EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Present:          Alloway, Bolin, Bradford, Hachtmann, Ledder, Moeller, Scholz, Stock, Zimmers

 

Absent:           Alexander, Beck, Rapkin     

           

Date:               Wednesday, January 31, 2007

 

Location:        201 Canfield Administration Building

 

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 3:07

 

2.0       Chancellor Perlman/VC Owens/SVCAA Couture

            2.1       Budget

Moeller noted that the number one issue looming over the campus this semester will be the budget.  She stated that she is communicating with the other Senate Presidents and the Executive Committee is trying to build some relationships with legislators to make them aware of the negative impacts the Governor’s budget will have on the university. 

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that the Appropriations Committee will be briefed on the university budget this week by the legislative staff.  He noted that the Governor’s proposed budget is not good for the university or the state.  He stated that there is a lot of work that needs to be done before April and May. 

 

Moeller stated that she will keep the Chancellor posted on what the Committee does.  She asked if there was anyone the committee should coordinate with.  Chancellor Perlman stated that the Committee should contact Michelle Waite, Assistant to the Chancellor on Community Relations, about message points and context.  This will let his office know what is going on and will help to provide a consistent approach.  He noted that the President’s Council is meeting on Friday to discuss the university’s strategy.

           

2.2       Cancellation of Child Care Services

Moeller stated that the announcement of the cancellation of the child care program through the YWCA is a real set back to the campus.  She noted that the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women just spent three months conducting a survey about child care on campus. 

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that he was disappointed to learn of the YWCA’s decision on the child care program.  He noted that this will be difficult for the parents using the program but the campus should not be overwhelmed by this decision.  He stated that while the decision was very disappointing and detrimental to what the campus is trying to accomplish, it does not stop the efforts of moving towards having a campus day care center.  He noted that the work that the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women is doing is still very important.  He pointed out that only approximately seven faculty members and 32 staff members use the program.  He noted that students and former students are the predominant users of the program.  He pointed out that a policy has been in place that allows a child to continue in the program even after the parent(s) graduates from the university.  Chancellor Perlman acknowledged that there will be some difficulty for people who were using the program but it should be noted that the YWCA will still have a day care center and they are trying to accommodate those people that have been in the university’s day care program. 

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that in some ways there has been some progress made towards an on campus facility.  He noted that previously faculty members and graduate students interested in early childhood development were focused primarily on the Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory but they are now showing interest in working with the on campus facility.  He stated that it may turn out to create a better facility that is not as expensive as if we used an outside management company.  He noted that Tish Roland has been Director of the Child Care program and he believes that she will stay with UNL.  He stated that he hopes that faculty members involved with early child development and Tish will work together to build a curriculum for the program. 

 

Moeller asked how long the administration knew about the cancellation.  She pointed out that she received a phone call from Melissa Lee, reporter for the Lincoln Journal Star, for an interview about the child care program and had she known some of the facts and figures she could have reported these.  Chancellor Perlman stated that the administration had some suspicions for awhile but has only known about the cancellation for about a month.  He stated that the administration was hoping that there would be an alternative program available but one place wanted the university to have the child care program on a permanent basis.  They also wanted the campus to provide funding for a facility but it would have been off campus.  He pointed out that the feelings are that we need to have an on campus facility and the funds are needed to support this.  He noted that he did not want to have any decisions made about an alternative child care program that could jeopardize us having a really good, on campus facility.  He stated that other buildings on campus have been explored but there are no other options at this time. 

 

Moeller reported that in the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women’s survey it became very apparent that the location of the child care faculty was actually more valued than the cost.  She stated that she thinks the survey will be helpful in creating an on campus child care program and facility. 

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that he is becoming increasingly optimistic about the Whittier project.  He noted that the renovation of the Whittier building is essential to the 2015 visioning group’s plan.  He stated that if the renovation occurs it would be feasible for the campus to renovate the north side of the building.  He pointed out that there is a lot of enthusiasm for the 2015 projects. 

 

Moeller asked if creating a child care program is a fund raising priority for the University Foundation.  She noted that with the right marketing, stressing the impact that an on campus child care facility could have in recruiting and retaining faculty members might make it attractive for some donors.  Chancellor Perlman stated that he did not know if the Foundation sets this as a priority.  He pointed out that a large amount of funding is needed quickly in order to get a facility up and running.  He noted that funding for the main part of Whittier will probably come faster but if anyone knows of a possible donor for the child care facility they should let him know. 

