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UNL ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING MINUTES

City Campus Union, Centennial Room

March 3, 1998

Presidents James Ford, Patricia Kennedy, and Peter Bleed Presiding

1.0 Call to Order

President Ford called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m.

2.0 Announcements

2.1 Shared Governance

Ford reported that the Academic Senate and the Office of Academic Affairs were co-sponsoring meetings on shared governance with representatives from faculty and administration. He announced that the first meeting was scheduled for March 5^th and that there will be other groups and open forums to discuss the issue. Ford announced that both he and President-Elect Kennedy will be attending a meeting on shared governance at the American Association of Higher Education Conference in Atlanta, GA. He stated that a recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education reported on the growing concern nationwide of the lack of shared governance between faculty and administration. Ford urged faculty to become more involved in faculty governance and stated that becoming a member of the Executive Committee, making recommendations and bringing motions to the Senate were all means of more active participation in shared governance. He stated that momentous changes to higher education are taking place both here and nationwide and that faculty have the ability to effect these changes.

2.2 100% of 6% x 2 Campaign

Ford reported that the Senate has been effective in gaining support to increase faculty salaries as evident in President Smith's recent decision to support of a 6% increase in faculty salaries for two years. Ford stated that there is concern that the Legislature will only fund 3% of the increase but that university lobbyists will be working with the state legislators to gain support for the full funding. Ford invited faculty members to exercise their right as voters to contact their legislators.

2.3 Senate Elections

Ford announced that Peter Bleed is chair of the nominating committee and is accepting nominations for the positions of President Elect, Secretary, and members of the Executive Committee.

3.0 Chancellor Moeser

3.1 Executive Committee

Chancellor Moeser expressed his appreciation for faculty input and stated that the Executive Committee were dedicated to working for the faculty and that they maintained an open and honest relationship.

3.2 Board of Regents Actions

Chancellor Moeser stated that the recent approval of the post tenure review document, based almost entirely on the document written by the faculty of UNL, is an excellent example of shared governance. He reported that Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards is currently working with college deans to insure a rigorous, open atmosphere with faculty on annual evaluations. Chancellor Moeser reported that academic rigor was discussed at the Academic Affairs Meeting of the Board of Regents and that there was agreement that the academic climate could be improved. He stated that some faculty may have reduced the requirements for their courses due to student pressures but students are asking to be challenged. Chancellor Moeser stated that students need to recognize that being a student is a full-time occupation and that expectations need to be raised. Scheideler, Animal Science, stated that some faculty feel that the discussion on the lack of academic rigor is a reflection on their teaching. Chancellor Moeser stated that he wants to support faculty and underscore their roles and that academic rigor was not a reflection on their teaching but on the expectations and support of students. He stated that he felt peer evaluation of faculty is important to protect those professors who have a demanding course and who typically receive poor teaching evaluations as a result of the required work.

3.2 Legislative Report

Chancellor Moeser reported that the Richards Hall renovation was approved and that the Art department will move to the Reunion while the renovation takes place. He stated that a key issue was the deferred maintenance bond issue which has received unanimous approval from the Appropriations Committee. Chancellor Moeser reported that the university is closely watching a technology bill which would create a commission to coordinate technology in the state of Nebraska. He stated that he would be appointed to the panel.

3.3 Search for Assistant to Chancellor of Community Relations

Chancellor Moeser stated that the search for an Assistant to the Chancellor for Community Relations is beginning and that he hoped to have the position filled by July 1.

3.4 Issues on the Horizon

3.4a Faculty Recruiting

Harbison, Chemistry, reported on the recent resignation of a member from a search committee due to the requirements being enforced by the Dean to insure that a diverse pool be selected. He stated that he had contacted the Center for Individual Rights in Washington, DC who informed him that what the university is doing is illegal. Harbison asked why no written policies existed in regards to targeted hires and asked if the university will reimburse a faculty member for legal fees if members of a search committee are sued. Chancellor Moeser stated that there are no directives for a quota of hires of minorities and that no illegal procedures are being conducted. He stated that any faculty member performing a responsibility for the university is protected by the legal counsel of the university. Roysircar Sodowsky, Educational Psychology, stated that the faculty of the search committee referred to determined the best candidates for the position and that no searches have been closed. She stated that the department has had many discussions on the search and that no one has resigned because they felt that the search is harming the department in any way. Zorn, Finance, stated that there will always be some controversy but that the majority of the faculty supported diversity. He reported that in talking with a broad representation of the public that there is a negative perception of the faculty which may result in possible budget decisions.

