Email: senate@unlnotesorg.unl.edu
Website: http://www.unl.edu/asenate/welcome.htm
UNL ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING MINUTES
East Campus Union, Great Plains Room
November 6, 2001
Presidents Miles Bryant and Tice Miller Presiding
1.0 Call to Order
President Bryant called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.
2.0 Announcements
2.1 Update on Academic Rights & Responsibilities Procedures
President Bryant reported that the Executive Committee and the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee have decided that more time is needed to revise the Academic Rights and Responsibilities procedures. He stated that the biggest change will be in creating a set of guidelines for the special panels, thereby eliminating redundancy in the individual procedures. He noted that this will take some time, but it might be possible to present the changes to the Senate in the spring.
2.2 Update on Activities to Represent the University to External Constituents
President Bryant reported that members of the Executive Committee have met with some state legislators to discuss the good things that are occurring on campus. He pointed out that the other campuses are also contacting state legislators. He noted that it is a strange time when you compliment administration on their efforts to reduce budget cuts, but he felt that the faculty owe administrators recognition and appreciation for their recent effort in reducing the amount of the budget cuts.
2.3 Blue Ribbon Panel on Health Care
President Bryant reported that President Smith has appointed Robert Works from the Law College, George Rejda from the College of Business Administration, and Sheran Cramer from the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences, to the blue ribbon panel to study the university's health care policy.
President Bryant stated that David Lechner, Vice President for Business and Finance, will be speaking at the December 4th Senate meeting on the changes to the health insurance policy. He noted that faculty should have their NUFLEX packets by then.
2.4 Academic Planning Committee Temporary Replacement
President Bryant announced that Kathy Prochaska Cue, Family & Consumer Sciences, would serve as interim on the Academic Planning Committee until an election is held to fill the seat vacated by Vanessa Gorman. He stated that Prochaska Cue would also be replacing Professor May during the spring semester since May will be on leave.
2.5 Retirement Cap
President Bryant reported that a bill has been drafted to remove the 8% cap on retirement contributions. He stated that the bill has support of some state Senators and that it would be introduced in the 2003 legislative session.
3.0 Chancellor Perlman
3.1 Issues on the Horizon
Chancellor Perlman wanted to emphasize that at the current time the University is still unsure as to how much of a budget cut they will receive. He pointed out that the Appropriations Committee has proposed a lower cut than the Governor. He stated that the objective of the University continues to be for the university to move forward and do the best that it can in spite of the budget cuts.
Chancellor Perlman stated that there are a number of procedures that are in place that the administration is bound by and that will be followed in making budget reductions. He stated that he has already begun work with the Vice Chancellors on the budget reduction process. He stated that budget cuts would be made in a two step process. He pointed out that the first step is in essence an across the board cut. He stated that Deans and Directors have been asked to submit scenarios of a 3% budget cut for 2 years. He noted that he is committed to being as open and candid as possible during the budget cutting process. He stated that the highest priority is to insure that students will be allowed to graduate in a timely fashion. He stated that programs that generate revenue will be maintained. He noted that programs that are not funded by state lines are still being asked to take budget cuts because some of these savings could possibly be used to help support programs. He stated that reductions made at the cost of other units would not be allowed. He stated that they are reviewing possible deferrals on the renovation of buildings. He pointed out that the first cuts would be made in areas which can easily be reinstated. He noted that layoffs and furloughs are possible and that they would be done in accordance to University policies. He pointed out that foundation funds can only be used as they have been designated.
Chancellor Perlman stated that step one of the process has basically been instituted. He noted that step two is a process on the base permanent reductions. He pointed out that this phase can not been done instantly and that there will need to be a transition period for these reductions. He stated that step two will begin as soon as the budget cut figures are known. He pointed out that step one and step two would happen simultaneously. He stated that the Procedures to be Invoked for Significant Budget Reallocations and Reductions, approved by the Academic Planning Committee, and Chapter 100 of the Business Policies and Procedures Manual would be followed.