 

Scholz asked if there was a certain amount of funding in place for a child care facility.  Chancellor Perlman stated that the campus received a bequest that was up to his discretion to use and he set it aside for a day care center.  He pointed out that this was a relative recent donation and it is growing interest while it is not being used.  He noted that creating and maintaining a child care center cannot be funded through state money. 

 

2.3       Update on Searches (Associate to the Chancellor, Dean of Arts & Sciences,       Director of Summer Sessions)

SVCAA Couture reported that the search committee for the Dean of Arts & Sciences has received a number of good applications.  She stated that Dean Kostelnik, chair of the search committee, is doing a great job and the committee is working on getting additional people to apply.  SVCAA Couture stated that the committee will soon be looking at the applications that have already been submitted.  Moeller asked if the search is projected to be finished this semester.  SVCAA Couture stated that this is what the goal is for the search committee. 

 

SVCAA Couture reported that three candidates have been interviewed for the Director of Summer Sessions.  She stated that recommendations on the candidates will be sent by the search committee to her on Friday. 

 

Chancellor Perlman noted that in his email message he indicated that the Associate to the Chancellor’s position is a special search in terms of process and requires a little more flexibility in how the search is conducted.  He pointed out that he has cleared this with Linda Crump, Assistant to the Chancellor, Equity, Access, and Diversity Programs.  He noted that members of the search committee are people who know and interact with the Associate to the Chancellor and have an idea of what the position requires.  He reported that the announcement has gone out and that he hopes the search committee can start quickly. 

 

Moeller asked if members of the Executive Committee could nominate people.  Chancellor Perlman stated that this would be helpful. 

 

2.4       Gallup MBA Program

Moeller noted that there was not much discussion about the program until it was announced.  She asked how the process of getting the program happened, who was involved in the decision making, and who will be involved with the program.  Chancellor Perlman stated that the program is really an emphasis in an already existing program so in terms of process, it was not necessary to get approval through the Academic Planning Committee to the Coordinating Commission.  He pointed out that the College of Business Administration (CBA) has approved all of the courses and the faculty involved. 

 

Moeller asked if the decision was made within CBA.  Chancellor Perlman stated that it was and the actual negotiations involving much of the details for the funding was handled in the college although he actively participated at several stages.  He pointed out that the agreement has not actually been signed yet because some details in financing still need to be completed. 

 

Moeller asked who would make decisions about selecting students into the program if there are a large number of applicants.  Chancellor Perlman stated that there will probably not be a large pool of applicants because of the $90,000 price tag.  He stated that the idea is that the people in the program will be embedded in corporate management and the corporation would fund and sponsor them.  He pointed out that since it is a global program there is the hope that there will be philanthropic support that will allow people from developing countries to participate in the program.  He noted that some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, are willing to pay for people to be in the program.  Moeller asked if there would be Chinese students as well.  Chancellor Perlman stated that the hope is that each cohort of 12-20 students will be representative of the global nature of the program. 

 

Chancellor Perlman reported that he has received comments regarding Newt Gingrich being on the faculty.  He pointed out that the faculty of CBA approved Gingrich’s appointment in order to have a diverse set of voices in the program.

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that the idea of the program is to teach people global leadership.  He noted that Gallup polls people on the street in 143 countries and can tell you what people think all over the world.  He pointed out that this can help with economic development and help train American policy makers in thinking about how the United States and World Bank can be more effective. 

 

Moeller stated that the program has wonderful implications for internships with students and international business.  She asked who is heading the program.  Chancellor Perlman stated that Professor Anderson, Economics, and Bruce Avolio will be heading it.  He pointed out that the big named people will only be coming in for 2 -3 hours of teaching.  He stated that the hope is that we will ultimately expand the faculty to outside of CBA.  He noted that faculty members in the history department could be a real asset to this program. 

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that the program is not costing the university anything and it is an income producing program.  Scholz asked if the courses will be taught in Washington, DC.  Chancellor Perlman stated that they will be taught there and at other sights around the world as well as some on-line courses although this is not in the program yet.  He pointed out that eventually on one of the floors at the Gallup headquarters in Washington it will say University of Nebraska Washington Center and any unit from the university that wants to teach there can do so at no cost. 

 

2.5       Professor of Practice Positions

Moeller asked if there were any statistics on the position yet.  She asked if people in this position are typically moved from a senior lecturer position or hired and how many departments are taking advantage of the position. 