3.4b Antelope Creek Project

Jensen, Psychology, requested information concerning the actions taken by the university in the planning changes of the Antelope Creek project. He stated that the plan included the closing of campus to traffic and making 16^th and 17^th street two-way traffic. He stated that the plan would exacerbate the traffic problem in downtown Lincoln. He asked who was involved in the decision process and whether or not any traffic experts were included in the project. Chancellor Moeser stated that the university, along with the City of Lincoln and the Lower Platte Resource District were involved in the project but that the university did not enter into the project until the 4^th phase. He stated that 50 acres of the campus are in the 100 year flood plain and that flood control is a critical issue. He stated that Kim Todd, former Assistant to the Chancellor for Community Affairs and Campus Planning, and John Benson, Director of Institutional Research and Planning, were involved in the project. Jensen stated that there were no major traffic fatalities and that a one-way street was easier to cross. Rager, ASUN, stated that many students are hit by traffic and they are petitioning the city to limit traffic through campus. Hallbeck, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, stated that the plan will cut off the easiest connection between city and east campus and that a one-way street is easier to cross than a two-way street. Bleed, Anthropology, stated that he has been involved in the project and was impressed with how the university has worked in implementing a good solution. Chancellor Moeser stated that the university is also concerned in working with the Malone community on the project and wanted to help preserve the quality of the neighborhood. Jensen stated that the Antelope Creek project had given the farm away to the University and that while the plan satisfies some, it will greatly reduce the east-west traffic capacity of what currently exists in the city.

4.0 Approval of 2/3/987 Minutes (Secretary Albrecht)

Diffendal, Conservation and Survey Division, moved and Haller, English seconded approval of the minutes as amended.

5.0 Committee Reports

5.1 Parking Advisory Committee

Professor Swoboda, Chair of the Parking Advisory Committee, reported that the committee is working on three items: 1) the campus safety walk; 2) the parking structure; 3) and future parking needs. She stated that the safety walk is scheduled for April 4^th at 4:00 AM and that anyone who knew of particular areas of concern should forward the information to the committee. Swoboda reported that the parking structure on 10^th street was now open and that the committee was reviewing the parking needs in the future and how the Antelope Creek project will effect parking on campus. A written report was distributed prior to the meeting.

5.2 Campus Police Committee

Professor Carlson, Chair of the Campus Police Committee, stated that the committee conducted a survey and received positive responses but stated an area of needed improvement was in visibility and profile of the police. Carlson stated that the committee was inactive last year but they are trying to be proactive this year and respond to the Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance as an advisory committee. A written report was distributed prior to the meeting.

5.3 Research Council

Professor Harbison, member of the Research Council, asked for questions regarding the report sent to senators prior to the meeting.

5.4 Employee Benefits Committee

Professor Adams, Chair of the Employee Benefits Committee, reported that the committee has been reviewing for many years the question of tuition remission for dependents as charged by the Senate. She stated that many other institutions currently receive this benefit. Adams clarified that the benefit would apply to either a spouse and/or dependents of 24 years of age or younger. Ford stated that President Smith was in favor of the benefit and is interested in recommending it to the Board of Regents. Ferguson, English, asked if domestic partners were being considered for benefits as dependents of employees. Adams stated that the question has been raised but that it has not been discussed further. Woodward, Mathematics & Statistics, asked if the benefit would apply to graduate credit as well. Adams indicated that it would be. Ford declared an emergency motion to support the transferral of benefits of 15 credit hours to dependent/spouses for tuition remission. The Senate voted unanimously. Bleed asked how the university faculty were faring in regards to the legislative changes on retirement benefits for public school teachers. Adams stated that this is a priority issue for the committee to review.

6.0 Committee on Committee on Committees Slate and Ballot

Professor Chouinard, Chair of the Committee on Committees, stated that the ballot was presented at the last Senate meeting and asked for any changes. He stated that an addendum to the ballot has been made to replace a member of the Academic Rights and Responsibility Panel. He stated that the ballot will be sent out in two versions.

7.0 Committee on Committee Motions

Professor Chouinard, Chair of the Committee on Committees, presented the motion to change the definition of disciplines in the Senate syllabus as provided in the Senate packet. He stated that the request was initiated by the College of Arts and Sciences to switch History to Arts and Humanities from Business and Social Science. Chouinard stated that in order to achieve a balance in the disciplines it was necessary to move several units. He stated that Museums and Broadcasting and Advertising voted to move to Business and Social Sciences. Chouinard stated that ROTC and Athletics were being dropped since they were not represented by faculty and did not serve on any committee. Ford suggested that they be consulted before the Senate votes on the motion. Chouinard presented the motion to have the library representative on the Honorary Degrees Committee appointed as a voting member for a term of one year.

The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m. The next Senate meeting will be April 7, 1998 in the East Campus Union, the Great Plains Room. Respectfully submitted, Julie Albrecht, Secretary.