University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, November 14, 1991 Senate Members: A. Coyne, F. Davenport, M. Gillum, B. Greenawalt, A. Hantz, G. Henderson, D. Lisnerski, C. McClary, D. Mullen, P. Nickless, B. Sabo, D. Van Engelen, L. Wilson Excused: L. Dorr, S. Obergfell, J. Rackham Visitors: B. Cutter Modlin, M. Fox (SGA), J. Garrett, D. Harmon, S. Klepper (Blue Banner), S. Schuman, B. Yearout I. Call to Order The 1991-92 Faculty Senate met on Thursday, November 14, 1991, in Karpen Hall - room 005. Alan Hantz, Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm. II. Minutes Dr. Hantz presented the October 10, 1991 minutes for approval. The minutes were approved as written (Lisnerski/Nickless). III. University Relations Advisory Committee Annual Report Vice Chancellor Beverly Cutter Modlin distributed copies of the 1990-91 University Relations Advisory Committee annual report and summarized the activities of the UNCA Foundation, the Office of Development/Alumni Affairs, and the objectives for 1991-92. Foundation assets, for the first time, have surpassed $3 Million. The Investment Committee will be entertaining proposals from four investment groups in addition to Wachovia Bank to ensure the best return possible. In another first, contributions received in a year surpassed $1 Million. This figure was a result of some generous six- figure gifts which Ms. Cutter Modlin does not anticipate receiving each year. Next year there will be more concentration on major gifts and less emphasis on the annual fund. A consultant looked at the development operation and compared UNCA, WCU, Appalachian, UNC-W, and UNC-C. UNCA had the smallest staff and the smallest development budget, yet had the best return for the money invested in the operation. A fundraising consultant will visit the campus to determine what steps are necessary to begin planning for a capital campaign. Ms. Linda Nelms is on the finance subcommittee of the Self Study working to create a needs list for the university. Also, a computerized prospect tracking system has been installed this year. Ms. Cutter Modlin explained the role of the Institutional Advancement Council which is composed of Larry Wilson, Elaine Fox, Alex Miller, Chancellor Schuman, Ms. Cutter Modlin and others. Other objectives discussed for 1991-92 included increasing and enhancing UNCA's visibility in the Asheville community through development, public information, and leadership programs. Over 500 individuals have completed the Leadership Program which will celebrate its 10th Anniversary next year. In response to a question, Ms. Cutter Modlin stated that a capital campaign was a major university-wide effort to raise private dollars. A capital campaign is usually a concerted three to five year funding effort which could include annual giving, endowment, or a special capital project. IV. Administrative Report Dr. Larry Wilson, VCAA, gave the Administrative Report. - Enrollment Comparing current applications to applications last year at this time, the number of Freshman applications for Spring 1992 has decreased slightly while transfer applications have increased slightly. Dr. Wilson anticipates enrolling approximately 20 new Freshman and 100 transfer students next semester. This figure has virtually remained the same for the last couple of years. There may be a few more unclassified and part time students as more adjunct money to support additional classes became available because of late resignations last summer. For Fall 1992, Freshman applications have decreased two percent compared to last year at this time. However, the traditional quality measures are somewhat better than last year; SAT scores of applied students are 12 points above last year's scores. UNCA has accepted 150 new Freshman compared to 90 at this time last year. This represents a 55% increase in accepted applications. The number of applications has remained constant but the pool appears to be stronger. - Two Special Task Forces The members of the Sexual Harassment Task Force formed a month ago include faculty members Pamela Nickless and Ileana Grams, staff members Andy Brantley and Lynne Baber, students Lydia Bell and Brian Corbin, and administrators Yav Iovacchini and Larry Wilson. The task force will review the sexual harassment policy for both employees and students. The Athletic Task Force is composed of Alan Comer, Alan Hantz, Dwight Mullen, Linda Nelms, Steve Patch, Bob Yearout, Caroline Miller, Bill Pott, Tim Dillon, Rosemary McGillan (student), Dick Lowe (community person), Duane McKibbin (Trustee), and Larry Wilson, chair. The task force will be looking at the whole range of athletics, and has reviewed budgets and NCAA requirements at various levels. The task force is not ready to report at this time. Chancellor Schuman's Comments - Board of Governor's Meeting The highest priority at the last Board of Governor's meeting concerned a $300 million bond issue which is seen as a way to catch up on nearly three years of no new building projects. Dr. Schuman has been assured by General Administration that UNCA's highest priorities (completion of the library, Karpen Hall, renovation and addition of the gym) are the types of projects that would be covered under the bond issue. The bond issue has to win the approval of the legislature and the people, so there are still significant hurdles to cross. Dr. Schuman stated that the UPC, the Board of Trustees, and the Vice Chancellors' group are prioritizing a list of university facility needs should the bond issue pass. - Liberal Arts I The consultants hired by the Board of Governor's and GA to look at the mission and programs of all 16 constituents of the university recommended that UNCA be reclassified within the state of North Carolina system of higher education from Comprehensive II to Liberal Arts I. They also recommended that UNCA receive some additional funding consideration given all the graduate programs we are hosting on campus and the use of our library by non-UNCA students. The report is in Larry Wilson's office if anyone would like to read it or make a copy. In response to questions, Dr. Schuman explained that there is a national classification scheme which was adopted by the Carnegie Commission. The UNC system has adopted only Carnegie classification terms, but hasn't adopted all of Carnegie's classifications. The one term not adopted has been the Liberal Arts classification. This would be a new classification in the UNC system, but UNCA will probably be successful in its quest for such designation. Dr. Sabo stated that the Senate passed a resolution last Spring regarding the high priority for funding the library and also requested that pressure be put on GA for relief because of the heavy use of our facilities by other graduate programs. The Senate also called for the administration to push very hard for the Liberal Arts classification. Dr. Sabo stated it was nice to see that somebody actually read the documents. Dr. Schuman