The Faculty Senate of Murray State University met in regular session on Tuesday, May 6, 1997, in the Barkley Room of the Curris Center. Twenty-eight senators were present. At-large Senators Guin and Jacobs were absent as were departmental senators Aguiar, Beasley, Begley, Jackson, Muscio, Robinson, and Stuart.. Dennis Johnson was proxy for John Dressler; Mary Conover for Sally DuFord; Steve Horwood for Tom Gray; Nancey France for Betty Powell; and Jim Rudolph for Dwayne Driskill. The departments of Management & Marketing and Accounting remain unrepresented.
Roger Weis, Director of the American Humanics asked for faculty support of a Big Brother/Big Sister program in the community. The minutes of April 1, 1997, were approved as written.
REPORTS
Board of Regents--Regent France briefly outlined the agenda for the May 12 meeting of the board. Salaries remain Dr. Alexander's main priority in regard to the budget. Potential for more funding rests with the Governor's reform plan for Postsecondary Education. She asked if faculty had any questions regarding the budget that she could take to Dr. Alexander. Senator Arche (Art) asked about funding of special programs within the reform. He was unsure what programs were listed in this category. Regent France said that they are institutional research programs and that she will get a list. Chair Rudolph, governmental affairs, asked if there were any major overruns in any areas of the budget. Regent France responded none are reflected at this time and that the university does have money left. She will, however, confirm this with Dr. Alexander; especially, since there have been earlier concerns with a deficit in scholarship funds. Senator Rudolph also asked if athletics remained closer to their budget than in the past. Regent France said that the board and Dr. Alexander are committed to seeing a significant decrease to the athletic deficit. The completion of the RSEC (Regional Special Events Center) is something she feels should be looked at. This could shadow anything else within the athletic program. She has not seen an increase and AD Dennison has been told to increase outside fundraising of the program. She also reemphasized that the board has firmly distinguished to the auditors that foundation funds are separate from the general accounts of the university. Questions were raised concerning accreditation, scholarship funds, and Title 9 requirements of the athletic program. Regent France will clarify compliance with Dr. Alexander. Senator Rudolph added that he feels the university has satisfactorily answered questions and is currently complying with all criteria.
Provost Booth has said that contracts will be later than usual due to the special session of the legislature. Senator Hulick (ESE) suggested that the finance committee of the senate independently assess the university budget. Senator Campbell (computer studies) added that it would be helpful to faculty to have the committee's opinion of the current status of the budget.
Executive--President Willis told the senate that he, Vice President Landini, Chairs Powell and Rudolph, Senators Maxwell and Miller, and Regent France met with President Alexander, Provost Booth, and Interim Vice President Denton to discuss faculty sick leave and tuition waivers. The proposal to apply faculty unused sick leave to service credit at retirement will be presented to the Faculty & Staff Insurance and Benefits Committee for further action. The committee will meet Friday, May 9, at 12:30 p.m. Chair Rudolph will present the proposal to this committee at this time.
The group presented some more information about the transfer of tuition waivers to faculty dependents and spouses. Faculty are still in favor of a full benefit. They shared that Vanderbilt offers a graduated benefit until a faculty member reaches a tenure at the university of six years; then a full benefit is available. This seemed to get a lot of attention. Any proposals concerning changes to waivers also will be channeled through the Insurance & Benefits Committee.
President Willis informed faculty that there is a bill being considered at the state level that would require reevaluation of tenured faculty every five years. He suggested that the university presidents and regents could stop this from passing; other faculty concurred. The university's teaching evaluation system is currently being validated. A new evaluation instrument was used this year in some classes in each of the colleges. According to Provost Booth, no decision has been made to abandon the current instrument for the new one; the process is still being studied and reviewed. Several problems were seen with the trial instrument as have been noted with the current one and several faculty expressed concern that there are still no allowances for role differentiation. Also, there was a concurrence that this had come full circle to an in-house process again. The senate voted to invite Dr. Royalty, who had been asked by Provost Booth to study the instrument, and Dr. Booth to the September senate meeting and also that copies of the trial instrument be distributed to senators (attached for senators). The senate was also encouraged to ask faculty what should be measured and Regent France noted that it might be impossible to separate instruction from the instructor and that a valid instrument might not exist.
