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Governance Minutes ArchiveMarch 8, 1988
MINUTES FACULTY SENATE MEETING 8 March 1988 CEC Room F 7:30 p.m. Present: Senators Arnold, Birch, Blieszner, Campbell, Collins, Conn, Cranford, Dugger, Eng, Eustis, Fine, Geller, Geyer, Goss, Grossman, Hansen, Killough, Kornegay, Ludwig, Morrill, Novak, Oliver, Paterson, Polan, Salvaggio, Scanlon, Smeal, Snoke, Sullins, Wokutch Alternates D. A. De Wolf for Duke, F. C. Gwazdauskas for Nielsen, D. G. Kingston for Schug, P. Knox for Wang Absent: Senators Baumgartner, Beyer, Hicks, Knocke, Kohl, Myers Visitors: S. Trulove, Spectrum; D. Hinkel, P. Sheldon I. ANNOUNCEMENTS The senate cabinet meeting will take place in the group listening room, Newman library 3/18/88 at 3:30. Bob Madigan, the Associate Vice Presi- dent for Human Resources will be present to discuss his responsibil- ities and to consider matters concerning his position. The Senate retreat will take place at 5:30, Tuesday, March 29, 1988, at the University Club. Senator Conn and Scanlon will chair the dis- cussions. Discussion topics will include the future role of the Sen- ate, the role of faculty associations, "beyond the self study," and other topics as they arise. Dinner will be catered and be courtesy of John Perry and the Provost's office. During the month since the last meeting senate officers met with the Provost, the Interim President, the Executive Vice President for Busi- ness Affairs, Vice President Ford, representatives of the SGA and the graduate student assembly. Topics discussed included the new calendar, and the status of the interests of the University in the legislature. Discusssion of the semester calendar at the last senate meeting prompted discussion of the problems at the officers' meeting with the Provost. The proposed calendar will be revised to incorporate a fur- ther full week per semester. Professor Jim Marchman was thanked for his memo on the subject. Faculty handbooks have been distributed. Interim President Torgersen will address the Senate in April. Topics for discussion should be relayed to President Eustis. President Eustis will distribute a Faculty Senate Interest Form. This should be completed and returned to her. These will be used by the Senate Committee on Committees to make up ballots for next year's sen- ate representation or commissions and for committee nominations. Vot- ing will take place at the 10 May 1988 meeting. At the last meeting volunteers were solicited for a committee to assist in selecting programs for the VTU Lively Arts Events. Professor Dan Fleming and President Eustis will represent the senate on the commit- tee. Volleyball game vs. the administration is on 3/14/88 in the gym with practice on 3/10/88. A reception will be held at 325 McBryde Drive af- ter the game. Senator Ludwig made announcements concerning the revised constitution and bylaws ballot. For adoption one half of the eligible voters must vote and a two-thirds majority is needed for adoption. The credentials and elections committee did a fine job in defining the electorate. A College representative will work to distribute the ballots and to en- sure a substantial return. They may enlist the help of senators within their college. The plan is to have printing done by 20 March 1988 and the distribution take place thereafter. The action of ballots will be expected 2 weeks after initial distribution. II. Adoption of the Agenda The Agenda was adopted with 3 amendments. 1. Phil Sheldon was added to the Program portion to discuss retirement options. 2. Under new business. Senator Collins: student behavior at public events. Senator Arnold: Report from the Commission on Research concerning goals and objectives. III. Approval/Acceptance of Minutes 1. The minutes of the February 1988 meeting were approved with the following changes: Page 1 - Guests .......... Marty O'Neill (Student Alumni Asso- ciates) and Linda Leffel (not Teffel). Dr. V. Fu (not Fir) 2. The minutes of the March 1988 Cabinet meeting were approved with one change. -----69 (not 59) day semester. IV. Program 1. Dr. Dennis Hinkel was introduced. He distributed a summary of the self study and discussed the key points in the Self Study. The Self Study document has been distributed to the Board of Visitors. The future components of the Self Study include a visit from the Visiting Team (April 25-28). The chairman is Dr. Tom Carpenter, President, Memphis State University who will visit March 20-21. After the visit the Team will report back to Dr. Hinkel. There are 267 recommendations in the Self Study. The set of recommendations from the visiting team will have to be examined carefully. [There will be "recommendations" not "recommendations and suggestions," on this self study. Dr. Hinkel hopes there will be an oversight committee for the recommendations.] QUESTION What is the make-up of