 to 21% below in the average for the Southern Universities Group. Dr. Delugach announced to the faculty that they may obtain a packet from Gary’s office if they are interested. Dr. Delugach also reported that he has obtained information produced by the Chancellor’s office regarding the educational backgrounds and employment by institution of Legislators. Every 4 year institution has someone who went to that institution in the legislature except UAH and Troy/Dothan. We need people in the legislature to have influence. The House has 10 of 99 employed by Junior Colleges, 8 in K-12 and 3or 4 in 4 year institutions.

Dr. Delugach reminded the Faculty Senate that the last meeting is April 15 and they need to get their nominees in for President Elect and Obudsperson.

 

 

4. President Franz Report:

Dr. Franz reported we are currently getting Alumni involved in the Legislative actions. This year is not a critical as in the past. We are in the best position we have had in nine years. Howard Hawk of Arab, AL is the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. He is very positive toward UAH. Tom Butler in the Senate is predisposed to UAH.

Dr. Franz also reported we are entering a closer relationship with NASA with the Joint National Center for Science and Technology. Dr. Franz went to Washington with the Marshall Director and others and to Montgomery to assist in enlisting assistance and support.

Dr. Franz reported we are still negotiating with a local group on a joint sports facility. If we can work this deal we can build a larger facility than otherwise. The remodel of the old Engineering Building is complete. The Student Center is near completion.

Dr. Franz took questions from the floor. Some of the discussion included the Senate and the actions being taken and what we need to do now. Dr. Franz reported the Senate is not making much progress. The mediators are working to resolve the problem so business can be conducted. There is not much for us to do but wait. There may be some additional monies but the franchise tax court case may hurt any chances to benefit from additional monies. This is an opportunity for tax reform. The Primary concern now is to increase the budget. We need to add money to replace the retirement increase. We would be better to go for an increase in appropriation but we are committed to go for the retirement replacement. Some universities have a pool of employees not on state support but they are on retirement. This would make and unfair distribution of funds.

The Library issue is serious. We do have the connection with Illinois that is very positive. We are concerned about the serials and we will see what we can do. Two people in RI are working on the RSIC issue. Those reporting to General Gibson are telling him how important it is. We have not talked to the congressional group yet. We feel they will take an active role in protecting this. It is hard to tell what is shaking the troops and what is reality.

An architect is being chosen for the Library addition. There is a proposal written and advertising is in progress. We have to wait for the bids but there is not real holdup, progress is being made.

5. Provost McManus Report:

No Report
  1. Amendment to the Faculty Senate By-Laws III.K: Past President—Senate Bill 278 at Third Reading: Dr. Lumpkin moved the bill to the floor. Dr. Hayes seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the vote was 27 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 abstentions. The bill passed at third reading and the By Laws will be amended accordingly.

    2.  

  2. Dr. Delugach adjourned the meeting at 1:40 p.m.