In other business, staff representing groups that request grade reports from faculty met with the executive committee to justify the need for multiple reports. A committee will be chaired by Vice President Robertson to look at various possibilities. Senators Aguiar and Tillson will represent faculty and Dr. Robertson will appoint two staff members. These individuals represent groups most affected by these requests.
President Willis has collected news releases concerning the reform of higher education in the state. These will be kept on file in the senate office. A proposal has been sent to the Governor to amend Statute 164.01 to include that a faculty member be appointed as a voting member of the Council. It is proposed that the faculty regents and trustees meet and nominate three faculty including one from the community colleges. The Governor would select one. A sponsor for this bill was secured through the faculty leadership at Eastern.
Insurance and Benefits Committee--The executive committee recommended to the senate that the proposal from Staff Congress that an additional staff person be added to the Faculty & Staff Insurance and Benefits Committee be rejected. Three administrative staff are ex-officio members of the committee in addition to the six appointed by Staff Congress plus recommendations from that committee go to another staff person, the Vice President of Administrative Services, who may either accept or reject the committee's recommendation. It was the feeling of the executive committee that staff are well represented on the committee, maybe overly represented. The executive committee also suggests that the lack of appeal of the proposals of the committee be noted. President Willis then offered this proposal:
Senators wanted it to be stressed that although the senate feels that staff are well represented on this committee this should not be construed as faculty against staff. President Willis assured the senate that any communication going to the administration would adequately express this. It was suggested that in the future this committee not be a joint committee and that the senate should look at how to structure separate committees whereby faculty have a contingency as would the staff, then come together in some form. It was appreciated that there are some issues difficult to work out because of the sense of staff that all benefits be equal; such as the tuition waiver. It was noted that this could also be said of faculty. It was also noted if committee members were persuaded to accept a degree of difference between faculty and staff; that faculty can obtain full weight of benefits they need without leaving staff behind (a fear of having two separate committees) separate committees might not be needed. On the other hand two committees would allow each group to make its case to the administration and ease some of this concern. Currently staff members can join ranks of faculty anytime and receive the same benefits as faculty then leave a faculty voice out of other issues. This is a concern of the administration in respect to both sides. However, it was also noted that in regard to general issues of insurance, faculty members number the minority and staff numbers are very helpful to faculty.
The Faculty Senate voted unanimously to reject the Staff Congress proposal (27-0). The senate then voted to make the above recommendation to the provost citing the current structure, flow of recommendations, and lack of appeal, with appropriate rationale included. It was noted that with those issues where faculty have more interest, the vice president for administrative services may stop those interests from being forwarded, and there is no other outlet. The vote was 23/0.
Academic Policies--No new business.
Finance--No report.
Governmental Affairs--Business was included as part of the executive report.
Handbook & Personnel--A revised composition of the advisory board to the Wellness Center was taken off the table and approved with two friendly amendments. Concern was expressed that wording of the membership left too much control to the Vice President. It was noted that recommended new wording from "recommended" to "shall include" allows for additions to the board but that no constituency to the center be left out. Several "housekeeping" changes to the Faculty Handbook were also approved.
Two revisions to the Handbook that stem out of suggestions of the SACS visitation of October 1994 were tabled and a third was passed. The first tabled dealt with the evaluation of part-time faculty (Section 2.1.2.3). Senators expressed concern that it would be difficult for some departments to comply with the proposed requirements and that the wording was too strong. It was also pointed out that there are two different types of part-time faculty, adjuncts who are initially hired as part time and those full-time faculty who drop back to part-time status at retirement. The senate unanimously voted to table this proposal for further study. The second revision tabled dealt with assuring qualifications during the initial appointments of faculty (Section 2.3); specifically, determining "that the candidate's proficiency in oral and written communication in the language in which the course(s) is being taught is appropriate." The proposal was tabled 15/4.
