UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

PRESENT: Bender, Bryant, Humes, President Kennnedy, Mayo, Scheideler, Williams and Zorn

ABSENT: Past-President Ford, Baum Kuska, Latta, Prochaska-Cue, Shoemaker

DATE: May 13, 1998

PLACE: 1227 R Street, Academic Senate Office

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1.0 Call to Order

President Kennedy called the meeting to order at 3:06 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Civil Rights Task Force

President Kennedy announced that individuals from the faculty are needed to work on the Civil Rights Task Force. Professor Humes volunteered. Executive Committee members requested more information about the responsibilities that would pertain to service on this committee.

3.0 Approval of 5/6/98 minutes (Bryant)

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

4.0 ARRC Procedures

The Executive Committee continued discussion of ARRC procedures and practices.

5.0 Student Expectations (Follow-up)

The committee members discussed the issue of academic expectations of students and the information that is collected relative to student achievement. Professor Scheideler stated that when grade inflation is noted, it is often in introductory classes, implying that departments may be trying to encourage and recruit students into their programs. She noted that she felt the Chancellor should be alerted that departments are not all complacent about this topic of grade inflation. Professor Zorn noted that some departments are following the success/failure of their graduates. Professor Scheideler suggested that academic departments are assessing the performance of their students. Professor Humes observed that there was a contradiction in the simultaneous messages of academic rigor and credit hour production that emanate from central administration. Professor Zorn seconded this idea, saying that it is difficult to say that we are going to increase retention and rigor at the same time. Professor Williams pointed out that there were a number of variables affecting grades. It could be that students are better prepared than they used to be. It could be that UNL is recruiting better students. Variables like this could account for grade inflation. She pointed out that it is very complex. Professor Bryant suggested that the university needs to look carefully at its data management system in order to create more useful data.

6.0 Nominations for Task Force on Restructuring

President Kennedy solicited nominations for the Task Force on Restructuring. As former President of the Senate, Professor Ford will sit on this committee. Professor Scheideler indicated that she would be on the committee. Executive Committee members will check with individuals whom they might wish to nominate.

7.0 New Business

7.1 Summer Meeting Schedule

Beginning in June, the Executive Committee will meet according to summer hours. Accordingly, the meetings will commence at 2:30 unless otherwise announced. The last two meetings of this month, May 20^th and May 27^th, will be held at 3:00.

7.2 Campus Wide Disaster Training

President Kennedy announced that names are needed for Campus Wide Disaster Training sessions. This training is to prepare teams of individuals to help in the event that the University experiences a traumatic disaster. The first meeting will be held from 8:30 to 4:00 on Friday, May 22^nd.

8.0 Unfinished Business

8.1 Revised Undergraduate Discussion Paper

The revised undergraduate discussion paper will be placed on a future agenda as there was not enough time to attend to this item.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for May 20, 1998 in 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.