the visiting committee -- will it be added to? ANSWER There's a concern about the coverage of extension and continuing education, human resources, and international programs. We are working to add to the committee to address these problems. QUESTION Will the team meet with the senate or its officers? ANSWER The team sets its agenda. I expect they will meet with various groups but it's their decision. We can have input on who would like to meet them. QUESTION Why is the President of Memphis State the Chairman of the visiting team? Why not have the President of a comparable institution? ANSWER The original chairman was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southern Carolina system. He withdrew because he took a position at the University of South Florida. The President of Memphis State is also the chairman of SACS--the Commission on Colleges of the South, which makes him the top non-staff person in SACS. QUESTION On the handout under "recruitment and retention of minority stu- dents and faculty" are women considered a "minority" or are they omitted altogether? The University is seriously behind in recruit- ment of both women and minorities. ANSWER This is just my outline of the highlights and does not reflect the self-study concern with recruitment of women faculty. 2. Phil Sheldon (Institutional Research) was introduced and addressed the senate on early retirement issues. He distributed a copy of House bill No. 122 which has now passed to House and Senate of Virginia. The bill will enable individual Boards of Visitors of state universities to set up procedures for voluntary early retirement. The next step will rest with the universities. Key points are that the system will be volun- tary, participants must exceed 60 years of age, have 10 years service, and be tenured. Additional criteria may be added. Upper limits of cash payments are specified. Insurance benefits may be paid together but a ruling from the Attorney General may be needed on this. The total cost cannot exceed 1% of the appropriation for faculty salaries (the equivalent of 20 faculty salaries in 1 year). A task-force on early retirement is active which can move forward pro- ductively given that enabling legislation is now passed. QUESTION Is summer salary included in the base salary for calculating the re- tirement package? ANSWER No, only the nine-month salary (for 9 month positions) is included. QUESTION When the conversion to TIAA-CREF from VSRS took place there was a loss in the conversion due to the state having made contributions to VSRS in lieu of salary increases. The administration promised to look into compensation for this loss for those converting to TIAA-CREF. Have they done so? ANSWER I can't say. QUESTION Could you estimate the cost of insurance benefits in the 60-65 year-old range? What percentage of the $150 figure does the State pay? ANSWER The state's contribution is relatively small. V. Council, Commission and Committee Reports. UNIVERSITY COUNCIL - Senator Conn - Met 2/15/88 and 3/7/88. There was a first reading (2/15/88) on software copyright which essen- tially reminds everyone that software has copyright just like printed matter and should be respected. Passed (3/7/88). A resolution on consulting activities by Extension faculty was intro- duced (2/15/88) and passed 3/7/88. This essentially reiterates the faculty handbook statement. First reading on a proposal to establish an extension associate posi- tion was given on 2/15/88 and referred to CFA. In the Commission on Research minutes there was a section of a report of a subcommittee on construction and renovation which was critical of current procedures. A full review of construction and renovation will be done by Dr. Ford. On 3/9/88 a first reading was given to a resolution on the establish- ment of a Commission on Information Systems. It was referred to CFA and back to the senate. There was a first reading of resolution to designate department names on graduate diplomas. There was a correction of the minutes of the library committee. There has NOT been a decision made to move the film library. COMMISSION ON EXTENSION - Senator Collins - No report. COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS - Senator Blieszner - Met 2/12/88. The resolution from faculty senate on medical examination for faculty was placed under study. The resolution on the organization of the Athletic Administration was discussed. The Chair will forward the resolution to the President with an endorsement emphasizing faculty review of the plans and maintaining the current organization while in the interim status. COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES - Senators Snoke - Met 2/17/88. Nothing of substance was decided. There has been a 7% increase in graduate applicants. The catalog was discussed as well as the 1989/90 calendar. COMMISSION ON RESEARCH - Senator