UAH FACULTY SENATE

DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING #481

30 AUGUST, 2007

PRESENT:

ADSC: Schnell, Burnett, Bao

LBAR: J. Johnson, Rountree, Pritchard, Bollinger, Johnson, Ragsdale, Heikes, Neuschatz, Sitaraman

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

LIB: Vaughan

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

SCI: Boyd, Bishop, Magnuson, Aygun, Ravindran, Ai

ABSENT WITH PROXY:

LBAR: Gyasi

ENGR: Anderson

SCI: Etzkorn, Miller, Mecikalski

ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:

ADSC: Allen

LBAR: Moore, Reeves

SCI: Elsamadicy

0. Senate President Melinda Lawson called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m.

1. Draft Minutes of Meeting Number 480 were approved Motion by Melinda Lawson, seconded by Linda Vaughan.

2. Senate Executive Committee Report accepted. Motion by Melinda Lawson seconded by Linda Vaughan. One abstention.

3. President Williams’ Report.

President Williams reported he will meet with the Faculty Senate tomorrow to bring them up to speed on the changes that are taking place. He stated he will work under the same arrangements as before unless he is asked to change it. He will be involved as much as the Senate wants him to be. The Faculty are central to the university and it is important for you to convince others of what is important. You decide the priorities for the university. Academically we look to the faculty as leaders. We want to change the things that are not working well and enhance those things that are doing well.

4. Dr. Radonovich’s Report.

Dr. Radonovich reported the Distinguished Lecture Series is now part of the budget and will continue. The REU program will also continue and the funding is in this year but is not yet part of the budgetary process. He will assure it is in the budget in the future. The REU was a smashing success again. We need to make sure John Gregory knows that we need the matching funds.

The May Commencement Walk Policy for undergraduates is in place. There was a question and some discussion regarding a provision in the policy for students who do not meet the 2.8 GPA criteria. Dr. Radonovich stated we have to use our good judgment. If there is a chance the student will not pass a class we have to use our best judgment in handling that situation. They are delineated in the program as pending. If there are other concerns please let Dr. Radonovich know and we will try to deal with them.

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. Kulick reported they have looked at the truancy of Faculty Senators and how to handle this issue (maybe a truancy officerJ). The Senators are encouraged to attend the Committee meetings. There was some discussion regarding the Motorcycle Parking Policy. The current policy is that motorcycles can park anywhere but this has created some safety issues.

5. Personnel: Dr. Magnuson reported on behalf of Dr. Andersons that there are two things on the agenda for the Committee. The Faculty Student Relationship Policy Bill at third reading is one item. Delois Smith will speak the Bill and the desire to stop the bad without hindering the good. The Committee is also discussing the Faculty Handbook update.

6. Undergraduate Curriculum: Dr. George reported they have worked on the approval of a course in Marketing over the summer. They will review and report on program and course changes throughout the year. They will review the ARC and will take a look at any eliminating or canceling of programs.

7. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: Dr. Heikes reported the Committee will take a look at eliminating the NC Grading. She has received a proposal from Liberal Arts. She asked that faculty members email any strong opinions regarding this to Dr. Heikes. The Athletic Director has asked them to look at a class attendance policy or an amendment to the class attendance policy for the athletes. Some athletes are being docked for participation in activities. The Committee will continue to review bankruptcies and readmissions.

8. Finance and Resources: Dr. Burnett reported there are two main activities for this year: The Committee will be administering the Distinguished Speaker Series and the REU program.

B. University Committees: The Honors Council met and discussed the timeline for proposal for fall 2009 and spring 2010. The deadline for the letter of intent is October 16. There is some honorarium to those who present. There was a request that this information be emailed to all faculty.

Officer Reports:

Parliamentarian: No Report.

Ombudsperson: No Report.

President-Elect: No Report.

President: Dr. Boyd reported there is a new protocol practice for the Administration attending Faculty Senate Meetings. The administrators will attend and give a report and field any questions and then leave after that unless they are specifically asked to stay. President Williams requested that he be notified in advance if he will be asked to stay beyond the report and questions.

Dr. Boyd also reminded the Senators that they need to attend meetings and participate in the Faculty Senate. She reiterated they need to communicate information from their colleagues and to their colleagues.

6. Delois Smith (Student-Faculty Relationships

Mrs. Smith was appreciative of the work on the Senate Bill 309 and the Faculty-Student Relations policy. As a counselor Mrs. Smith pointed out some examples of some bad situations as a result of the kind of relationships being addressed in the bill. She suggested some stronger language. “Strongly discourage” was suggested. The student loses. There is the potential for violating trust. There is always a conflict of interest and the power is unequal. Mrs. Smith gave several examples of difficult situations and undesirable outcomes. She has received comments several times about not having a policy in place. We need stronger language in the Handbook. We need everyone to be cautious and aware. Having a policy will assist the process. In the past we have had to craft the policy as we went.

7. Adriel Johnson (African American Faculty Council)

Dr. Johnson commended the Senate and Lynn Boyd. Dr. Johnson reported in surveying the African American Faculty they want to work along side the Faculty Senate with the some things that have been overlooked. There are eight faculty members that are part of the Council. They meet and talk about what is important to do and work on collegial activities. They look at issues that impact all and specifically minority faculty. Dr. Johnson talked about the new opportunity to impact shared governance. Dr. Johnson talked about diversity and what diversity really means and how African Americans are sometimes lost in the shuffle because diversity encompasses such a broad spectrum. He reported the Council is looking at a strategic plan for diversity. He encouraged the faculty to be active participants. Dr. Johnson submitted a mission statement for the minutes for faculty to look at later and talk about it.

8. Senate Bill 309: Faculty-Student Relationships (Third Reading)

The bill was brought to the floor for discussion. A friendly amendment to line 17 was proposed to add “or coming under your supervision”. Motion by Lawson, seconded by George. Passed.

Friendly amendment to Line 25 to add “Such cases”. Motion by Gaede, seconded by George.

Line 16 add “sexual or romantic”. Motion by Gaede, seconded by Schnell.

Call the question by Lawson, seconded by George.

Vote 7 in favor, 17 opposed. Failed

Friendly amendment to line 3 to add “sexual or romantic”. Motion by Wessling, seconded by Lawson.

Line 4 add “V.P. for Student Affairs”. Motion by Banish, seconded by Lawson.

Call for Question by Lawson, seconded by Wessling. Passed

Vote for bill—In favor 28 with 1 opposed

9. Linda Vaughan (Library Information)

Linda reported that they are trying to help students be online resource savvy. She stated they will come to your class or you can have your class come to the Library. They would like to help the students know how to use the resources available to them.

She reminded everyone of the Fall Frolic today at 4:30 p.m.

10. Dr. Boyd adjourned the meeting at 2:05 p.m.