EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Present: Bryant, Kirk, Latta, Mayo, Miller, Scheideler, Siekman

Absent: Aguilar, Bender, Prochaska Cue, Zorn

Date: Wednesday, November 10, 1999

Location: 420 University Terrace, Ste. 203

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1.0 Call to Order (Latta)

Latta called the meeting to order at 3:17 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Update on the Budget Request

Latta distributed copies of the updated budget requests that she received from Associate Vice Chancellor Brinkerhoff. She noted that it includes the NU retirement increase and securing core faculty lines that the committee discussed with the Chancellor in their last meeting with him. She pointed out that other items incorporated were suggestions made by IANR to deepen UNL's engagement with and services to Nebraskans, and the inclusion of graduate research assistants in the request to raise graduate student stipends.

2.2 Update on Bylaw 4.3

Latta distributed copies of the most recent revisions to Bylaw 4.3. She stated that some of the wording has been changed to get rid of any ambiguities in the policy. She noted that she and Sally Wise, Co-Chair of Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee, have discussed the changes with Richard Wood, General Counsel, and Lee Jones, Executive Vice President. She stated that they will be discussing the revisions with the Chancellor at the next Executive Committee meeting.

2.3 Board of Regents Meeting

Latta gave a brief report on the Board of Regents meeting. She stated that the Burns Commission to look at administrative efficiencies was presented at the meeting.

3.0 Approval of 11/3/99 Minutes

Approval of the minutes were postponed due to problems with the email system.

4.0 Extended Education Advisory Council (Follow-up)

Latta noted that while the Senate should consider creating a committee on extended education, she noted that this will take some time to establish. As a result, she suggested that we take the opportunity given to us by Associate Vice Chancellor O'Hanlon to appoint faculty to serve on the Extended Education Advisory Council. Mayo pointed out that the chair of the Senate committee created on extended education should also be a member of the Council. The committee suggested Sheldon Stick, Educational Administration, Leon Higley, Entomology, and Tom Drudik, Extension Educator, South Central to serve on the Council.

5.0 Legislative Strategy & Media Relations

Latta noted that this may be a good time for the committee to approach the Lincoln Journal Star to discuss with them issues and areas of concern of the Senate. She suggested that the committee may want to develop a paper addressing the main themes of concern. She asked the committee to think about what issues should be included in messages to the public.

6.0 Unfinished Business

No unfinished business was discussed.

7.0 New Business

7.1 Release Time for Senate President (Kirk)

Item postponed due to lack of time.

7.2 Proposed Changes to the Academic Standards Committee

Summary: At issue with this agenda item is the problem of too few faculty to do the extensive work of this committee and keeping it as a faculty committee. The Committee on Committees has requested changes that would permit administrative appointments that might include non-faculty members. The discussion that took place is as follows:

Latta reported that the Committee on Committees would like to put forward an emergency motion at the December meeting that would make changes in the number and means of appointing members to the Academic Standards Committee. Kirk, who was chair of the Committee on Committees (CoC) last year, informed the committee that the Academic Standards Committee submitted a request to increase the number of their members from 10 to 22 to better help them with the increased volume of work which is a result of the new academic standards. In reviewing the request, the CoC found that only a very limited number of people volunteered to serve on this committee. As a result, the CoC devised a solution of having each of the college Deans appoint two people to the Academic Standards Committee. Kirk reported that he met with the Dean's Council to discuss whether this was a feasible option. He stated that most of the Deans agreed, but that several felt that it was a burden due to the size of their college. The CoC then revised the number of representatives from each of the colleges so that the larger colleges have three representatives and the smaller colleges have only one representative. The CoC suggested that a qualified staff person from the college's advising center may serve as one of the appointed representatives. Latta pointed out that while she is sympathetic to the needs of the committee, she has reservations about turning the committee into a campus-wide committee, the increased workload on the staff, and the lack of training that some people may have. Kirk noted that he spoke with the colleges that have central advising offices and they felt that their advising staff were capable of handling the task. Bryant stated that the committee should remain strictly as a faculty committee. Latta suggested that if faculty were aware of what the committee does, there may be more volunteers to serve on it. She pointed out that service needs to be more highly valued on this campus in order for people to become involved in committees. Bryant suggested that the colleges may need to establish their own committee to deal with these kinds of appeals. Miller moved that the Executive Committee endorse the proposed motion. Mayo seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Miller revised his motion to bring the proposal to the Senate but without endorsement from the Executive Committee. Scheideler seconded the motion. Two in favor, two against, one abstention. Latta suggested that the Executive Committee should draft an alternative proposal. Kirk reminded the committee that it is the CoC's responsibility to review proposed changes and make recommendations to the Senate to improve the structure and operations of Senate committees. He pointed out that the CoC has worked on this request for over a year and that this appears to be the most workable solution to the problem. Scheideler suggested that a senator introduce the proposal for the CoC. Coordinator Griffin pointed out that time will be limited at the December meeting for new business due to President Smith's address to the Senate. She also noted that there is already a standing motion that will need to be discussed and voted upon at that meeting which will leave little time for any new business. Latta stated that she will speak to the chair of the CoC and suggest that the proposal should be brought forward at the January meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 5:13 pm. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held on Wednesday, November 17^th at 3:00 pm, in 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.