UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

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

ABSENT: Baum Kuska, Bryant, Ford

DATE: December 16, 1998

PLACE: 201 Canfield Administration Building

______________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Call to Order

Kennedy called the meeting to order at 3:10 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Meeting with President Smith

Kennedy announced that the Presidents of the Academic Senates will be meeting with President Smith on February 2^nd. She asked that any suggestions on issues that need to be discussed be sent to her via email by January 25th.

3.0 Chancellor Moeser

3.1 Pepsi Fund

Kennedy stated that Ford reported at a recent meeting of the Pepsi Fund it was revealed that there is thought of using the fund for only larger grants. Chancellor Moeser stated that no decisions have been made. He noted that many good things have come from the Pepsi Fund such as assistance to the Foundations program in helping the Asian students caught in the economic crunch. He stated that many great things on the campus can be done and rather than splitting the funding into small projects, it could possibly be used for major projects including things such as health care benefits for Graduate Teaching Assistants or the transfer of tuition benefits for employees. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that this is still in the discussion stage. Latta stated that the information being transmitted on campus is that the Future Nebraska Task Force will be receiving the funding. Chancellor Moeser stated this is not true. SVCAA Edwards pointed out that the Pepsi Quasi Advisory Committee is working on establishing a set of criteria to review these proposals. Aguilar suggested that they make information available as to what is being funded. Chancellor Moeser agreed that an annual report would be a good idea. Aguilar reported that the Task Force on Diversity received 29 proposals submitted but they only had a $40,000 budget. She pointed out that one of the risks of funding large projects, particularly with respect to climate, is that the smaller projects which address issues at departmental levels and have a greater impact in the long-run, may be overlooked. She noted that a commitment to diversity on campus requires more funding to go with the initiative. Chancellor Moeser stated that diversity is one of the categories to be funded. Mayo suggested that an endowment fund may assist in retaining minority or under represented faculty. Scheideler noted that along with the funding of minority positions, the climate on campus is also a problem.

3.2 United Way/Chad (Humes)

Humes reported that some faculty are concerned with the manner in which the United Way/Chad campaign is conducted, specifically the idea that the faculty are required to submit a card whether or not they are participating. Chancellor Moeser stated that they are not required to do anything. Humes pointed out that some of the department representatives badger employees to return the cards, sometimes publically. Mayo noted that it is not a university policy to return the cards but a United Way/Chad policy. Chancellor Moeser stated that he encourages all volunteers to use all available measures to get people to respond. He pointed out that we do have a responsibility to the community and that our goal is to have 100% participation. He stated that the card is a confidential response which enables them to determine percentage of participation. Chancellor Moeser stated that over the past three years there has been an increase in participation rates. Kennedy pointed out that there was some uproar in the past over a significant portion of the funds going to administrative cost. Chancellor Moeser noted that individuals can make line item contributions to specific organizations.

3.3 Caps & Gowns for Faculty (Scheideler)

Scheideler reported that she was recently informed by the University Bookstore that they only receive 30 complimentary gowns for faculty and that any additional gowns will need funding from the university. Chancellor Moeser stated that he believes there is one available for every department. He suggested that she contact Roger Mandigo, Head of the Marshall Corps. Kennedy pointed out that faculty need to be encouraged to attend commencement. Chancellor Moeser stated that he recently spoke to the Commencement Committee and they discussed moving the faculty to a more visible location during the ceremony. Zorn asked if participation might be higher if there were separate ceremonies for the different colleges. Chancellor Moeser stated that this has been discussed but that the Commencement Committee feels very strongly that there should be only one ceremony.

