EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Present: Bryant, Latta, Mayo, Prochaska Cue, Scheideler, Zorn

Absent: Aguilar, Bender, Humes, Miller, Siekman, Whitt

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 1999

Location: 420 University Terrace, Suite 203

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1.0 Call to Order (Latta)

Latta called the meeting to order at 3:10 PM.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Thank You Letter

Latta reported that Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards sent thanks to the Executive Committee for their letter expressing their sentiments and support for him and his family as he battles his illness.

2.2 Campus Budget Priorities

Latta reported that she is working with Chancellor Moeser to decide how to incorporate Senate input to the campus budget priorities that will be forwarded to Central Administration.

2.3 President Smith's Visit to the Academic Senate

Latta announced that President Smith will be attending the December 7^th Academic Senate meeting.

2.4 Associate Vice Chancellor for Extended Education Jim O'Hanlon

Latta reported that she met with Associate Vice Chancellor O'Hanlon last week to discuss some of the recurring themes that the committee has discussed regarding extended education at UNL. She reported that she pointed out to him the need for faculty representation on the Extended Education Advisory Council. She stated that he agreed with her on this and that he stated that he would follow-up with a letter to her requesting the committee to appoint some faculty to serve on that body. She stated that he has agreed to meet with the Executive Committee on October 27^th.

2.5 Meeting with Vice Chancellor Hendrickson

Latta reported that she has been in communication with Vice Chancellor Hendrickson regarding the recurring issues that the committee has discussed relating to technology plans and Central Administration's budget and technology decision-marking processes both at Central and at UNL. He agreed to meet with the Executive Committee on November 3^rd.

2.6 Intercollegiate Athletics Committee Referral

Latta stated that she has referred to the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee the question of whether any additional Senate follow-up to the Tom Green event is needed. She reported that she conferred with the chair of the committee, Alan Christensen, before she issued her statement on Friday, October 8^th.

2.7 Domestic Partners Benefits

Latta reported that the Human Rights Committee has joined the efforts of the Senate, and those of the Employee Benefits Committee to urge Central Administration to extend health benefits to domestic partners. The ASUN has also expressed interest in working with the Senate on this issue. She reported that she referred ASUN to the Human Rights Committee, the Employee Benefits Committee chair, and the co-chairs of the Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender Concerns for more information on how they can be of assistance regarding this issue..

2.8 Peer Evaluation Project

Latta reported that she has been invited by Dan Bernstein to meet with him to discuss ways of including some Senate representation in the PEW funded project on Peer Review of Teaching that he will be conducting. She reported that he will be contacting individuals to serve on a faculty advisory group that he is assembling to provide consultation throughout this project.

3.0 Phyllis Larson, Director, UNL Public Relations

Latta pointed out that Phyllis Larson, Director of UNL Public Relations, was here to get input from the committee on a document of priority messages that she has been working on. Larson stated that they have been working on this document for the last couple of years and that it is an effort to get a more consistent message about the University to external audiences. She pointed out that she hears from people that we do not have a consistent message that would enable us to communicate clearly the University's vision. She noted that the intention is to repeat important messages to the various audiences that members of the academic community speak to. She pointed out that there are five main concepts that they would like people to communicate to their audience. Mayo stated that he would like to see the fact that we are truly a premier land grant University communicated. He noted that we are one of the few universities that still is a combined AAU and land grant institution. He pointed out that we have a dual mission here. Bryant stated that this is an important distinction. Latta stated that she has heard that this is a distinction that we make here in Nebraska but that there are other institutions who have the dual role that do not make this distinction. Mayo pointed out that there are a few other institutions with the dual mission but that those who do not make the distinction have usually gotten away from it. Bryant stated that this is an important distinction, particularly since the goal of the university is to be one of the top 20 research institutions. He stated that if this occurs, then we would no longer follow the land grant mission. Bryant pointed out that the language being used in these presentations needs to be catered to that audience. Larson stated that the term engagement is a more accurate word to describe our full integration with the community, whereas service seems to imply that something will be given to the audience. Scheideler stated that many faculty do not see the cooperative education element as service but rather as extension. Prochaska Cue pointed out that the extension role is viewed as a teaching and learning element. Latta asked if the primary message is to help people understand the integration of the three missions of teaching, research, and service? Larson stated that it is. Bryant pointed out that we do not explicitly state that the University is here to provide education for the young people of the state. He stated that we need to focus on the students and he is leery of the University making grandiose claims. He asked where the venerable history of the University is in the document? Larson pointed out that many people feel that we are not the same University that we use to be. Scheideler suggested that they emphasize that the University is providing leadership in scientific discovery for the people of the state. Zorn noted that it is important to emphasize the University's leadership in the areas where it excels but that they should be careful of overselling the University. Mayo suggested that they avoid using political statements. Bryant stated that they need to point out that the major impact is in educating the citizens of Nebraska. Larson stated that it would be helpful if the faculty would inform the public relations office of individual faculty achievements in the areas of research, teaching and service. Prochaska Cue asked if the public relations office works with CIT? Larson stated that they work on some things together. Mayo noted that the papers do not often pick up on some of the things that faculty do. Larson stated that she would like to have more coverage of faculty achievements in the local papers. Coordinator Griffin suggested that her office send out an email message to faculty, perhaps once a semester, asking them to submit information on their achievements and current research and teaching projects. Zorn suggested that they incorporate articles on students who are involved in research. Bryant suggested that they set up an award program for journalism students who write a human interest story on other students. Zorn noted that accreditation is important to emphasize. Larson thanked the committee for allowing her to meet with them and she thanked them for all of their valuable input.