Arnold - Met 2/10/88 and 2/24/88. An agreement was reached with DEC which allows a 9% discount on DEC products. Training sessions have begun on new accounting systems. Project num- bers will be changed after July 1st. A draft document on the definition of private funds was discussed. This will be used if one is depositing funds in the Education Founda- tion rather than in 230 research accounts. A "gift" is "any money from private sources whether solicited directly or not for which the donor does not retain any reversionary interest or cannot be expected to re- ceive any material deliverable from the act of donating funds." This does not include reports. Appendix H (Research Agreements with Industry) was approved which al- lows for membership fees to be paid into research accounts. In line with self-study recommendations and other comments a memo on changes in the administration of core research funds was reviewed. This is under discussion with College deans. The intent is to create greater flexibility in relation to length of projects, creation of a pool of positions, the facilitation of centers, etc., funded by core research. COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS - Senator Morrill - Met 2/11/88 and con- ducted mostly routine business. The most significant item was the passing of a resolution concerning court representation of students by the Student Legal Services attor- ney. Comment: The SGA had indicated an intention to bring this issue to University Council. COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES - Senator Myers - No report. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BOARD - Senator Sullins - Met 3/8/88 in open ses- sion but there was nothing of interest to report. BUILDING COMMITTEE - Senator Ludwig - Met about 3 weeks ago. This was mostly an information meeting for D. Ford. He asked for input on how to make the Committee more useful. The incident with the sprin- kler system in Derring Hall was brought up and the input was welcome. President Eustis: The meeting of the Senate officers with Dr. Ford was open and productive. He is intersted in meeting the Senate. COMPUTER COMMITTEE - Senator Birch - March meeting was postponed until 3/9/88. A problem with the new operating system for VM1 and the line-mode graphics system as described by Senator Snoke at the February meeting has been corrected. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE - Senator Fine - Will meet 3/10/88. LIBRARY COMMITTEE - Senator Duke - No meeting. No report. PARKING COMMITTEE - Senator Oliver - No meeting took place but actions in this area are ongoing. The parking consultants will be on campus during the week of 3/14/88. Opportunities to meet the consultants will be 3/15/88 (11:00 - 2:00) to meet faculty in CEC. There will be time and place announced for meetings with staff and students. Announce- ments will be in Spectrum. Written comments should go to Carl McDaniel or Dave Ford. Ideas are welcome. SCHOLARSHIP AND STUDENT AID COMMITTEE - Senator Wang - No report. FACULTY SENATE OF VIRGINIA - Senator Smeal - The Faculty Senate of Virginia was accepted as an associate member of the Association of Virginia Colleges and Universities. They have summarized summer school teaching salaries in Virginia. See Senator Smeal if you want a copy. They will meet on 4/9/88. PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE - Senator Paterson - Met 3/8/88. They heard from a partner in the consultant firm. He discussed strat- egy and progress to date. All applicants were reviewed (c.45). There are also nominations. They will meet again 3/30/88, 4/15/88, and 4/29-30/88. Definite appointment will be made 5/23/88. EEO/AA was ex- tensively discussed as it pertains to the search and as it pertains to the expectations from the president. Three candidates will be on cam- pus for 1 day each before May 23rd. QUESTION One day each on campus - will this be adequate for input for all constituencies? Will there is opportunity to meet the senate or the cabinet or officers? QUESTION Re: EEO. Will the committee examine the EEO record? ANSWER That's what we proposed. COMMENT A subcommittee of the EEO Committee would like to meet with the candi- dates but this might be difficult when the candidates are only here for one day. QUESTION Would we want to hire someone who is only interviewed for 1 day? ANSWER I will suggest 3 days for each candidate but this would entail the out- side committee members being here for 9 days. PLANNING TASK FORCE - Senator Ludwig - Has been meeting about every 3 weeks. Discussion has been about the planning process. Input has been sought from several senators to get representative opinions. Essentially 3 committees at the faculty level have been proposed which will feed in- put forward to a higher committee who will set goals and objections for the university. NATIONAL SPEAKERS FORUM - Senator Paterson - No report. COMPUTER NETWORK SERVICES COMMITTEE - Senator Nielsen - No report. VI. Old Business None VII. New Business 1. Nominating Committee Report - Senator Smeal. The Committee met several times. The nominees are: For President Senator Conn For Vice-President Senator Scanlon For Secretary Senator Blieszner Others who were asked did not accept nominations. Nominations re- main open until the April meeting. 