University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, February 13, 1992 Senate Members: A. Coyne, F. Davenport, L. Dorr, M. Gillum, B. Greenawalt, A. Hantz, G. Henderson, D. Lisnerski, C. McClary, P. Nickless, S. Obergfell, J. Rackham, B. Sabo, D. Van Engelen, L. Wilson Absent: D. Mullen Visitors: M. Fox (SGA), J. Garrett, D. Harmon, B. Yearout I. Call to Order The 1991-92 Faculty Senate met on Thursday, February 13, 1992, in Karpen Hall - room 005. Alan Hantz, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm. The next Senate meeting will be held on March 5th at 3:30 pm in Karpen Hall - room 005. II. Minutes Dr. Hantz presented the January 16, 1992, minutes for approval. The minutes were approved as written (Sabo\Rackham). III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Hantz gave the Executive Committee Report. Summer School Salaries The Executive Committee delegated summer school salary concerns to the UPC. Committee Structure An analysis of UNCA's committee structure revealed that 55 committee chairs and other individuals currently report to VCAA Larry Wilson. The committee structure will be discussed more fully at a future Senate meeting. Grade Points At the last faculty meeting the number of decimal places used in recording GPAs was discussed. Dr. Hantz received a memo from Bruce Larson and Dot Sulock urging the Faculty Senate to take steps to ensure that future deliberations of Honors Committee and faculty are based on GPAs with no more than two decimal places. Dr. Wilson agreed to remedy this problem. Dr. Rackham made a motion of the sense of the Senate in support of using two decimal places in GPAs. Dr. Nickless seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 10 to 0 with two abstentions. IV. Faculty Assembly Report Dr. Hantz gave the Faculty Assembly report. Senate Chairs from across the state were invited to the last Faculty Assembly meeting. - Academic Calendar Dr. Hantz received a 1991-92 Spring/Fall academic calendar for all of the universities; copies will be mailed to Senators with the next agenda and minutes. UNCA's Spring/Fall academic year is 31.5 weeks long, which is in the mid-range compared to other institutions. East Carolina University had the shortest academic year with 30.8 weeks, and Winston-Salem State had the longest with 32.4 weeks. - Performance Audit WCU is still participating in a performance audit; President Spangler reported that the legislators expect to take action based on the results of the audit. - Possible Credit Hour Change Felix Joyner and President Spangler discussed the possibility of converting to a 15 credit hour FTE. North Carolina is the only state in the southeast with 12 credit hours as its base. Dr. Nickless questioned how UNCA compares with the entire nation rather than the southeast. Dr. Dorr was concerned that the numbers attached to the FTE would cause a hardship for the university. Dr. Wilson stated that the average credit load of UNCA students is 14.2. Felix Joyner reported that the legislature is considering charging state students the out-of-state rate if they take more than 128 hours. This would have the unintended effect of discouraging double majors, majors and minors, as well as part time students. - Financial Priorities President Spangler reported that salary increases for all state employees and enrollment were the top financial priorities respectively. The State anticipates having between $300-500M. $100M will be allocated for public schools. The legislature wants to give a 4-6% increase to state employees; a 1% salary increase for all state employees would be $50M. President Spangler urged everyone to contact legislators and encourage them to support a bond issue for capital projects. - State Health Plan The manager of the state health plan reported that the state was changing to the preferred hospital plan and the new prescription drug reimbursement policy due to a $50M shortfall. - Faculty Welfare Gathering A faculty welfare gathering will be held in June; Dr. Wilson will take a delegation of two faculty members to GA. The topic is "faculty vitality through professional development". In response to a question from Dr. Henderson, Dr. Hantz stated that the budget committee had no specific resolution for President Spangler. In the Governance Committee meeting Dr. Hantz learned that many faculty from across the state are very displeased with their administrations and do not have any structures for faculty input. - Memorandum One Last summer President Spangler instructed the chancellors to make Memorandum One available to faculty. This document concerns average faculty salary ranges across the state. In the Governance Committee Dr. Hantz learned that many institutions were not making this document available to the faculty. Dr. Hantz asked Dr. Wilson to see if he could find the document as this occurred last summer when UNCA was in transition. V. SGA Report Upon invitation by the Executive Committee, Michelle Fox reported for the SGA. Monday, April 6th, is the tentative date for Greenfest. The rain date is Friday, April 10th. The SGA has converted half of the storage lockers into short- term shortage in Carmichael, Zageir, and Highsmith. The lockers are available for commuters to rent by the semester. There is a $10 refundable deposit and a $5 rental fee. The SGA is preparing for student elections which will be held in March. VI. Academic Policies Committee Report Dr. Bill Sabo reported for the Academic Policies Committee. - First Reading Dr. Sabo distributed the following documents for first reading: APC #10: Changes in Management APC #11: Changes in Health & Fitness APC #12: Changes in Chemistry Program Description APC #13: Changes in Middle School Certification APC #14: Changes in Mass Communication APC #15: Changes in Early Examination Policy APC #16: Research Course in Psychology APC #17: Changes in Mathematics APC #18: Creation of Library Research APC #19: Prefix for Asheville Area Educational Consortium Dr. Sabo suggested that Senators look carefully at APC #15, as it makes a substantial change that is university-wide, as well as APC #18, which was sent back to APC at an earlier senate meeting. VII. Institutional Development Committee Report There was no Institutional Development Committee report. VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee There was no Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report. IX. Old Business There was no Old Business. X. Administrative Report Dr. Larry Wilson, VCAA, gave the Administrative Report. Enrollment Freshman applications for next year have decreased 8%, but the number of students who have been accepted has increased 3-4%. Student quality continues to substantially improve. A year ago at this time the average SAT of accepted students was 1,038; at this time the figure is 1,065. Last year 70% of accepted students were in the top- fifth of their graduating class compared to 75% this year. UNCA's target enrollment of 2,600 FTE has remained constant for three years and has increased 50 from this year. It is possible that UNCA may not reach the projected target as enrollment was slightly below the 2% window this year. Also, UNCA will graduate more than 400 students this year. However, Ray Dawson can not remember an institution being penalized for missing the enrollment target. Adjuncts The adjunct budget will remain about the same as last year. UNCA has obtained some full time positions this year to replace people who are leaving for various reasons. National Endowment for the Humanities UNCA is submitting a proposal to the National Endowment for the Humanities for a endowed distinguished teaching professorship. The $250K grant request includes the promise of a 3:1 match by UNCA. Building Priorities A Carolina alumni newsletter, reportedly giving the building priorities for all of the universities, listed UNCA's priorities as: (1) physical education center, (2) center for creative retirement, and (3) the NC Arboretum. UNCA's actual priority list is as follows: (1) completion of Ramsey library, (2) completion of Karpen Hall, and (3) the physical education center. Chancellor Schuman is going to see where the Carolina alumni obtained the inaccurate list. Liberal Arts Reclassification In response to a question by Dr. Rackham, Dr. Wilson reported that UNCA's liberal arts reclassification request was still pending before the Board of Governors. The Educational Policies Committee is reviewing all of the recommendations from President Spangler for each of the institutions and will probably address UNCA's request at the Board of Governors meeting in March. Off Campus Scholarly Assignments Dr. Hantz learned at the Faculty Assembly meeting that President Spangler has sent a memorandum to all the chancellors announcing that he is reinstating limited paid research leaves. XI. New Business There was no New Business. XII. Adjournment Dr. Hantz adjourned the meeting at 4:05 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Bruce Greenawalt