DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT (03aug13mins)

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Present:    Alexander, Fech, Fuller, Spann, Whitt, Wolf, Wunder

 

Absent:     Beck, Buck, Logan-Peters, Miller, Peterson, Shea

 

Date:         Wednesday, August 13, 2003

 

Location:  Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace, Suite 200

 

1.0    Call to Order

         Wunder called the meeting to order at 2:30 pm.

 

2.0    Vice Chancellor Jackson, Business and Finance

Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance Christine Jackson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs Kim Phelps, and Director of Business Operations, University Services, Jim Vogel, presented an overview and background of the travel contract with Travel and

Transport. Benefits, number of purchases, cost savings, and changes to the Travel and Transport’s web site for 2003-04 were explained. Clarification was made that the $25 reimbursement fee charged is assessed by UNL not Travel and Transport. VC Jackson asked for suggestions on how to better inform faculty of how to use travel procedures. VC Jackson suggested a web site be created on how to use T&T travel, including step by step procedures for faculty to follow, and that this web address be sent to all faculty.  Jim Vogel stated that he is the point person for faculty to contact at 472-3330 if there are problems with T&T. He noted that the airfare situation report and approval to buy lower fare tickets for reimbursement is only available during T&T business hours, not after hours.  The usual response time is 15 minutes to 1 hour.  Faculty can then print off the approval, buy the cheaper ticket, and enclose the approval when applying for reimbursement.  There is no reimbursement fee with the approval from T&T.  Alexander asked if UNL has stopped reimbursement for mileage to Omaha.  VC Jackson said she did not know of plans to stop reimbursement for mileage and would check on this.

 

3.0    Approval of 7/30/03 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of July 30 were moved approved by Alexander, seconded by Whitt, and approved.

 

4.0    Report on Regents Meeting

Wunder reported on the Regents meeting in Columbus.  The Regents voted to abolish the Research Division of the State Museum.  Construction of the library storage facility and the sports broadcasting contract with Pinnacle were approved.  The Regents were presented with information on a one-year NU pilot program between UNO and Millard High School. UNO will accept high school accelerated courses, both AP and non AP classes, for college credit. College credit is received without students taking the AP Exam.  Wolf moved that the Senate Committee on Academic Standards review this issue and report to the Senate.  Whitt seconded and the motion passed.

 

5.0    Meeting with UNOPA and UAAD

Wunder reported that he and Petersen met with UNOPA and UAAD representatives.  The representatives expressed concern that UNOPA and UAAD have no voice in budget reductions as they previously did.  Both organizations have appointed representatives to the Senate ad hoc child care committee chaired by Senator Gayle Buck. Both agreed to meet every other month with Senate officers.

 

6.0    Executive Committee Retreat

Wunder distributed a tentative Retreat agenda for August 29.  Additions and corrections were made.

 

7.0    Programs of Excellence Funding

Wunder reported that he will write a letter to SVCAA Edwards requesting an accounting of how the $1 million dollars Priority Program funds were spent last fiscal year after further Executive Committee discussion. A brief discussion of the Priority programs history and procedures followed and will be continued at the next Executive Committee meeting.

 

8.0    Competition for Research Funds

Alexander raised the issue of internal faculty competition for funds such as Research Council, Layman, Nebraska Research Initiative, EPSCOR, and Priority Program funds, and many others and noted that the time faculty are spending on these internal competitions are not healthy for the University.  The money should be used to match faculty going after external funding.  Too many faculty are spending way too much time on internal competition and not having time to apply for external funding.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.  The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be on Wednesday August 20 at 2:30 pm*.  The meeting will be held in 201 Canfield Administration Building.  The minutes are respectfully submitted by Shelley Fuller, Secretary.

 

*August 20 meeting canceled.  The next meeting of the Senate Executive Committee will be on Wednesday August 27 at 3:00 PM.  The meeting will be held in the Academic Senate Office, 420 University Terrace, Suite 203.