stated that Roy Carroll has played an important part in seeing that this has happened and continues to monitor this process very carefully with a particular eye toward UNCA. Roy Carroll was at the Board of Governor's meeting and is now working half days. V. Executive Committee Report Dr. Hantz gave the Executive Committee Report. The executive committee did not meet this month. - Faculty Review of Admission & Academic Appeals Dr. Caroline Miller sent Dr. Hantz a memo asking if the Senate wanted to keep the current policy which calls for faculty review of admission and academic appeals. A lengthy discussion ensued concerning the excessive workload of the current system which requires three to four hour meetings during breaks and an inordinate workload during the summer when faculty may be out of town. There was a general consensus that faculty members need to be involved in the process. As background information concerning the workload, Dr. Nickless stated that the work of this committee was previously handled by four committees. Dr. Coyne stated that the issue over meeting during breaks was essentially unsolvable because students who are suspended and dismissed at the end of one semester need timely notice before the beginning of the next semester. Also, as long as students apply late in the Spring semester for admission, they won't receive their letters until late in May which accounts for the heavy summer workload. Dr. Wilson suggested either having faculty involvement in the decision making or having a faculty committee review the appeals after the fact. The Senate agreed that Dr. Hantz would ask Dr. Caroline Miller if the enrollment services advisory committee would look at these problems and possibly restructure the committee with faculty involvement or perhaps restructure the time schedule of the appeals. - Academic Calendar Copies of the revised 1992-93 academic calendar were distributed. The calendar does not require Senate action. - First Reading Dr. Hantz distributed copies of the Summer School Report written by Dr. Tom Cochran for first reading. - SGA Representative on APC Dr. Hantz stated that Brian Corbin, SGA President, asked how the SGA might proceed in order to have a non-voting but formal representation on the APC. Dr. Hantz explained that this would require changing the Senate constitution. The Executive Committee will take up this matter at its next meeting. In the meantime, the Senate will provide the SGA with copies of first reading documents during the meetings. VI. SGA Report Upon invitation by the Executive Committee, Michelle Fox reported for the SGA. The SGA mailed letters to Edgewood Road residents concerning construction of a sidewalk from Merrimon Avenue to UNCA's campus via Edgewood Road. The SGA hopes to collect 2,000 canned goods by November 23rd. Set up points are located in each building. VI. Academic Policies Committee Report Dr. Bill Sabo reported for the Academic Policies Committee. - First Reading Presentation Dr. Sabo presented the following documents for first reading: APC #2: Catalog Changes in Political Science APC #3: Grading Options in Health & Fitness APC #4: Catalog Changes in Atmospheric Sciences - Hearings The APC held two days of hearings, one on bibliography requirements and another on the foreign language general education requirement courses. They are currently in the process of spirited debate and discussion. - Second Reading Dr. Sabo moved approval of APC #1: Catalog Changes Regarding University Honors. The motion was seconded by Dr. Greenawalt. In an editorial amendment the effective date of the document was changed to read: "Fall '92 for Catalog and Summer '92 for adoption of practice." APC #1 passed unanimously and became Senate Document #0291F. VII. Institutional Development Committee Report Dr. Don Lisnerski reported for the Institutional Development Committee. - Day Care Option The IDC has been examining day care options and recently met with a representative of a management company that runs day care centers throughout the country. UNCA, Highland Hospital, MAHEC, and the Forestry Center are looking at a possible joint project. An old school located behind the Forestry Center is owned by Highland Hospital and may be a potential site for a day care center. This would require leasing the space and renovation. A two to three year lease would be a good trial project to see if the operation could be self supporting. The proposed facility could serve 60-80 children age six months to five years and could accommodate older children during holidays. Dr. Hantz stated that the idea of a sliding fee scale would be stressed, making it affordable to students who need the facilities. The center would probably be a non-profit corporation for insurance purposes. Dr. Sabo expressed surprise that there was interest in a sliding fee scale, given the Senate's lack of interest in using a similar scale on a previous proposal. - Capital Projects The UPC will begin discussion tomorrow on a variety of capital projects in order to prioritize a list of university needs. - Self Study Schedule Due to the discussion on capital projects tomorrow, the Humanities self study has been rescheduled until the December UPC meeting. The Political Science and Drama Departments self study will be reviewed this Spring along with one or two areas of the Education Department's self study. VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Dr. Bruce Greenawalt gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report. FWDC has several on-going projects and will probably have a Tenure revision document ready for the December Senate meeting. Committee questionnaires concerning workloads and structure will be sent out this month after the break. - New Dental Plan Linda Franklin received information from American Pioneer Insurance Company that UNCA's rates would be increasing 45% on January 1st and contacted Dr. Greenawalt as FWDC traditionally reviews policies before they are sold on campus. According to Dr. Greenawalt, Commonwealth National Life Insurance Company has favorable rates with good coverage and has a BEST financial rating of A- which is excellent. Commonwealth National is licensed in 48 states and currently serves NC State, Lenior Community College, and several other state agencies. A representative will be on campus to discuss the plan with interested employees on Tuesday, November 19th from 10:30- 4:00 in Karpen Hall 113. The deadline date for enrollment is December 2nd. IX. Old Business There was no Old Business. X. New Business Since the last Senate meeting Dr. Wilson has learned that 10 or 12 of the university institutions have elected to participate in the new budget flexibility option. It is not in UNCA's best interest to enter the program at this time as funds would have to be reverted back into the system. XI. Adjournment Dr. Hantz adjourned the meeting at 4:50 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Bruce Greenawalt