The Faculty Senate of Murray State University met in regular session on December 5, 2000, in the Barkley Room of the Curris Center. Twenty-nine senators were in attendance. Senators Canning, Crofton, Graham-Schneider, Jeanquart, Jones, and Pilgrim were absent. Vice President Robertson and Residential College Heads Steve Horwood and Squire Babcock attended to answer questions about the proposal to compensate faculty involvement in residential college activities. The minutes of November 14 were approved.

Residential Colleges—The college heads have proposed to compensate faculty for involvement in residential college activities. The senate invited Vice President Robertson to discuss the proposal. The senate has not had enough information to reach a consensus. Information went out to all faculty today. The college heads want to reward work done by faculty in achieving residential college goals. They at the same time would like to see work already being done at the program level brought within the residential college system to achieve both goals of the department and the system. One of the efforts of the residential colleges is to create interaction opportunities between faculty and students outside the classroom. The heads say to reward faculty and staff for their participation will enhance and encourage more involvement within the residential colleges. Faculty involvement is critical to the success of the residential college system and has had an impact on retention.

Faculty question how this would impact the service component of tenure and promotions and also how it fits into the idea of merit pay. It was noted that faculty are being asked to assist recruitment and retention initiatives that go beyond the defined component of service as it relates to promotion and tenure. These changes in contractual expectations; allocation of time and duties, should be defined and approved by faculty. At this time, there is no consistent policy as to how this service will count and be rewarded. The Provost will be asked a response from the academic side of this issue. Service and merit should be clearly defined by the university. Any involvement beyond those defined should be considered for extra compensation. Dr. Robertson said that the administration would look further at this proposal in light of these concerns. He also suggested the reinstatement of regular reports to the senate from the residential colleges.

Board of Regents—Regent Rudolph reported that the agenda has been published for the December 8 board meeting.

Academic Policies—Vice President Morgan reported that a revised attendance policy has been forwarded to academic council. The appeals process was defined. The quality control guidelines for web-based courses have also been forwarded to academic council. The administration is waiting on state guidelines to come out.

Finance—Chair Mulligan was elected at a committee meeting on December 4. He has begun a review of the university’s salary rosters.

Governmental Affairs—Chair Wattier noted that the state’s report card on education has been made available and can be accessed off of the senate’s governance page.

Handbook & Personnel—President Call, acting chair of the committee, reported that the committee has finished review of the Faculty Handbook. A revision procedure has not been established with the provost. The committee will review the function of the commencement committee.

Rules, Elections, & Bylaws—Vice Chair Strieter reported that the committee met on November 21 to establish procedures for this year’s teaching excellence awards by the Board of Regents. The committee did not have a quorum but needs to begin the process. President Call offered the proposal from the executive committee that the School of Agriculture be included in this year’s award. The motion was approved with one abstention.

The committee is discussing ways to make the awards more equitable under the new organization. Initiatives could increase the awards to eight. The committee will meet on January 22 to formulate guidelines for this year’s administrative assessments. Assessments will be conducted in February.

Executive—President Call reported that the academic honesty policy is being finalized and will be forwarded to the provost for review by academic council. Senators Muscio and Jay Morgan serve on the committee drafting the policy. Janis Murphy has been appointed to replace Senator Mulligan as senate representative to the academic council. She will serve on the graduate studies committee.

Senator Brewer reported on plans for faculty development funds. The committee has met to discuss university initiatives to apply for the recurring monies of approximately $72,000. Applications should be connected to teaching component. The committee felt that the CISR is a good model to use in accepting applications and distributing funds.

President Call noted that the request for faculty involvement in the distribution of $1.6 million action agenda funds has been taken to the president by the provost.

The executive committee felt that there was good discussion with Gordon Davies when he visited campus on the role of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).

The Faculty Senate was asked for an appointee to the International Studies Advisory Committee. President Call appointed Senator Dressler from the Department of Music.

Recognition—This was Senator Foreman’s last senate meeting. The executive committee felt strongly that Senator Foreman share his reflections since serving on the senate almost continually since its inception. He sees the university committee system, defined several years ago, still working well. He encouraged faculty to read the Faculty Handbook noting its importance in stating the conditions of faculty employment. He sees the senate as reflecting the status and future of the university. The Faculty Senate serves as the voice of the faculty and the administration and board should be reminded of what the faculty and the senate can do for the university. He would like the university to make creative uses of faculty initiatives and vision and see better communications with the faculty and senate. The senate should continually focus on communicating to faculty the sense of what the senate does, the value to them. Participation on committees impacts faculty and faculty should be made aware of what the senate has to consider.

He appreciates the value of the senate to faculty and the university over the years and appreciates the faculty that take on leadership roles. The senate presented Dr. Foreman with a plaque congratulating him on his twenty-three years of service to the university and especially his tenure on the senate.

Senator Broughton, ex residential college head, encouraged faculty attendance and input at a meeting to discuss the compensation proposal. Impacts on teaching, service, and research should be reviewed by the administration. The meeting was dismissed at 5:05 p.m.