EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Present: Bender, Bryant, Fuller, Jackson, Miller, Prochaska Cue, Scheideler, Siekman, Swoboda, Whitt, Zorn
Absent: Humes, Latta
Date: December 6, 2000
Location: 201 Canfield Administration Building
1.0 Call to Order
Scheideler called the meeting to order at 3:03 pm.
2.0 Announcements
2.1 Celebration of Richards Hall
Scheideler reported that on December 10th there would be a celebration of the Richards Hall renovation. She asked if anyone from the Executive Committee was interested in attending the event.
3.0 Acting SVCAA Brinkerhoff/Acting VC McBreen
3.1 Task Force Reports Update Life Sciences and Special Report on Extension
Acting SVCAA Brinkerhoff stated that an action team has been organized in response to the Life Sciences Task Force Report. The team is focusing on issues relating to curriculum and collaborative research. Darrel Nelson, Dean & Director of Agricultural Research Division, and Linda Pratt, Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences, are co-chairs of the team. Another team is looking at issues that relate to joint appointments, particularly in the sciences and engineering areas. Prochaska Cue asked if there was a representative from the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences on this team; she indicated that several teaching faculty of this college had appointments that crossed colleges. Brinkerhoff stated that there are a number of faculty on this particular committee.
Acting VC McBreen stated that some of the suggestions made in the extension task force report are being implemented. Acting SVCAA Brinkerhoff pointed out that the priorities identified in the prioritization process would fit with both of the task force reports.
Scheideler asked if there has been discussion regarding the cultural differences between the campuses as they may relate to implementing recommendations in the task force reports. McBreen stated that there is constant discussion on this subject and that they are working on removing any barriers that may exist. She noted that in working on some of the priority programs some of these barriers may be removed.
Bryant asked how Extension would assist in the recruitment and retention of students. McBreen stated that the Extension centers are putting people in positions that will help in student recruitment. Siekman reported that these people are making prospective students aware of the opportunities at UNL. He pointed out that the Extension centers are also providing the University with the names of these high school students.
3.2 Budget Update
Scheideler asked for an update on the budget. Brinkerhoff reported that, as of now, the budget looks fine and there are no plans for reallocation or reduction. He noted that there is a misperception by some people that the prioritization process is a preview to eventual reallocation. He stated that this is incorrect and that they are looking at the priorities as possible investment opportunities for funding from outside or new sources. McBreen noted that there are two budget concerns, one being whether or not the legislature will fully fund the amount requested and the other being the expected increase in cost for natural gas. Jackson asked if they have any idea of the magnitude of the utility rate increase. McBreen stated that no one knows at this point. Bryant asked for information on how the budget is being presented to the unicameral. Scheideler stated that the only request pulled from the budget is the need based scholarship request that is now being handled by the Coordinating Commission. Scheideler pointed out that President Smith argues that the University has a deficit to our budget because of our low tuition rates. President Smith indicates that our tuition rate is less than neighboring states. McBreen cautioned that when the University raises its tuition rate, the State usually cuts our budget back by the amount of increase; if we raise tuition for the purpose of increasing our budget, the University will need to be sure a State budget decrease does not occur.
3.3 Deans Searches
Acting SVCAA Brinkerhoff reported that they are in the negotiation stage for a new Dean of Fine Arts. The searches for Dean of the Law College and Vice Chancellor Research are on schedule; Dean searches for Dean and Director of Cooperative Extension and Dean of CASNR continue to be on hold until VC Owens arrives on campus in January.
3.4 Domestic Partners Benefits
Scheideler stated that there is still support for Domestic Partner benefits within the campus community. She noted that the issue appears to get stalled at the University-Wide Benefits Committee and the Central Administration levels. Brinkerhoff asked if the other campuses were in support of this benefit. Scheideler stated that not all of the campuses support it although she believes that President Smith supports it. She pointed out that another issue is whether the campus should participate with outside organizations that have openly expressed prejudice towards gays, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual people. Brinkerhoff stated that the Senate could make this an issue of public concern. He suggested that the Senate develop a strategic plan to help eal with this concern. Siekman pointed out that the other proposed benefit, transfer of tuition remission to dependents, also seems to get lost at the system level. McBreen stated that it is the consensus of the Deans that this benefit should be offered in a cafeteria style plan where employees can pick the benefits they wish to receive.
3.5 Prioritization Process Update
Acting SVCAA Brinkerhoff reported at the Academic Senate meeting on December 5, 2000 that the Deans, he and Acting VC McBreen have met twice to discuss the prioritization process. He stated that they have had good discussions but they are not moving as quickly on the process as originally planned. He indicated that there are a number of priorities that are being shared by different colleges. He noted that some recommendations for alterations have been made to the Deans and that they had until December 5th to resubmit their priorities. He stated that they hope to have the initial list of priorities available to the campus community by early January. He noted that the Academic Planning Committee will begin work on the priorities by mid-March.
3.6 Native American Memorial
Scheideler asked for a status update on the Native American Memorial planned for East campus. Brinkerhoff reported that a graphic layout has been completed, that they are working with landscape services on the design, but no date has been set yet for its construction.
3.7 Faculty/Staff Resources
Zorn stated that a concern was raised at the previous Executive Committee meeting regarding an individual who appeared to be in emotional distress. Such a person may even be perceived to be a threat to themselves or others on campus. He noted that no guidelines exist that address what faculty/staff should do when confronted by such a situation. He pointed out that there should be resources available to those concerned in these situations. Scheideler noted that while there is a student code of conduct, there is nothing similar for the faculty and staff. Zorn stressed that most people do not know how to react to situations where someone is emotionally distressed or disturbed. In most instances some sort of non-threatening intervention may make a substantial difference. Brinkerhoff stated that there is an informal referral system to assist staff/faculty and that information is often passed on to the appropriate people so that assistance can be provided. He suggested that the Executive Committee speak with Nancy Myers, Director, Employee Assistance Program.
4.0 Approval of 11/29/00 Minutes
Bryant moved and Prochaska Cue seconded approval of the minutes as amended. Jackson noted that there was a factual error in statements made at the meeting under section 6.1 dealing with the release of student disciplinary records on students. He pointed out that while it was stated in the meeting that the Daily Nebraskan was not requesting the names of students who violated student code of conduct, the Daily Nebraskan in fact reported that they were requesting these names.
5.0 Lab Fees Committee
The committee suggested names of faculty to serve on the lab fees committee. This committee approves new or raises to existing lab fees.
6.0 Review of Dean Swoboda
Acting SVCAA Brinkerhoff stated that the review of Dean Swoboda has nearly been completed and that SVCAA Edwards will report back to the committee on the evaluations outcome.
7.0 Unfinished Business
No unfinished business was discussed.
8.0 New Business
8.1 Grading Proposal
Scheideler stated that inquiries are being made as to whether the proposed grading resolution would need to be approved by other organizations on campus or whether the final approval rests with the Academic Senate. The committee agreed that it is important to obtain wide faculty input on this issue. The Executive Committee agreed that an email message should be sent to senators asking them to solicit input from their constituents. The Executive Committee discussed referring the motion to the Grading and Examinations committee for their review and to have them report their findings to the Academic Senate.
8.2 Payment Process for Reimbursing Faculty (New Hire) Candidates
Whitt stated that there is concern with the length of time it takes to reimburse candidates who travel to campus for interviews. He asked if the committee could review the process to see whether it can be improved.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 13th at 3:00 pm in the Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace. Respectfully submitted, David S. Jackson, Secretary.
