EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Present: Aguilar, Bender, Bryant, Latta, Mayo, Miller, Prochaska Cue, Siekman, Whitt

Absent: Humes, Scheideler, Zorn

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2000

Location: 201 Canfield Administration Building

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1.0 Call to Order (Latta)

Latta called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM.

2.0 Chancellor Moeser

2.1 Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

Chancellor Moeser reported that Christine Hixson, Executor of the Lied Trust, has donated $18 million to the College of Fine and Performing Arts. He stated that the interest on the donation should initially generate approximately $900,000 a year for the college. The fund will be used to help support student scholarships, to provide faculty support and program support. He noted that this will be the first named, endowed College of Fine Arts at any public university in the country. He pointed out that the Lied Trust has donated $31 million to support the arts on campus. Latta asked what the ongoing management will be from the Trust in determining how the funds will be used, and whether this would threaten academic freedom in the College? Chancellor Moeser stated that an advisory committee will be established that will review proposals but that there should be no compromise for the college and faculty. Miller asked if any donations have been set for the addition to the Sheldon Art Gallery? Chancellor Moeser stated that they are working on obtaining donations for the proposed $12 million project. Bryant asked whether there was a bill in the unicameral to help with the Sheldon? Chancellor Moeser stated that Senator Crosby has introduced a bill to replace the heating and air conditioning system in Sheldon. Bryant asked about the status of the Artist Diversity Program? Chancellor Moeser stated that this program and the Arts Are Basic program will be saved by the Hixson-Lied endowment.

2.2 University Bookstore Advisory Committee (proposed)

Latta stated that Bob Carlson, Manager of the University Bookstore, approached the Executive Committee about creating a University Bookstore Advisory Committee. The members of the committee will be faculty, students, and staff. She asked if this is an issue that the Chancellor's Cabinet would be interested in? Chancellor Moeser stated that it was a good idea and that it should be brought forward to the Cabinet.

2.3 Policy on Historic and Cultural Resources (proposed)

Latta reported that Professor Bleed has proposed that a policy be created to "establish procedures that assure all construction sites will be assessed to determine if they contain researchable, significant cultural resources". Chancellor Moeser stated that we should be able to accomplish this through administration rather than going through the Academic Planning Committee. He recommended that he meet with President Latta, Professor Bleed, and Rich McDermott, Director of Facilities Management to discuss the issue further.

2.4 Board of Regents Visit to Campus

Chancellor Moeser reported that the Board of Regents will be visiting the campus on Feburary 25^th. He stated that several events will occur during the visit. There will be a presentation by Vice Chancellor Torr on one of the major research projects occurring on campus, a meeting with honors students and faculty members involved with the honors programs at the Neihardt Center, a walk through of the electrical substation, and a presentation on the engagement of the University with the citizens of the state in programs such as School at the Center Project together with the grant for teacher training on the reservations. Latta asked if faculty will have an opportunity to be involved when they meet at the Neihardt Center? Chancellor Moeser stated that they definitely want to have faculty there to show the interaction of faculty and students in the honors program.

2.5 Othmer Endowed Department Chairs (Scheideler)

Item postponed.

2.6 Legislative Issues

Chancellor Moeser reported that the Governor is recommending less than half of what we are requesting to replenish the health insurance fund. He noted that we need to build support in the legislature for the full appropriation of this emergency request. He pointed out that this will not cause an immediate problem next year, however, it will effect our next biennial request which may result in other budget priorities being either cut or severely jeopardized. VC Omtvedt stated that they are hearing that there is not a lot of sympathy in the legislature for the problem of the health insurance fund because many people feel it's a problem due to mismanagement of the funds. He noted that the legislature's top priority seems to be the push for property tax relief. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that the problem of the fund is due to the rising cost of health care, particularly the cost of prescription drugs. Latta stated that it is helpful to clarify that the request in front of the legislature right now is the emergency appropriation for the health fund and not the university budget.