4.0 Approval of 10/6/99 Minutes

Item postponed due to the lack of a quorum.

5.0 Unfinished Business

5.1 AFCON Operating Procedures

The committee reviewed AFCON's operating procedures and felt that the job descriptions were fine and needed no changes. Prochaska Cue suggested that the committee needs to market themselves better, explaining what they do. Scheideler recommended that Mary Beck, Animal Science, be added to the Speaker's List.

6.0 New Business

6.1 Beth Lee, ASUN Academic Committee

Scheideler introduced Beth Lee, Chair of the ASUN Academic Committee. She stated that Lee had contacted Latta to discuss various issues pertaining to faculty and students. Lee stated that there are a number of complaints from students on the violation of the dead week policy. She pointed out that there appears to be some confusion on the policy and that she and other students are planning on meeting with departments to explain the policy. Scheideler asked if the Office of Student Affairs was helping them to convey the policy? Lee stated that the office is not involved yet. Zorn stated that there seems to be a misunderstanding on the students part as well on the policy. Mayo suggested that the policy should be sent out to faculty. He stated that, in particular, faculty should be reminded that any additional assignments due during dead week needs to be put in writing by the 8th week of classes. Zorn pointed out that many Universities do not even have a dead week policy. Scheideler suggested that the Office of Student Affairs should send out an email message to faculty reminding them of the 8^th week deadline.

Lee reported that they are trying to encourage faculty to conduct mid-term evaluations. She noted that this is only for use of the faculty and they would not be reviewed by the department chairs or deans. She pointed out that these mid-term evaluations are very helpful to the students.

Lee reported that there have been some complaints by students who are enrolled in 400/800 level classes that the undergraduate students are being graded on the same scale as the graduate students. Scheideler pointed out that there is a minimum level of learning that must be attained in a course. She noted that these courses usually require that graduate students must complete more projects than the undergraduate students. Zorn and Mayo pointed out that some graduate students have to take these courses to make up a deficiency in a subject matter and that they are often times at a greater disadvantage than the undergraduate students who may have had more courses in this area. Prochaska Cue asked if there are some classes where the final is given in the last week of class? Lee stated that there are classes but that it must be voted upon unanimously by the students. Mayo noted that the vote should be done by a written ballot so that students do not feel pressured into agreeing with the majority of the other students in the class. Zorn pointed out that there appears to be a misconception that seniors do not have to take a final. Mayo stated that there is a policy that a professor can waive a senior taking a final if the professor wishes to do so.

Lee reported that the students are wondering if there is a way that a checklist could be provided for advisers for when they meet with their students. Bryant asked when a person is assigned an adviser? Scheideler stated that if a student declares a major, they are assigned a professor in their freshmen year, but those students in general studies are not assigned an adviser. Zorn pointed out that in CBA they have a very good advising center which advises students on the requirements for obtaining a degree but that career advising and issues related to the broad educational needs for a major are done by a professor. Bryant pointed out that reallocation has made an impact on the available time that faculty have for advising. He stated that with fewer faculty in some departments, the remaining faculty must take on additional workloads which has a direct impact on the advising of students. Zorn stated that this becomes a major problem with student satisfaction of college level. Scheideler pointed out that the students should emphasize how the reallocation cuts have effected advising for students. She stated that good advising and mentoring of students is needed. Bryant suggested that the ASUN form a subcommittee to review advising on campus.

Lee stated that she has received some complaints from students who are athletes that there are some professors who are not allowing the student from being excused from classes when they have to be out of town for athletic events. She pointed out that they are representing the university and that many of them are here on scholarships. She stated that the ASUN has discussed putting forward a resolution asking the Academic Senate to pass a policy. Coordinator Griffin pointed out that there is a missed class policy and that she will send a copy of it to Lee. She also recommended that Lee discuss the situation with Alan Christensen, Chair of the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee.

6.2 Associate Vice Chancellor Hendrickson's Administrative Review Committee Recommendations

The committee recommended either Shared Seth, Clinton Rowe, or C. W. Solomon To to serve on the administrative review committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 PM. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 1999 at 3:30 in 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.