University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, October 10, 1991 Senate Members: A. Coyne, F. Davenport, L. Dorr, M. Gillum, B. Greenawalt, A. Hantz, G. Henderson, D. Lisnerski, C. McClary, D. Mullen, S. Obergfell, B. Sabo, D. Van Engelen, L. Wilson Excused: P. Nickless, J. Rackham Visitors: T. Cochran, M. Fox (SGA), J. Garrett, D. Harmon, B. Yearout I. Call to Order The 1991-92 Faculty Senate met on Thursday, October 10, 1991, in Karpen Hall - room 005. Alan Hantz, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm. II. Minutes Dr. Hantz presented the September 12, 1991 minutes for approval. After several changes, the minutes were approved as corrected (Coyne/Dorr). III. Administrative Report Dr. Larry Wilson, VCAA, gave the Administrative Report. - Asbestos Removal UNCA has received $500,000 for renovation and repairs of Ramsey Library. A portion of these funds will be used for asbestos removal in the old section of Ramsey Library. - Budget Flexibility Option After reviewing the budget flexibility option guidelines, UNCA rejected participating in the option at this time. The institutions statewide rejected the flexibility option with the exception of UNC Chapel Hill and NC State. Dr. Wilson explained that UNCA would have had to revert more funds under the new option. - Enrollment Spring 1992 Freshman applications decreased while transfer applications increased. The quality of these students remains consistent with last year's figures. Applications for Fall 1992 Freshmen and transfers are down, but the quality is remarkably increased compared to this year. The average Freshman SAT score of applicants has increased 30 points and rank-in-class has increased 5% compared to last year. - Capital Improvements Projects Status Report Dr. Wilson distributed a copy of a memorandum from Vice Chancellor Arthur Foley on the capital improvements projects status report. Dr. Wilson will answer questions regarding the report at the next Senate meeting. - 1992 Adjunct Budget UNCA's adjunct budget has more funds than anticipated for next semester due to late resignations. - Departments with Low Productivity The German and Classic majors at UNCA have been under scrutiny by GA along with majors in other institutions with low graduation rates. Dr. Wilson stated that this was part of a larger cost cutting concept by GA. GA is reviewing the number of majors graduated in the last ten years. The UPC and the Council of Chairs affirmed the importance of offering these majors as they are an integral part of UNCA's mission. - Summer School Salaries Dr. Wilson and Dr. Cochran will report on summer school salaries at the November meeting. - Questions/Discussions In response to Dr. Henderson's question, Dr. Wilson reported that the racial composition of the 78 applicants for next Fall contained one Native-American and no African-Americans or Asian- Americans. Dr. Coyne suggested that perhaps applicants were hesitant to apply to UNCA given our average SAT score. Dr. Wilson stated that UNCA published SAT ranges rather than the average score. However, this figure has been published by other sources. - Campus Art Work Dr. Sabo asked Dr. Wilson what procedures were used when locating art work and outdoor sculptures on campus. Dr. Wilson stated that this was part of the statewide association of sculptors; that the Chancellor had approved each item and the location of the art work. In some instances Dr. Schuman had seen representative art work rather than the individual pieces UNCA would receive. The sculptures are on loan and are not permanent. Dr. Sabo felt that more planning and thought should go into this process. Dr. Henderson stated that she had heard several comments concerning the sculpture on the side lawn of Zageir. IV. SGA Report Upon invitation by the Executive Committee, Michelle Fox reported for the SGA. - Greenfest Ms. Fox encouraged faculty and staff to participate in Greenfest in an effort to beautify the campus. Greenfest is scheduled for Monday, October 14 from 1:00-5:00 pm. In answer to questions, Ms. Fox stated that someone from physical plant would help in site selection for the plantings. Dr. Wilson stated that Melissa Acker was responsible for landscaping and her suggestions were submitted to the Vice Chancellors for discussion. Silver bells and sugar maples will be planted. - Smoking Policy The SGA has received several complaints concerning the smoking policy in the undesignated area of the Highsmith Center. Ms. Fox stated that complaints have been received from both smokers and non- smokers. - Test Bank The SGA is considering setting up a test bank on campus and requested Senate feedback. Ms. Fox stated that some sororities and fraternities already have test banks which may put commuter students at a disadvantage; on the other hand, test banks may give students a false sense of security. - Edgewood Sidewalk In an effort to construct a sidewalk connecting UNCA with Merrimon Ave., the SGA will be asking residents along Edgewood Road to voluntarily dedicate property for a sidewalk. - Escort Service A new escort service is available for students who feel uncomfortable walking across campus during the evening. The service is run through the security service. V. Executive Committee Report Dr. Hantz gave the Executive Committee Report. - Academic Calendar The Executive Committee is still reviewing next year's academic calendar; it is possible to take Labor Day off next year. Dr. Lisnerski stated that while this helped faculty, Labor Day still presented a problem for staff members. Discussion continued concerning the number of Mondays in Fall and Spring semesters, the option of starting classes later in the Spring, celebrating Martin Luther King day, and assuring the Registrar's Office of ample preparation time for registration. The current structure of summer school was also discussed. Dr. Hantz will report on this issue again at the November meeting. - Annual University Relations Advisory Report Dr. Beverly Cutter-Modlin will present the annual University Relations Advisory Committee report at the November meeting. VI. Academic Policies Committee Report Dr. Bill Sabo reported for the Academic Policies Committee. - First Reading Presentation Dr. Sabo presented APC #1: Catalog Changes Regarding University Honors for first reading. - General Education Review The APC will begin the General Education Review process this month. Dr. Gillum stressed that the APC will be evaluating the performance of General Education courses. VII. Institutional Development Committee Report Dr. Don Lisnerski reported for the Institutional Development Committee. - Enrollment Targets The UPC has discussed decreasing current enrollment targets as we are now in the lower part of the "window" for enrollments. - Self Study Dr. Lisnerski stated that the UPC will continue review of the Education Department's Self Study which was held over last year; afterward the Humanities, Political Science, and Drama Departments will be reviewed. VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Dr. Bruce Greenawalt gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report. - Liability Insurance Dr. Nancy Kauffman reported on the September 19th meeting in Chapel Hill regarding insurance policy changes. Copies of the excess liability insurance for state employees senate report were distributed to Senators. After a lengthy discussion concerning field trips, labs, and the need to better understand this issue, it was agreed that a letter would be circulated to faculty and adjuncts concerning this issue. Dr. McClary agreed to assist Dr. Kauffman on this project. Dr. Greenawalt thanked Dr. Kauffman for representing the faculty at the meeting. - Projects Under Consideration The FWDC discussed issues of faculty workload, committee proliferation, and the feasibility of calling occasional faculty meetings where issues of wide concern could be examined or voted on by the faculty. The process would need to protect the obligations and sensibilities of both the general faculty and the Senate. The FWDC is also exploring the possibility of offering an HMO option to UNCA's employees. UNC-Charlotte has this option and Mars Hill College is also moving in this direction. Dr. Obergfell has agreed to work on this project. - New Dental Plan The new dental plan discussed at the last Senate meeting has been pulled from consideration. Boston Mutual is not currently certified to do business in North Carolina. The certification paperwork takes eight to ten months to complete. Approximately 125 UNCA employees are on the current dental plan. IX. Old Business Parking Resolution Dr. Sabo moved approval of Resolution #2: Resolution on Parking Fees. The document failed for lack of a second. X. New Business There was no New Business. XI. Adjournment Dr. Hantz adjourned the meeting at 4:55 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Bruce Greenawalt