2.7 NU Strategic Agenda

Latta pointed out that the strategic framework document is going to be on the February agenda of the Board of Regents and she asked what the status of it is? Chancellor Moeser stated that he is reasonably satisfied with the document as are most people that he has talked with. Latta noted that it is likely to become part of the context for the Prioritization Commission. She stated that she is considered with some of the time lines in the framework. She noted that there has not been much dialogue or campus input on this aspect of the document. She pointed out that there is a commitment in the strategic framework enhancing the teacher training. She asked whether central administration was moving ahead with this and whether we have anticipated budgeting towards that program. Chancellor Moeser stated that there is no clear picture as to whether there are any budgetary implications for this program. He noted that this is a national movement to address the shortage of qualified teachers in America.

2.8 Issues on the Horizon

Chancellor Moeser reported that Michael Josephson, Director of Josephson's Institute of Ethics, is coming in February to speak to the athletic department to speak on the issue of character and sports. In the afternoon Josephson will be presenting an afternoon lecture to which all university faculty will be invited.

Chancellor Moeser reported that they have had discussions with the Academic Planning Committee and the Deans concerning the budget adjustments for the next fiscal year. He stated that it is not an across the board cut and that they will try to absorb most of the adjustments on the non-academic side if possible. He noted that they will do this quickly so that each Dean will know what resources they will have for the spring recruiting season. Latta stated that SVCAA Edwards informed her that the units will become involved in the college discussions on the budget after February 10^th. Miller asked what the difference is between an adjustment and reallocation? Chancellor Moeser stated that it is a matter of degree and that they are managing the budget of the university. He noted that they have asked the Deans not to make across the board cuts in their colleges. VC Omtvedt pointed out that all of the unfunded campus imperatives, except the engineering positions located at UNO, have been cut from the budget. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that they have managed away $2.3 million which helps to alleviate any budget adjustments. Miller suggested that a letter explaining the management process of the budget would be helpful.

3.0 Vice Chancellor Omtvedt

VC Omtvedt reported that the search for the Dean of the College of Human Resources is on going. He stated that the search committee for the Dean of Cooperative and Extension Education should be receiving recommendations by June. He noted that Dr. Ted Elliott from Colorado State University will be the new Director of the School of Natural Resource Sciences beginning June 1, 2000.

4.0 Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards

SVCAA Edwards pointed out that they were determined not to do another across the board budget cut and that this is just a routine budget management process. Latta stated that it would be a good time for the Chancellor to send a letter explaining how the budget is being managed this year and how they have worked hard to remove the unfunded imperatives from the budget. Aguilar pointed out that the short turnaround for the Deans is not allowing them to gather faculty input. SVCAA Edwards noted that one of the responsibilities of the Dean is to be an advocate for their college. He stated that once the Deans have received their budget information they should then consult with the units as to how these cuts will be made. Mayo asked if these are permanent cuts to the base budget? SVCAA Edwards stated that these are recurring cuts.

Latta noted that SVCAA Edwards was part of the presentation on the different faculty appointments to the Board of Regents. SVCAA Edwards stated that the point of the presentation was to educate the Board of Regents on the variety of positions and to explain why some appointments are best suited as tenure track positions which is why the largest group of our faculty are tenure and tenure track positions. The committee discussed academic freedom and where a faculty member's academic tenure should reside.

5.0 Approval of 1/12/00 Minutes

Mayo moved and Bender seconded approval of the minutes as amended.

6.0 Unfinished Business

6.1 University Bookstore Advisory Committee Proposal

The Executive Committee agreed that a University Bookstore Advisory Committee should be created. The members of the bookstore committee should consist of faculty, both traditional and non-traditional students, staff, and Bob Carlson, manager of the bookstore. The committee felt that the committee should be chaired by a faculty member.

6.2 Office of Civil Rights Revisions to ARRC Procedures

Latta reported that she will be meeting with Linda Crump to discuss the Executive Committee's concerns with the suggested changes to the ARRC Procedures. She will report back to the committee on the outcome of the discussion.

7.0 New Business

7.1 Intellectual Property Policy (draft)

Item postponed due to lack of time.

7.2 NU Strategic Agenda (draft)

Item postponed due to lack of time.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:08 PM. The next meeting of the Executive Committee is Wednesday, January 26, 2000 at 3:00 PM in the Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.