UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

PRESENT: Bryant, Humes, Past President Ford, President Kennedy, Baum Kuska, Latta, Mayo, Prochaska-Cue, and Scheideler, Williams and Zorn

ABSENT: Bender, Williams and Zorn

DATE: July 8, 1998

PLACE: City Campus Union, Colonial Room B

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1.0 Call to Order

President Kennedy called the meeting to order at 2:36 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Meeting with President Smith

President Kennedy announced that she and the other academic senate presidents met with President Smith on July 7^th. She reported that President Smith and the President's Council rejected the transferring of tuition remission after reviewing a study done by Vice Chancellor Jones which reported that the cost would be approximately $300-$400,000. Kennedy reported that President Smith stated that the individual Chancellors could support the benefit but that more than likely programs would have to be cut to offset the costs. Kennedy reported that President Smith stated that the type of students taking classes will be changing and that Distance Education will be in higher demand as a result. Kennedy stated that a question was asked in regards to moving a person from a tenure track line to a Senior Lecturer position. She stated that President Smith will have Dick Wood, Vice President and General Counsel, to clarify whether this could happen. Kennedy reported that President Smith is very interested in the restructuring of the university.

3.0 Chancellor Moeser

3.1 Reallocation Update

Chancellor Moeser reported that administrators and deans met on a retreat to discuss institution-wide priorities. He stated that a rough budget was drafted and that potential priorities are: information technology, Internet II hookup, diversity, distance education, contractual faculty benefits and medical benefits for graduate teaching assistants. Chancellor Moeser stated that we will operate under a different process for the next biennium. As a result, there will be a general tax ranging from .75-1.00% and colleges will reallocate up to 2.5% from within. This will give the colleges more flexibility and control. The total amount of reallocation is not to exceed 3.5%. Chancellor Moeser stated that they would like to set up faculty discussion groups to try to achieve a greater consensus on what the priorities should be for the remaining reallocated funds. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards pointed out that nearly all of the items listed on the preliminary list were non-negotiable and needed to get paid for legal reasons. He indicated that the 1% tax will cover these costs. Ford stated that reallocation in the context of faculty raises and salaries should be considered. Ford also pointed out that the transfer of tuition remission benefits is approximately the same cost as the medical benefits for graduate teaching assistants and suggested that the faculty benefits should be considered a priority item. Chancellor Moeser stated that he did not think the system would allow these to be switched. He stated that while he is in favor of the tuition remission benefit, the budget has been closed by the Board of Regents and it would be difficult to fund this benefit. Latta stated that there should be serious discussions on making faculty salaries a priority concern. Chancellor Moeser agreed and stated that faculty salaries should be on the list of reallocation priorities. Chancellor Moeser stated that the Board of Regents has approved a 5 1/2% tuition increase for the next three years.

3.2 Political Science Committee Update

Chancellor Moeser stated that he has asked the committee to submit a report by the end of the summer.

3.3 Transfer of Tuition Remission

Issue discussed under 2.1 and 3.1.

3.4 Follet Bookstore Contract

Latta asked if the contract with Follet Bookstore is beneficial to the University. Chancellor Moeser responded that it was and that projected figures were for a $1 million revenue for the University over a 5 year period which will be deposited into the general fund.

3.5 Issues on the Horizon

Chancellor Moeser reported that student undergraduate enrollment figures look good but that they have no information yet on graduate or transfer students. He pointed out that a strong economy with many job openings usually has negative effects on enrollment figures for the University.

Chancellor Moeser announced that the construction on the City Campus Student Union is behind schedule and will open a little later than expected.

Chancellor Moeser stated that he has reviewed the master plan for the university and is very pleased with it. He pointed out that parking was going to be a critical issue and that parking garages will more than likely be needed which will result in higher parking fees. He stated that a concern with the master plan is the traffic flow with the Antelope Creek Plan. Chancellor Moeser reported that the University will only support a 4 lane roadway rather than a 6 lane roadway.

4.0 Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards

4.1 Roles and Rewards of Faculty

Kennedy stated that at the recent NN21 workshop there was discussion on the changing role of faculty and the increased emphasis on upgrading teaching and involvement in more service work. She pointed out the lack of significance that these tasks have to annual evaluations and she asked whether anything was being done at the university level to address these concerns. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that there are currently some mandates from the Board of Regents to systematize evaluations and that he hopes to have discussions with faculty to address this issue. He stated that the university needs to reward outstanding performance in any area.

4.2 Implementing Senior Lecturer Positions

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that they have had positive responses across the campus on the Senior Lecturer position. He stated that currently the colleges and departments delineate the position but if there is great inconsistency in how it is implemented, the Academic Affairs office may need to step in. Latta suggested that data be kept on how the appointment is populated. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards agreed that this is important information to obtain and that he is also interested in seeing the data. Kennedy asked if a person could be on a tenure track line for 6 years and then moved to a Senior Lecturer position if they do not receive tenure. She asked if departments could hold onto a line by doing this. Chancellor Moeser replied that this is not the intent of the position and Vice Chancellor Edwards pointed out that the clock starts running for any faculty member from the time they are hired. Chancellor Moeser stated that a person must put in writing if the decide to waive their tenure to opt for a Senior Lecturer position. Scheideler stated that this position should be clearly defined to assure that Deans and Chairs operate under the same guidelines.