 

SVCAA Couture noted that the position was just recently approved by the Board of Regents.  She stated that colleges are now currently developing amendments to their Bylaws or promotion and tenure guidelines that would accommodate someone moving in these ranks.  She stated that the position is available for colleges to use but she has not seen anything on it yet.  [Update:  in Arts and Sciences, one new hire has been appointed to a Professor of Practice rank and one lecturer has been re-classified to the rank.]  She pointed out that each college is handling these positions within its own budget.  She noted that some departments might not use the new classification at all while others might, depending on their academic needs

 

Moeller asked if people must have a Ph.D. to be in this position.  SVCAA Couture stated that the person must have the minimum requirements for the position.  She pointed out that for some departments a Ph.D. is not required for appointment in the professorial ranks.  She stated that there will not be any promotions within the new classification being considered during the tenure and promotion process this year because there are currently no professors of practice who are eligible for promotion to another rank, but she anticipates seeing some next year. 

 

Bradford asked if a department can convert a tenure track line to a professor of practice position if the tenure line becomes vacant.  SVCAA Couture stated that request for hires are approved in her office but the college will recommend how to classify faculty positions.  She pointed out that there is a reversion policy which requires that some funding for all vacated tenure-track lines be returned to her office. 

 

VC Owens stated that in IANR things are different.  He noted that all faculty positions revert back to a central pool when they become vacant.  He stated that to date no departments have brought forward any professor of practice positions. 

 

Stock stated that the English department is currently discussing the position and they are going to be working on the department Bylaws to include the position.  He noted that one of the concerns that have been raised is whether a cap can be imposed on the number of these positions that a department can have.  He pointed out that the concern is that the number of tenured lines could be threatened.  Chancellor Perlman stated that there would be serious concerns if departments went to all professors of practice.  He pointed out that these positions are all under contract so departments cannot do anything to get rid of them before the end of the contract.  SVCAA Couture noted that colleges and departments can recommend hiring for positions based on how the funds that they have to hire match the positions they need to fill; for instance, if a department has $60,000 and wants to hire two people at $30,000 each as Professors of Practice they can do that or they can hire one person on the tenure-track for $60,000.  She stated that it is up to the departments to make this decision.  Chancellor Perlman stated that he has no objections to departments establishing a cap limiting the number of these positions. 

 

Scholz noted that his program went through the process of establishing a Professor of Practice position this semester.  He stated that there were discussions with Graduate Studies because the individual was to teach graduate students but the nomination form for graduate faculty associate does not mention Professor of Practice, only Senior Lecturers.  SVCAA Couture stated that there have been recent discussions concerning this.  She noted that Vice Chancellor Paul and Executive Associate Dean Weissinger felt that the process for nominating faculty in the professor of practice ranks to graduate faculty status would just be subsumed in the language of the current nomination form; the Professor of Practice position is above a Senior Lecturer position and the current process covers that rank and all above.

 

Scholz asked if the minimum requirements stated on the Academic Affairs website are considered baseline requirements that individual departments and colleges can adopt.  SVCAA Couture stated that this is correct but she cautioned against individual units adopting additional criteria that would make the position appear to be a tenure-line position.

 

Bradford asked if these positions are subject to the same conditions as tenured faculty in terms of dismissal.  He pointed out that if they are under a contract it would be possible to fire tenured faculty members first before firing someone on a contract.  Chancellor Perlman stated that this is a good point.  He noted that the idea of the position is to give some job security but obviously not more security than a tenured faculty member.  He stated that contracts will need to be reviewed to make sure this does not happen. 

 

2.6       Update on Family Friendly Policies

SVCAA Couture noted that the Executive Committee reviewed the proposed Family Friend policies.  She stated that the idea behind the proposed Family Friendly policies is to make the current faculty hiring policies more clear and to make clear the possibility of appointing a faculty member to a half time tenure track position.  She reported that both the Deans Council and the Senior Administrative Team have reviewed the policies.  She stated that Interim Provost Pratt has been contacted so the proposed Family Friendly policies can be shared with the other campuses for their input. 

 

Moeller stated that she has received a lot of inquiry from faculty members in regards to how the policies would apply to domestic partners.  She stated that faculty members are stating that the same rights should be extended to people with domestic partners.  She noted that she knows this was not the intent of the proposed changes but she wanted to pass the information on to the administrators that this is a great concern to many faculty members. 

 

 

2.7       Update on General Education

SVCAA Couture stated that the latest news on the general education voting process is that on January 26th the CASNR curriculum committee recommended that the faculty approve the proposals.  She stated that a vote is going out to the CASNR faculty and it should be completed in a couple of weeks.  She reported that the College of Education and Human Sciences is voting by mail ballot and voting should be completed by February 12th. 

 

SVCAA Couture stated that she spoke with Dean Allen from the College of Engineering about their voting process.  She stated that Engineering may need to resolve issues with the college Bylaws regarding faculty meetings so their voting can be done sooner than is currently proposed, close to the end of the semester.  She noted that she does not know when the Engineering college will actually vote on the proposals but she hopes that all colleges will be finished with voting by mid-February. 

