EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Present:          Alexander, Alloway, Beck, Bradford, Bolin, Hachtmann, Flowers, Ledder, Moeller, Scholz, Zimmers

 

Absent:           Rapkin, Stock

           

Date:               Wednesday, December 6, 2006

 

Location:        Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace

 

Note:   These are not verbatim minutes.  They are a summary of the discussions at the Executive Committee meeting as corrected by those participating.

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1.0       Call to Order

            Moeller called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.

 

2.0       Melissa Lee, Lincoln Journal Star, Jordan Demmel, Daily Nebraskan

Moeller stated that the reporters were asked to meet with the Committee because the Committee wants to find better ways to reach the citizens of Nebraska about work that is being accomplished by the faculty.  Bradford noted that the primary contact source for the press is the Office of University Communications but the reporters probably do not have much direct access to the faculty.  He stated that the Committee is trying to improve relationships between the faculty and the press. 

 

Alloway pointed out that with Amendment 423 on the ballot in the recent election the Senate heard concerns that some of the state’s citizens might not fully understand what contributions the faculty and staff make to the state.  He noted that while there are press releases on large grants awarded, some of the day-to-day things that the university does to make things better for the state are not covered by the media as often.  He stated concern that the public may not understand what the faculty gives back to the community with the work that they do.  He noted that the Committee is just wondering what more the faculty can do to open dialogue with the press.  He stressed that the Committee is not trying to supersede the work of campus media professionals. 

 

Lee stated that she prefers to go to the faculty directly when possible.  She pointed out that accessibility of the faculty can be an issue sometimes.  She noted that there are times when she calls and leaves a message but does not get a call back from a faculty member.  She stated that it would be nice to be able to reach people.  She pointed out that she would like to do more stories on faculty members.   Griffin stated that it is usually easier and faster to contact faculty members through email.

 

Moeller asked how this could be done.  She asked what would be a good process to put into place to facilitate communications.  She wondered if there was a way to establish a mechanism for giving regular kinds of features.  Lee stated that people can always contact her by email (mlee@journalstar.com) by phone at 473-2682, or by cell phone 580-3297. 

 

Moeller asked what kinds of stories the citizens of the state would be interested in.  Lee stated that research stories are particularly interesting, and if faculty members are doing anything related to the war.  Ledder asked about stories that involve faculty members and students working with the community.  He noted that there is a cross-referenced course between Architecture and Construction Management that goes into the community to work on buildings that need to be renovated.  Alloway stated that the Committee would like to help generate coverage that makes the connection between the university and various communities across the state.

 

Zimmers noted that there are many extension faculty members who are involved in a lot of different programs in communities across the state.  He pointed out that there are extension faculty members working in every county in the state and research projects are going on throughout the state.  He suggested that Lee might want to contact any extension office to get more information on what is going on in that county. 

 

Alloway asked what specific challenges the reporters face.  Demmel stated that generally it is difficult to get in touch with some people.  She pointed out that the Daily Nebraskan is more student oriented and they may be more interested in reading stories about students working on particular projects with faculty members.  Demmel stated that student/faculty projects would be good to focus on. 

 

Bradford asked if the press would be interested in stories that are about unusual things that faculty members are doing in their courses.  Ledder wondered whether it would be interesting to include things that faculty members do outside the university.  He noted that Professor Fowler, Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education, has won numerous fiddling awards around the country.  Demmel noted that there was an article recently on a faculty member in music who teaches the cello but is a bodybuilder as well.  Alloway pointed out that the focus should not just be on faculty members but on student projects as well.  

 

Scholz asked how the decision making process occurs at the papers.  He asked if the decisions are made top down or do reporters have the flexibility to come up with ideas.  Lee stated that her editor is very good and gives lots of flexibility to her so she usually comes up with the ideas herself.  She noted that she tries to talk with people on campus and does read the Senate Executive Committee minutes on line.  Scholz asked if there is a quota that she must meet.  Lee stated that there are no quotas but she usually writes about four stories per week.  Scholz asked if there is some kind of protocol within the university that reporters must follow.  Lee stated that if she has an idea she does not need to go through University Communications.  She noted that some faculty members are unsure whether they can talk directly to the press or whether they should go through the Communications Office. 

