University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, February 11, 1993 Senate Members: A. Coyne, F. Davenport, L. Dorr, M. Gillum, C. Goedsche, G. Henderson, D. Lisnerski, B. Miller, D. Mullen, G. Nallan, P. Nickless, K. Ray, P. Snoyer, D. Van Engelen, B. Yearout, L. Wilson Visitors: D. Harmon, E. Manning-Tano (SGA), M. L. Manns, L. Pressley (Blue Banner) I. Call to Order The 1992-93 Faculty Senate met on Thursday, February 11, 1993, in Karpen Hall 005. Dr. Lisnerski called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. Dr. Lisnerski presented the December 10, 1992, minutes for approval. The third sentence on page two, paragraph two, was deleted and the following sentence was added: "Requirements also include a minimum of 14 sports." The minutes were approved as corrected. II. Administrative Report Dr. Larry Wilson, VCAA, gave the Administrative Report. Enrollment Enrollment for spring semester is slightly below the two percent window; no adverse effect is anticipated. GA denied UNCA's request for a modest enrollment increase for next year. Consequently, there will be no budget increase next year. Budget The Governor has asked state agencies to prepare a one percent and a two percent budget reduction for next year. A one percent reduction is $175K. Dr. Wilson discussed the request with Dr. Lisnerski as Senate Chair and Dr. Dorr as UPC Chair. The reduction is not related to enrollment. Dr. Wilson stated that the first one percent reduction would come from UNCA's operating budget. Salaries and lapsed salaries are excepted from these reductions. The second one percent budget reduction is more difficult and would come from programmatic reductions rather than academic programs. Personnel will not be reduced in either reduction. In response to Dr. Miller's question, Dr. Wilson stated that he did not know the status of UNCA's reserve money at this time. Budget Flexibility Plan Another complicating problem is that UNCA is required to join the budget flexibility plan next year. A major drawback to the flexibility plan is the requirement to immediately forfeit 2% of the university's budget allocation upon joining. This is in addition to the one and two percent budget reductions requested by the governor. Salary In response to Dr. Ray's question, Dr. Wilson stated that GA was requesting a 6% salary increase for next year and a 6% salary increase the following year. Budget Performance Review Last year the General Assembly employed a major accounting firm to conduct a budget performance review in order to streamline State costs. The report sets forth 225 proposals to the General Assembly. Recommendations included a 20% tuition increase for in- state students and a 50% tuition increase for out-of-state students. The Budget Appropriations Committee in the NC House and the Appropriations and Finance Committee of the NC Senate will consider these recommendations. Dr. Lisnerski stated that one recommendation was to remove the grant given to in-state students attending private colleges. Searches In response to Ms. Snoyer's question, Dr. Wilson stated that he anticipates filling the faculty searches currently underway. However, the adjunct budget may suffer as a consequence of budget reductions. UNCA has lost seven faculty positions over the last three years. In the alternate year biennial budget proposal for the Change or Expansion Budget, UNCA proposed twelve new faculty positions. New Vice President of Academic Affairs at GA Dr. Wilson met with the new Vice President of Academic Affairs at GA for nearly two hours this week. Dr. Wilson stated that the new VP was the former head of the chemistry department at Chapel Hill and had taught at Reed College, a small liberal arts college. Several topics were discussed and Dr. Wilson found him to be quite receptive to UNCA's liberal arts mission. III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Don Lisnerski gave the Executive Committee Report. Senate Chairs' Annual Meeting The Faculty Senate Chairs from across the state are invited to meet with GA on February 19th. This year the discussion will be: (1) the role you and your senate has in evaluating administrators and, if there isn't any, what should it be? (2) is material procedural irregularity grounds for appealing a decision not to reappoint or not to award tenure? [based on a case at UNC- CH], and (3) the role of faculty members in administration searches. IV. Student Government Association Report Edwin Manning-Tano reported for the SGA. Student elections will be held in March. The next Blood Drive will be on March 11th. SGA is hoping to get a bench by the bus stop on campus. Greenfest will be held in April. SGA is going to Chapel Hill this weekend to