The Faculty Senate of Murray State University met in regular session on Tuesday, May 4, 1999, in the Barkley Room of the Curris Center. The minutes of April 6, 1999, were approved with two changes {on file in the senate office} and the minutes of the special meeting on April 21, 1999, were approved as written.

REPORTS

Board of Regents

President Landini announced that the next board meeting is scheduled for June 18, 1999.

Ad Hoc Committee to Review Academic Structure

Chair Muscio presented the senate with the committee’s recommendations. This committee was appointed by the senate at the request of the Provost to review the current academic structure of the university. Another committee was appointed to look at ways to offer greater visibility of health sciences and human services programs and the coordination of identified programs. The senate committee was asked to fit health sciences into the current structure to see what adjustments would be required. The committee considered several models. The committee wanted to avoid a proliferation of colleges, but suggested some name changes to more accurately reflect focus of some.

The committee recommended that any health sciences unit established have a coordinator reporting directly to the provost with programs initially linked to current colleges for the purpose of accreditation and faculty appraisal. The committee, however, realized that growth over time could require that health sciences and human services programs be developed into an independent college. The committee stressed that faculty be consulted and consent to any reorganization of programs.

The Department of Agriculture indicated a desire for greater autonomy. The committee felt that such a change was not justified at this time. However, the committee did recommend that agriculture be given greater prominence and visibility and that the College have a name change to reflect this. The committee also recommended that the university studies program be given greater prominence and a coordinator.

The committee’s report also included other associated recommendations. Senator White of the executive committee noted the exceptional job done by this committee and supported the report.

The senate voted to accept the committee’s report and forward it to the administration for review {32 for/0 against} with one abstention.

President Landini then welcomed new senators and explained the rules governing senate meetings.

Academic Policies

No report. Chair Gray had distributed issues for next year’s committee with the agenda.

Finance

Chair Guin announced the completion of the review of the university audit.

Governmental Affairs

Chair Wattier briefly mentioned progress on getting the set of benchmarks for the university changed and reported that the report on optional retirement plans for existing faculty has been forwarded to COSFL.

Handbook & Personnel

Nothing pending.

Rules, Elections, & Bylaws

Corky Broughton, Jay Morgan, Oliver Muscio, and Bob Pilgrim were elected to represent the Faculty Senate on Academic Council.

Insurance & Benefits

Chair Jacobs reported that the committee had forwarded another recommendation to establish a sick leave bank to Vice President Denton. The committee asked human resources to begin bid process for employee paid premium dental coverage.

Academic Council

No report.

Executive

President Landini introduced SGA President Brandon Kirkham whose offer to work with faculty in resolving the evaluation issue was well received by the senate. Dr. Alexander had received an open records request from SGA for all current faculty evaluations. He released them and they were subsequently published to the SGA web site. President Landini then documented the executive committee’s reactions thus far. The committee researched open records law, the Faculty Handbook, KRS, and Attorney General’s Opinions. After careful review, the committee met on April 13, 1999, and noted its belief that these evaluations are generally considered to be protected information under Kentucky law and are not to be disclosed; thus, publication is considered to be an invasion of personal privacy. The committee drafted a censure resolution and called a special Faculty Senate meeting for April 21.

The committee subsequently met with Dr. Alexander on April 27 in an attempt to resolve the situation. They discussed five to six items, which Dr. Landini brought before the senate along with a statement from the executive committee. At this meeting, Dr. Alexander pointed out that university policies are stated in the minutes of the Board of Regents. A straw poll of faculty conducted on how to proceed is relatively inconclusive and gave no clear indication to proceed in any particular one direction. Dr. Landini noted that a censure is a strong disapproval of an action by an individual.

The senate voted unanimously to ask the board if the Faculty Handbook is official policy and if it is, the Faculty Senate asks that the Board of Regents demand President Alexander abide by the official policy of the Board of Regents.

This request will be channeled through the board’s Faculty & Staff Affairs Committee. The senate also voted to delay action on an SGA proposal presented by SGA President Kirkham until the fall.

New Business

Senator Janice Morgan, chair of the nominating committee, presented a slate of officers. No other nominations were made. William L. Call and Frank W. Elwell were elected by acclamation as senate president and vice president, respectively.

President Call appointed temporary committee chairs: Mark Wattier, Governmental Affairs; Larry Guin, Finance; Jay Morgan, Handbook & Personnel; and Janice Morgan, Academic Policies.

He then presented Dr. Landini a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the senate.

The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.