University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, OCTOBER 12, 1989 Senate Members: A. Comer, L. Friedenberg, A. Hantz, J. Heimbach, C. Mitchell, L. Nelms, S. Obergfell, S. Patch, C. Prokop, B. Sabo, D. Sulock, B. Wilson, L. Wilson Excused: M. Marshall, A. Wengrow Absent: B. Greenawalt Visitors: S. Browning, T. Cochran, D. Mullen I. Call to Order The 1989-90 Faculty Senate met on Thursday, October 12, 1989, in the Whitman Room of Ramsey Library. Charles Prokop, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm. II. Minutes Dr. Patch changed the word "double" to "doubled" on page 3 of the September 14, 1989 Senate minutes. Dr. Patch then moved approval of the September 14, 1989 minutes, and the minutes were approved. Clarification of Minutes Dr. Heimbach requested a clarification of the minutes of the April 27, 1989 Senate meeting, beginning on line 13, page 4. Dr. Heimbach stated that the Atmospheric Sciences Program was soliciting, "The purchase of meteorological instrumentation to mount on the existing microwave tower" rather than "The purchase of a microwave tower..." as stated in the minutes. III. Administrative Report Dr. Larry Wilson (VCAA) gave the Administrative Report. Budget Dr. Wilson reported that GA has initiated a $43K SPA position freeze similar to the one established last Spring. Two SPA positions are currently frozen to meet this sum. As additional SPA positions become vacant, a decision will be made to determine which positions will remain frozen. Dr. Wilson stated that UNCA has also been warned of a possible Operating budget freeze or a reduction of funds for the second quarter allocations. UNCA Publicity Dr. Wilson reported that UNCA appeared in this week's issue of U.S. News and World Report as an emerging high quality college along with four other southern colleges in our category. Also, UNCA expects to be in next month's issue of Changing Times as part of an article on colleges. UNCA was selected as one of a small number of institutions cited for exemplary general education in a recent report published by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Page 2 Building Dr. Wilson stated that the target date for completion of the new part of the library is the end of May. Construction on part of the classroom building is on schedule. (The top floor and the Honor's library will be roughed in by the scheduled completion date.) Buildings and Grounds Committee A new Buildings and Grounds Committee has been formed, and has the following three charges: (1) to advise the administration (Tom Cochran in particular) of the development of a five-year plan for space assignments; (2) to suggest ways to alter our physical environment to increase a sense of community; and, (3) to remain available for consultation on buildings and grounds issues. Ann Weber is chairing the committee. Other members include: (faculty) Debra Van Engelen, Paul McDonald, Claudel McKenzie, Robert Tynes, and (student) Kevan Frazier. Endowment Dr. Wilson reported that UNCA has received a $500K endowment gift from the Ernest Mills family. A dedication will be held in early November at which time University Hall will be renamed Mills Hall. In response to questions from Dr. Hantz, Dr. Patch, and Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Wilson discussed the Mills unrestricted endowment, the Duncan restricted endowment, and UNCA's plans to place some of the interest back into the principal as a hedge against inflation. Enrollment Spring 1990 enrollment for Freshman applications are down approximately 10%, and transfers are up 20%. Freshman applications for Fall 1990 are now ahead 75% with transfers down; net applications are up 46%. SAT scores are nearly even with last year at this time. Percent of students whose class rank is in the top one-fifth is substantially better. IV. Executive Committee Report Dr. Prokop reported for the Executive Committee. Poole Commission Report Dr. Prokop stated that President Spangler gave a report to the Board of Governors regarding the report of the Poole Commission and the athletic situation at NC State last August. A copy of the report will be placed in the Senate Reserve file in Ramsey Library for faculty review. Several recommendations resulted from the Poole Report. President Spangler is requesting that the Athletic Committee at each campus give a report to the Senate annually. Dr. Prokop will schedule a date for Gary Miller to deliver the report to the Senate. The Senate agreed that an invitation should also be extended to Ed Farrell, Director of Athletics. Dr. Prokop stated that a report from the Board of Governors regarding the budgets across the state will also be in the Senate Reserve file for interested faculty. Page 3 V. Faculty Assembly Report Dr. Shirley Browning gave the Faculty Assembly Report. Dr. Browning stated that the first meeting of the Faculty Assembly was held on September 15, 1989. A breakdown of topics discussed follows. President Spangler and his staff reported that overall university enrollments increased 2%, and total enrollment is 141K. A study of the Nursing programs around the system followed with mixed initial results. There seems to be a clear anticipation that some program changes will be forthcoming at various institutions, although President Spangler did not elaborate on which institutions would be affected. President Spangler discussed the Poole Commission Report and the athletic situation at NC State at length. President Spangler stated that faculty must take their role seriously by insisting on the