The third revision suggested by SACS details the procedures for initiation and evaluation of international programs. This new section (3.3.1.8 ) was passed 15/3. All wording for the three revisions suggested by SACS was provided by the Provost's Office.
Other revisions dealt with the transfer of services of the FRC to other offices. Rewording was authorized to deal with future changes in technology; this will be pursued with Linda Miller. The revisions, with this stipulation, were passed unanimously. Senator Gulotta expressed concern over the function of the Library & Support Services Committee of the Academic Council in light of the new organization. He was encouraged to pursue this through Academic Council.
Chair Call also brought up distribution of updates. It was pointed out that a lot of new faculty do not have a handbook. In the future, faculty will have the option of having the Handbook on disk. But, faculty were adamant that hard copy documentation of updates be continued.
Senator and Residential Head Horwood also asked that the committee see that the Handbook reflects the residential college system. Chair Call said that Section 1.4, Organization of the University, is being updated to reflect reorganization of the campus and would hope that it will include a description of residential colleges. President Willis also encouraged representation of the residential colleges on the senate. This year senators have included two heads, Senator Horwood and Regent France, who have kept the senate informed of activities and progress of the colleges. However, this representation may not exist in the future unless specified in the bylaws. The residential heads could elect their representative.
Rules, Elections, & Bylaws--Vice President Landini reported that Cpt. Jackson, representing the Department of Military Science, had missed three consecutive meetings. Dr. Landini, however, emphasized that these absences should be excused since Cpt. Jackson was required to teach at Ft. Campbell on Tuesdays and that left no one else to represent the department. [ Since the senate meeting, it has been learned that as of September 1997, the department will no longer remain on campus]
Lou Tillson, Oliver Muscio, and Mark Wattier were elected to represent the senate on the Academic Council, 1997-99. VP Landini also announced the resignation of Janice Morgan from her at-large position. President Willis has appointed Dr. Martie Jacobs to fill the vacancy. Dr. Hamid Kobraei will represent the College of Science on the Academic Council.
Insurance & Benefits--At their last meeting, the committee approved 1) a proposal to begin a sick leave bank; 2) solicitation of annual benefits to include dental plans, and include riders for bone marrow and organ transplants; and 3)a resolution appointing a sub-committee to develop a proposal for additional tuition waiver benefits. The committee will look over costs associated with the insurance coming in over the summer. The next meeting of the committee will be Friday, May 9, to discuss sick leave credit for retirement.
President Willis noted that Dr. Alexander has mentioned that he is seriously considering in-house administration of insurance.
Residential Colleges--Senator Horwood thanked faculty and the news for supporting the activities of the college system this year. The heads have been working on investitures. They will actively encourage faculty to teach within the residential facilities and asked for chairs to help with this initiative. President Willis asked Dr. Horwood what percentage of faculty had been active within the system this year. Dr. Horwood noted that the same people active with students outside of class before remain involved now.
New Business--Senator Morgan, chair of the nominating committee, stated that the committee hopes that they managed to contact a cross section of faculty in recommending a slate for next year's officers. The committee also thanked President Willis and VP Landini for keeping the administration on their toes and encouraged the new officers to do the same. The committee, Senators Morgan, Stuart, and Wattier, presented the following to the executive committee which accepted their recommendation; Ann Landini for President, Bill Call for Vice President. The floor was open for additional nominations; being none, the slate was elected by acclamation 22/0.
President Landini presented President Willis with a framed certificate of appreciation on behalf of the senate. She asked all current committee chairs to continue over the summer and reminded senators to sign up for committees and list their e-mail addresses for inclusion on a web page for the senate which will be designed allowing for more efficient communication within the senate.
The meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.