University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, April 8, 1993 Senate Members: A. Coyne, F. Davenport, L. Dorr, M. Gillum, C. Goedsche, G. Henderson, D. Lisnerski, B. Miller, G. Nallan, P. Nickless, K. Ray, P. Snoyer, D. Van Engelen, B. Yearout, L. Wilson Excused: D. Mullen Visitors: C. Bennett, S. Browning, J. Garrett, D. Harmon, W. Kirby, E. Manning-Tano (SGA), R. Schmidt, S. Schuman, J. Stevens I. Call to Order The 1992-93 Faculty Senate met on Thursday, April 8, 1993, in Karpen Hall 005. Dr. Lisnerski called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm and presented the March 11, 1993, minutes for approval. A spelling correction was made to Mr. McDevitt's name. The minutes were approved as corrected. II. Administrative Report Chancellor Schuman Dr. Schuman addressed in detail recent campus events involving African American students and members of the officially suspended fraternity, Theta Chi. At this time, the matter is going through the normal student judicial process with a clearly spelled out avenue of appeals in the Student Handbook should that process not produce the result satisfactory to all who are empowered to appeal (both plaintiffs and defendants). This process will take place next week. Dr. Schuman discussed a recent visit from the national office of the now expelled fraternity and the delay in painting over the fraternity letters. In addition, Dr. Schuman responded to questions and suggestions from the Senate. The Senate agreed that lines of communication needed to be open to everyone involved. Dr. Schuman stated that a plan was underway to bring in the Asheville City/County Mediation Service in order to establish a venue of communication between students, faculty and staff willing to discuss this with people who have different perspectives, and also to access more objectively and accurately where UNCA is as a community. Dr. Dorr stated that the episode indicated a lack of success in accomplishing the goals of a liberal arts institution. Dr. Henderson stated that such incidents indicate the need for inclusion of a multicultural focus into the General Education program so that all undergraduates have that exposure. Students need to understand the rules and policies underwhich the university operates and need to receive adult guidance and mentoring. Dr. Larry Wilson, VCAA, gave the Administrative Report. Faculty Positions The following three faculty positions have been filled: Nancy Fitch - History department Gina Miller - Management department Mark Sidelneck - Education department Three additional searches are in progress at this time. Enrollment Enrollment for next fall continues to be strong. Compared to last year at this time, Freshman applicants have increased 8% and acceptances have increased 11%; there has been a 25% increase in deposits. Quality measures of accepted students remain constant (SAT averages of 1060 versus 1058; 70% in the upper fifth of their graduating class). Applications for Transfers are down less than one percent and acceptances are 20% fewer than last year at this time. Overall quality is substantially improved. Dr. Wilson expects the Freshman class to number nearly 400, up from 365 this year. Compared to last year at this time, acceptances of African Americans have increased by 50% (43 versus 30), Hispanics have increased 100% (14 versus 7), Asians have remained the same, and Native Americans have increased from one to three. The Freshman class will be strong academically and more diverse geographically and ethically. African American Student Open House The African American student Open House held last weekend went very well. Part of the event was held at the YMI Cultural Center downtown with a number of faculty, staff, and students attending. Budget It appears certain that next year's budget will be reduced by .57%. The reduction will be made evenly from the Operating Budget. Dr. Wilson did not have any new information regarding salary increases. The Governor is proposing a 3% salary increase and the Board of Governors is requesting a 6% increase. Basketball Coach Several people have inquired about the status of the basketball coach search. The position has not been filled at this time. An assistant from UNC-CH is interested in the position. Several members of the search committee interviewed eight candidates at the Final Four in New Orleans and have five or six strong applicants in the group. The Senate agreed to invite Tom Hunnicutt, the new Athletic Director, to the next Senate meeting. III. Faculty Assembly Report Dr. Shirley Browning and Dr. John Stevens gave the Faculty Assembly Report. President Spangler stated that tuition will increase; out- of-state tuition will likely increase more than in-state. Salary issues remain unclear. Budget reductions will occur but President Spangler was unsure as to the amount. There will be some form of academic program review for every program in the system. The legislative focus is to eliminate duplication, low productivity programs, and low priority programs. The Board of Governors will attend a retreat to focus on teaching, how teaching is evaluated, and the role of evaluations in personnel decisions. The Assembly passed a Resolution asking the Board of Governors to designate funds specifically to recognize and foster excellence in teaching throughout the system and to establish a Board of Governors' Excellence in Teaching Award. The Professional Development Committee finished a survey on reimbursed and unreimbursed expenses for faculty in the system. The Professional Committee passed a Resolution asking for support for professional development. The Faculty Governance Committee took up the Resolution that the UNCA Faculty Senate sent down to the Assembly regarding an equal opportunity policy statement on sexual orientation. The