3.4 Master Plan - Parking

Kennedy reported that at a recent Executive Committee meeting an ASUN representative stated that they were informed that parking will be severely disrupted for at least one year due to the various construction projects scheduled on campus. Chancellor Moeser stated that the construction on Lot 17A (north of the City Campus Student Union) and the Temple Lot will result in the loss of a significant number of parking spaces. He pointed out that the Master Plan calls for the construction of three sizable new parking structures and that the whole concept and philosophy of the Master Plan is to reduce the amount of parking on the core of the campus. He noted that as a result there will be an increase in the quality and quantity of intra-campus shuttle service. He pointed out that there needs to be discussion with students, faculty and staff regarding the new rate structures which will be needed to support the bond issues for the construction of these garages. Chancellor Moeser stated that there will be a substantial increase in costs for parking for all of us. He pointed out that there will be a heavy premium for parking on the campus core but that parking on the peripheries of campus will cost less. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that they want to keep a low cost option available, particularly for students and a low cost option for staff who are at the lower end of the salary structure. He noted the first issue that needs to be addressed will be where the first parking structure will be built. Chancellor Moeser stated that they are discussing alternative parking for those people who will be displaced by the construction. Scheideler asked if the university owns the remaining houses on the South side of Leighton Street and pointed out that they are a detraction to the north entrance of East Campus. Chancellor Moeser responded that he was unsure who owns the land. Scheideler asked if the university is considering selling any of its lands? Chancellor Moeser replied that the only land that may be conceded is land involved in the Antelope Valley Project. Zorn stated that faculty are concerned that parking will be displaced first before the parking garages are in place. Chancellor Moeser responded that this is true because they can not build the garages fast enough. Zorn pointed out that people are very concerned about this, particularly in regards to security issues. Chancellor Moeser stated that this will be looked at very carefully and that it may require special arrangements to be made. Scheideler suggested that there should be some flexibility for faculty at night. Chancellor Moeser stated that he will be sending out a general communication after the first of the year about the upcoming parking concerns. Kennedy suggested that since the master plan will be done in phases, it may be an opportunity to communicate with those groups that are going to be affected first. Latta pointed out that the many of the people who do not have privileged parking are those who come in to work during midday and leave late at night. She noted that they will be the ones who will be forced to park further out and will have to walk to remote lots late at night. She stated that she worries that they keep pushing those people who cannot afford privileged parking further out on campus. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards pointed out that the problem is that not everyone can park in the core of campus but yet there is no mechanism in place to prioritize parking. Kennedy noted that safety concerns can be addressed in other ways such as better lighting, better shuttle service, escort service. Scheideler pointed out that parking on East Campus is not a problem in the evenings for night classes. Chancellor Moeser stated that because we want to encourage night and weekend classes, he urges parking to give special consideration for people who are teaching those classes. Prochaska Cue stated that it is important to upgrade parking on East Campus, as well as City Campus, if there is going to be an increase in parking fees for everyone. Chancellor Moeser stated that he believes a parking garage will eventually be built on East Campus.

3.5 Issues on the Horizon

3.5.1 Task Force to Study Reorganization of Administration

Chancellor Moeser reported that President Smith has appointed a new task force to study administrative restructuring and efficiency for the University of Nebraska system. It is a commission made up of business leaders from around the state and the four Chancellors will sit as ex-officio. Chancellor Moeser stated that this task force is to focus in the area of business efficiency and not academic reorganization. He stated that recently President Smith met with business leaders in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney and they continue to want to know what the University has done and is going to do to be more efficient. Scheideler noted that focus is always given to the negatives but rarely to the positive aspects and asked what kind of partnerships can be created with industries to boost their educational process and research and development. Chancellor Moeser reported there are currently two well known initiatives currently in place, the Peter Kiewit Institute and they just received a report from Steve Dunbar with regards to the new J.D. Honors Program, which will have strong corporate and industry interface. He also cited examples of the contract between the University Bookstore and Foley's and the Alumni Association's contract with MCI. Latta asked if the funds generated by these contracts go into the operating fund? Chancellor Moeser responded that the funds go into the general operating fund. Zorn pointed out that it is easier to get funding for buildings but funding is needed to improve scholarly activities as well. Chancellor Moeser stated that he is proposing to create 24 $1 million endowed chairs by segregating $12 million of the Opthmer fund as match funds and generating the other $12 million from donors. He noted that these are for new positions and that the Deans will have to negotiate with the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to determine what areas these chairs will be in. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that almost all capital projects have been funded and that we will be moving into the qualitative projects. He stated that his goal is to use new resources for investment in excellence.

3.5.2 Change of Commencement for Final 4

Chancellor Moeser asked what the Executive Committee's response is to the possibility of moving the day of Commencement to accommodate the Final 4 Competition as reported in the paper. Williams pointed out that the Final 4 would bring a large amount of money into Lincoln businesses and that it would be a good gesture towards the community. Aguilar noted that some people might find some conflicts with their Sunday church services. Mayo stated that people would be very opposed to it being moved off campus. Bender suggested that more information be obtained before any decisions are made.