2. Discussion of Proposed University Committee on Athletics - Senator Sullins A copy of proposal by Mr. Ridenour was discussed. Senators on the Athletic Association Board have met for a discussion of this pro- posal and the Athletic Director has had an opportunity for input on the proposal. The proposal was on the agenda of the University Council and will be modified for first reading at the 4 April Uni- versity Council meeting. Concerns to date are: o No extra-collegiate faculty representative. o Only 2 student representatives are on the proposal (vs. 3 on the present AAB). o Continuity of membership. o Voting privileges of ex-officio members e.g. where the Athletic Director has a vote in evaluations of the Athletic Department. Faculty will have more than half the committee as per NCAA regu- lations. QUESTION How does the committee provide advice to the provost? ANSWER The mechanism is not clear but presumably relates to advising and academic progress. Comment It seems that a number of agenda items will only be on the agenda should the A.D. seek advice. Will this create a closed agenda process? ANSWER This concern has been raised and it appears that this was uninten- tional and rewording will probably be done. Comment Concerning the President's appointed faculty representative to the NCAA. Could this be done by the committee rather than the Presi- dent? ANSWER The NCAA may require this appointment be made by the President. QUESTION Could the committee recommend the names from which the President makes the appointment? QUESTION To whom does Athletics report? ANSWER To Mr. Ridenour. In the proposal the reporting point was left open pending appointment of a new President who may create a new struc- ture. Comment The document should state that the chair should be one of the collegiate faculty members and not the President's representative to the NCAA. Comment The addition of one additional student representative is worthy of support. QUESTION When will the committee report to the University Council? Every other committee has a reporting schedule. Senator Sullins My intent is to list these suggestions and transport them to Mr. Ridenour, with the idea that he will use these as he drafts the proposal for University Council. Comment Other committees and commissions have considerable input as to how members are chosen - e.g. as nominated by whichever body. Such de- tail would be appropriate with this committee. 3. Fan behavior at basketball games. Senator Collins Poor behavior at basketball games, at other sporting events and even at convocations reflect poorly on the University. Such behav- ior warrants action or suggestions from the Senate. Comment A "fan behavior committee" worked on this before and a lot of good suggestions were made then and a 150 page report exists. An effort to follow-up on the good work of the committee would be appropri- ate. A transmission of a sense of the senate on this topic may be appro- priate. QUESTION Could the report be circulated to the Senate? ANSWER If the report is not too long we will circulate it and retain it as an agenda item for the next meeting. Comment This topic was discussed at the Athletic Association Board and the concern is very real. QUESTION Inappropriate student behavior in classrooms, dormitories, etc. are dealt with in the Student Affairs Division. Could they deal with this problem also? Comment The problem is broader than the students (e.g. band, cheerleading, other fans, circumstances created by refereeing and coaching deci- sions). QUESTION Could the report be sent to the Athletic Director? ANSWER Yes. President Eustis I will summarize this discussion and transmit a copy of it and of the report to Mr. Braine. A motion to retain this item on the agenda was moved, seconded, and passed. 4. Report from the Commission on Research on Goals and Objectives - Sen- ator Arnold and Alternate Senator Kingston. The report will be kept on the agenda for the next meeting. In the meantime input will be sought. The report is worthy of most seri- ous consideration at this time particularly as the long range plan- ning structure is being put in place. The report should be viewed from the perspective that its writers had the research mission in mind at the time of writing. Meeting adjourned 9:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patrick F. Scanlon, Secretary, Faculty Senate.
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