LBAR: Nelson
ENGR: Wells
LIB: Warren
NUR: Estes
SCI: Kunin, Comfort
ABSENT WITHOUT PROXY:
ADSC:
Morse, Schoening, McCollum
LBAR:
Sanders
ENG:
Katsinis, Shih, Frederick
NUR:
South
SCI:
Gregory, Chipman
1. President Bower called the meeting to order at 12:34 p.m.
2. Draft Minutes of Meeting #388 were unanimously approved as distributed, after a motion by Jim Baird, Seconded by Joy Haralick.
3. Approval of Senate Executive Committee Report: It was noted that the Bill for "Term Limits for Department Chairs" was referred to the Personnel Committee. The next meeting will be September 18, 1997, at 12:30 p.m. in Madison Hall 110. Dr. Haralick moved to accept the report, seconded by Dr. MacDougall. The vote was 30 in favor, 0 opposed, and 2 abstentions.
4. A. Senate Committee Reports:
1. Executive: the Senate Executive Committee submitted a written report.
2. Faculty and Student Development: No Report
3. Finance and Resources: No Report
4. Governance and Operations: No Report
5. Personnel: Dr. Dimopoullos reported that the Personnel Committee has met twice and will meet again today to set up an agenda for dealing with the various issues.
6. Undergraduate Curriculum: Dr. Haralick reported on work accomplished by the Committee on the Viability issue. She also distributed copies of data for each department and program illustrating viability status for two five-year cycles. Dr. Haralick reported the Council of Deans has already been working on this and the Committee will assist with those things already being done. She pointed out there are three stages to the viability study and we have already completed the first stage. Those programs meeting the average five year standards for viability set forth by legislation are viable. Those programs not meeting the average standards are under scrutiny. Some programs are obviously nonviable; therefore, decisions are required as to what should be done. Some programs may be phased out over a three-year probationary period. There are other options, such as combining programs and working to make programs viable over the probationary period. The second stage of the process is already underway and faculty, chairs, and deans are looking for ways to make some programs viable over the three-year probationary period. After this cycle a second cycle begins. There was some discussion and questions and answers.
7. Undergraduate Scholastic Affairs: No Report
B. University Committees: No Reports.
C. Officer Reports:
1. Ombudsperson: Kate Leonard reported she is still working on the faculty appeals matters.
2. President-Elect: Dr. Delugach reported that we have a web page setu and we already have many items on it. Dr. Delugach thanked Peggy Bower for her assistance on the web page. Dr. Delugach distributed a copy of the web page in order for Senators to see what it looks like and what is already there. He asked that suggestions, ideas, corrections, etc. be sent to the email address on the web page. Dr. Delugach informed the Senate that there are currently three individuals on the account for the web page (Mark Bower, Harry Delugach and Peggy Bower).
3. President: Dr. Bower had no report.
5. President Franz:
· Dr. Franz reported
the Governor had signed the Legislative Bill from the Special Session about
one half hour prior to this meeting. The appropriation passed was
basically for level funding with $317,000 more for us than we received
last year. That is the good news. The bad news is that they
also passed along extra expenses such as the ATTNET charges and the increase
in the Teacher’s Retirement, a TVA rate increase, the final installment
to bring 5000 Technology Drive on line. These extras exceed the additional
appropriation. Although we do not have much to work with, we are
more fortunate than some. We have several things in our favor.
The sale of the "gas gun" building has relieved a large debt and frees
that money for other needs. There are a couple of items that were
earmarked last year that are no longer earmarked this year.
· Dr. Franz reported
that we have gathered as many funds together as possible to form a pool
for salary increases. He will distribute a pool of 1.9% and has asked
the deans and chairs to give special attention to faculty and staff that
are highly meritorious and that are far from their benchmark salaries.
He will be sending out a memorandum very soon to explain the details.
The increases should be evident in the October 31 checks.
· Dr. Franz took
questions from the Senate.
· One concern expressed
was for the logistics and parking for 5000 Technology Drive.
6. Provost McManus: No Report.
7. Senate Survey: Dr. Bower distributed a survey to all Senate members and asked them to complete it and return it by the end of the meeting. There was a question of the rush and a suggestion for having time to think about the answers to the questions. The Senators were told they could send the last page later or that they could send email messages to Dr. Delugach or Dr. Bower.
8. Dr. Brookman moved, seconded by Dr. Delugach to suspend the rules of the Senate in order to have an open discussion of the "Committee of the Whole". Dr. Bower reviewed some questions to stimulate thought.
After several minutes of discussion the main points of concern for UAH that developed were: Advertising (lack of advertising of UAH), the perception of UAH (correcting a wrong perception), marketing UAH, the use of technology in the classroom, and the distance learning issue.
9. President Bower adjourned the meeting at
2:00 p.m. after a motion by Dr. Swain, seconded by Mr. Crouse.