EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Present: Beck, Buck, fuller, Logan-Peters, Peterson, Shea, Whitt, Wolf, Wunder
Absent: Alexander, Fech, Miller, Spann
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Location: Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace
1.0 Call to Order
Wunder called the meeting to order at 2:56 pm.
2.0 Announcements
2.1 Academic Planning Committee Approval of Extending Deadline Date
Wunder reported that the APC agreed to extend the deadline date for the departments of Health and Human Performance and Information Systems Technology to respond to the budget cut proposals. He noted that the departments have been granted a one month extension.
2.2 Request to Extend the Early Retirement Incentive
Wunder reported that he received a letter from Chancellor Perlman thanking the Executive Committee for their motion to request that there be an extension of the early retirement incentive for professors whose programs are slated to be terminated. The Chancellor stated in the memo that an informal means has been identified to deal with the situation that would not require formal action by the Board of Regents.
2.3 Meeting with the Chancellor
Wunder reported that he met with the Chancellor and discussed a number of faculty concerns, specifically those involving Health and Human Performance and Information Systems Technology. Wunder noted that there are particular problems with the students from these programs not being on campus to respond to these cuts. Also, faculty members in IST are concerned about students graduating from an unaccredited program. Wunder noted that the Chancellor thought that the problems associated with the accreditation had been resolved but stated he would check into it.
Wunder stated that the Chancellor is working on an initiative with Metropolitan Technical Community College to see if they would pick up the Information Systems Technology program. Wunder reported that he suggested to the Chancellor that the program be offered to Metro with the agreement that the first two years would be paid by the University and thereafter the program would be supported by Metro.
Wunder stated that he discussed problems relating to HHP making their presentation to the APC. The Chancellor agreed to look into the situation so that faculty and students have a significant role.
Fuller stated that she is concerned that faculty members of IST and HHP are not being given enough information on what they should do in order to make their case to the APC. Wunder stated that he is willing to send a letter to the faculty of the departments to let them know about the extension and what they need to do. He pointed out that the Executive Committee provided the faculty members with this information when they met on July 2nd as well as APC.
Wunder reported that he spoke with the Chancellor about the US Supreme Courts decision on gay and lesbian rights and particularly on partner benefits and how it could impact the University. He stated that they also discussed child care on campus. He noted that the Chancellor pointed out that there has been a move to provide child care for some time but various problems have arisen that would not facilitate it. Wunder stated that he would like to see a joint initiative among the Senate, staff, and administration on child care. Beck noted that it would be the first time that a child care initiative was made by the Senate.
Wunder stated that he asked the Chancellor whether there could possibly be a reorganization of upper administration with SVCAA Edwards stepping down that could possibly improve savings and efficiency. He stated that the Chancellor did not think changes were likely.
Wunder reported that he discussed with the Chancellor the State of the University address. He noted that the Chancellor is open to any ideas concerning what topics people would want to hear addressed. Wunder noted that he suggested such items as the ES/IS committee, the Time Wasted committee, and anything that would address faculty governance participation.
Wunder stated that he also pointed out to the Chancellor that Modern Languages has lost seven language programs in the past fifteen years and that the elimination of any more could affect the universitys AAU standing. He urged for a new initiative in this area.
3.0 Approval of 7/2/03 Minutes
Peterson moved and Wolf seconded approval of the minutes as amended. Motion approved.
4.0 Unfinished Business
4.1 Tenure Home
The committee discussed where tenure resides within the university and what happens to tenure when colleges or departments merge. Whitt pointed out that the Board of Regents must give final approval on tenure and that it should consequently reside at the university level. Wunder stated that Richard Wood, General Counsel, issued a memo stating that tenure resides at the department level. Wunder noted that the AAUP considers tenure as residing at the University or campus level. He stated that there needs to be discussion on the transferring of faculty members to other departments. He pointed out that there should be a complete inventory of the faculty and where their tenure resides. He stated that common procedures are needed across the university on transferring faculty members to other departments.
Fuller noted that academic programs, not necessarily departments, are being eliminated. Therefore, where tenure resides will not make that much of a difference if a faculty members program is eliminated. Wolf pointed out that the definition of a program that is being used is amorphous and that a more specific definition is needed.
5.0 New Business
5.1 Nominations for Search Committee for Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
The Committee worked on creating a list of possible faculty members to serve on the search committee for the position of SVCAA.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be on Wednesday, July 30 at 2:30 pm. The meeting will be held in 201 Canfield Administration Building. The minutes are respectfully submitted by Karen Griffin, Coordinator and Shelley Fuller, Secretary.