maintenance of academic standards. President Spangler gave a brief review of the budget. In-state tuition increased 20%, which amounts to a $70-100 increase per student. Out-of-state tuition increased 15%, which is the first increase since 1987-88. There was considerable discussion regarding President Spangler's policy on no across-the-board salary increases. President Spangler stated that it was his personal preference and personal philosophy that salary increases should be allocated only on a meritorious basis. President Spangler qualified his comments by stating that during periods of extreme inflation he would be willing to endorse an across-the-board salary increase with some additional funds for merit. (Dr. Browning stated that what President Spangler considers to be an acceptable rate of inflation today caused President Nixon to put us in a price freeze years ago.) Vice President Ray Dawson explained the following benefits from the legislature: TIAA-CREF contributions increased .1%; Health Care costs increased 16% for family coverage, and 15% for surviving spouse benefits. Some coverage increased while other coverage decreased; TIAFF-CREF Disability benefits increased from 3% to 5%, and the premium decreased; Effective January 1, 1990, there will be a partial tax sheltered Child Care plan on payroll deduction available to university employees. Although this plan is not being advertised very well, the personnel office on each campus should be aware of this plan and working on implementation. Dr. Browning sent Anita Rose a fact sheet he received summarizing child care plans and programs that exist on some of the 16 campuses. Dr. Browning stated that President Spangler raised a rhetorical question about what responsibility the UNC system has with regard to the fact that North Carolina ranks number 50 in SAT scores. Dr. Browning then listed the projects that the various committee groups would be working on this year. Page 4 VI. Academic Policies Committee Report Dr. Lisa Friedenberg reported for the Academic Policies Committee. Documents for Consideration Dr. Friedenberg moved approval of APC Document #1: Catalog Changes in Economics. The motion was seconded by Dr. Mitchell. The motion passed unanimously and APC Document #1 became Senate Document #0189F. Documents for Presentation Dr. Friedenberg presented APC Document #2: Creation of Arts Course Workshop in Dance for first reading. VII. Institutional Development Committee Report Ms. Linda Nelms reported for the Institutional Development Committee. Thrust Funding Ms. Nelms reported that UPC has completed the distribution of funds allocated for Thrusts, and is now focusing attention on new Distinctives. The UPC reviewed the "Call for Distinctive Proposals" document which requests information for new thrusts. This year the UPC is strongly suggesting that faculty discuss their idea with a member of the UPC to help determine if it falls within the guidelines before spending too much time developing the proposal. The UPC is also going to consider re-activating proposals that looked promising in the past but were disqualified for various reasons. Humanities Thrust Ms. Nelms stated that the UPC allocated an additional $8,000 to the Humanities Program for the development of books of readings for each of the Humanities courses. Undergraduate Research The UPC reviewed the Undergraduate Research request for 1989-90 and funded $24,300, with $15,000 of this being allocated for student research grants. The UPC discussed a variety of issues, including trips to other campuses engaged in undergraduate research. Ad Hoc Committee on Outcomes Assessment Ms. Nelms stated that Dr. Cochran reported on the Ad Hoc Committee on Outcomes Assessment. This committee is meeting in preparation for the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools reaccreditation. The Ad Hoc committee has recommended that UNCA review two standardized testing programs for all graduating seniors in an effort to assess our general education program. The test will not impact whether students graduate or not. Next Meeting The UPC will be discussing campus security, and will begin reviewing thrust reports at their next meeting. Page 5 VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Dr. Patch reported for the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee in Ms. Marshall's absence. Documents for Presentation Dr. Patch presented FWDC Document #1: Changes in Honorary Degrees Advisory Committee membership for first reading. After discussion Dr. Mitchell made a motion to suspend the first-reading rule. Ms. Nelms seconded the motion. The motion to suspend the first-reading rule passed 8 to 2. Documents for Consideration Dr. Patch moved approval of FWDC Document #1. Dr. Friedenberg seconded the motion. After further discussion, FWDC Document #1 passed and became Senate Document #0289F. Feldman Selection Committee The following faculty are members of the Feldman Selection Committee: Bruce Greenawalt Chuck Bennett Debra Van Engelen Forest Davenport Charlie Prokop Tucker Cooke IX. Old Business There was no Old Business. X. New Business Ms. Sulock stated that she felt that faculty and staff were designated too many parking spaces around the science building and University Heights area given the current parking situation. Ms. Sulock will contact Dr. Ann Weber, Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, concerning this matter. XI. Adjournment Dr. Prokop adjourned the meeting at 4:30 PM. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Steve Patch Page 6