UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

PRESENT: Bender, Bryant, Humes, President Kennedy, Latta, Mayo, Prochaska-Cue, Williams, Zorn

ABSENT: Past President Ford, Baum Kuska, Scheideler

DATE: August 19, 1998

PLACE: 201 Canfield Administration Building

____________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Call to Order

President Kennedy called the meeting to order at 2:42 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Committee to Review Office of Civil Rights Recommendations

President Kennedy reported that she received a letter from Chancellor Moeser requesting the names of eight faculty members to serve on a committee to review the Office of Affirmative Action's compliance to the recommendations made by the Office of Civil Rights. Latta asked whether other campus committees or organizations have been contacted to submit names. Coordinator Griffin will check to see whether other committees have been contacted. Kennedy and Humes volunteered to serve on the committee. Other faculty recommended were: Dick Thien, News Editorial; Richard Duncan, Law; Stephen Russell, Family and Consumer Sciences; Julie Albrecht, Nutritional Science and Dietetics.

3.0 Chancellor Moeser

3.1 Chartering the Future of the University

Chancellor Moeser announced that this is a critical time for the University but that it is also a time for great opportunity. He announced that the Board of Regents approved the $125 million donation by Donald and Mildred Topp Othmer. Chancellor Moeser stated that this is the single most important aspect to pass into the hands of the university in its entire history and that it will have an impact far into the future. He stated that the funds should be used for academic enhancement and not used in place of the operating budget. He stated that he would like to present a comprehensive plan to the Board of Regents by October 1 regarding the use of the funds. Zorn pointed out that the public may call for the donation to be used to save tax dollars and that it would be wise to demonstrate how research impacts the people of the state. Chancellor Moeser reported that his State of the University speech will focus on three points: undergraduate quality, stressing excellence in education; the campus climate including the student climate, and building upon quality. In addressing the issue of reallocation Chancellor Moeser pointed out that the reallocation can be done in a less invasive manner. He announced that new resources are coming into play which is creating new opportunities for faculty. As a result, he stated that there will be a bold, new initiative, the Nebraska Future Committee, composed of the Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and faculty members which will identify where these funds should be directed. Chancellor Moeser stated that the committee needs to be faculty driven and that planning with actual resources should be for the long-term as well as for the short-term. He stated that faculty members of this committee should have sterling research credentials and that the nominations should come from the faculty at large. Bryant suggested that some of these members should also be new faculty who could provide input from their experiences at other universities as well as people with international experience.

3.2 Transfer of Tuition Remission Benefit to Dependents

Chancellor Moeser reported that he is supportive of the tuition remission transfer and will discuss it with President Smith. He pointed out that President Smith is in favor of the benefit but does not think the Board of Regents will approve it on it's own and that it would stand a better chance if packaged with an overall benefit plan. He suggested that this plan could allow an employee to select various options which would include the transfer of tuition remission. Williams asked if there would be an increase in NUFlex credits to help cover the tuition remission. She pointed out that if the tuition remission benefit was included in the overall NUFlex benefits without increasing NUFlex credits that it would actually result in a loss of benefits and may force some employees to have to select between health benefits and tuition remission. Chancellor Moeser agreed that the University needs to become more competitive and that there should be some kind of increase in total benefits.

3.3 Proposed Bylaw Change in Assignment of Duties

Chancellor Moeser stated that there are on-going discussions on finding language that would address the issues raised in 3.B of the Faculty Handbook for the proposed bylaw change. Bryant pointed out that apportionment is the issue and Latta agreed that it is the apportionment of the duties, not the specifics that is in jeopardy of being changed. Zorn stated that the letter of appointment is a contractual agreement and to unilaterally change this would be a contractual violation for those who are under a binding appointment. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that the letter is not specific on teaching assignments and that the needs and career of a faculty member changes. Latta stated that faculty are evaluated on what and how much work they do in each of the three categories and if they perform less research than they should be evaluated accordingly. Zorn stated that for those faculty who do less research that it would be in their best interest to adjust their work assignment load. Kennedy asked whether the proposed change has gone to the Board of Regents yet. Chancellor Moeser stated that he asked that it be deferred until there is adequate faculty input.

3.4 Affirmative Action Office Procedures

The Executive Committee and Chancellor Moeser discussed recent Affirmative Action Office actions and procedures.

4.0 Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs

4.1 Introduction of James Pratt

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards introduced James Pratt from Portland State University who is a visiting ACE Fellow. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that John Berman, Psychology, is an ACE Fellow this year at Williams College.

4.2 University Bylaws and Post Tenure Review

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that the language concerning outside reviewers in the Post Tenure Review document needed to be checked. He stated that the deadline for departments to establish the criteria used in the review is approaching (October 1) and stressed that input into establishing the standards is essential. He reported that examples of criteria used by several departments at the University of Kentucky are available on the web at: http://www.unl.edu/svcaa/Policies/PostTenureExamples.html.

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stressed that it is important that the standards not be too mechanical but that they leave a large scope for peer reviewers and the department to determine what is good work. Latta asked if any process is in place if problems do arise. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that it has not been determined yet.

4.3 Proposal to Integrate Related Biological Sciences Programs

Mayo reported that he recently received a letter discussing the proposal to have faculty in related areas to develop ways to better integrate related biological science programs. However, Mayo pointed out that the letter indicated that the Plant Science Initiative and Animal Molecular Biology are already priority areas and these areas are not to be part of the faculty discussions. Mayo indicated that biological science related faculty should be able to discuss and consider integration proposals for all biological science related areas. Many faculty may (or may not) consider other areas equally or more important than the two areas identified by the administration and the immediate faculty involved in the two programs identified. If the two areas identified are truly priority areas for UNL, then they would easily be identified by the faculty through their deliberations. Vice Chancellor Omtvedt stated that this was not the intent of the letter and that the sole purpose is to is gather information to see if this proposal is reasonable.

4.4 Search Committee for Vice Chancellor for Research

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that the search committee for the position of Vice Chancellor for Research has been completed and that Linda Shipley, Associate Dean of the College of Journalism was selected from the Executive Committee's suggestions.

4.5 Integrated Marketing Plan

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that the Integrated Marketing Plan is being reviewed. The review is looking at the effectiveness of the Public Relations office and determining who is the target audience.

4.6 Nebraska Performance Model

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that they are gathering data on the Nebraska Performance Model which is modeled after the Florida Bank Plan. He stated that no decisions have been made to implement the model and that the work being conducted is to determine whether the data needed to implement the plan can be gathered. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that if the data can be collected a simulation model would be tested for a one year period. Latta asked if faculty will be informed of the data that will be gathered and how it will benefit. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards responded that the intention is to have the data available for all to see and use. Bryant asked if the cost of the program has been determined and whether information will be broken down to the departmental level. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that administration will do it at the college level but that it will be up to the individual colleges to provide the information on a departmental level.

4.7 Faculty Retreat

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that they are interested in creating a more celebratory culture on campus celebrating the accomplishments of faculty. He stated that the administration is considering holding a number of faculty retreats of approximately 65-70 faculty discussing their research. Kennedy pointed out that this may also help to generate joint research. Vice Chancellor Omtvedt reported that the magazine Research is also focusing on faculty research at the University of Nebraska.