FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 28, 2006

Present: Bandy, Bolter, Boniecki, Bradley, Bratton, Frederickson, Esteban, Holden, Horton, Johnson, Lance, Lichtenstein, Mehta, McCullough, Murray, Musser, Parrack, Powers, Satterfield, Seifert, Thiher, Wiedmaier, Wilmes, Young

Absent: Christman, Mosley

President Bolter called the meeting to order at 12:46.

Minutes

On a motion by Horton with a second by Frederickson the minutes of the September 12, 2006 meeting were unanimously approved with minor corrections.

President’s Report

Faculty members concerns regarding separate listservs for tenure track and non-tenure track faculty will be discussed with President Hardin. Faculty members’ concerns regarding distributions of merit pay and travel funds have been referred to the Salary Review Committee and the Faculty Handbook Committee. President Bolter has discussed difficulties with the online sexual harassment course with the appropriate individuals to correct the identification field’s problems.

Committee Reports

President Bolter reported, on behalf of the Executive Committee, the assignments of the issues gleaned from last meeting’s reporting by senators that was contained in the attachment to the agenda. She also reported that the Director of Admissions has been asked to speak to the Senate regarding those questions about the current admission standards. During the Executive Committee report there was some discussion of the dissemination of information, including agendas and minutes to faculty.

Provost Esteban discussed the conversion of non-tenure track positions to tenure track positions. He assured the senate that this was not done when the slot is currently occupied by an individual that would lose his or her job if the conversion occurred.

Committee on Committees reported that its work was in progress. In particular most of the elections for committee positions within the various colleges have been completed. Suspension of the rules was approved following a motion by Powers and a second by Frederickson. Frederickson moved and Bradley seconded the nomination of Liz Smith to the Salary Review Committee. Motion carried with no opposition.

Faculty Affairs I reported on its charge regarding concerns about United Health Care. Committee chair Young reported the contents of an e-mail message which he had received from the Chair of the Fringe Benefits Committee. The message, from Jeff Young, stated, “Following up on our phone conversation from a few weeks ago, I wanted to let you know that at the last meeting of the Fringe Benefits Committee the committee recommended renewing the university's contract with UHC.  Prescription coverage and issues relating to it were discussed by the committee. The committee's recommendation to continue with UHC was based on the cost proposed for the coming year and from HR personnel's report that overall there have been fewer problems for employees with UHC when compared to previous health care companies utilized by the university.”

Faculty Affairs II and Academic Affairs Committees had no report.

Announcements and Concerns

An update on supplemental medical insurance for retirees is that the University pays $73 per month to retirees for health insurance until age 70.

Musser reported to the Senate on the concerns of part-time faculty. The list included: electronic peer communication, IT support (or lack thereof), a teaching award for part-time faculty, the option of direct deposit of salary, salary increases, and mentoring for part-time faculty.

Coffee and donuts with the Provost will be next Tuesday from 8:30 until 10:00.

A trombone recital will be held at 7:00 pm tonight.

Frederickson moved adjournment at 1:35.