Email: senate@unl.edu

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

UNL ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING MINUTES

City Campus Union, Auditorium

January 9, 2001

Presidents Sheila Scheideler and Miles Bryant Presiding

1.0 Call to Order

President Scheideler called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Revised UNL Bylaws

President Scheideler reported that the Executive Committee is continuing to review the revised UNL Bylaws. She pointed out that the last time the Bylaws were updated was in 1976. She stated that the Executive Committee hopes to have a summary of the revisions to the Senate at the March meeting and that a copy will also be placed on the Senate's web page.

2.2 Legislative Contacts

President Scheideler reported that administration is now encouraging faculty to contact their state legislators on behalf of the University. She noted that items of key interest will be highlighted in a newsletter sent to the faculty via the Senate from the public relations office. President Scheideler asked Senators to forward names to her of faculty who might be interested in getting involved.

3.0 Interim Chancellor Perlman

3.1 Omaha World Herald Articles

Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that he felt it was important for people not to over react to the articles written by the Omaha World Herald on UNL. He stated that it was unfortunate that the headlines and graphics sensationalized the series, but that the articles gave a balanced view of the campus. He noted that UNL has acknowledged its shortcomings and has been and is still striving to improve the institution. He pointed out that the articles underscored the importance of the university to Nebraska, the importance of research, how the campus is striving to be in the top tier of research universities, and how research funding has increased by 20%. He stated that the campus has the talent and knowledge to move forward. Professor Bender, Journalism, asked about the tax/state support level for the university in comparison to our peer institutions and this comparison's impact on how we deal with the legislature. Interim Chancellor Perlman noted that the articles indicate that our state tax support is greater than our peers. He pointed out that both he and President Smith have been telling the state that the gap in our resources is due, in part, to low tuition rates. He noted that the people of the state need to realize that tuition rates can only remain low if the University is supported by other resources. Interim Chancellor Perlman indicated that he is unaware of where the list of best programs identified in the articles came from. Professor Nielsen, Animal Science, asked if the Chancellor had any idea if the Omaha World Herald was planning articles on all institutions of higher education in the state. Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that he did not know what the newspaper's plans are, but he pointed out that focusing on UNL is a statement that this campus is considered the most important educational resource to the state. Professor Genoways, Museums, asked if the issue of student recruitment would be addressed. Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that this is probably their major concern and that they have already begun working to address this problem.

3.2 Prioritization Process Update

Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that he hoped to have a draft of the priority list out to the campus shortly. He noted that they currently have a list of priority programs produced by Deans, but that they are reviewing these lists to see if there are recurring themes. He noted that this would be a tentative list. President Scheideler asked if there would be open forums for the faculty to discuss the list once it is distributed. Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that there would be forums although he did not know how they would be arranged.

3.2 Issues on the Horizon

3.2.1 Update on Searches

Interim Chancellor Perlman stated that one of the original four candidates for Dean of the College of Fine Arts position will be coming back to campus for further interviews. He stated that the search committee for the Dean of the Law College has selected four candidates to bring to campus for interviews. He reported that final reference checks were being conducted in the search for a new Vice Chancellor of Research and that a final list will be provided within a week to SVCAA Edwards for review.

3.2.2 Visitor's Center Construction Delay

Interim Chancellor Perlman announced that the construction of the Visitor's Center on R street has been delayed until after commencement ceremonies in May. He noted that this delay will help ease inconvenience associated with the loss of parking that will result from the center's construction.

3.2.3 Contacting State Legislators

Interim Chancellor Perlman encouraged faculty to contact state legislators concerning the university.

4.0 Approval of 12/5/00 minutes

Professor van Roojen, Philosophy, moved and Professor Bender, Journalism, seconded approval of the minutes. Motion approved.

