MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

October 6, 1998

The Faculty Senate of Murray State University met in regular session on Tuesday, October 6, 1998, in the Barkley Room of the Curris Center. Twenty-seven senators were present. Senators At-large Brewer and Guin were absent as well as Regent Rudolph. Departments not represented were accounting, business administration, office systems, & business education, computer science & information systems, educational leadership & counseling, English, philosophy & religious studies, political science, criminal justice, & legal studies, and speech communication & theatre. The minutes of the September 1, 1998, senate meeting were approved.

REPORTS

Board of Regents--No report.

Academic Policies--Chair Gray reported two agenda items of his committee; email dial up problems and the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) as it relates to academics. Minutes of ITAC are posted at http://msumusik.mursuky.edu/ITAC. The committee is being restructured with more representation on the academic side. Academic policies will meet next week.

Finance--No report.

Governmental Affairs--No report.

Handbook & Personnel--Chair Elwell reported that the committee met last month to set an agenda. They will meet again on Tuesday, October 13, with Interim Provost Brockway to discuss eleven different proposals in front of the provost, the senate, or lost. The committee asked that deans forward policies on compensation and merit to the committee with a brief discription of distribution.

Rules, Elections, & Bylaws--No report.

Insurance & Benefits--Chair Jacobs reported that the committee finished their work on the insurance review in September. They forwarded a letter of understanding recognizing the fact that the university is working with one company at this time. On September 28 committee members received training similar to that being given to all employees and provided suggestions to lead to better training. The committee will meet again on November 18 getting back to some prior initiatives. In response to questions, Dr. Jacobs informed the senate that the committee did nothing in establishing or determining variables in who would be affected by the "save harmless" procedure. President Landini noted that human resources will notify those who could be affected.

Academic Council--Senator Muscio, chair of the graduate studies committee, reported that the committee has been presented with a proposal originating in the council by Dean Bryan discouraging proposals for 500 level courses and instead cross list at the 400 and 600 level.

Senator Powell (nursing) asked about the rationale for such a proposal. Chair Muscio responded that it will create more 600 level courses. Senator Jeanquart-Barone (marketing & management) said cross listing these courses benefits her department.

Senator At-large Schell (history) added that it was introduced by Peggy Schrock to insure a clear division between undergraduate and graduate level curriculum. Dean Bryan's proposal is intended to table any changes to 500 proposals until requirements are looked at.

Executive--President Landini reminded faculty of the training sessions for the insurance change. She said it takes about an hour and is a well done presentation of material and should simplify open enrollment for faculty.

She asked that senators solicit items of concern or discussion by the senate from their colleagues and forward a hard copy to her on behalf of the executive committee. She will compile a master list for committees by the next executive committee meeting.

As part of the university governance system, the Faculty Senate appoints faculty to vacancies on the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee. President Landini asked for nominations for the faculty representative term to expire in 2001. Dr. Buddy Krizan has served in this capacity for several years and has informed Dr. Landini that he does not wish to continue. The executive committee will accept nominations through October 23 and prepare a ballot for election at the November senate meeting. Dr. Karl Hussung has resigned as the faculty representative to the OVC/NCAA. Dr. Alexander appoints a replacement.

President Landini then outlined a list of challenges for this year discussed by Dr. Alexander at a meeting with her and Vice President Call two weeks ago:

(1) Safety issues. The regional university presidents met to discuss; the CPE authorized each university to use housing and dining fees to install sprinkler systems. It is a concern among all the presidents. Dr. Alexander has added racer patrols to the dorms, public safety is working additional, longer shifts, and off duty officers have been hired for extra patroling of the campus. The MSU Foundation will offer a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the Hester Hall fire.

Faculty may make a tax deductible donation or pledge to the Hester Hall Emergency Fund through the Office of Development. Pledges will not be due until an arrest is made. President Landini, Vice President Call, and Regent Rudolph have told Dr. Alexander that they felt faculty would like to contribute and Dr. Alexander noted his appreciation for this kind of support. He commended the faculty for their help, concern, and comfort offered to students and is very appreciative. President Landini asked that senators convey this to their departments.

(2) Vision 2020 is strategic planning at the state level spurred by House Bill #1 and the CPE. Dr. Alexander stressed that Murray's planning has to be highly dependent upon faculty input. Business, industry, and K-12 school personnel will be involved but faculty will play the key role in determining the future of this university. It will require tough faculty decisions in the years to come. He pledged to keep them apprised of progress.

(3) Paducah expansion with more utilization of the Crisp Center. The regional presidents will work for funding of off campus programming to place bound students.

(4) Distance learning through the "Commonwealth Virtual University." The regional presidents feel that the regionals should be proactive to keep UK from solely controlling content of courses accessible from outside the state.

(5) Off campus programs in general will be expanding; faculty will have to teach more. Deans have been asked to identify adjuncts they believe to be effective off campus; but, campus based faculty also will have to be involved.

(6) Pay for additional duties (extra compensation). Dr. Alexander sees this as a problem that needs to be addressed. He thinks this money should be put into base salaries rather than additional pay. The executive committee sent this to the senate’s finance committee for research. Dr. Alexander had mentioned this briefly at the end of last year and the deans are looking into it now. President Landini noted that Chair Guin has agreed to conduct a monetary analysis which will lead to better understanding of what the administration is looking at.

The senate leadership will advise the senate each month on discussions with the president. Senator At-large Schell noted that the finance committee is already taking on an analysis of additional courses and urged the senate to look at the effects of acquiring more students through offerings off campus. The senate adjourned at 4:20 p.m.