UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

PRESENT: Bryant, Past-President Ford, Humes, President Kennnedy, Baum Kuska, President-Elect Latta, Mayo, Prochaska-Cue, Shoemaker, Williams and Zorn

ABSENT: Bender, Scheideler

DATE: May 20, 1998

PLACE: 201 Canfield Administration Building

_____________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Call to Order

President Kennedy called the meeting to order at 3:03 PM.

2.0 Announcements

President Kennedy announced that she had sent out further information on the Campus- Wide Disaster Training sessions and information on the Effects of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment Limiting State and Local Revenue on the University of Nebraska. Kennedy pointed out that the latter document is the information presented by President Smith to the Board of Regents. Professor Latta asked whether there was much explanation given when this information was presented to the Board of Regents. Kennedy responded that R. B. Milliken, V.P. for External Affairs and Corporation Secretary, assisted President Smith in presenting the data and that there was a great deal of controversy and discussion on the topic.

3.0 Chancellor Moeser

3.1 Faculty/Administration Ratio (Vice Chancellor Jones and Assistant Vice Chancellor Phelps, Business and Finance)

Vice Chancellor Jones reported that he had numerous discussions with Past-President Ford regarding the faculty/administration ratio and whether or not there are any trends which indicate a shift in the percentage of funds going towards administration. Assistant Vice Chancellor Phelps distributed a fiscal analysis for the past five years prepared by his office. He reported that he reviewed the data and noticed no visible trends in dollars being shifted from academics to administration. Phelps indicated that the analysis pertains to the academic core and not auxiliary units such as housing or athletics which generate their own income. Jones stated that the analysis shows that 70% of the state supported budget goes to instruction and research. Ford pointed out that broadly perceived, administration has increased $4.2 million, or 10%, over the 5 year period and asked whether this indicates the addition of new administrators. Jones responded that it included all of the new offices plus operating costs associated with these positions and that much of this increase has been tied to salary adjustments. Ford then remarked that of all the categories found under faculty that all have decreased except for the operating expenses. Bryant asked if the results of the analysis would be similar if a 10 - 15 year period was reviewed. Phelps replied that he thought it would be very similar and that changes come gradually. Bryant asked if any major trends were observed. Jones responded that he did not see any major trends but that there may be some organizational changes which might result in a shift of some funds. Phelps noted that the last big shift was approximately 15 years ago due to the initial purchases of computers. Jones indicated that figures for this fiscal year (1997-98) will be available in November and that he will provide the committee with that information when it is ready. Zorn noted that a large percentage of the incremental budget dollars in the last five years have gone to administrative overhead. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that he believes the figures for faculty will be down in this year's figures because the reallocated funds did not get out there in time to have an impact. Chancellor Moeser stated that student enrollment will be crucial in preventing cutbacks. Ford asked if UNL is going to get serious about recruiting international students. Chancellor Moeser responded that efforts to recruit both international and out-of-state students were definitely going to increase and that the University realizes this is an untapped market. Jones stated that he will be happy to come back in November to discuss this fiscal year's analysis with the committee.

3.2 Grading Policies - Pass/No Pass Option

Kennedy reported that the Academic Senate Executive Committee members have been getting a lot of feedback concerning the Chancellor's remarks to the Academic Senate on the pass/no pass and late withdrawal options for students. She stated that the feedback has indicated that the pass/no pass option is not used for courses in a student's major at the college level. Chancellor Moeser stated that the current policies, as stated in the catalog, are too permissive and should be reviewed. Latta pointed out that while it is true that the Senate can deal with the upper limit on how many courses can be taken pass/no pass, colleges set policy regarding whether courses taken pass/no pass can count towards a major or minors. She also pointed out that the issue could have been raised in a different manner. She stated that had the Chancellor come to the Executive Committee with these concerns then they could have given it to the proper committee for review. Chancellor Moeser stated that he wanted to raise discussion on the issue in the context of academic rigor, and to do so in a manner that would get a reaction out of the faculty. Bryant pointed out that increasing academic rigor could conflict with student enrollment. Chancellor Moeser stressed that the retention rate of students needs to be increased. Mayo asked if any data is available on the retention rates of freshmen who have been enrolled in foundation courses and Humes remarked that any information regarding foundation courses, especially information that would apply to the supplemental teaching, would be very helpful. Chancellor Moeser stated it is very important to be nurturing to the students but that it is equally important for the students to work hard.