 

Alexander asked if they have any contact in the Engineering College.  Lee stated that Associate Dean Ballard is one contact that she has.  Alexander pointed out that there is a lot of exciting research going on in the Engineering College.  He suggested that she contact the department chairs or faculty members themselves.  He noted that department chairs are generally excited about getting news out about what the faculty members are doing in their departments.  Moeller suggested that the reporters can also contact the members of the Executive Committee as well for contact information.

 

Bradford asked how reporters develop a list of people to contact when they want to hear someone’s reaction to a story.  Lee stated that reporters have a tendency to go to the same people because they know the person will be a good quote.  She noted that the paper has a source list of who to go to for comments.  Ledder suggested that she contact Moeller to recommend someone to talk to on a particular topic. 

 

Demmel stated that she can be contacted at jordance1@msn.com. 

 

Beck stated that she heard indirectly that a number of years ago the Executive Committee would meet with the Executive Committee of the Legislature several times a year for informational sessions.  The meeting was to discuss what university projects were being conducted that benefited the districts of the legislators. 

 

Zimmers stated that the Extension office still does this.  He noted that the extension personnel meet yearly with their senators to discuss programs that are being done by extension personnel in the particular counties.  He pointed out that it is a short meeting and is usually done early in December.  He noted that these meetings have been very helpful to all of the parties in attendance. 

 

Beck pointed out that meeting with members of the legislature for informational sessions is different from lobbying.  Bradford noted that it would not be a good idea to meet with them while they are in session because they are too busy. 

 

Alexander noted that in the past a lot of senators were brought into the College of Engineering for them to take a tour of the research facilities.  He stated that used to be a very active program that helped educate the senators and the regents about the university and the college. 

 

Moeller stated that several regents have expressed interest in coming to the campus to learn about what is being done here. 

 

Beck noted that people have less time to meet these days but it may be worth looking into. 

           

3.0       Announcements

            3.1       Faculty Hires and the Human Resources Web Site

Flowers reported that his department recently became aware that a faculty member applying for a position with the university needs to go through a human resources website to fill out a personnel application.  He stated that it can take an hour or more to complete the procedure and it is not designed at all as being appropriate for hiring faculty members.  He noted that the first year this website was in place it was mandatory that anyone applying to the university must fill out this form.  He stated that faculty members can now opt out of it but many people may not be aware of this option.  He stated that there are concerns that people may not be applying for a position because the procedure is so time consuming. 

 

Ledder noted that in mathematics, most universities have applications sent to a search committee or department chair.  He noted that in the mathematics field those jobs where a person must begin with a human resource form are usually at community colleges with no emphasis in research. 

 

The Committee agreed to discuss the issue with Chancellor Perlman. 

 

4.0       Approval of 11/29/06 Minutes

Beck moved and Flowers seconded approval of the minutes as amended.  Motion approved.

             

5.0       Unfinished Business

            5.1       Diversity Plan Process

Moeller reported that she received an email message from Linda Crump stating that the Chancellor would like to hear the Executive Committee’s ideas on a process for the diversity plan.  Moeller noted that Ledder sent an email suggesting that the process be similar to the process that has been used with the general education revision. 

 

Ledder asked who would have to approve the diversity plan.  Bradford stated that if part of it affects the faculty and curriculum, then the faculty would have to approve it.  Moeller stated that she is in agreement with the Academic Planning Committee’s letter stating that they should have to vote on the plan. 

 

Ledder suggested that a committee be formed, they draft a plan, it then goes to various committees and groups on campus for review and revision, and then approval would occur with the APC and/or the Senate.  Bradford stated that there should be a standalone committee to draft the plan but there shouldn’t be multiple rounds of reviews. 

 

Alloway asked if there would be a separate plan for faculty and one for the staff.  Bradford and Ledder stated that the committee would need to decide this. 