Assembly passed two resolutions, one requested action on the part of the President and another resolution requested action on the part of each Faculty Senate Chairperson or Council. Systemwide, four institutions currently have a policy of this nature. Dr. John Stevens was re-elected Chair of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee. Dr. Stevens reported that the Faculty Welfare Committee passed a Resolution urging President Spangler to convey support to the General Assembly for their efforts to enact legislation to improve employee compensation and benefits. The Budget Committee passed a Resolution regarding faculty salaries and maintaining an AAUP rating of one. Dr. Wilson has a table of the AAUP ratings in his office. The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee passed a Resolution "...to request the University seek authority to reimburse permanently tenured faculty members for legal expenses incurred when successfully defending themselves from dismissal procedures." Dr. Stevens has copies of the following two reports under consideration: 1) "How the University of UNC System Identifies and Rewards Excellent Teaching" from the NC Center for Public Policy and, 2) a discussion paper entitled "The Re-examination of Faculty Priorities" given at the AAHE Conference held in January. Dr. Stevens stated that teaching was a major emphasis at the Faculty Assembly and is on the agenda for the Board of Governors. IV. Student Government Association Report Edwin Manning-Tano reported for the SGA. The SGA amended and voted on a no-smoking policy. Mr. Manning-Tano read the changes. The policy will be ready to submit next week. The SGA administration changed last night. The judicial code passed last night. V. Executive Committee Report There was no Executive Committee Report. VI. Academic Policies Committee Report Dr. Forest Davenport reported for the Academic Policies Committee. - Second Reading Dr. Davenport explained that APC #13: Catalog Changes in Music was tabled at the last meeting; the UPC has subsequently approved this document. Dr. Davenport moved approval of APC #13. Dr. Goedsche seconded the motion. APC #13 passed unanimously and became Senate Document #2393S. ARTS 310 Review The APC will review ARTS 310 next Thursday at 3:30 pm in KH- 005. VII. Institutional Development Committee Report Dr. Larry Dorr gave the Institutional Development Committee Report. Jazz Track in Music The IDC approved the Jazz Track in Music. Program Reviews On April 13th the IDC will review the Management Program and the Honors Program. VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Dr. Debra Van Engelen gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report. Summer School Report Dr. Van Engelen received a summer school report from Dr. Tom Cochran. She will report on this at the next Senate meeting. Tenure Election Results The following faculty were recently elected to the Tenure Committee: Henry Stern - Humanities Tracy Brown - Social Science Lothar Dohse - Physical Science Academic Appeals Board Ballot Continuing members of the Academic Appeals Board are Nancy Kauffman and Bill Sabo. The FWDC presented several nominees for the Academic Appeals ballot. Dr. Van Engelen moved approval of the slate of nominees. Dr. Miller seconded the motion and the Senate approved the list of nominees. Two individuals will be elected to the Academic Appeals Board in a campus-wide election. Committee Review Document Dr. Van Engelen stated that the FWDC was asked to review a committee document written last year. The FWDC has made little progress on the document as the UNCA committee structure is quite complex. Dr. Van Engelen suggested forming an ad hoc committee with a limited term to review the current committee structure and report back to the Senate in a year. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding committees' charges, clarifying differences in workloads, and including the committee charges in the Faculty Handbook. Dr. Van Engelen will contact the slate of individuals suggested to serve on the ad hoc committee. - Second Reading Dr. Van Engelen explained several editorial changes to FWDC #2: Limitation of Faculty Committee Assignments Using a Committee Assignment Service Record, and described how the format should appear. After a lengthy discussion Dr. Dorr suggested using the form as a working document and a guideline for FWDC rather than a Senate Document. Dr. Van Engelen withdrew FWDC #2 for further study and stated it would be used as a guideline for FWDC. Dr. Van Engelen explained FWDC #3: Changes to the Description of the "Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship Fund" in the Faculty Handbook and moved approval of the document. Dr. Nallan seconded the motion. An editorial change was made. Maintaining strict adherence to the donor's request was discussed as well as contacting the donor for clarification if necessary. FWDC #3 passed unanimously and became Senate Document #2493S. Dr. Van Engelen explained FWDC #4: Policy on Extended Illness and Disability for Faculty of the University of North Carolina at Asheville. This document is very similar to documents passed at UNC-G, NC State, and UNC-CH. The words "domestic partner" were added to page two, paragraph two. Several editorial changes were made to the document. At Dr. Van Engelen's request, the Senate went into executive session. The Senate returned from executive session and Dr. Wilson will send the document to GA for legal feedback. The document will be discussed again at the next Senate meeting. IX. Old Business There was no Old Business. X. New Business The next two Senate meetings will be held on April 29th and May 6th. XI. Adjournment Dr. Lisnerski adjourned the meeting at 6:00 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Debra Van Engelen