UNL ACADEMIC SENATE MEETING MINUTES
Clifford Hardin Nebraska Center, East Campus
November 5, 1996
President Peter Bleed Presiding
1.0 Call to Order
*President Bleed called the meeting to order at 2:35 pm.2.0 Announcements
* Special Task Force on Benefits. President Smith has appointed a special task force to examine strategies for improved benefits for all four campuses. President Bleed and Adams, Libraries and Employee Benefits Committee Chair, will represent UNL.3.0 Chancellor Moeser
3.1 Vote in today's election. Chancellor Moeser urged senators to vote if they had not already done so.3.2 Participation in combined campaign. Chancellor Moeser shared his concern about the university community's drop in support from last year's contribution. From both a personal and institutional request, he urged faculty to take civic responsibility in the community. A follow up question by Chouinard, Mathematics & Statistics, stated that faculty did not get information about the various charities other than its availability in the department office.
3.3 Reallocation process. Chancellor Moeser referred to the guidelines document of October 9th that has been distributed to faculty. The overarching priorities are: areas of emphasis as determined by the Academic Planning Committee; diversity; recruitment of high ability students; information technology; library; operating budgets; and deferred maintenance. His discussion focused on academic rigor and to challenge students to be successful. He urged department discussions on ensuring a rigorous curriculum and challenged faculty to teach to the top students and increase expectations. The objective was not to flunk out students but to increase the retention rate. He requested that faculty not inflate grades or lower expectations. He stated that we need to keep Nebraska's best in Nebraska and to attract top out of state students.
3.4 Climate for minorities and women. Beverly Ledbetter, vice president and general counsel at Brown University, has been hired as a consultant to review the Athletic Department. Chancellor Moeser shared data on the increase in the number of female faculty at UNL since 1989 and an increase in the number of female faculty promoted to the associate rank. Progress needs to be made in the number of female faculty promoted to full professor and those appointed to administrative positions. The status of minority faculty is virtually flat and we need to work in this area.
3.5 Sexual Harassment. The policy on sexual harassment is in place and will be enforced. Dr. Ricardo Garcia, Director of Affirmative Action and Diversity, will visit with each college about diversity. A designated person from each college will receive affirmative action training.
3.6 Tenure. Chancellor Moeser will write an article for the program of the upcoming football game to answer questions about why we have tenure and that it is a guarantee of academic freedom but that it is not an iron lunch bucket'. Tenure at UNL is not easily awarded and there are guidelines for removal of tenure. Chancellor Moeser pointed out that where we need to improve the review process is to review fully promoted professors beginning 5 years after promotion. He proposed a process which would recognize the top ten percent with a stipend. He stated that a joint administrative/faculty committee has been appointed to develop the procedures. The members are Associate Vice Chancellors Al Kilgore and David Brinkerhoff, Dean Darrell Nelson, Agricultural Research Division, Doug Jose and James Ford.
4.0 Committee Reports
4.1 Chancellor's Commission on the Status of People of Color. Venita Kelley, Communication Studies, Chair of the CCSPC reported on the commission's activities and a written report was distributed to Senators at the meeting. Highlights of the report include a summary of last year's issues and the 1996-7 goals of the CCSPS. The Chair of CCSPC will serve on the President's Advisory Council. In November, the CCSPS will have an office in Niehardt.A discussion on the use of the more appropriate term "microculture" versus "minority" followed. Microculture more appropriate describes racially and ethnically different people rather than minority or people of color.
4.2 Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women. Marilyn Grady, Educational Administration, Chair of the CCSW gave an overview of the CCSW and reviewed the priorities of the CCSW. A written report was distributed to the Senators at the meeting. Grady stated that although progress is being made, not many women are in faculty roles and administration. The CCSW will have an office and a secretary in Niehardt.
4.3 Research Council. David Stanley-Samuelson, Entomology, Chair of the Research Council highlighted 2 points stated in the written report distributed to Senators. 1) The Grant-in-Aid forms were revised; a maximum of $3000 can be requested; and 2) formal policies and procedures for the continuity were developed for the Research Council. NU Foundation provides $300,000 to support faculty through the Research Council. Chouinard asked why a negative amount was given in the report. Stanley-Samuelson responded that more was spent than they had and that they were able to move funds around.