UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

PRESENT: Albrecht, Bender, Past-President Bleed, President Ford, Japp, President-Elect Kennedy, Baum Kuska, Latta, Sartori, Scheideler

ABSENT: Mayo, Shoemaker, Williams

DATE: April 15, 1998

PLACE: 1227 R Street

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1.0 Call to Order

Ford called the meeting to order at 3:06 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Recognition of Secretary Albrecht's Service

Ford reported that this was to be Secretary Albrecht's last Executive Committee meeting and thanked her for her dedicated service over the past two years. Albrecht thanked everyone for their input and assistance and stated that she enjoyed working with everyone on the committee.

2.2 Diversity Workshops and Shared Governance Dinner

Ford reported that on Thursday, April 16^th and Friday, April 17^th there will be a workshop on diversity. He also reported that the next meeting to discuss shared governance will be on Thursday evening.

2.3 Guidelines for Faculty Appointments

Professor McShane, Chair of the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee, asked if he could address the Executive Committee regarding the recently distributed information on guideline for faculty appointments. McShane stated that there is concern that the language of the document does not distinguish between the qualifications between a tenure track leading line and a non-tenure position and that there needs to be some sense of limitation on these hires. Kennedy stated that the focus of the committee at this time is to ensure that part-time faculty members receive benefits. Bleed suggested that faculty on part-time appointments should receive benefits no later than the second semester they are employed and saw no reason a new status was required. Latta stated that there needs to be justification for the need to create a senior lecturer classification. Ford stated that it is an additional way to provide increased compensation for non-tenure track faculty who are productive workers. Latta asked if the University benefits incrementally from the work they are doing as compared to other lecturers. Ford stated that some of the best even do research and that they typically receive less pay than tenure track faculty. McShane stated that there is a concern of further erosion of tenure track lines as a result of these guidelines. Scheideler stated that the document provides guidelines for defining appointments but that it does not define the philosophy of the issue. She stated that allowing departments to hire part time faculty will give great flexibility to departments who have only tenure track lines. Ford stated that it will be put on the next agenda for further discussion.

3.0 Approval of 4/1/98 minutes

Kennedy moved and Baum Kuska seconded the approval of the minutes as amended.

4.0 Converting Non-tenure Lines to Tenure Track Lines (Ford)

Ford stated that the University should establish as many tenure track lines as possible and that the total of non-tenure track lines should be reduced. He stated that faculty in tenure track positions are better protected and would be able to serve on graduate committees. Scheideler stated that bench line information needs to be established and that we should ask administration to establish some goals in this area. Ford stated that it is a goal of AAUP and called on by many people. Bleed suggested that perhaps we should take the leadership and find some alternative solutions.

5.0 Senate Executive Committee Response to Senior Vice Chancellor's Letter on Input to University-wide Priorities (Latta)

Latta asked if the Executive Committee is interested in responding to this letter as a body. Albrecht stated that we should. Ford stated that before we respond to the specifics addressed in the letter that we need to resolve the larger issue. He stated that he will respond to Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards that larger issues must be resolved before specific issues are addressed.

6.0 Reactions to Second Draft of Undergraduate Discussion Paper (Latta)

Issue postponed until next meeting.

7.0 Chancellor Moeser's Letter on Lotus Notes (Latta and Mayo)

Latta stated that Chancellor Moeser's letter published in the Scarlet stated that the University will not support any other email system other than Lotus Notes by the year 2001. She stated that the cost to move everyone to Lotus Notes would be approximately $2,000,000. Ford stated that we were previously told by the Chancellor that it will not be mandatory for everyone to switch over to Lotus Notes but that the letter indicates this will not be the case. Latta stated that she spoke with some of the members of the Computational Services and Facilities Committee who stated that while the program is easy to implement on a small scale, there are difficulties with implementing the program on a large scale. Bleed stated that it seems that we have received misinformation about the Lotus Notes from administration. Latta stated that the Computational Services and Facilities Committee are reviewing the matter.

8.0 New Business

8.1 Service on the Academic Senate

Baum Kuska reported that she is concerned with the lack of willingness on the part of faculty to serve on the Academic Senate and the Executive Committee and stated that she would like to see more interest and a larger slate for elections. Ford agreed that this is difficult to deal with. Kennedy stated that it is important for us to inform the faculty of the importance of the Senate and the Executive Committee. Ford suggested that the committee look at a report written a few years ago by an ad hoc public relations committee for the Senate to review some of the suggestions for improving faculty involvement in the Senate. Albrecht stated that it would really help if each of the Senators would distribute a copy of the Executive Committee minutes each week, via email, to their constituents. Bleed stated that we might have a training session for new Senators at the beginning of their term.

8.2 Legislative Actions

Scheideler reported that the Legislature overrode the Governor's veto on cutting the funding for extension education and approved the E-coli bill which she stated will bring in approximately $500,000 to UNL. She stated that these recent legislative actions indicate that there is support for the University and that we should become more active in generating more support. Kennedy stated that we should reach out more to the Legislature. Albrecht suggested that the chair of the appropriations committee be invited to speak to the Senate at their December meeting. Kennedy suggested that we start a campaign in the fall to raise funds to possibly hire a lobbyist.

8.0 Unfinished Business

No unfinished business.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 PM. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Julie Albrecht, Secretary.