Email: senate@unlnotesorg.unl.edu

Website: http://www.unl.edu/asenate/welcome.htm

UNL ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING MINUTES

City Campus Union, Great Plains Room

April 24, 2001

Presidents Sheila Scheideler, Miles Bryant, and Gail Latta Presiding

1.0 Call to Order

President Scheideler called the meeting to order at 2:31 p.m.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Board of Regents Meeting

President Scheideler reported that the Board of Regents' meeting was positive with the approval of tuition remission for dependents/spouses, approval of an increase in tuition rates, and the approval of health coverage for oral contraceptives. She stated that there was good discussion on benefits for domestic partners, with President Smith calling for the creation of an advisory committee to gather more information on the issue.

2.2 Graduate Council

President Scheideler reported that she met with Dean Lawson and the Graduate Council to discuss the application process for obtaining Graduate Faculty Fellow/Member status. She stated that applications go to Dean Lawson who makes the decision whether to approve or deny the request, although difficult decisions or appeals are reviewed by several members of the Graduate Council. Scheideler pointed out that Provost Jones makes the final decision. She stated that if the applicant is denied, he/she should be informed as to where in the process the application was rejected. She stated that information regarding the process is available on the web (http://www.unl.edu/gradstud/Faculty/GradGovern.html). Professor Reece, Panhandle Research & Extension Center, asked if all departments have a review process. Scheideler stated that each college has established rules on the application process. She noted that typically the application is approved at the department level, the college level, and then by Dean Lawson. She suggested that faculty should check with their Dean's office for more specific information.

3.0 Academic Senate Elections

3.1 Election of UNL Academic Senate President Elect

Tice Miller, Theatre Arts, was elected as President-Elect.

3.2 Election of UNL Academic Senate Secretary

James King, Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication, was elected Secretary.

3.3 Election of UNL Academic Senate Executive Committee Members

Ruma Banerjee, Biochemistry, Kay Logan-Peters, Libraries, Tom Spann, Broadcasting, Hugh Whitt, Sociology, and George Wolf, English were elected to the Executive Committee.

3.4 Election of Committee on Committees Members

Jennifer Brand, Chemistry and John Bender, Journalism were elected to the Committee on Committees.

3.5 Recognition of New Senators

President Byrant recognized and welcomed the new senators. He then presented President Scheideler with an award in appreciation and recognition of her service as President of the Academic Senate.

4.0 Chancellor Perlman

4.1 Issues on the Horizon

Chancellor Perlman stated that the Faculty Compensation Advisory Committee has recommended an increase of 6.3% on the base faculty salary. He stated that merit should play a significant role in the distribution of increases and that the minimum increase for satisfactory performance would be 1.5%. He stated that B and C line staff could receive a 5% increase although their base increase would also be 1.5%. He noted that the process would be similar to that used last year with certain percentages being retained at the college and the Vice Chancellor's level. He stated that application can be made by the unit administrator for additional monies to reward exceptional performances. He pointed out that the final state budget has not been determined at the present time.

Chancellor Perlman stated that there will be four University-wide Professorships vacant by the end of this year due to retirements. He noted that his committee is reviewing the applications to fill these positions. He pointed out that once full professorship has been attained, one of the few rewards remaining beyond this level is to receive an endowed professorship. He stated that university chairs are limited by the number of donors who contribute to these positions. He pointed out that he would like to create some kind of reward system beyond the full professorship that would recognize a professor's continued contributions to the University.

Chancellor Perlman reported that the Academic Planning Committee is currently reviewing the draft prioritization list. He noted that the committee has several issues that they want to raise concerning the draft. He stated that he will seriously review the APC's recommendations. He pointed out that time is limited. He noted that this process is on-going and that priorities will continue to be pursued. He stated that the process has not been in vain and that President Smith has committed using some of the funds generated by the tuition increase to improve academic enhancements. He reported that next year research initiative funds will be available and he hopes to see the identified priority programs apply for these funds. Scheideler asked if more information would be available on the NRI funds and if it would be a more open process. Chancellor Perlman stated that administration has not received details concerning it.

Chancellor Perlman praised Dr. Finnell, Director of Admissions, for the extraordinary work she has done and stated that replacing her would be a critical issue. He pointed out that the Board of Regents expressed some criticism on the recruitment of students. He stated that the admissions office is working on initiating a bottom-to-top recruiting effort and is working hard to recruit new students.

Chancellor Perlman stated that Central Administration has developed a university-wide plan on distance education that would cover all four campuses. He pointed out that the report calls for each campus to develop a strategic plan. He stated that he is currently reviewing the report written by Vice Chancellor O'Hanlon on the UNL plan.

