FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

NOVEMBER 14, 2006

 

Present:  Bandy, Bolter, Boniecki, Bratton, Christman, Frederickson, Glenn (for Esteban), Holden, Horton, Johnson, Lance, Lichtenstein, McCullough, Mehta, Mosley, Murray, Musser, Parrack, Powers, Satterfield, Seifert, Thiher, Wiedmaier, Wilmes, Young

 

Absent:  Bradley

 

President Bolter called the meeting to order at 12:45.

 

Minutes

On a motion by Horton with a second by Frederickson the minutes of October 26. 2006 were unanimously approved.

 

President’s Report

 

            President Bolter reported the results of what she phrased as a “Health Benefits & Programs Summit”.  These results were that (a) a health care satisfaction survey of university personnel will be developed by the Fringe Benefits Committee in collaboration with Human Resources during the spring of this academic year, (b) a health care options survey of university personnel will be developed by the Fringe Benefits Committee in collaboration with Human Resources during the spring of this academic year, (c) there was a recommendation that the Chair of the Health & Wellness Committee become a permanent member of the Fringe Benefits Committee, (d) there was a reminder that the minutes of the Fringe Benefits Committee needed to be forwarded to the contact senator, and (e) there was a review of ADMIN-L communication from HR regarding the purpose of healthcare representatives visiting on campus.

 

            President Bolter provided the members of the Senate an updated UCA organizational chart which includes the Faculty and Staff Senates as well as Student Government Association.

 

     President Bolter reported the following correspondence.  First, Margaret Morgan, IDC Director reported the following regarding questions about laptop computers.  “Recent organizational changes have rendered the first two questions moot. Laptop inventory and distribution are now carried out through the Department of Information Technology. The IDC no longer controls the inventory for TFA laptops, so we are "out of the loop" as far as policies and procedures for updating equipment go. John Gale and members of the University Technology Committee are working out ways to implement a consistent university-wide procedure for laptop distribution and updating. Since most faculty are now receiving laptops from their departments, the TFA program will no longer be offering them as part of their program. Other incentives such as faculty stipends have been discussed for the TFA program and will probably be implemented in the future. As for Question 3, the TFA program has no money for faculty software purchases. If faculty members wish to purchase software or other equipment for their personal teaching or research, they should probably apply for a Faculty Enhancement Grant, which can be used

to support such purchases.”

 

Second, President Hardin has requested that the Senate form a standing committee to be named the Public Art Committee.  Third, Penny Hatfield, Director of Admissions, provided the following additional admissions data. 272 students were admitted with 30-39 admission points, 174 of these were awarded 3 leadership bonus points, 110 students were admitted with 40-42 admission points, and 67 of these were awarded 3  leadership bonus points.

 

Committee Reports

 

            President Bolter reported on behalf of the Executive Committee on the November luncheon with President Hardin, citing his comments that the admission standards were going to be raised for next fall.

 

            Powers moved and Johnson seconded the motion for approval of the Faculty Handbook Committee’s recommendation that the Senate not change the membership of said committee.  During the discussion there was a suspension of the rules so that Professor Williams could address questions regarding this recommendation.  Following a call for the question the motion passed by a margin of 15 for, 3 opposed, and 5 abstaining.

 

            Frederickson moved and Moseley seconded a motion to adopt the Faculty Handbook Committee’s recommendation for a revision to the description of “Categories of University Faculty Personnel:  Tenured, Tenure-track”.  Following limited discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Boniecki moved and Satterfield seconded a suspension of the rules for consideration of committee appointments by the Committee on Committees.  Powers moved and Johnson seconded the appointments of Janet Filer to the Salary Review Committee and Jeff Jarvis to the Undergraduate Council.  Motion was approved unanimously.

 

            Young reported on behalf of Faculty Affairs I that he is scheduled to talk with the Registrar and Undergraduate Dean regarding the committee’s assignment on course prerequisites and admission of students to closed courses.

 

            Faculty Affairs II had no report.

 

            Boniecki reported again regarding Academic Affairs study of enrollment.  He stated that after the completion of 90 hours GPA’s were a bit lower for non-ACT takers and that the committee would have a recommendation for the consideration of the Senate at the December meeting.

 

Announcements and Concerns

 

            Seifert presented information regarding senators’participation in testing of the URSA platform, which is scheduled for implementation in the spring semester.

 

            President Bolter reminded senators that the December meeting will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 14th.

 

            Satterfield suggested that the Provost conduct a forum with non-tenure track faculty.

 

            Holden expressed a concern regarding the notification of non-tenure track and part time faculty as to their load and salary for upcoming terms.

 

Christman moved and Horton seconded adjournment at 1:45 pm.