EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Present: Aguilar, Bender, Bryant, Mayo, Miller, Scheideler, Siekman, Whitt

Absent: Humes, Latta, Prochaska Cue, Zorn

Date: March 22, 2000

Location: 420 University Terrace, Ste. 203

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1.0 Call to Order (Scheideler)

Scheideler called the meeting to order at 3:03 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Legislative Hearing on Gender Goals

Scheideler reported that she will be attending the Legislative Hearing on the University's Gender Goals as an individual faculty member. She asked if the Executive Committee wanted to her to make any comments on behalf of the committee. The committee agreed that the University needs to be held accountable and it needs to show it is making aggressive efforts to meet these goals. However, it should be pointed out that taking money away from the faculty will hurt our ability to recruit diverse faculty as well as hurt those faculty already employed by the university. Aguilar noted that the faculty, as well as the administration, should be held accountable (rather than laying complete blame on administration) and we need to admit our shortcomings in these efforts as well as indicate those areas where we have made some progress. She pointed out that climate and inclusion of diverse faculty are issues that need to be addressed.

3.0 Approval of 3/1/00 and 3/8/00 Minutes

Whitt moved and Scheideler seconded approval of the minutes as amended. Motion approved. Scheideler reminded the committee that once the minutes are approved by the committee, no further corrections can be made to them and that they will be sent out to the Senators as approved.

4.0 UNL Bylaws Committee Report

Scheideler reported that she is chairing a committee to review the revisions being made to the revisions to the UNL Bylaws. Other members of the committee are Herb Howe, Julie Albrecht, and Jim McShane. She stated that they are working on correcting some of the language problems that have been detected and in verifying whether some policies have actually been approved. She noted that the committee hopes to have the review completed in time for the Board of Regents to approve it before the fall elections.

5.0 Faculty Compensation Advisory Committee

Scheideler reported that the Faculty Compensation Advisory Committee now has data on each of the colleges pertaining to salaries. She stated that Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards is concerned that two colleges are significantly behind their peers in salaries. She noted that he has proposed that each of the other colleges should give 1% of their salary increase to these colleges. Scheideler stated that she told him that this will be unfair to all of the other faculty and that it will cause considerable resentment amongst the faculty. The committee felt that each college should receive its full amount allotted for salary increases and they suggested that if additional funds need to be raised for these two colleges, then special funds should be raised. Scheideler stated that at the next meeting, decisions will be made on how much money should be held back for the Chancellor and Deans to rectify any problems that may exist. Mayo noted that there should be an explanation given on how these retained funds are used. Miller noted that we need to inform the Legislature and the public of the poor salaries, particularly in some colleges, here at UNL and the problem it is creating in retaining faculty. The committee agreed to discuss the issue further with administration.

6.0 Approve Slate of Candidates for Executive Committee and Officers 2000-2001

Scheideler reported the Nominations Committee met and discussed a number of candidates for the Executive Committee and Officers of the Academic Senate. She stated that the slate is not yet complete.

7.0 Unfinished Business

7.1 No Limits Conference

The committee agreed to donate $50 to the No Limits Conference conducted by the Women's Studies program. Whitt moved that the Executive Committee establish a policy, to begin next academic year, regarding the Academic Senate's contribution to organizations requesting support. Miller seconded the motion. Motion approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:31 pm. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 29^th at 3:00 pm, 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.