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

UNL ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING MINUTES

City Campus Union, Auditorium

March 2, 1999

Presidents Gail Latta, and James Ford Presiding

1.0 Call to Order

President Latta called the meeting to order at 2:34 p.m.

2.0 Governor Johanns

Governor Johanns stated how much he appreciated the opportunity to speak to the Senate and that he hoped this was the start of a continuing dialog. Governor Johanns discussed his state budget which he noted as being a conservative budget. He stated that he met with President Dennis Smith to discuss the university budget and after President Smith's urging, the Governor made increases. Governor Johanns noted that the original budget that was released increased spending by approximately 2.2% although he stated that some things have been added. He stated that the first year of the biennium and the second year of the biennium, spending is increased by about 3.4%. He noted that the budget released by the Appropriations Committee is very similar to his. Governor Johanns pointed out that other areas where emphasis was put on spending is salaries for state troopers. He noted that they have been at an impasse for the last couple of years but that this has now been resolved. Governor Johanns stated that money has been invested in water issues, particularly for three cases: the Republican River Valley dispute, the cooperative Platte River agreement, and the Nebraska versus Wyoming case. Another area of funding is in road maintenance, construction and repair. Governor Johanns stated that $289 million in the first year of the biennium and $294 million in the second year of the biennium will go towards roads. Governor Johanns discussed his property tax relief plan. This plan would create a trust fund which would receive excess monies generated through either a good economy or through spending discipline. The trust fund would then disperse that money to taxpayers in an amount of about 11% of the tax a property owner paid in 1999. Governor Johanns noted that his goal is to keep the rebate going year after year, however, he indicated that the amount may differ depending on the state of the economy. In closing, Governor Johanns stated that people throughout the state have a tremendous sense of pride in their higher education system and he appreciates the good work of the faculty. Haller, English, asked the Governor to address UNL's unique mission in the university system. Governor Johanns stated that he sees the university system as having separate campuses which compliment each other. He stated that he wants to strengthen the university as a whole. Ragsdale, Biochemistry, asked how the rebate is going to impact K-12 education as well as funding for the university. Governor Johanns replied that he has not proposed any reductions to fund the rebate program. He pointed out that they are suggesting that the levy tax not be reduced. He stated that he believes they are proposing a better way of financing K-12 education. Mientka, Mathematics & Statistics, asked what faculty and staff can do to help the Governor succeed in his request. Governor Johanns thanked him for his support and stated that he sees a lot of support in the unicameral. Chancellor Moeser thanked Governor Johanns for speaking and pointed out that improving faculty salaries at UNL is crucial. He noted that the same loss of personnel that has occurred with the state police is happening at UNL because of the salary situation. Chancellor Moeser stated that he was heartened to hear the Governor reference the recommendation of the Appropriations Committee and he noted that the institution is prepared to make some tough decisions to manage the university. Governor Johanns stated that he appreciated Chancellor Moeser's comments but wanted to point out that he has not yet announced any individual decisions. (For a complete transcript of the Governor's speech see website http://www.unl.edu/asenate/johanns99.htm)

3.0 Recognition of Outgoing President Patricia Kennedy

Latta recognized Pat Kennedy's service as President to the Academic Senate from April 28, 1998-January 13, 1999. She stated that Kennedy's service began as President Elect while serving as the Chair of the Faculty Compensation Advisory Committee. Latta noted that it was under Kennedy's leadership that a strong proposal on faculty salary and benefits was brought forward and that it continues to influence faculty and administrative strategies today. Latta pointed out that President Kennedy sought to strengthen connections between the Executive Committee and the various University offices and organizations devoted to improving the climate for women and minorities among faculty, staff and students at UNL. Latta noted that Kennedy's involvement with the NN21 strategy team allowed her to open the doors of interface between formal and informal government structures at UNL. Latta thanked Kennedy for her generous service to the faculty and congratulations on her new position. Kennedy thanked the Academic Senate for being able to work with everyone and for all the support she received while she was President Elect and President.

4.0 Announcements

4.1 Revised Bylaw 4.3

Latta reported that she and Sally Wise met with Counsel Dick Wood and Provost Lee Jones regarding the revision to Bylaw 4.3. She noted that there was strong reaffirmation of the importance of retaining mutual agreement as the standard for negotiating changes in the apportionment of faculty appointments. She stated that there was clarification for the impetus for the proposal and noted that it resulted from several cases at UNL and UNMC. She noted that it became clear that no consultation to the UNL Faculty Handbook was made when the proposal was originally drafted in July. Latta reported that it was agreed that the inclusion of the language of the handbook was a good beginning for negotiations. She stated that it was also agreed that language needs to be included that stresses that all parties concerned will negotiate in good faith towards mutual agreement. The concept of an appeal mechanism at the college level was supported with the idea that the appeals would be done in an expedient manner and that no changes would be made in the faculty member's apportionment of responsibilities until such an appeal has gone forward. Winter, Classics, asked if the Senate sought outside legal counsel? Latta stated that we did not. She stated that the Executive Committee will discuss the proposed language with Chancellor Moeser, Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards and Vice Chancellor Omtvedt at their next meeting.