4.3 Update on Implementing Post Tenure Review

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that colleges and departments should be in the process of defining the criteria for post tenure review. He stated that there is a deadline date of October 1 for this to be completed. Kennedy stated that there is a need to monitor the evaluation process more closely so that it is more consistent. Latta asked if there has been clarification on the policy being retroactive. Edwards stated that the language of the policy does not allow it to be retroactive but that he will check with Vice Chancellor Omtvedt to see if the clarifications have been made.

4.4 Issues on the Horizon

Vice Chancellor of Research Search

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that a search for the position of Vice Chancellor of Research will be conducted this fall and that they hope to be able to appoint someone as soon as possible.

Search for Assistant to the Chancellor for Community Affairs

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that candidates are currently being conducted to fill this position and that they hope to have someone in place before the start of the fall semester.

Study of Additional Faculty Work Loads

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that he would like to suggest a joint project with the Senate to conduct a study to determine what additional work loads were interfering with the teaching, research, and service work of faculty. Bryant asked how faculty time is valued.

5.0 Vice Chancellor Omtvedt

5.1 Appointment versus Searches

Scheideler pointed out that faculty feel they are not having adequate input into the appointments made for interim chair positions and that these positions were excellent opportunities for faculty who may be interested in gaining administrative experience. She stated that a list of the names submitted for these positions would be helpful. Vice Chancellor Omtvedt responded that the position being referred to was only a .25 FTE director's position and was filled by someone who the faculty felt had a great deal of experience in that area. He stated that faculty would have more input if the position was for a department head.

5.2 Issues on the Horizon

Vice Chancellor Omtvedt stated that an issue on the horizon is the possible approval of an increase in distance education tuition. He pointed out that there needs to be more of an incentive for faculty to get involved in distance education. Bryant asked if there is going to be a difference between in-state and out-state tuition for distance education. Vice Chancellor Omtvedt stated that there should not be a difference between the two. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that distance education creates a problem in that it is a stateless marketplace and that we need to be competitive in that marketplace. He stated that departments need financial incentives to cover the costs of distance education. Chancellor Moeser stated that Vice Chancellor Omtvedt is involved in determining what the real costs are for distance education. Latta asked how a student who is registered as a full-time student would be charged the distance education rate if they were to take a distance education course. Omtvedt stated that how a student registers for the class will make the difference. Bryant stated that there are many obstacles to teaching distance education courses and that faculty need assistance around these obstacles. He also stated that while the Teachers College has been actively involved in distance education courses, they have not received any income from them. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards said that this is a problem and asked how these courses were going to be paid. He pointed out that one possibility is through reallocation or another possibility is that out of state distance education courses may be profit producing and could possibly subsidize the program.

6.0 Approval of 6/24/98 minutes

Approval of 6/24/98 postponed until the 7/22/98 meeting due to a lack of a quorum.

7.0 Robak Hire

The committee discussed the Robak hire.

8.0 Hiring Letter

Kennedy reported that Herb Howe, Associate to the Chancellor, wanted input from the committee on the hiring letter. Latta stated that the word embarrassment is questionable from a legal standpoint. The committee agreed that the word embarrassment should be changed and suggested that Howe check into what would be legally appropriate language.

9.0 Updating University Bylaws

Kennedy announced that Herb Howe is looking for volunteers to help with the update of the University bylaws. The committee asked for further clarification of what the faculty are to do. Kennedy will check with Howe.

10.0 Unfinished Business

10.1 Evaluations of Faculty Teaching

Latta reported that at a recent Chancellor's cabinet meeting there was interest in making student teaching evaluation forms standard across the campus. She suggested that other mechanisms of evaluating teaching can be employed and that the committee should consider other forms of teaching evaluations that can be incorporated into the annual faculty review. Kennedy suggested that this should also be discussed at the department level. Ford pointed out that other mechanisms of evaluations can be teaching portfolios and peer reviews. Latta suggested working with the students on the evaluations. Humes stated that at Michigan State University faculty get feedback as to how they ranked within departments and within the university system. Latta stated that there is interest in doing a mid-semester evaluation but that there is concern of prompt feedback. Kennedy suggested that the matter be discussed further at the Executive Committee Retreat.

10.2 AAHE Grant on Post Tenure Review

Latta stated that the two faculty members previously suggested as possible candidates to work on the AAHE grant are unavailable. She asked the committee to let her know if there are any other faculty members who may be willing to work on the grant.

11.0 New Business

No new business.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:16 PM. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for July 22, 1998 in 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.