3.3 Restructuring Committee

Chancellor Moeser stated that the Restructuring Committee is still in the formalization stage and that he is not ready to review possible members for the committee.

3.4 Make Up Date for Martin Luther King Holiday

Chancellor Moeser informed the committee that the make up date for the Martin Luther King holiday has not yet been determined but that he will work within the guidelines suggested by the Academic Senate.

3.5 Issues on the Horizon

3.5.a. Hiring Procedures

Chancellor Moeser provided the committee with a copy of a draft document which he is proposing to give to all hiring officers. The purpose of the document is to provide further reference checks on candidates to determine if any previous actions by the person may cause embarrassment to the University or that might adversely affect the candidate's ability to perform their duties. Professor Mayo pointed out that people are restricted when providing reference information. Professor Zorn stated that the wording leaves a lot of latitude that is subject to different interpretations. He suggested the word "legal" be used instead of the word "embarrassing". Chancellor Moeser responded that some cases have never gone to a legal court but that these people may have been sanctioned by the University for their actions. Professor Bryant noted that search committees currently have a large volume of paperwork to deal with and suggested that perhaps the information can be obtained either by the Deans or through a written form. Chancellor Moeser replied that it is important to gather the information in a non-intimidating manner. He asked the committee to review the document further and stated that he would like to continue the discussion further.

3.5.b. Legislative Fiscal Analysis

Chancellor Moeser distributed copies of the analysis conducted by the Legislative Fiscal Office and Revenue Committee in conjunction with the Summit Initiative. He stated that this information will be placed on the web for people to review.

4.0 Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards

4.1 Issues on the Horizon

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards announced that two new Deans have been appointed, one for the College of Business Administration and the other to the Law College. Latta asked if there has been any further progress on the revised faculty appointment guidelines regarding the Senior Lecturer position. Kennedy responded that work on the guidelines has been postponed until the return to campus of Evelyn Jacobson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

4.2 Retention of Students

Zorn stated that it is hard not to argue that there are some trade offs between academic rigor and retention but that a possible way out is to recruit better students. He pointed out that retaining students is an issue that needs to be seriously addressed. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards responded that the change in the admission standards may already be helping but that data was not available yet. He stated that the those universities and colleges that are more selective in their admission of students are shown to have a higher retention rate but he pointed out that there are no simple answers to retaining students. Ford noted that retention rates increase when students put more effort into their course work. Latta stated that attention also needs to be given to insuring that students know how to spend time outside of class engaging in meaningful study activities.

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

Mayo moved and Prochaska-Cue seconded the approval of the minutes as amended.

6.0 Executive Committee Schedule Conflict with Academic Planning Committee

The committee discussed the possibility of moving the meeting day for the executive committee but decided that everyone's schedule was arranged to accommodate Wednesday afternoon meetings. Coordinator Griffin will work with the APC to avoid scheduling meeting dates which will cause a conflict for Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards.

7.0 New Business

7.1 NN21 Team on Evaluation

Kennedy announced that the NN21 Team on Faculty Roles and Rewards will be meeting on May 28^th from 8:00 - 3:30. She noted that Latta, possibly Scheideler, and herself will be attending the meeting and invited anyone else who is interested to attend. The committee discussed the NN21 project and its focus.

8.0 Unfinished Business

8.1 Revised Undergraduate Discussion Paper

Due to lack of time, the committee has postponed this discussion until the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 PM. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for May 27, 1998 in the Academic Senate Office, 1227 R St. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.