2.5 Small Group Discussions

President Elect Kennedy reported that the comments from the small group discussions on faculty governance were reported briefly in the Senate minutes and that they would be available on the Senate web page.

2.6 Faculty/Administration Discussions on Shared Governance

President Ford stated that the Senate and Administration will be conducting a series of discussions on faculty governance. He was gathering names of faculty interested in participating and invited anyone who was interested to submit their names to him.

2.7 "Florida Bank"

President Ford reported that the Executive Committee worked on a draft letter to be sent to Chancellor Moeser on behalf of the Academic Senate, concerning the strengths and weaknesses of the "Florida Bank" system. Latta presented the draft letter to the Senate and stated that the University of Florida was involved in a 10 year effort with departments to determine the criteria for determining quality in the bank system. She stated that academic units will have a large role to play in the process of establishing a similar system here at UNL. Latta asked that any responses or suggestions on the draft letter be submitted to her.

3.0 Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards

3.1 Unsolicited Email Messages

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that he was reporting for Chancellor Moeser who was at a meeting of the Appropriations Committee of the State Legislature on deferred maintenance for the University. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards read a statement from Chancellor Moeser condemning the recent unsolicited email message sent to UNL faculty and staff.

3.2 Academic Rigor

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that the Senate and Administration were interested in fostering face-to-face discussions with faculty on what are the appropriate levels of academic rigor. He stated that data on grades provided by Vice Chancellor Griesen indicated that grade point averages increased slightly, from 2.96 in 1978 to 3.02 in 1997. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that there was a difference in GPA's across campus and stated that the kinds of courses and the levels of expectations may play a role in the distribution of grades on campus.

3.3 Post Tenure Review Document

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards reported that a UN-wide post tenure review document, very similar to the one approved by UNL, will be presented at the February Board of Regent's Meeting and that a motion for approval will be made at that time.

3.4 University Budgeting

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that administration was exploring different possibilities for budgeting such as the Florida Bank system. He reported that at the December Board of Regent's Retreat, discussion was on trends in restructuring of higher education. He stated that questions raised at the retreat focused on how the University best be structured to operate effectively and efficiently. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that he agreed with the Senate's draft letter on the Florida Bank and stated that this matter needed to be discussed further.

3.5 Faculty Forums

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that he was looking forward to open disucssions with faculty at the upcoming faculty forums and encouraged faculty to review the discussion papers which could be found on the Academic Affairs web site. He stated that he was also looking forward to participating in the discussions on shared faculty governance and hoped that the discussions would move beyond some of the misunderstandings which currently existed. Harbison, Chemistry, asked how faculty were to govern interdisciplinary courses when departments were being forced by a Dean to accept these courses even when the departments had voted against it. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that there needs to be willing participation with the departments and that he was unaware of the particular case sited by Habison but stated that he would look into this particular situation. Lingren, Family and Consumer Sciences, stated that there was concern that colleges will have to make up 3% of the requested 6% faculty salary increases being proposed for 1999 biennium. Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards stated that the request made to the Board of Regents was for full funding from the Legislature and that they intended to keep the faculty salary raises as a priority issue.

4.0 Approval of 1/13/987 Minutes (Secretary Albrecht)

Lingren, Family and Consumer Sciences, moved and Winter, Classics, seconded approval of the minutes as amended.

4.1 Redistricting

Secretary Albrecht presented the report on the apportionment of Senate seats and stated that any questions could be addressed to either herself or the Senate office.

5.0 Committee Reports

5.1 Honorary Degrees Committee

Professor Gorman, Chair of the Honorary Degrees Committee, reported that the Pound Howard Award would be voted upon at today's meeting. A written report is included in the Senator's packet.

5.2 Intercollegiate Athletic Committee

Professor Gilbertson, Chair of the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee, reported that the committee was asked by the Student Athletic Advisory Board to conduct a survey on the academic climate for athletes. Gilbertson stated that the perceptions of the student athletes is that they are being treated unfairly in regards to the missed class policy endorsed by the Senate in 1985. Ford reported that the Executive committee is discussing the matter with the Senior Vice Chancellor. A written report is included in the Senator's packet.

5.3 Curriculum Committee

Professor Pfeiffer, Chair of the Curriculum Committee stated that a correction needed to be made on the first page of the report concerning the dates of the report. A written report is included in the Senator's packet. He stated that the dates should read August 1996 - January 1998.

5.4 Convocations Committee

Professor Bryant, Chair of the Convocations Committee, reported that approximately $3500 has been awarded for guest speakers. He stated that funds are available and he invited people to submit requests to the Convocations Committee. Bryant reported that the committee was requesting a change be made in the charges of the committee and stated that a request for these changes will be made to the Committee on Committees. A written report is included in the Senator's packet.

5.5 Committee on Committees

Professor Chouinard, Chair of the Committee on Committees, presented the report to the Senate and asked for any questions.

6.0 Committee on Committees Draft Slate and Ballot

Professor Chouinard presented the draft ballot to the Senate and stated that Senators could submit additional names for the ballot. He stated that any suggestions should be reported to him. Chouinard stated that the committee tried to run two people who were in the same college and the same sex to achieve a balance on the various committees. He stated that the final ballot will be presented to the Senate at the March meeting.

7.0 Election of Executive Committee Member

Nominees John Bender and Miles Bryant gave a brief presentation. John Bender was elected to the Executive Committee.

8.0 Pound Howard Ballot Nominations/Elections

Professor Gorman, Chair of Honorary Degrees Committee, stated that the Pound Howard Distinguished Career Award is an award to honor faculty who have made an exceptional contribution to the University.

9.0 New Business

9.1 Tuition Remission Benefits for Dependents

President Ford reported that he raised the issue of tuition remission benefits for dependents of faculty with President Smith. Ford stated that eight of our peer institutions currently offer this benefit to their employees. Professor Goedert, Construction Systems Technology, stated that we should review our peer institutions' benefits in this area and if they have a better policy that we should ask to improve the current 15 credit hour tuition remission. Goedert moved that a committee be formed to find the best possible proposal. Hallbeck, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, seconded the motion. Professor Sartori, Physics and Astronomy, stated that the Employee Benefits committee already existed and that this was an issue that they should explore. Professor McGarvey, Economics, stated that the Employees Benefit Committee has been working on this issue and that it is currently being investigated at other universities. Goedert accepted a friendly amendment to his motion to charge the Employee Benefits Committee to review this issue. Kulik, Computer and Electronics Engineering, suggested that the Employee Benefits Committee report to the Senate at the March meeting. Hallbeck, seconded the amendment to the motion. Ford stepped down as President and was replaced by President Elect Kennedy. Ford stated that he has been talking to President Smith for the last four years regarding this benefit and it has only been now that President Smith has agreed to this benefit. Ford stated that he believed we would not be able to get any further additions to this benefit. Jensen, Psychology, stated that he believed strongly that this benefit was needed but he stated that Ford's sense of what is feasible should be considered and acted upon. Bleed stated that the Regent's policy is to put the University at the midpoint of the peer group but that we are currently lagging far behind in benefits as compared to our peer institutions. He stated that we should continue to apply pressure for increased benefits. Haller, English, stated that the Employee Benefits Committee may find arguments to support a better tuition remission benefit in that it may have positive effects in recruiting and retention of faculty. Kennedy stated that a proposal (as a motion) should come from the Employee Benefits Committee for the March meeting. Motion approved.

The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. The next Senate meeting will be March 3, 1998 in the Centennial Room, City Campus Union. Respectfully submitted, Julie Albrecht, Secretary.