UNL ACADEMIC SENATE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

PRESENT: Aguilar, Bryant, Baum Kuska, Latta, Mayo, Prochaska Cue, Scheideler

ABSENT: Bender, Ford, Humes, Williams, Zorn

DATE: March 10, 1999

PLACE: 1227 R Street, Academic Senate Office

______________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Call to Order

Latta called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 NN21 Scholarship, Evaluation and Rewards

Latta announced that Steve Hilliard, Gary Lynne, and Sally Wise of the NN21 Scholarship Action Team will be meeting with the Executive Committee on April 7^th to discuss their draft report.

2.2 Appropriations Committee

Latta reported that the Appropriations Committee hearing meeting on the University budget was held on March 9th. She noted that while administrators are somewhat optimistic, they pointed out that there needs to be continual dialogue on the issue of faculty salaries.

2.3 Mayoral Candidate Forum

Latta reported that the student organizations have decided to hold the mayoral candidates forum after the primaries. Scheideler asked what the reasoning was for their decision. Latta stated that the students felt that more students would be available to attend the forum after the primaries. Mayo stated that he thought it was important for us to support the students on this decision.

3.0 Freshmen Year Experience Task Force - Ted Pardy

Ted Pardy, Chair of the Freshmen Year Experience Task Force, stated that the task force was formed last year by Chancellor Moeser to examine issues concerning the retention of UNL freshmen. He stated that there are 23 members of the task force representing various campus constituencies and Associate Vice Chancellor Nancy Stara. He stated that a loose description of their charge is to examine what freshmen do and what happens to them at UNL, to develop a description of the current freshmen experience, and to make recommendations for improving and expanding the intellectual and academic social climate and opportunities for UNL's freshmen. Pardy noted that an underlying motivation for the task force is the need to do something about freshmen attrition. He stated that in reviewing the collected data, it became evident that improving the lot of the freshmen will create a real opportunity to make major, positive impacts on the academic climate of all UNL students and faculty. He noted that during the initial meetings a number of analyses describing the academic progress, study habits, and employment activities of students were reviewed. Pardy stated that John Gardner, a national scholar on the subject of the freshmen year experience, visited the campus and made recommendations and observations on the freshmen year experience. Pardy pointed out that one of Gardner's observations is that freshmen move to campus on Thursday before the first week of campus but are not engaged in any official orientation activities until Sunday afternoon. He noted that most first year students attend a number of large lecture classes where time is spent on the first day taking attendance and handing out the syllabus. He pointed out that this results in the students having no academic content and assignments for a period of 96 hours. This will increase if the same situation occurs in Tuesday classes. Pardy noted that the students have a total absence of intellectually based activities until after the Labor Day break. Another observation made by the task force was the absence of adults on campus after 5:00 or 6:00 pm. Scheideler pointed out that many of the clubs meet early in the evening and are formed quickly in the beginning of the semester. Bryant asked how many of the freshmen live on campus? Pardy stated that all freshmen live on campus. Aguilar noted that there are approximately 5,000 freshmen at UNL. Pardy stated that many students are engaged in outside employment. He noted that students working 20-25 hours per week have little, if any, impact on their grades. He stated that many students come with the attitude that the educational experience only occurs in the classroom. He noted that one conclusion is that our program is so unengaging and undemanding that students perceive that they are still in high school. He pointed out that this is occurring on campuses throughout the country. Pardy stated that the task force has targeted three program entities for campus development: 1) a revamped orientation program that begins earlier and extends deeper into the first semester. He noted that this will require participation from faculty and upper class students. Pardy stated that faculty need to be redirected to make contact with freshmen students. Secondly, students need to be engaged, perhaps through seminars that support their academic programs. Third, form learning communities which can also act as support groups, particularly among those students sharing common courses. Pardy noted that a crucial feature to all three of these entities is the possibility of developing important acquaintances, friendships, collegial networks, associations based and evolving out of academic and campus related activities. He pointed out that we need to treat freshmen in ways that tell them they are valued. He noted that we are losing good students because some of them are not forming academic connections. He pointed out that students come to campus expecting a difference from high school and he stressed that we need to make sure that we provide this difference. Pardy stated that the task force has split into groups to work on the various issues. He stated that he is working on getting people involved into pilot programs that will develop learning communities. He noted that he has received a commitment from Vice Chancellor Stara to provide funding for small mini courses that might take place during the Labor Day break. Aguilar asked if the retention rate for students of color has improved? Pardy stated that it has remained about the same. He stated that many students of color leave due to the inability to find a peer group and the lack of a hospitable climate. Bryant asked if they are considering expanding night classes? Pardy says that it has not been looked at and the committee would have to see how night classes would work for freshmen. Scheideler pointed out that the physical environment is not necessarily friendly in departments to students. She noted that there are very few displays in departments on what their program is about and what activities freshmen can start participating in. She stated that there has been concern over the creation of business centers and the impact they may have on student contact. Scheideler stated that there needs to be more planning in the physical environment and the culture of the campus which makes faculty available to students, particularly the week before classes begin. Baum Kuska stated that the task force is also looking at expanding one credit hour courses that only meet for half of the semester, such as LI110. Latta stated that it is very important that colleges and departments retain control of their curriculum. If courses are to be expanded, the content of the expanded courses should be determined by department faculty, not the Freshmen Experience Task Force. Pardy stated that there will be rewards for those departments that are willing to make liaisons and to interact at the freshmen level. Bryant asked what students have said about the foundations course? Pardy stated that the foundations courses have been getting increasingly smaller and they are being carried more often by non-academic staff. He pointed out that it serves an important need for a particular group, mainly the undeclared majors. Mayo asked if there has been any consideration in expanding the foundation programs to essentially be the orientation program for freshmen in their first semester. He pointed out that this would take a great deal of resources to accomplish this task. Baum Kuska stated that they have been looking at this however, she noted that currently there are 40 sections but there would need to be 120 sections at a minimum to serve all of the freshmen. She noted that students receive 2 - 3 credit hours for this course but she pointed out that what is hurting this is that colleges do not count the course towards their degree. Latta stated that we need to do something to better communicate to students what we expect of them academically. She asked Pardy what kind of feedback from the Executive Committee would be useful to the task force ast this time. Pardy stated that the committee is at the stage of asking how they address locally what it is that needs to be done. He noted that some of the strategies will be highly regional. Aguilar asked if they had information regarding what happens to those students who drop out? Pardy stated that they do not know. Aguilar asked if students in the Greek system and Athletics still have the highest retention rate? Pardy stated that they still do. Aguilar noted that the Greek systems have a residential support network and suggested that perhaps we need to look more creatively at the dorm living arrangements. Pardy stated that learning communities are more successful when they involve a residential component. Bryant noted that to have a serious impact a tremendous source of funding must be provided. Pardy stated that this will not happen and stressed that we need to find pockets of areas that can evolve. Aguilar asked if there is any technology component at the freshmen level in the library research course? Latta stated that there is some, but it is restricted because Information Services shares responsibility for teaching these skills outside of LI110. Aguilar pointed out that teaching computer technology at the freshmen level would be helpful to the use of integrated technology in the classroom. Latta pointed out that there are a limited number of staff available to offer this training. Latta asked how much individual tracking has been done on entrance and longevity at the University? Pardy stated that the enforcement of deficiencies is really having an impact and that there has been a certain significant fraction of attrition due to not fulfilling these deficiencies. He stated that the task force is going to make recommendations on ways of students being able to complete these deficiencies quickly. Latta asked if they looked into how much undergraduate advising is being done and how it is being handled in the different departments. Pardy stated that they have members who are in advising on the task force. Latta pointed out that we need to understand the culture that freshmen are coming with so that we can help them adjust to the culture that we expect them to have here at the university. Aguilar suggested that students who have connections to something whether it be music, bilingual language skills, or something else be linked. Baum Kuska stated that it is important for students who are involved in learning communities to not feel excluded if they should change their major. Pardy pointed out that transfer students need to be looked at because they are often left out. He stated that the task force will be putting out a report on its findings and recommendations. Mayo asked if there is any data showing the effectiveness of the Foundation courses? Pardy stated that there is and it definitely shows the program is very effective. He emphasized that faculty need to be more involved with freshmen. Bryant stated that faculty are continually being asked to do more and that they are already stressed for time. Aguilar suggested that a freshmen research class be created. Pardy stated that they need to discuss this with the Future Nebraska Task Force.