Scheideler asked for an update on the Intellectual Property Policy. Chancellor Perlman stated that he would be meeting with administrators during the summer. He stated that he would discuss the issues raised by the Senate Executive Committee with Provost Jones and General Counsel Wood at their next meeting.

5.0 Approval of 4/3/01 Minutes

Professor Bender, Journalism, moved and Professor King, Agricultural Leadership, seconded approval of the minutes. Motion approved.

6.0 Committee Reports

6.1 Honors Convocation (Dr. Howe)

Dr. Howe asked if there were any questions on the report that was distributed in the Senate packet. No questions were asked.

6.2 Teaching Council

Professor Ankerson reported that the chair for the council next year would be David Brooks. She asked for any questions on the report that was distributed in the Senate packet. No questions were asked.

6.3 Parking Advisory Committee

Sandy Lineberry, Chair, reported that we are currently in the third year of a four-year plan on parking, but that parking fees will be increasing to $25/month for a Lot 10 permit. She stated that a number of parking gains and shifts would be made this upcoming year: the opening of the 17^th & R street parking garage would add 1700 stalls, the opening of the Anderson lot would add 140 faculty/staff stalls, and the Champion Club would add 150 faculty/staff stalls. She reported that two shuttle buses would be running east and west from the new garage to the Lied Center. She announced that 83 stalls were lost just south of the Walter Scott Engineering building, 122 stalls would be lost with the closing of the Temple lot, and eventually the Antelope Valley Project would replace 1,148 stalls. She stated that the recommendation to build a garage at 14^th & Avery has been approved by VC Jackson, Business and Finance. She stated that the recommendation would go to the Board of Regents at the June meeting. She reported that the committee recommended that security cameras be installed at the garages and surface lots. She stated that $200,000 was raised by means other than parking fees. Bryant asked how long the shuttles would run during the day. Tad McDowell, Director of Parking, stated that they would be running from 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Professor Wunder, History, pointed out that no decision has been made yet by the Academic Planning Committee regarding the building of the 14^th & Avery street garage. He stated that it is premature to state that the plans would go to the Board of Regents for approval. He noted that a significant portion of the faculty are aging and that losing core parking would have an impact on them. Scheideler asked if the committee has investigated a scaled rate for staff. Lineberry stated that the committee reviewed this but found that it is difficult to base the fee scale on positions since some of the staff make the same amount as some faculty. Bryant stated that he was glad to see that the proposed $10 processing fee for submitting an appeal on a parking ticket was defeated. Chancellor Perlman stated that the problem the fee is trying to address is that people often use the appeals process to delay paying parking tickets. Lineberry stated that the committee is suggesting that the fine must be paid up front when it is first issued and if an appeal is made and won, the money would be reimbursed. Professor Kathlene, Political Science, reported that a Lincoln community-wide project is starting regarding transportation planning and she welcomed the Parking Advisory Committee as well as other people to attend the meeting on May 2nd. She pointed out that the University is not going to solve its transportation plans until it becomes a part of the community-wide effort to solve transportation problems. McDowell asked that anyone with concerns or suggestions please email him at tmcdowell1@unl.edu.

6.4 Faculty Compensation Advisory Committee (President Bryant)

Bryant reported that Professor Charles Kingsbury should have been included in the list of committee members on the report. He stated that the specific charge of the committee is to advise the Chancellor on issues relating to faculty salaries and total compensation. He stated that the committee tries to determine how much the university must increase faculty salaries in order to be competitive with our peer institutions. He noted that the committee recommended that some of the funds should go to the Deans and a portion to the Vice Chancellors but that the majority of it should go to the Chairs. He reported that Tice Miller, President-Elect, would be the chair of the committee next year. He stated that an upcoming issue for the committee will be the improvement of benefits.

6.5 Executive Committee (President Scheideler)

President Scheideler stated that the report is a synopsis of the work done by the Executive Committee for the past year. She asked if there were any questions on the report that was distributed in the Senator's packet.

7.0 Unfinished Business

No unfinished business was discussed.

8.0 New Business

8.1 Changes to the Syllabi of the University Judicial Board and Appeals Board

The Committee on Committees presented a motion to change the syllabi of the University Judicial Board and the University Appeals Board. The motion will be voted on at the September meeting.

9.0 Presentation of the James A. Lake Award to Professor Robert Haller (Professor David Moshman and Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards)

The James A. Lake Academic Freedom Award was presented to Professor Robert Haller, English, for his commitment and service to Academic Freedom.

10.0 Reception for Professor Robert Haller

A reception was held in honor of Professor Haller receiving the Academic Freedom Award.

The next Senate meeting will be Tuesday, September 4, 2001 in the East Campus Union, Great Plains Room. Respectfully submitted, Karen Griffin and James King, Secretary.