EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Present: Bender, Bryant, Humes, Jackson, Latta, Miller, Scheideler, Siekman, Whitt, Zorn
Absent: Aguilar, Fuller
Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2000
Location: Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace
1.0 Call to Order
Scheideler called the meeting to order at 2:31 PM.
2.0 Announcements
2.1 Interview with Candidates for Vice Chancellor of IANR
Scheideler reminded the executive committee that there is an interview with the second candidate for Vice Chancellor of IANR on Thursday, May 25th at the East Campus Union. She reported that there was good representation from the committee for the first candidate and that it was a good interview.
2.2 American Council on Education Memorandum on Political Campaign-Related Activities at Colleges and Universities
Scheideler reported that she received a memorandum from the American Council of Education outlining some dos and donts for university personnel involved in political campaign-related activities. She noted that the document wouldl be available in the Academic Senate office for anyone interested in reading it. The bottom line of the memorandum is that employees of colleges and universities need to be very careful if they plan to participate in this kind of activity.
2.3 Extended Planning Session for Executive Committee
Scheideler reminded the committee that each year they usually have a retreat to develop plans and goals for the Senate but that last year a two-year plan was developed. She suggested that the committee meet this year for an afternoon of discussion on the strategic plan to review what we have accomplished and whether revisions are necessary. The committee set a tentative date of August 16th, 2:00-5:00 for this discussion.
2.4 Response from Interim Vice Chancellor Scott Lewis
Scheideler reported that she received a phone call from Interim VC Lewis who wants to meet with the committee to discuss the letter sent to him concerning the cuts in business services. The committee will meet with Lewis on June 24th.
Scheideler stated that she and Lewis discussed the Pepsi Fund. She noted that Lewis pointed out that the budget has not been finalized yet for the Pepsi money and that the committee will be meeting again in September. She stated that the Senate be allowed to bring forth a proposal at that time. She suggested that a subcommittee be formed to develop a proposal. The committee discussed various proposals and suggested the following: 1) continue working with the E. N. Thompson forum to bring in renowned guest speakers, 2) small grant funding for faculty, 3) travel funds, 4) merit-based scholarships for faculty/staff dependents.
3.0 Approval of 5/17/00 Minutes
Bryant moved and Whitt seconded approval of the minutes as amended.
4.0 Relationship Building with the Legislature (Bryant)
Bryant stated that we need to be building a relationship with members of the legislature. He suggested that the committee should establish contacts with members of the policy committee. Miller pointed out that we need to know what our agenda is before the committee gets involved. Latta pointed out that the message needs to include a sense of vision. She noted that a consistent message needs to be coming from each committee members. Miller suggested that each committee member develop a list of contacts. Bryant volunteered to work on a preliminary list.
5.0 Unfinished Business
5.1 Bookstore Committee
Coordinator Griffin reported that Associate to the Chancellor Herb Howe recommended that the proposed Bookstore Committee be reviewed by the Committee on Committees before it is placed on the Chancellors Cabinet for final approval. She reported that Howe, a member of the Committee on Committees, felt that there might be some overlapping of responsibilities between the Bookstore Committee and the Libraries Committee. Latta stated that the committees do not have overlapping responsibilities. The Executive Committee agreed to have the Committee on Committees review the proposed Bookstore Committee syllabus.
6.0 New Business
6.1 Appointment to Cooperative Extension Dean & Director Search Committee
Scheideler reported that a member of the search committee for the Dean & Director of Cooperative Extension is leaving the university and needs to be replaced. The committee discussed possible faculty members to serve on the search committee.
6.2 Resignation of Teresita Aguilar
The committee discussed the procedures for replacing Teresita Aguilar on the Senate and the Executive Committee. Augilar is leaving the University to take another position. As per Senate Bylaws, nomination and election of a substitute for the Executive Committee shall be held at the next Senate Meeting (September 5, 2000).
6.3 Interview Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Scheideler announced that Associate Vice Chancellor David Brinkerhoff will be the Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs during the time that Dr. Edwards is on medical leave.
6.4 Academic Planning Committee
Scheideler announced that Miles Bryant will serve on the Academic Planning Committee as the Senate President Designee.
6.5 Commission for Development of Criteria for Evaluation and Prioritization
Latta reported that a working draft of the criteria for evaluation and academic program prioritization is now available on the web at: (http://www.uneb.edu/administration/Reports/CDCEPAP-Letter.htm). She noted that the campus has tremendous latitude for developing a plan to establish the criteria for prioritization. She stated that the liaison to the UNL campus from the commission has already met once with the Academic Planning Committee and that they will be meeting again soon. She stated that any feedback can be sent to her.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:47 PM. The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, June 7, 2000 at 201 Canfield Administration Building. Respectfully submitted, David S. Jackson, Secretary.
