Faculty Senate Minutes for May 12, 2004

Members Present:

Brett Elliott, Chair; Daniel Althoff, Margaret Avard; Muhammad Betz; Brandon Burnette; Bryon Clark; Saundra DiPento, Diane Dixon; Ken Elder; Ed Hobbs; Gerri Johnson; Stewart Mayers; Michael Miles; Chris Moretti; Buddy Pierce; Lucretia Scoufos, Stacy Weger

Welcome:

3:05

Approval of Minutes:

moved to accept Ken Elder; second by Diane Dixon; Vote: The minutes were approved unanimously.

Committee Reports

Executive Committee:

Brett Elliott reported that a sub-committee met with the President related to budget and that the EC submitted its year end report.

Planning Committee:

Muhammad Betz submitted year end report.

Personnel Policy Committee:

Chris Moretti submitted report on survey of chairs related to faculty development plans. Recommendations: 1. Chairs should submit reports on faculty professional development plans. 2. Faculty Senate should request departmental policies on tenure and promotion. Brett Elliott suggested that point 2 be added as Forum for Shared Governance (FSG) issue. Muhammad Betz moved to place this point on FSG agenda; Gerrie Johnson seconded. Vote: 13 yes; 1 no; 3 abstain.

Responses to President’s responses to Senate’s proposal for policies governing interim chairs, deans, and vice-presidents.

  1. The Personnel Policy Committee needs access to Board of Regents Policy Manual.
  2. The Interims’ Policy should be adjusted so that the President is the sole decision maker.

Muhammad Betz moved to accept these responses and pass them on to President; Bryon Clark seconded. Vote: 17 yes, 0 no,0 abstain.

Chris Moretti submitted the year end report that addressed three charges. See handout.

Committee on Committees:

Diane Dixon submitted year end report. See handout.

Budget Committee:

Brett Elliott reported that he furthered his research on the discrepancy of funding but needs more input from Doug McMillan, relating to charge number five for this committee. Progress on the other charges was reported by Jim Cunningham at the previous meeting of the Senate.

University Affairs Committee:

No report was.

Old Business

  1. Discussion of Administrative response to hiring priorities memo.

    Brett Elliott referred to the memo noting that the response was written by Doug McMillan, who reported that the President prefers to meet person-to-person about these issues. Michael Miles moved that Doug McMillan meet with the Faculty Senate to discuss this report. Muhammad Betz suggested that executive committee should meet with administration this summer, first. Bryon Clark suggested that this general issue should be on the next FS, and that the Executive Committee meet with administration prior to inviting Doug McMillan to meet with Senate. Bruce Johnson seconded. Vote: Unanimous approval.

  2. Suggestions regarding Faculty Senate Awards processes:
    1. Loide Wasmund: nominations should be shared with candidates.
    2. Ed Hobbs: How can the process be adjusted to eliminate the appearance of a popularity contest?
    3. Brett Elliott: These issues should be taken up by next year’s planning committee.
  3. Status of Faculty Senate Fund for Student Union Building Project:

    Bryon Clark : Eight Senators have contributed to fund.

V. New business

  1. Faculty Insurance Representative: This issue was left unresolved.
  2. Faculty Senate Budget: The Faculty Senate approved the purchase of a laptop computer for the archivist by vote.