4.2 UNL Aspirations

Latta reported that there appears to be a great deal of focus about what aspirations we should have for our institution. She urged the Senate to take any opportunity to contribute to this conversation. She noted this is a topic of discussion among the Future Nebraska Task Force. Latta suggested that the Senators can send comments to the Executive Committee.

4.3 Senate Rules & Bylaws Committee

Latta announced that the Senate Rules & Bylaws Committee has been constituted and charged to address the issue of Past President for 1999-2000. She reported members of the committee are Robert Diffendal, Conservation and Survey, Laurie Hodges, Horticulture, Shelly Fuller, Art & Art History and Jennifer Brand, Senate Parlimentarian, Chemical Engineering. She noted that they are to report their recommendations to the Senate at the April 27^th meeting.

4.4 Mayoral Candidate Forum

Latta reported that the Executive Committee met with Sarah Russell, President of ASUN and Darius Jackson, member of Delta Sigma Pi, about planning a mayoral candidate forum. She noted that Darius Jackson has agreed to take leadership for the planning of this forum. She stated that it will occur sometime in April.

4.5 Conducting Academic Senate Business

Latta reported that she has confirmed with Brand, Parlimentarian, that the Senate can still receive committee reports and discuss the business before it so long as at least one quarter of the voting members are present.

5.0 Chancellor Moeser

Chancellor Moeser stated that he did not have a report to the Senate but was happy to take any questions. Haller, English, asked if the Chancellor could say anything about working with Central Administration in dealing with the Legislature on the budget. Chancellor Moeser replied that they are working in conference with Central Administration on the budget. He stated that he will be attending a hearing with the University and the Appropriations Committee on March 9^th. Ragsdale, Biochemistry, asked when budget allocations to the various units will be announced? Chancellor Moeser stated that he will be meeting with President Smith tomorrow and that he may find out then what the negative allocation may be but until they have some confirmation from the Appropriations Committee, they will have only approximate figures. Dillon, Electrical Engineering, stated that after the Senior Lecturer positions were created they have now been removed from the faculty salary calculations, thereby bringing us closer to our peers. He asked what the rationale was for removing them from the figures? Chancellor Moeser stated that removing these positions clarified those people who are holding academic ranks and made for more accurate comparisons according to rank. Dillon asked if our peer institutions are including the part time faculty in their figures? Chancellor Moeser responded that to the best of their knowledge, they are not. Jensen, Psychology, stated that he is concerned that he sees a two-prong attack on professorial prerogatives and responsibilities. He noted that it seems to him that to take the Senior Lecturer and give them special status that does not involve tenure, and at the same time to ensure that they can do graduate training responsibilities, undermines the importance of tenure and the tenure track system. He believes that it is unwise to have as a major part of our institutional staff, individuals who are not long term members of the community and that this is especially true for graduate training. Chancellor Moeser stated that there has been no change in actual personnel, only that their title has been changed but we have given them benefits and the opportunity for multi-year contracts rather than year by year contracts. He pointed out that there are people who have been here for 20 years without benefits or any degree of security. He noted that we would not want to deny people graduate faculty status who have previously served on graduate committees. Jensen asked how many people have been changed to these appointments? Chancellor Moeser stated that he does not have that information. Roysircar Sodowsky, Educational Psychology, pointed out that elevating Senior Lecturers to graduate faculty status is voted upon by the faculty of the department. She noted that departments need to develop criteria for determining graduate faculty status for Senior Lecturers. Van Roojen, Philosophy, stated that graduate faculty status appears to be an arbitrary process. He pointed out that nobody seems to know what the criteria are and that the criteria used by higher administration should be made public. Chancellor Moeser stated that if we were a stand alone research university campus there could be an argument for eliminating the graduate faculty status. However, he pointed out that the Graduate College is a system-wide entity and the faculty on the other two undergraduate campuses do not necessarily have the same academic qualifications as the faculty on UNL. He stated that by virtue of being part of the system, it is necessary that we have this entity, otherwise he agrees with van Roojen.

6.0 Approval of 1/12/99 and 2/2 99 Minutes (Secretary Bryant)

Haller, English, moved and Nielsen, Animal Science, seconded approval of the minutes.

7.0 Special Election - President Elect

Latta announced that Sheila Scheideler won as President Elect for the February - April 1999 term. Latta encouraged the other nominees, as well as others, to consider running on the ballot at the end of April.

8.0 Committee on Committees Ballot - Vote (Professor Kirk)

Latta declared the vote on the ballot to be an intrinsic motion. Motion to approve the ballot approved.

9.0 Committee Reports

9.1 Committee on Committees (Professor Kirk)

Kirk pointed out that members received a copy of the report in the February packet. He stated that the current members of the committee have been the most focused group and that they work very hard. He noted that requests to change a committee syllabus must now be made in writing indicating the specific changes. Kirk pointed out that it is important to get the word out to other faculty that serving on committees is important to the University. He noted that we are getting less volunteers to serve on committees and it poses a problem in that it is difficult to maintain a gender balance on committees. Jensen suggested that the people on the ballot who are not elected to the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Panel may be a source of potential volunteers. Kirk stated that this is a good suggestion, however, many of these people are already serving on 2 or 3 other committees.