meet with the Association of Student Governments. Last weekend the SGA as well as other students went to the USC-Columbia Leadership Conference. A meeting will be held next Monday to research the possible athletic fee increases. Smoking Policy In response to a question from Dr. Lisnerski, Mr. Manning- Tano did not have an update on the smoking policy at this time. Dr. Wilson stated that he suggested to the Chancellor that UNCA form an institution-wide committee involving students, faculty and staff to move this policy along. The university has a new level of liability in light of the EPA regulations. In response to question from Dr. Henderson, Dr. Wilson stated that the committee will be composed of both smokers and non-smokers. Theta Chi Fraternity In response to a question from Dr. Mullen, Dr. Wilson stated that the Theta Chi Fraternity was officially suspended from campus but the national fraternity has allowed them to exist in Asheville. V. Academic Policies Committee Report Dr. Forest Davenport reported for the Academic Policies Committee. - First Reading The following documents were distributed for first reading: APC # 6: Catalog Changes in Mathematics APC # 7: Catalog Changes in Physics APC # 8: Catalog Changes in Humanities APC # 9: Catalog Changes in Honors Program APC #10: Catalog Changes in Health & Fitness APC #11: Catalog Changes in Mass Communication APC #12: Catalog Changes in Chemistry APC #13: Catalog Changes in Music APC #14: Catalog Changes in Philosophy APC #15: Catalog Changes in Management APC #16: Catalog Changes in Sociology APC #17: Catalog Changes in Drama APC #18: Catalog Changes in Economics - Second Reading: Dr. Davenport moved approval of the following documents: APC #1: Catalog Changes in Atmospheric Sciences (Davenport/Van Engelen). This document deletes two three-credit hour courses and adds one four-credit meteorology course. It also adds a computer science course for one of the major requirements in a track. APC #1 passed without dissent and became Senate Document #0393S. APC #2: Catalog Changes in Mathematics (Davenport/Coyne). This document adds a brief descriptive change to the Mathematics Assistance Center, deletes Math 104 because it no longer serves any purpose, and adds Math 167 in order to combine Math 163/164 into a one semester course. This document also replaces the wording for the general education requirements for Mathematics and makes editorial changes. In response to a question from Dr. Dorr, Dr. Davenport stated that the proposed changes under general education clarify rather than substantially change general education requirements. APC #2 passed without dissent and became Senate Document #0493S. APC #3: Catalog Changes in Physics (Davenport/Snoyer). This document changes the Physics Minor from 18 to 21 hours and requires that students also take Physics 324 and 341 as part of the minor. The additional hours required for a minor brings the Physics minor in line with the number of hours required for a minor in the other physical sciences. APC #3 passed without dissent and became Senate Document #0593S. APC #4: Catalog Changes in Management (Davenport/Goedsche). This document deletes Mgmt 486 as a required course for the major in order to reduce the program to under 128 hours. A second change allows students more flexibility and also requires an advanced statistics course. Also, MGMT 384 is renamed Industrial Ergonomics, which is the proper nomenclature for this field of study. APC #4 passed without dissent and became Senate Document #0693S. APC #5: Catalog Changes in Management (Davenport/Dorr). This document adds MGMT 306, an international-oriented course which would be appropriate for students interested in an International Studies minor or an international emphasis in the General Management track. Changes in various course descriptions are made for clarity. This document also requires students to take either ECON 210 or ECON 305 but not both. APC #5 passed without dissent and became Senate Document #0793S. General Education review of ARTS 310 The APC general education review of ARTS 310 previously scheduled for February 18th has been rescheduled for April 15, 1993, at 3:30 pm in KH-005. This will allow time for consultants to come to campus before the review. VI. Institutional Development Committee Report Dr. Larry Dorr gave the Institutional Development Committee Report. Educational Goals The IDC met last week to discuss the three major strategic educational goals discussed at the last Senate meeting. The committee wanted input from the university community and has scheduled meetings with the three major areas of the university. The first meeting to discuss diversity will be held on Monday in the Humanities