Chancellor Perlman stated that the highest priority would be teaching, with research following as the second highest priority, and service functions being third. He noted that and prior commitments would be subject to reassessment. He pointed out that administrative consolidation would be a high priority.
Chancellor Perlman noted that the Procedures to be Invoked document requires that he discuss the budget problem with many groups including the Deans and Directors, the Academic Planning Committee, the Senate Executive Committee, ASUN, UAAD, and UNOPA. He stated that he is then bound to develop a general budget framework. He noted that this would be developed with the assistance of the Vice Chancellors and would be reviewed by the Academic Planning Committee. He reported that the next step is to review budget proposals developed by Deans, Directors, and Unit Heads and then to adopt a tentative set of budget proposals. He noted that all of the groups previously mentioned would be briefed on the budget proposals. Chancellor Perlman stated that the issues then shift to the Academic Planning Committee who would be involved in hearings on budget cuts. The APC would then forward their recommendations to the Chancellor.
Chancellor Perlman stated that he has full intention of complying with the established process, but he pointed out that this can not be a long, drawn out process and that he hopes to have the budget cuts completed by March 1st. He pointed out that it is imperative that we know the consequences of the cuts. He noted that the March 1st deadline does not mean that budget cuts would occur on that date.
Professor Wunder, History, agreed that the budget process needs to be conducted soon. He stated that untenured faculty are particularly concerned with the budget cuts and the implications it could have on their careers. He stated that these people need some personal attention and suggested that the Chancellor meet with the untenured faculty to discuss the budget cuts. Wunder pointed out that some colleges can not meet the 3% scenarios for budget reduction because of unequal distribution of funds in the past. Chancellor Perlman stated that he is willing to meet with people regarding the budget cuts. He stated that he recognizes that across the board cuts can not be made in all areas and that larger colleges would probably have an easier time due to more open lines which would free up funds. He stated that he would try to address the untenured faculty and that he has plans to send email messages to the university community regarding the cuts. He asked that anyone with suggestions or comments contact him through email.
Chancellor Perlman reminded the Senate that the university needs to continue moving forward. He noted that he does not want to micro manage the budgets of the colleges but pointed out that some critical positions need to be filled. He noted that the prioritization process needs to be fulfilled and that the process should be continued. He stated that some funds could be available to help with these programs.
3.2 Campus Climate
Chancellor Perlman noted in his State of the University address that it is important to get a view of the climate on campus. He stated that he contracted with the Bureau of Sociological Research to develop a survey instrument that could measure people's satisfaction with working at the University. He stated that he has been unsatisfied with the instrument developed and is having discussions with Gallup concerning another instrument. He pointed out that a survey was conducted for the entire university system in 1998-1999, although the sample group was small. He stated that it is possible they may use that instrument after revisions have been made. He noted that he would bring this to the Senate for their review. He pointed out that salary equities is still important although there is concern with how the gender studies have been done. He stated that they are reviewing possible revision of the gender studies.
4.0 Approval of 10/2/01 Minutes
Professor Sawyer, Curriculum and Instruction, moved and Professor Hallbeck, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, seconded approval of the minutes. Motion approved.
5.0 Committee Reports
5.1 Chancellor's Commission on the Status of People of Color (Professor Crawford)
Professor Crawford reported that the commission is looking at two main issues this year: the local climate on campus and the need for people of color at all levels of the institution. He stated that the commission is reviewing their charge and looking objectively at the composition of the commission to determine if they have proper representation. He noted that the Outstanding Contribution Award to People of Color has been moved to January. He reported that the commission's web site is currently being revised and should be up in a month.