9.2 Honorary Degrees Committee (Professor Howe)

Howe noted that a copy of the report was provided last month and he would be happy to answer any questions. He wanted to thank everyone for participating in the mail ballot to select the winner of the Pound Howard Award for this year.

9.3 Convocations Committee (Professor Bryant)

Bryant noted that a copy of the report was provided last month and asked if there are any questions. He reminded the Senate that the Convocations Committee does have funds to distribute to faculty and departments who want to bring speakers to campus. He stated that the application forms can be obtained through the Senate office.

9.4 Parking Advisory Committee (Mr. Zaborowski)

Zaborowski wanted to include the additional information in his report that the Campus Safety Walk has been set for April 10^th at 4:00 AM at the Parking Office, Parking Garage, City Campus. He stated that anyone is welcomed to attend. Weiss, School of Natural Resource Sciences, stated that faculty not having a hang tag for the day must go to the City Campus Parking Office, where it is difficult to find parking, to obtain a temporary for the day. He asked if some arrangements can be made to have someone on East Campus for a period of time to accommodate the employees and students there. Zaborowski pointed out that the parking garage has temporary spaces that can be used for people needing to obtain a temporary permit. He stated that the parking office will validate the parking garage stub so the person does not have to pay when picking up a temporary permit. He stated that this was about as convenient as they can make it at this point. Weiss pointed out that it is only convenient if people know about it and that it is important for people to be aware of this. He stated that it is part of the responsibility of parking services to inform people of this. Zaborowski stated that it will be made available through the new parking regulations and guidelines that will be coming out soon. Kirk asked if they can do anything to keep the motor pool vehicles in their area rather than in the faculty/staff parking lot north of Nebraska Hall. Zaborowski stated that he did not believe those vehicles belonged to the motor pool and that they may be assigned to other departments such as printing services. He noted that all vehicles in the motor pool are housed within the area assigned to them. Bryant pointed out that there is a great deal of unhappiness with parking issues and he encouraged that the parking office provide better communication with the faculty, staff and students.

9.5 University Police (Mr. Morgan)

Morgan pointed out that a copy of the report was included in this month's packet. He wanted to reiterate that there is a distinction between parking services and the campus police. He asked for any questions.

10.0 Unfinished Business

No unfinished business.

11.0 New Business

11.1 Graduate Faculty Status of Senior Lecturers

Latta stated that the Executive Committee is putting forth the motion that "the Academic Senate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln supports the proposal to make non-tenured faculty classified as Senior Lecturers eligible for membership in the graduate faculty and encourages all graduate faculty members at UNL to vote yes on this issue." She noted that an unintended consequence of reclassifying these particular faculty members as Senior Lecturers is that central administration does not automatically recognize them as being eligible for graduate faculty membership. She noted that faculty on campus should have received a ballot on this issue. Ford pointed out that the qualifications of these people are the same and the only difference is in their title. He noted that the title Senior Lecturer at many campuses, such as Harvard, are seen as a revered title. Ford stated that it was a wise decision to change the titles so that these people can have benefits but noted that the unintended consequence needs to be handled. Motion approved.

11.2 Support of Mutual Consent Language in Proposed Bylaw Changes

Hodges, Horticulture, stated that while she appreciates the work that is being done on the Bylaws issue, the department of Horticulture is quite concerned about it. She stated that they would like have the Senate go on record endorsing the inclusion of the mutual consent language. She made the motion that "the Academic Senate strongly endorses continued commitment to the standards of mutual agreement in negotiations of changes in the apportionment of faculty appointments and retention of this language in the Regents Bylaws. Negotiation of academic responsibilities through mutual agreement between the administration and the faculty member assures that the benefits of respect and collegial negotiation will devolve to the students and the state populations we serve. This commitment to mutual agreement is reaffirmed so that faculty can fully participate in the continuous renewal of the University's programs of instruction, research and public service thereby, ensuring that the University's programs of instruction, research, and service reflect the most current research and practice in our fields of expertise." Shirer seconded the motion. Latta declared the motion as an emergency issue. No objections were made. Jaswal, Physics and Astronomy, asked if the revised Bylaw will apply only to new hires or whether it applies to existing faculty? Latta stated that there has been no discussion of the possibility of a grandfather clause. She noted that whatever is voted on will change the Bylaws across the board unless something is negotiated regarding a grandfather clause. Roysircar Sodowsky asked if the motion can be put on the internet? (See website http://www.unl.edu/asenate/motion99.htm) Latta stated that it can be put on the internet. Lee, Journalism, suggested the friendly amendment of changing research to research/creative activity. Hodges accepted this as a friendly amendment. Motion approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:11 p.m. The next Senate meeting will be April 6, 1999 in the City Campus Union, Auditorium. Respectfully submitted, Miles Bryant, Secretary.