Lecture Hall at 3:30 pm. Dr. Wilson stated that this is part of the planning process that SACS asked UNCA to increase. Annual Reports The committee discussed how to modify annual reports required of departments in order to discern a clearer statement of their plans and to ascertain if goals are being met. VII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Dr. Debra Van Engelen gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report. Change in Supplemental Retirement Plans The 403(B) Retirement Plan has added Lincoln National Life as a new carrier to campus and has removed two carriers who have not added new members in the last five years. Jefferson Pilot and Calvert will be removed but the two individuals currently enrolled may remain with the plans. Five 403(B) retirement plans are now available at UNCA. Elections Dr. Van Engelen recently sent out a memo regarding upcoming elections, asking for individuals interested in serving on the University Faculty Assembly. She learned from Dr. Shirley Browning that this was an error as the delegates serve three year terms rather than two year terms. The correct terms follow: John Stevens' term is from 1991-1994 with Henry Stern as the alternate. Shirley Browning's term is from 1992-1995 with Gary Miller as the alternate. For this reason, there will not be an election for the Faculty Assembly this year. FWDC Documents Forthcoming The FWDC is postponing first reading on several documents in order to consider APC documents before the catalog deadline. The Parental Leave Policy was completed but the federal government now has a policy in effect. Dr. Van Engelen read from The Wall Street Journal for Monday that the Family and Medical Leave act stated, "...employers that have 50 or more employees within a 75 mile radius will be covered by the law which applies to non-profit and governmental organization as well." Document Withdrawn Dr. Van Engelen explained that FWDC has withdrawn FWDC #1: Deadlines for Submission of Award Nominations or Proposals after consulting with a number of committees that this document would impact. The FWDC found such diverse opinions regarding deadlines that they decided not to impose a policy on these various committees. VIII. Old Business There was no old business. IX. New Business Executive Session The Faculty Senate went into executive session to discuss concerns regarding UNCA's Intercollegiate Athletic Program. After returning from executive session the following Sense of the Senate document was unanimously approved and became Senate Document #0893S: Sense of the Senate Regarding Intercollegiate Athletic Program The Faculty Senate reaffirms its position that the intercollegiate athletic program is a valuable co-curricular activity at UNCA. However, the Senate expresses concern over reports that some student athletes have experienced what appears to be excessive pressure to place intercollegiate competition above academic commitments. The Senate requests that the Administration investigate these concerns and, if verified, take action to keep the intercollegiate athletic program in proper perspective with the academic mission of UNCA. Further, the Senate expresses concern that scheduling of intercollegiate athletic events may create too many conflicts with academic course schedules, thereby hindering the academic standing and progress toward graduation for athletes. The Senate urges that the number and frequency of events be better synchronized with the academic schedule to minimize class conflicts. Grade Inflation Dr. Goedsche stated that some faculty were concerned about grade inflation on campus. After a lengthy discussion, the Senate agreed that APC would consider this issue and peruse figures available through Institutional Research. Smoking Policy Dr. Lisnerski stated that Senators have received telephone calls regarding UNCA's smoking policy in light of the EPA report on secondary smoke. Dr. Lisnerski received a letter from Dr. Pyeritz who had recently addressed the Administrative Assembly on the subject of passive smoking. Dr. Pyeritz's letter was read in part: "Some important points that came out of our discussion were that: 1. The effects of smoking in a room may last for hours. No one needs to be actively smoking for the effects of passive smoking to be felt. 2. The ventilation system in our campus buildings redistributes air flow throughout the entire building. Smoking in one room distributes smoke to all rooms. After discussion the Senate agreed that FWDC would work with the SGA and the administration to develop a campus smoking policy. X. Adjournment Dr. Lisnerski adjourned the meeting at 5:15 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Debra Van Engelen