 

Ledder reported that the College of Arts & Sciences had another meeting this month and voted to pass on an advisory statement to the general education committees. 

 

2.7       Issues on the Horizon

SVCAA Couture announced that on March 29th the Office of Academic Affairs with the help of Chancellor Perlman and VC Owens will be sponsoring a Teaching and Learning Exposition featuring the ITLE grants.  She reported that the keynote address will be given by Professor Chris Gallagher on his work on assessment.  Moeller stated that she will announce this to the Senate at the next meeting.

 

VC Owens stated that as part of the strategic planning and accountability process IANR has contracted with an outside, non-profit corporation to look at the work of the faculty and professional staff.  He stated that a report will be presented this month on the findings of the study.  He pointed out that the report includes information on the returns on investment made to the university.  He noted that for every dollar invested in the university $10 is given back to the state of Nebraska. 

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that there will be a meeting on February 13th with the state Agricultural Committee to discuss moving the state fair.  He noted that there are two bills in the legislature one is to study the cost and benefit of expanding research facilities into the state fair property and the cost of keeping the state fair grounds where they are.  He noted that there have been favorable reactions to moving the state fair. 

 

Chancellor Perlman stated that there has been good turnout for the 2015 meetings with the community.  He noted that there have been many engaged people in attendance who are asking a lot of questions.  He stated that one of the biggest questions is how the plans are going to be funded. 

 

 

 

 

3.0       Announcements

            3.1       Proposed Driving Policy

Zimmers reported that he has been receiving email messages from faculty members asking if they will have an opportunity to review the proposed driving policy before it is enacted.  He pointed out that the Institute uses many vehicles and the policy could have an impact in some areas.  Moeller suggested that the policy be presented to the Senate.  She stated that she would contact Kim Phelps, Associate Vice Chancellor for Business & Finance, to see if he would present it to the Senate. 

 

4.0       Approval of 1/24/07 Minutes

            Stock moved and Bradford seconded approval of the minutes as amended.  Motion      approved.

 

5.0       Unfinished Business

            5.1       Academic Dishonesty

Moeller distributed a handout of information on academic dishonesty compiled from earlier discussions the Committee had about the issue.  She reported that she also discussed the issue further with Dr. Hecker, Director of Student Judicial Affairs, and looked at policies at other institutions.

 

Moeller noted that the campus purchased the Safe Assignment program which costs $10,300 a year and guidelines are being developed for policy and use of this program. 

 

Ledder asked where Moeller obtained UNL’s policy on academic dishonesty.  Moeller stated that it is in the undergraduate bulletin.  Ledder pointed out that it is a good policy but it need to be more widely publicized. 

 

Moeller suggested that a task force be formed to review and revise the existing academic dishonesty policy.  She pointed out that the policy needs to be better articulated and integrated so it is more readily available. 

 

The Committee discussed possible people to serve on the task force. 

 

5.2       Diversity Committee

Moeller reported that Professor Haller, English, will be the Academic Planning Committee’s representative to the diversity committee.  She noted that other people who have agreed to serve on the committee are Professor Moshman, Educational Psychology, and Professor Matkin, Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication.  She stated that the committee will work with Linda Crump. 

 

5.3       Meeting with Legislators

Moeller suggested that the initial meeting with some of the legislators be with members of the Executive Committee.  She suggested that the next meeting could have Professor Lewis, Mathematics and Director, Center for Science Math and Computer Education, give a presentation on the work that he is doing and the direct impact it is having on the lives of high school students in Nebraska. 

 

The Committee agreed to invite Michelle Waite to a meeting to coordinate these meetings with the legislators.

 

6.0       New Business

Moeller noted that the call for nominations to the Executive Committee have been sent out.  Scholz asked what would happen if a Senator is elected to the Executive Committee but his/her term ends during the time they are on the Committee.  Griffin stated that members of the Executive Committee are elected for a three year term and their term on the Senate is extended until the end of the three year Executive Committee term. 

 

Bradford pointed out that the President Elect does not have to be a member of the Executive Committee to run for election.  Griffin noted that the main stipulation is that they must be a member of the Senate.  She stated that the Executive Committee will need representation from IANR, Engineering, CBA, and the Fine Arts. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:28 p.m.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be on Wednesday, February 7 at 3:00 pm.  The meeting will be held in the Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace.  The minutes are respectfully submitted by Karen Griffin, Coordinator and Rick Alloway, Secretary.