The University of North Carolina at Asheville Faculty Senate Minutes February 23, 1984 The Faculty Senate met at 3:00 PM in Library 1 on Thursday, February 23, 1984, with Dr. Jeff Rackham presiding. Members Present: Dr. Betts, Dr. Comer, Dr. L. Dorr, Dr. Farzanegan, Dr. Gillum, Dr. Grams, Dr. Greenawalt, Dr. Rackham, Dr. Ruiz, Dr. Squibb, Dr. Stern, Dr. Walker, Mr. Wengrow and Dr. Williams. Members Absent: Dr. Friedenberg (alternate), and Dr. Howard (excused). Visitors: Mrs. Cadle, Dr. Coyne, Dr. Cochran, Dr. Hengstler, and Dr. Rice. Dr. Rackham called the meeting to order. The Faculty Senate minutes of January 26, 1984, were approved, with one editorial change. Mr. Wengrow reported on the progress of the UNCA tribute to Chancellor Highsmith on his retirement. The Allene and William E. Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Scholar Fund is being developed by faculty initiative, under the auspices of the Faculty Senate, to honor Chancellor and Mrs. Highsmith on the occasion of the Chancellor's retirement after twenty-two years of service to the institution. The Highsmith Fund will be used to benefit the University by bringing in persons of distinguished achievement to interact with the campus community. The Highsmith Distinguished Scholars will be chosen by a committee to be established by the Faculty Senate. The visiting scholars will be people of broad interests and expertise who will be a source of intellectual stimulation for the entire campus. The Chairman stated that all the documents approved by the Faculty Senate at its 1983-84 meetings have been submitted and approved by the Chancellor. I. Academic Policies Committee A. Dr. Betts moved and Grams seconded that APC Document #2, Amendments to the Policy on Academic Eligibility Standards, be approved. The document was approved without discussion and will become effective August 1984 upon approval by the Chancellor. Page 2 B. Betts reported that APC looked at the report of the General Administration Committee on Education Planning, Policies and Programs. The report recommends upgrading secondary school curricular requirements by establishing minimum standards for admission to the 16 constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. The proposed implementation would become effective in the fall of 1988 thus giving high schools time to meet these standards. There was concern about two factors implicit in statewide adoption of these policies. One was internal, affecting UNCA's capacity to make local policy on discretionary admissions. The other was external, affecting UNCA's relationship to other institutions within the State system. Betts noted that the recommended standard differs from UNCA's current minimum requirements in the areas of math and science. APC has chosen, at present, not to take any action in regard to this issue. Dr. Dorr stated that the General Administration Committee has recommended their report to the Board of Governors and that it is expected they will pass this report for all the 16 campus systems. Dorr pointed out that once passed this will be the final word. Dorr also stated that an acceptable procedure should be developed for exceptions. Gillum asked that provisions be made for our mature students who apply for admission in the fall 1988 who may not meet new standards. Dorr agreed that our special circumstances should be considered. C. APC looked at the International Studies courses. It was noted that UNCA faculty does not teach these courses at Oxford and that these courses are not listed in the catalog, but UNCA accepts them as credit. Mrs. Cadle stated these courses were taught as special topic courses but that it would be helpful to have these courses listed in the catalog. Grams pointed out that putting the courses in the catalog would defeat the purpose of the program. The courses do change and are designed by faculty not at UNCA. D. Dr. Betts stated that Dr. Coyne has received editorial changes from various departments. This procedure of giving editorial changes to Coyne was acceptable as long as meaning, content, etc. of the document was not changed. APC will review the changes submitted to Coyne. E. Betts reported that APC, at present, has no documents pending. II. Institutional Development Committee A. Dr. Comer stated that IDC carefully examined all the issues brought before IDC by Dr. Robert Hoyer Page 3 concerning the current procedure for evaluation of the faculty by students. IDC felt the document previously passed, IDC Document #1 (Senate Document #14), 1982-83, took care of the issues raised by Hoyer. IDC felt no further action should be taken regarding this issue. B. Comer stated the Planning Committee has approved that the athletic department change from NAIA to NCAA standing. C. Dr.Comer reported on the progress of the Task Force to set up a honors program at UNCA. A final report would be given to the Planning Council and IDC the first meeting after the break. III. Faculty Welfare Committee A. The FWC has been working with the administration on summer school salaries. The committee requested Dr. Ken Rice to prepare a questionnaire which surveyed practices elsewhere in the state system. Rice has made recommendations to the Chancellor recommending summer school salaries to be 20% higher for salaried faculty. This increase would be made possible, in part, by raising tuition the summer term from $14 to $17 and also devoting 89% of the summer school budget for salaries. Greenawalt noted that over the last two years there has been a 31% increase in salaries. B. Greenawalt stated the Feldman Committee has been established. The document was approved by the Chancellor who will continue to find separate funding for the Distinguished Teacher Award. Gillum asked if there would be some way of keeping up with the election of members to the committee. Rackham stated he would look into some system that would keep elections to all committees current. C. Greenawalt said the faculty would be receiving a questionnaire in regard to current individual committee assignments and asking committee preferences. IV. New Business A. Dr. Farzanegan asked about the status of the Search Committee for a new Chancellor. Rackham stated the accepting of any additional applications has now been closed and the committee was currently evaluating the applications received. Farzanegan asked if the Chancellor would be selected before the end of the academic year, and he also hoped that as many faculty members as possible would be involved in meeting candidates. Rackham stated the committee would try Page 4 to bring in all the candidates by the year end. Dr. Grams felt the faculty as a whole should have an opportunity to meet each candidate. B. Dr. Walker asked what was known about the appointment of the Director of the Graduate Center. It was stated the general administration did not open this position up to the public. Concern was expressed about the closed nature of this appointment. The question was raised as to whether UNCA faculty would be involved in this new program. It was stated that Chancellor Highsmith said the faculty would be involved. The new Director of the Graduate Center will be Dr. Gene McDowell. The program, at present, is still in the development stage. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 PM. Submitted, Paula Wells, Secretary Approved: Dr. Bruce Greenawalt Secretary, Faculty Senate