3.5.3. Search Committee for Extension Dean

Prochaska-Cue asked if the search committee for the Extension Dean position has been set. Chancellor Moeser reported that he will be meeting with Vice Chancellor Omtvedt next week to discuss the search.

4.0 Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards

4.1 Update on the Search for Vice Chancellor of Research

SVCAA Edwards reported that the search committee has forwarded four names of finalists and that they hope to have them on campus for interviews in mid- to late January. He noted that they hope to move as quickly as possible to fill the position. Scheideler asked if the candidates will be meeting with faculty from East Campus. SVCAA Edwards reported that they will meet with both City and East Campus faculty.

4.2 Issues on the Horizon

4.2.1. Post Tenure Review Statements

SVCAA Edwards reported that he has received almost all of the departmental statements on the criteria for post tenure review. He stated that there is a broad range of statements and that his office is in the process of deciding the acceptable ranges for these statements. SVCAA Edwards pointed out that this is an iterative process. He stated that he hopes to get feedback to the departments and be able to point out good and creative statements. Latta pointed out that they are more interested in describing than evaluating the statements and that they are attempting to identify characteristics of the statements. She stated that these descriptions may serve departments as an impetus for departments to make their own decision about modifying their departmental statements. Dick Pratt, ACE Fellow, stated there were three levels of analysis of the statements: analysis of the analysis, mandatory, and optional. He noted that most of the feedback will go to the departments that are in the optional range. He stated that they hope to get the feedback to the departments after the beginning of the year. Scheideler asked if a lack of discussion amongst the faculty members was reflected in some of the proposals and whether these statements appeared to be an adoption of their college policy. Latta responded that you could not tell how much discussion occurred but that there is evidence that a lot of documents drew upon existing documents. Scheideler pointed out that it needs to come out in the survey that faculty discussions did not take place in all departments. SVCAA Edwards stated that there is pressure by administrators and the Board of Regents to get this in place quickly but he stressed that we need to be careful. He stated that his priority is to get the statements done correctly. Scheideler pointed out that SVCAA Edwards needs to make it clear to the department chairs that this policy does not go into effect until this academic year (1998-99). Latta stated that one of the reasons for not accepting a statement may be the lack of faculty participation. She noted that the committee needs to communicate to the departments that while the surface level criteria may be met, it needs to be asked if it fits the department's culture. Humes stated that the committee needs to make faculty realize that they are getting this feedback so that departments can improve their statements not because they did not follow the guidelines. He pointed out that it is important to know that the requirements are not shifting and that there are set ideas. Latta noted that the statements should not be an impetus for changing a department's culture but that they should reflect a department's culture. She stated that at the same time it is important that the review provides feedback to the campus about what the total range of criteria is so that if departments would like to make changes, they can. Zorn pointed out that making the statements too specific can create potential misuse. Aguilar noted that when there are discussions about research on campus it is important that we don't put an immediate dollar sign on research and that we need to do a better job of informing the public about the nature of our research. SVCAA Edwards agreed and pointed out that we are a force for the educational environment of the state.

4.2.2. Future Nebraska Task Force

SVCAA Edwards reported that the committee has met three times and that they have broken into three teams. He reported that there are a diverse set of opinions on the committee but that it is moving forward.

4.3.2. Recruitment of Students

SVCAA Edwards noted that enrollment and how we recruit are becoming increasingly more important issues. He stated that there is a tremendous opportunity to generate revenue for campus if we are more successful in recruiting. Kennedy asked if the increase in retention is offsetting the decrease in enrollment. SVCAA Edwards stated that it helps but additional recruiting is needed.

5.0 Vice Chancellor Omtvedt

Postponed until January meeting.

6.0 Approval of 12/9/98 minutes

Mayo moved and Humes seconded approval of the minutes as amended.

7.0 Unfinished Business

No unfinished business.

8.0 New Business

No new business.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 PM. The next Executive Committee meeting will be held on January 13^th at the Academic Senate Office, 1227 R. Street. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.