4.0 Approval of 3/3/99 Minutes (Bryant)

Baum Kuska moved and Prochaska Cue seconded approval of the minutes as amended.

5.0 Committee on Committees Nominations

The possible nominees for the Committee on Committees were discussed. The Committee on Committees will give the final list of nominees when completed.

6.0 Unfinished Business

6.1 Faculty Resource Index

Latta asked the committee to review the information compiled by Brian Humes comparing the faculty resource index to the old printed faculty handbook. She asked whether they felt the information provided on the web is sufficient for replacing a hard copy of the Faculty Handbook. Bryant suggested that faculty should be provided a hard copy of the handbook and then they could obtain updates from the web. Aguilar pointed out that the information on the web is difficult to locate and that there is safety in having the information contained in one place. Latta noted that keeping the information up to date is very important. She pointed out that reprinting the entire handbook is a huge task. She suggested that core information should be provided. Aguilar stated that it is important to be able to go to the document when needed and that protection of the policies that effect us should not be a cut and paste job. Latta asked the committee to define what is the needed core information. Bryant stated that information needs to be provided that enables faculty to do their jobs. He stated that it should be Academic Affairs responsibility to provide the faculty handbook. Latta pointed out that they feel that all the information is available on the web but that they had specifically asked for Executive Committee input regarding what we found to be missing. She suggested that the committee give a list of inadequacies on the information that is provided on the web. She noted that new faculty presently do not receive a printed copy of the faculty handbook. Latta stated that information on the web is not complete and only now are the UNL Bylaws being placed onto the web. Aguilar suggested that the senators be contacted to gather information as to whether or not faculty are getting enough information on the policies that effect their job. Mayo suggested that the index from the printed faculty handbook be placed on the web with links to the various locations for each of the items. Aguilar asked whose responsibility it is to disseminate information? Latta stated that at UNL, administration has responsibility for providing access to policies and procedures. Currently, they do a better job of providing information faculty need to comply with university policies than they do with disseminating information faculty need in order to do their day-to-day jobs well. Mayo stated that the information needs to be under one area on the web and not scattered all over like it is currently. Latta suggested that the committee review what is available on the web and compile a list of questions for administration. Latta stated that the issue will be placed on the agenda again for further discussion.

7.0 New Business

No new business was discussed.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 PM. The next meeting will be held on March 24th, 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.