 

Bradford suggested that before the committee creates a draft they should solicit input from people.  Ledder suggested that as President of the Academic Senate, Moeller should suggest faculty appointments to the committee to make sure different faculty viewpoints are represented.  Bradford stated that the committee should be composed of a majority of faculty members.  Ledder argued that members who are also administrators should not be counted toward the faculty majority.  Bradford stated that there should be voting members and perhaps non-voting members on the committee.  Beck pointed out that the details of the committee can wait until after a process has been agreed to. 

 

Scholz suggested that there be student representatives, both graduate and undergraduate on the committee.  Ledder wondered whether we could recommend that ASUN appoint at least one minority student to ensure some diversity on the committee.  He noted that there are minority student organizations on campus who could suggest representatives.  Bradford stated that this should be left up to ASUN but he hopes they would consider it. 

 

Moeller asked what the formal procedure is for voting on the plan once it has been developed by the committee.  Bradford noted that part of the existing plan has an academic component and faculty members must vote on this.  He stated that unless the committee is willing to exclude the academic proponent from the plan then the APC should vote on it. 

 

Ledder pointed out that the plan should have two distinct but mutually supportive aspects.  He stated that the plan needs to be in compliance with federal regulations but it also needs to be good for the university.  Alloway noted that this would mean a plan that is much broader than just gender or race.  Moeller stated that the plan would then be going beyond compliance. 

 

Beck pointed out that without the vote of the APC or the Senate it would be a mistake to try to adopt a plan that the faculty does not support.  Bradford suggested that the Senate should vote on the plan. 

 

Moeller asked the Committee to think of faculty members to serve on the diversity plan committee. 

 

6.0       New Business

            6.1       Questions on 15th Week Policy

Alloway reported that there are still questions being asked about the 15th week policy.  He asked who deals with questions on the policy, particularly what can and cannot be done during the 15th week.  He stated that in his college, some classes without final exams used to offer their last unit exam the Friday of 15th week.  He and other faculty members stopped doing that out of concern that violated the new policy that no tests be given during 15th week, but he was unsure to whom these types of questions should be asked.  Beck pointed out that this is in violation of the 15th week policy.  Ledder noted that the finals week policy states that finals are only to be given during finals week.

 

Bradford stated that it should be up to Academic Affairs.  Griffin pointed out that when people call Registration and Records about policies approved by the Senate, that office always refers the phone calls to the Senate Office.  She then reads them exactly what the policy states that was approved by the Senate and points out that if they do not adhere to the policy then they are in violation of it. 

 

Beck stated that the Committee should follow up with ASUN to see if the new 15th week policy has reduced the stress level for students at all.  She stated that she does not think much has changed with the new policy because she is still hearing from students that this is still the most stressful week for them.  Moeller stated that a lot of students are still taking finals during the 15th week.  Ledder pointed out that it is up to ASUN to tell students that they need to report violations of the policy and finals week policy. 

 

Alloway noted that he gets requests from students with conflicts during finals week who would like to complete their work in the 15th week.  Beck pointed out that it was the students who really pushed to not allow any finals during the 15th week. 

 

6.2       Classroom Regulation Policy

Griffin reported that she received a phone call from a faculty member asking if there is any written policy stating that an instructor can include in the course syllabus classroom regulations.  She noted that the Student Code of Conduct states in very general terms “that the academic community should assure its members those opportunities, protections, and privileges which provide the best climate for learning."

 

Alloway stated that instructors can include this kind of information in their syllabus.  Bradford stated that he does not think a written policy is needed because there is an understanding that faculty members have the right to regulate the classroom. 

 

Ledder stated that he thinks classroom behavior has improved over recent years.  He noted that he used to include information in his syllabus about classroom behavior but no longer feels that he needs to.  Alloway stated that he does it for large classes.

 

6.3       Future Agenda Items

The Committee agreed to set up a meeting with the General Education Planning Team to discuss what is next for the revision process. 

 

Moeller stated that she would like to see a copy of the accreditation team’s review of the campus once it becomes available.  

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be on Wednesday, December 13 at 3:00 pm.  The meeting will be held in 201 Canfield Administration.  The minutes are respectfully submitted by Karen Griffin, Coordinator and Rick Alloway, Secretary.