EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

PRESENT:     Aguilar, Bender, Bryant, Fuller, Humes, Jackson, Latta, Miller,

Scheideler, Siekman, Whitt, Zorn

 

ABSENT:       Prochaska Cue

 

DATE:            Wednesday, May 3, 2000

 

LOCATION:  Heritage Room, City Campus Union

________________________________________________________________________

 

1.0       Call to Order (Scheideler)

Scheideler called the meeting to order at 3:08 PM.

 

2.0       Announcements

2.1       ARRC Meeting

Scheideler reported that the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee met for a final report with the Special Academic Rights and Responsibilities Panel that dealt with Professor Reinhard’s case.  She noted that the ARRC reviewed how the case was handled and she reported that the ARRC felt that the panel handled the case in an appropriate manner as mandated by the Bylaws. 

 

The Executive committee discussed the need for improving the procedures of the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee and panel.  Bender, a member of the Academic Rights and Responsibilities Committee, reported that the committee is currently working on changes to the procedures that, in part, will address some of the procedural concerns voiced by the campus community.  The issue will be discussed further at an upcoming meeting.

 

2.2       Search for Vice Chancellor of Business & Finance

Scheideler asked for volunteers to attend the interview sessions with the candidates who are on campus for the position of Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance.

 

2.3       Executive Committee Meetings

Scheideler reported that the next two Executive Committee meetings will be on May 17^th and May 24^th.  A copy of the summer Executive Committee schedule was distributed.

 

3.0              Chancellor Moeser

Chancellor Moeser was unable to meet with the committee due to an emergency meeting.

 

4.0              Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards

Senior Vice Chancellor Edwards was unable to meet with the committee.

 

5.0              Approval of 4/19/00 Minutes

Bryant moved and Bender seconded approval of the minutes as amended.  Motion approved.

 

6.0              Chancellor’s Search Committee List

Scheideler reported that she and Past President Latta met with President Smith to discuss the search advisory committee for the position of Chancellor.  She stated that President Smith would probably appoint 6 – 8 faculty members to the committee.  She noted that nominations were requested from the faculty and that they have developed a preliminary list from those names.  She pointed out that they tried to get representation from each college on campus.  The committee discussed the nominations.

 

7.0              Law College Search Committee List

Scheideler reported that Professor Denicola has provided a letter with a list of faculty who the Law College would like to see on the advisory search committee.  Latta pointed out that the Law College faculty met and voted upon these individuals.  The faculty members with the highest number of votes were suggested.  Latta stated that she and Vice Chancellor Edwards had agreed that the search committee should include at least five faculty members from within the college and one outside faculty member.  The UNL Bylaws specify that the list of nominees is to include at least twice as many faculty as are to be appointed.  Scheideler noted that the list provides a diverse representation of faculty for the committee.  Bryant moved that the Executive Committee approve the list for the Law College advisory search committee.  Miller seconded the motion.  Motion approved.

 

8.0              Delegating the Executive Committee to Make Decisions on Search Committees

Scheideler pointed out that although the UNL Bylaws states that the Academic Senate needs to approve the list of recommended faculty to serve on search committees for positions of Deans or higher, the practice has been to delegate this authority to the Executive Committee.  She notes that the Executive Committee already handles this responsibility during the summer months when the Senate is not in session, as stated in the Faculty Government section of the faculty handbook “The Executive Committee shall act for the Faculty between meetings of the Senate and the Assembly.”  She asked if this is a responsibility that the Executive Committee should handle year round?  Miller felt that it would be more practical to have the Executive Committee perform this task.  Humes pointed out that time is an important factor to consider and that presenting each list to the Senate may create problems with deadlines for establishing search committees.  He noted that the Bylaws should be changed to reflect the practice.  Latta stated that this responsibility should be formally delegated by the Senate to the Executive Committee.  The committee agreed to present this issue to the Senate in the fall semester.

 

9.0              Unfinished Business

No unfinished business was discussed.

 

10.0          New Business

10.1     Union Board Faculty Representatives

Scheideler stated that Daryl Swanson, Director of the Nebraska Unions, is seeking faculty to serve on the Union Board.  The committee recommended several faculty members who may be interested in serving on the Board.

 

10.2     Business and Finance Letter on Cuts in Business Services

Aguilar commented on the letter sent by Interim Vice Chancellor Scott Lewis on the upcoming cuts in business services.   She questioned whether they ever considered the impacts these cuts would have on the work performed by the faculty and staff.  Fuller noted that the elimination of Quick-Pay will have impacts on her work.  Scheideler stated that the faculty needs to express their concerns on this issue and suggested that a letter be sent from the Executive Committee on the matter.  Miller pointed out that it is unacceptable treatment of professional staff to have custodial services provided only once a week.  Latta suggested that Interim Vice Chancellor Lewis be invited to speak to the Executive Committee on this issue.  The committee agreed that some form of response from the faculty is needed.  Scheideler stated that she will send a letter to Interim VC Lewis on this matter.

 

10.3     Pepsi Fund

Scheideler reported that she met with the Pepsi Advisory Committee to discuss the expenditure of the Pepsi Fund.  She stated that the recommendations did not include funding for any faculty initiatives.  She noted that originally, Jim Ford, Past President of the Senate, suggested that some of the funds should be used to bring speakers to campus for debates.  She reported that this past year some of the Pepsi Funds were used to bring Archbishop Desmond Tutu to campus.  Latta noted that she met with the committee last year and approved using the funds allocated for sponsoring academic debates in 1999-2000 to help bring Archbishop Desmond Tutu to campus.

 

Scheideler pointed out that one of the recommendations is for need-based undergraduate scholarships which is also included in the campus priorities budget.  She stated that she asked the committee why faculty groups cannot submit proposals for some of the funding.  She reported that the Pepsi advisory committee stated that they want to use the funds for larger projects rather than distributing the funds to small grants.   The committee suggested that the original contract should be reviewed and the issue discussed further with Chancellor Moeser.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:44 pm.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held on Wednesday, May 17^th at 3:00 pm, Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace.  Respectfully submitted, David S. Jackson, Secretary.