EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Present: Bender, Bryant, Latta, Mayo, Scheideler, Siekman, Zorn

Absent: Aguilar, Humes, Prochaska-Cue, Whitt

Date: Wednesday, October 20, 1999

Location: 201 Canfield Administration

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1.0 Call to Order (Latta)

Latta called the meeting to order at 3:12 PM.

2.0 Chancellor Moeser, Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards, and Vice Chancellor Omtvedt

2.1 Budget Priorities

Latta reported that she compiled feedback that she has received from the Senators regarding the list of budget priorities presented to the Senate by SVCAA Edwards, and identifying additional priorities faculty thought should be considered in coming up with the budget priorities for the 2001-03 biennium. Responses from the faculty indicate that weaknesses are occurring in departments due to the elimination of positions due to reallocation and that restoring lost positions should be considered a priority. She noted that the Academic Planning Committee (APC) should be involved in the approval of the elimination of these positions. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that the current reallocation has been the only one where changes have been made without the approval of the APC.

VC Omtvedt suggested that we need to look at both the positives and the negatives of what happened as a result of the 4% reallocation. He asked if the faculty want APC to become involved in rectifying or supporting what has been done or for them to focus in the future? Latta stated that they need to report on what has been done. VC Omtvedt pointed out that the logistics of doing this may be difficult. He noted that many of the programs that were enhanced through the last reallocation are in different colleges and not college specific.

SVCAA Edwards presented information on the number of tenure and tenure track faculty during the past seven years. (1992 - 1,444 faculty; 1993 - 1,163; 1994 - 1,158; 1995 - 1,150; 1996 - 1,140; 1997 - 1,120; 1998 - 1,146 and early figures for 1999 - 1,128). He noted that the average is 1,145 faculty over this period. He pointed out that in looking at these figures, only 17 faculty positions have been lost. Zorn noted that the increasing administrative workload on faculty needs to be considered when looking at these figures. Latta stated that we do not adjust programs to reflect the change in the number of faculty that are now having to do more work with fewer resources. Chancellor Moeser suggested that what we may need is a more meaningful strategic planning process. SVCAA Edwards stated that hopefully the Nebraska Futures Committee will create a plan that will address these concerns.

The committee discussed the role of APC and concluded that it should not become involved in the micro managing of the colleges. However, they should have input regrading the budget priorities. Chancellor Moeser stated that it has been their intent to involve the APC in these discussions.

Latta reported that some departments are reporting that our graduate student stipends are not competitive with other institutions. Chancellor Moeser agreed and he stated that they are planning to use part of the Opthmer funds to create a new category of competitively awarded graduate fellowships that will be controlled by the Dean of the Graduate College. He stated that they are preparing to put approximately $500,000 into the creation of these fellowships which he hopes will allow us to attract some of the best graduate students in the country.

Latta reported that there was support for the funding of improvements to the utilities operations, undergraduate scholarships and the research challenge fund. She noted that faculty feel that the foundation should be tapped for the undergraduate scholarships. Mayo pointed out that he would like to see the research challenge fund expanded to teaching and outreach because there may be some large opportunities in these areas. VC Omtvedt agreed and stated that there are more teaching related opportunities that will bring money in that could be matched with the challenge fund.

Latta stated that many faculty feel that extended education is a confusing issue. She noted that many faculty do not have a sense of what we are trying to do with it and some feel that unless it is cost effective, we should not do it. A greater sense of direction and purpose is needed to understand how this fits into the overall institutional priorities. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that everywhere he goes in the state the citizens are fervently expressing the need for extended education and that it is our responsibility to address this need. He stated that there is a demand for a variety of courses and for non-credit courses. He pointed out that we are currently offering the very first doctorate level collegiate course using Internet II. He stated that is currently being done with Kansas State and Oregon State and that the students have a qualitative advantage in interacting with students and faculty from other universities. He pointed out that this is an indication that extended education can be some of the most exciting work that a faculty member can do.

Latta stated that another area of concern for faculty is with benefits. She stated that many feel that we need to focus on benefits that would cover the entire population of faculty and staff and that benefits such as child care and tuition remission should be considered within a "cafeteria style" model. Chancellor Moeser stated that there appears to be some support in a cafeteria style package at Central Administration. He suggested that perhaps we need to have a meeting with the Board of Regents specifically on benefits. Latta noted that the Employee Benefits committee is recommending improving the retirement contribution and health insurance, as well as support for extending health insurance benefits to domestic partners, as its top priorities. Scheideler pointed out, however, that child care was identified by the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women as a top priority. SVCAA Edwards pointed out that increasing the retirement benefit to 8% would be very helpful in recruiting faculty.

Latta reported that other issues raised by the faculty were on parking and the mail service. She stated that some faculty pointed out that since the parking facilities and transportation services are often used by people outside of the university, and that some portion of it might be justifiable as public works. To compensate for the decreased mail service on campus, she stated that there has been a suggestion of some central mail drop boxes on campus that would allow people to get mail into the system quicker.

Latta stated that faculty are very supportive of the goals of diversity but they do not understand how the existing funds are being used. Chancellor Moeser stated that a letter is being sent to the Deans, Chairs, Heads and the Academic Senate addressing the issue of diversity.

2.2 Draft Kellogg Paper - "Toward a Coherent Culture for the Public University"

Item postponed due to lack of time.

3.0 Announcements

No announcements were made.

4.0 Approval of 10/6/99 and 10/13/99 Minutes

Mayo moved and Miller seconded approval of the 10/6/99 minutes as amended. Approval of the 10/13/99 minutes were postponed due to lack of a quorum.

5.0 Unfinished Business

No unfinished business was discussed.

6.0 New Business

6.1 Plaque for Senate Office

Latta suggested that a plaque honoring the Past Presidents of the Academic Senate be made for display in the Academic Senate Office. The committee was in support of the plaque if it was at a reasonable cost. Zorn suggested that this be presented to the Academic Senate for their approval.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 PM. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held on Wednesday, October 27^th at 3:00 PM at the Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace, Ste. 203. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.