5.0 Committee Reports

5.1 University Appeals and Judicial Board Revised Report (Rosemary Blum)

Blum gave a revised report as requested by the Senate at its December 2000 meeting. The report provided information on the types of infractions reported, the total number of infractions and the total number of students charged with violations. She reported that 626 students were charged with violations from January 1, 2000 to January 5, 2001; some students may have been charged with more than one violation. Blum reported that if a student is found guilty they are sent a charge letter. She provided the Senate with a list of typical sanctions for violations of the code of conduct. She noted that 95% of the students admit to the violations. She stated that the goal is to make the sanctions an educational experience for the student, hopefully preventing repeat offenders. Professor Dillon, Electrical Engineering, asked for clarification on the process used for academic violations and whether the instructor is notified of the final sanctions. Blum stated that usually the professors are not formally notified, but that as part of many sanctions the student must write a letter of apology to the professor. Scheideler noted that some violations are considered crimes. She asked if the office is obligated to report these violations to the police. Blum stated that usually it is the police who notify her of the violations but that the office is obligated to report any violations that are considered a crime. Dewey moved, Dillon seconded acceptance of the amended report. Motion approved.

5.2 Student Publications Board

The report was not submitted to the Academic Senate Office. The report will be given at the next Senate meeting.

6.0 Research Council Follow Up Report (Don Helmuth, Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Professor Asgarpoor, Chair of the Research Council)

Interim Vice Chancellor Helmuth reported that the person responsible for overseeing Research Council funds for 21 years provided a budget to the Council that was in excess of the actual budget. He stated that the Business Office discovered that there was a $577,000 shortfall that needed to be recovered; $327,000 was recovered by the business office, leaving a deficit of $250,000. This amount has been recovered over the last two years. He noted that the deficit has now been covered so that next year's (2001/2002 FY) Research Council funding will be restored. He pointed out that the Research Office covered $75,000 of the deficit. He stated that neither the Research Council nor the Research Office was aware of the problem. Scheideler asked why the deficit had to be recovered in two years when it took 21 years to create the problem. Interim Vice Chancellor Helmuth stated that the Business Office wanted the deficit covered in one year but that they were able to negotiate with them to pay it over two years. He pointed out that the budget is now being handled by the Research Office. Professor Morris, Biological Sciences, noted that a two point motion had been made at the December Senate meeting; part one of the motion was to have the Research Council provide information on the shortfall and part two was for the shortfall to be replaced by funds other than Research Council if the Council was not at fault for the deficit. Scheideler noted that the second part of the motion was tabled at the previous Senate meeting and that it did not need to be removed from the table if the Senate does not wish to do so. Interim Vice Chancellor Helmuth pointed out that Layman Funds, that are used to fund faculty research, has been increased to $300,000 from $100,000. Professor Asgarpoor, Chair of the Research Council noted that the 2000-01 report of the Council to the Senate will indicate the budget shortfall because the report will be based on the activity of the previous year. Professor Kocher moved, and Professor Morris seconded approval of the motion to accept the Research Council updated report. Motion approved.

7.0 Special Election Ballot to Replace Kathleen Rees on the Academic Planning Committee

President Scheideler announced that Kathleen Rees has left the university and needs to be replaced on the Academic Planning Committee. Professor Bender moved and Professor Lee, Broadcasting, seconded the motion to approve the ballot. Motion approved.

8.0 Unfinished Business

8.1 Motion to Add Minuses to the UNL Grading System

President Scheideler reported that the Executive Committee has referred the matter to the Grading and Examinations Committee for review. She stated that the Grading and Examination committee would report back to the Senate upon completion of their review. President Scheideler stated that she has asked the committee to answer questions regarding how the new grading system would be implemented, the cost of the implementation, how the proposed scheme compares to other universities, and how the proposed change would impact student GPA's.

9.0 New Business

9.1 Changes to the Bookstore Committee Syllabus

The Committee on Committees, after reviewing the University Bookstore Committee syllabus, suggested several changes: 1) remove the faculty member assigned from the University Libraries and replace the slot with a department chair, 2) change the language from UNOPA to office/service and UAAD to managerial/professional, 3) include the Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Services serving in an ex officio capacity, and 4) delete the following wording "that the committee serve as a conduit for suggestions from faculty, staff and students for the improvement of the libraries." Professor Humes, Political Science, wanted clarification as to why a slot for a department chair is being proposed. Professor Diffendal, Conservation and Survey, stated that there should be clarification as to whether the ex officio member is a voting or non-voting member. It was raised that members from the city campus should be distinguished as such in the syllabus. Scheideler stated that the questions posed will be reported to the Committee on Committees.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:39 pm. The next meeting of the Academic Senate will be held on Tuesday, February 6^th at 2:30 pm, East Campus Student Union, Great Plains Room.