5.2 Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women (Professor May)
Professor May reported that activities last year for the commission included working to get inclusion of oral contraceptives in the university health insurance coverage, conducting open forums regarding the campus climate for women, supporting extension of benefits for same-sex domestic partners, and awarding the Gender Equity Award. She noted that the Board of Regents requested that a written report be made available on the climate forums. She stated that a written summarization of the forums has been provided to the Chancellor. She noted that major concerns voiced during these forums included blatant discrimination, devaluation of women, lack of supportive comments, difficulties in reporting problems, concern over how faculty performance is evaluated, and demeaning comments made to students. She stated that further concerns raised were the lack of child care on campus, the need for more effective evaluation of administrators, and that pockets of awareness need to be expanded. May reported that Professor Marilyn Grady, Educational Administration, received the Gender Equity Award. She stated that the commission is working on establishing a web site and will continue to work to support benefits for domestic partners. She noted that the commission has called for the salary equity study to be conducted on a yearly basis for both faculty and staff. She stated that there are some concerns with the model being used for the studies and that they are looking into making revisions on the model. She noted that central administration is conducting a salary study on managerial/professional and support staff positions. She stated that Chancellor Perlman has agreed to share the findings of the study with the commission. She reported that the commission will facilitate two subcommittees, one for faculty and one for B and C line positions, to review the studies. She thanked Chancellor Perlman for his willingness to share the information obtained with these studies. She reported that a gender equity study on endowed chairs and professorships is being conducted.
6.0 Emergency Motion - Approval of Draft of Special Election for the Academic Planning Committee
Professor Nielsen, Animal Science, moved and Professor Prochaska Cue, seconded approval of accepting the motion as an emergency item. Professor Nielsen moved and Professor Peterson, Agricultural Economics, seconded approval of the ballot. Motion approved.
7.0 Unfinished Business
7.1 Motion to Approve Additional Language to the Policy Regarding Scheduling of Summer Session Classes
President Bryant stated that the motion presented by the Executive Committee to approve the language that "a four-day week class schedule during the summer sessions is permissible" was presented at the October 2nd Senate meeting. Motion approved by a majority.
7.2 Motion to Revise the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Faculty: Annual Evaluations, Promotion, and Tenure
President Bryant reviewed the changes presented to the Senate at the October 2nd Senate meeting. He stated that there had been discussion regarding the revisions on withdrawal from early tenure consideration. He stated that there was concern that in some departments early withdrawal could cause prejudice with external peers. He reported that the Executive Committee decided to leave the changes as they were initially made because there was no way to guarantee that decisions could be made without prejudice.
Professor Wunder asked why the changes regarding voting within the department/unit state "may be by secret ballot" rather than must be by secret ballot. He asked what the rationale was for not having a secret ballot on personnel issues. Bryant stated that they did not want to impose rules on departments. Associate to the Chancellor Howe stated that they wanted to be respectful of local department's operating procedures.
Professor Banerjee, Biochemistry, asked if there was a time frame for when a person has the right to ask for reconsideration. Professor McShane, English, stated that in the document its states that each unit must allow for the time needed in order to compile the material needed for reconsideration. He stated that this includes time for any appeal that could be made. He pointed out that units determine the length of time when this process can be done.
The Senate voted by a majority to approve the revisions to the document.
Professor Hallbeck stated that her department would like clarification regarding the section that deals with not fully promoted faculty, either tenured or non-tenured, and the requirement of meeting at least once every three years to discuss the performance of the faculty member being evaluated. She stated that her department would like to know why this is required. Bryant stated that he will take this to the Executive Committee to examine.
8.0 New Business
8.1 Executive Committee Minutes
Professor Martikainen, South Central Research & Extension Center, asked if it is possible to have an electronic message sent to Senators, very shortly after the Executive Committee meets with the Chancellor, regarding discussions concerning the budget. Bryant stated that the Executive Committee would need to discuss this issue.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:58 p.m. The next meeting of the Academic Senate will be on Tuesday, December 4th at 2:30 p.m. at the City Campus Union, in the Auditorium. The minutes are respectfully submitted by Karen Griffin, Coordinator, and James King, Senate Secretary.