EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Present: Bender, Bryant, Kirk, Latta, Miller, Prochaska Cue, Siekman, Zorn

Absent: Aguilar, Mayo, Scheideler, Whitt

Date: December 1, 1999

Location: 420 University Terrace, Ste. 203

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1.0 Call to Order (Latta)

Latta called the meeting to order at 3:13 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Health Insurance Fund & Coverage Changes Follow-up

Latta reported that some questions have been raised as to the legality of not allowing the mental healthcare coverage to be applied to the stop-loss limits. She reported that she spoke with David Lechner, Vice President for Business and Finance, concerning this matter and he stated that the changes in the health care coverage were made with the advice of the University's legal counsel and insurance experts. She noted that the University welcomes the judgement of an external review of the changes that will result from formal inquiries filed with the state.

2.2 17^th & R Street parking Garage Update

Latta reported that the proposal for the parking garage at 17^th & R street is expected to go to the Board of Regents in December. She pointed out that the Parking Advisory Committee is on record as stating that parking fees should not be the only source of funds to construct this building. She noted that the committee is continuing to investigate other alternatives. Bender stated that there is still confusion on the actual number of spaces that will be lost. Latta pointed out that projections for the need for parking spaces has been based on a number of assumptions which may not come to pass. Zorn noted that the building plans on campus do not make sense given the decline in enrollment.

2.3 Proposed Merger of Engineering Mechanics/Mechanical Engineering

Latta reported that discussions are currently taking place on a proposal for the merger of the two departments and that it is currently still at the department level.

2.4 Proposed Campus Cultural Resource Management Policy

Item postponed.

2.5 Future Nebraska Task Force Update

Latta reported that the task force is working on a report that will be released sometime in the near future. She noted that the report will likely make note of the importance of faculty governance for maintaining a strong research agenda at the university.

3.0 Kent Hendrickson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Services

Hendrickson met with the committee to discuss computing on campus. He stated that they received $701,000 from reallocation which was to help with instructional technology and the transition to LotusNotes. In addition, they were to receive another $750,000 from Central Administration although this did not transpire. He pointed out that information services sees the priorities for campus as: 1) networking - it is a critical component that must be working at all times; 2) email - the system is used heavily and must be up and running; 3) instructional technology - they are trying to provide more free assistance in this area; 4) student technology needs - the student technology fees have helped in this area. He pointed out that the student advisory group plays a major role in determining how these funds can be used. 5) Research computing which includes the Internet II. He stated that this area is the one in which they are the furthest behind. He noted that currently grant money is being used to support and operate the Internet II connection but that these funds will be coming to an end soon. He did not know whether Central Administration will be picking up the cost of maintaining the Internet II connection.

Latta asked if administrative computing is completely separate? Hendrickson stated that it is not completely separate but that most of it is done out of Central Administration. He noted that much of the administrative computing is for the Student Information System (SIS). Latta asked if there has been any discussion regarding the potential impact of the Regents' action regarding the proposed inter campus SIS on all of the campuses? Hendrickson stated that two committees will be formed to review an inter campus SIS. He pointed out that they are aware that there are particular needs for each campus that have to be considered before this system can be implemented.

Hendrickson stated that the Y2K factor has been a major factor for the past two years. He noted that the campus is now Y2K compatible and that they do not foresee any major problems.

Miller asked why there is not more training for faculty? Hendrickson stated that a lack of funds is the reason. He pointed out that they would like to provide instructional technology training for any faculty who would like to have it. He pointed out that this would also require having a base level of up-to-date equipment available in the classrooms. Miller asked if there is a projection for new smart classrooms? Hendrickson did not know of any set number of new smart classrooms on campus. He noted that they are planning for wireless classrooms in the future but that this equipment is not entirely reliable yet.

Hendrickson noted that they are also working with faculty on research computing and that they are working on getting more faculty interested in Internet 2. He pointed out that faculty who have observed it realize the great potential it has for their research. He noted that they need support staff to help faculty adapt their computer programs to Internet 2.

Latta raised the concern that faculty are not getting enough input into the decisions that are being made in regards to computing, particularly those decisions being made at Central Administration. Hendrickson stated that the Computational Services and Facilities Committee is an active committee that is trying to have an input on decisions made on informational technology. He noted that the relationship between the central computing staff and each of the four campuses might benefit from some enhancement.

Hendrickson stated that information services would like to provide more customer support. He noted that in the future voice, data, and telecommunications will all be coming in on the same line.

4.0 Approval of 11/17/99 Minutes

Bender moved and Kirk seconded approval of the minutes as amended.

5.0 Martin Luther King Freedom Breakfast Sponsorship - January 14^th

Latta asked the committee if the Academic Senate should sponsor people to attend the Martin Luther King Freedom Breakfast. The committee agreed to sponsor five seats for the event.

6.0 Governor's Challenge to UNMC Research Using Fetal Brain Tissue

Latta asked the committee if they would support taking a resolution to the Academic Senate on Tuesday affirming the principle of academic freedom in the face of challenges to the research being conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center using fetal brain tissue. The committee agreed that this is an issue of academic freedom that should be supported. Bender agreed to work with Latta to draft a motion in support of the research. The motion will be presented to the Senate for approval at the December 7^th meeting.

7.0 Unfinished Business

7.1 Issues Facing the Academy Forums

Latta stated that there is a need for input from the campus community on issues such as intellectual property rights. She suggested that the Senate make this topic the focus of the next Senat forum on issues facing the academy. The committee supported the proposal and suggested that the steering committee of the Teaching/Learning/Technology/

Roundtable be asked to co-sponsor the event and help frame a structure for these discussions to take place.

7.2 Distance/Extended Education Senate Committee

Item postponed.

7.3 Legislative/Public Relations

Item postponed.

8.0 New Business

No new business was discussed.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:14 PM. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 8^th at 3:00 PM in the Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.