University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, January 27, 1994 Senate Members: S. Browning, P. Caulfield, F. Davenport, M. Gillum, C. Goedsche, G. Henderson, C. James, P. McDonald, M. L. Manns, D. Mullen, P. Nickless, P. Snoyer, A. Wengrow, B. Yearout, T. Cochran Absent: B. Miller Visitors: K. Brantley, E. Brotak, C. Ewing, N. Fitch, D. Harmon, N. Kauffman, C. McClary, G. Nallan, L. Wilson I.A. Call to Order Dr. Browning, Faculty Senate Chair, welcomed faculty and guests to the meeting and called the meeting to order at 3:20 pm. B. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the December 2, 1993 and December 16, 1993 Senate meetings were approved as written. II. Report on the Chancellor's Search Dr. Browning reported that the search committee has separated the 242 inquiries or applications into four groups. Conference calls and reference checks are being conducted on the strongest candidates. The committee is pushing for off-campus visits in February and anticipates on-campus interviews in March. Dr. Browning described the current pool as impressive and diverse in virtually every dimension. Dr. Brotak asked if the committee had been told by powers higher up that a candidate will be a woman. Dr. Browning replied no; the only official communication received from Mr. Spangler or his staff was in August or September in the open forum and a response accepting the search committee's opinion that any interim chancellor not be a candidate. Dr. Browning stated that to his knowledge there has been absolutely no communication whatsoever. III. Administrative Report Dr. Tom Cochran, Interim VCAA, gave the Administration Report. Enrollment UNCA's average annual enrollment of 2,474 is nearly five percent below the budgeted enrollment of 2,600. Although the State only allows for a 2% margin of error, all indications are that budgets will probably not be reduced this year. It is likely that the UNC system will not meet its targeted enrollment as well. Enrollments are down in at least eight of the sixteen institutions and only four are actually above their projected enrollments. Dr. Cochran stated that the more serious problem is next year's budget. There will likely be a reduction in funding based on enrollment for the entire UNC system. UNCA will probably not receive the budgeted enrollment anticipated for next year. The projected enrollment was 2,655 -- nearly 200 above current enrollments and beyond our capacity without essentially having open admissions next year. In a meeting this morning, the budget projection for next year was revised downward to 2,617. This target will allow for one new faculty position for next year. Last year the Council of Chairs authorized three searches in History, Literature and Biology based on enrollment projections. It may be possible to keep the searches as some faculty will not be returning, adjunct money may be adjusted, and typically one or two changes in faculty status occur between now and the end of the year. A number of searches are on-going for replacement positions as well. Dr. Cochran stated that it is possible that GA will not allow UNCA to have any increase next year, which is what occurred last year at this time. The schedule for next fall will offer as many courses as possible without affecting release time or reassigned time. Eight courses were dropped from the offerings last fall and it is necessary to offer a full complement of courses. In response to Dr. Browning's question, Interim Chancellor Wilson reported that applications for next year are constant; quality in terms of traditional measures has increased slightly. There is also a very strong pool of African American students at this time. Facilities Dr. Wilson stated that the administration is trying desperately to get the Ramsey Library construction contract in front of the massive rush for bond referendum projects. Dr. Wilson explained UNCA's foreseeable parking dilemma while construction is underway and requested Senate feedback. The construction company would like to use the parking lot located between Carmichael and the science building. The Senate discussed the feasibility of turning the area in front of the Carol Belk Theatre and Carmichael Hall into a gravel parking lot for one year. Highland Hospital Property It appears that the Highland Hospital property has been sold although no deed has been filed. The last of the state's analyses, including the appraisal and requirements to bring the property up to Code, is expected any day. The administration can then advise the State Property Office about negotiating on pieces of the property which may be for sale. IV. Executive Committee Report Dr. Shirley Browning reported for the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee has not found a time this month when all four members were available to meet. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 31. V. Student Government Report Mr. Charles Ewing gave the Student Government Report. Dr. Browning introduced Mr. Charles Ewing as Ms. Quinn's SGA replacement. Ms. Heather Quinn has a class during Senate meetings. Mr. Ewing stated that Ms. Dot Sulock has been selected to serve as Faculty Conciliator. Dr. Michael Stuart will be the alternate Faculty Conciliator. A Blood Drive will be held on February 4, 1994, from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm in the Highsmith Center. VI. Academic Policies Report Dr. Bob Yearout reported for the Academic Policies Committee. - Second Reading APC #14: Catalog Changes in Atmospheric Sciences Dr. Yearout moved approval of the document which was seconded by Mr. Wengrow. APC #14 passed unanimously and became Senate Document #1494S. APC #15: Catalog Changes in Arts and Ideas Dr. Yearout moved approval of the document which was seconded by Ms. Snoyer. APC #15 passed unanimously and became Senate Document #1594S. APC #16: Catalog Changes in Art Dr. Yearout moved approval of the document. The motion was seconded by Dr. Goedsche. APC #16 passed unanimously and became Senate Document #1694S. Report on the Status of People of Color and Women at UNCA APC reviewed the Report on the Status of People of Color and Women at UNCA. APC reported that there appears to be is a definite lack of minority majors and a pattern of lower grades in certain disciplines. The committee made it very clear that this concern does not imply any intentional discrimination whatsoever. However, the lower grade pattern appears to be most evident in the general education courses. The APC recommended that a Task Force separate from the Minority Affairs Commission be formed to study this concern and specifically that APC would provide one volunteer and the Minority Affairs Commission should provide one member to serve on the Task Force. This arrangement was made because the Minority Affairs Commission was too busy to handle an additional task. Dr. McDonald stated that he hoped the Task Force would include more than two people. Dr. Browning asked if there was any objection to receiving the recommendation and asking Dr. Cochran as the chief academic officer to perform this task. Dr. Henderson asked why the Commission was so busy; with what was the Commission dealing? Dr. Henderson stated that last year the Commission spent most of its time developing the Report. Dr. Mullen agreed with Dr. Henderson, and stated that the Commission was busy looking at the agenda for the remainder of the year; the Senate has asked the Commission to reconsider its charge, as well as follow through on concerns in the Report. The Commission did not want to put this off until next year. In response to Dr. Browning's question, Dr. Mullen stated he had no objection to APC's recommendation. Mr. Wengrow questioned why a member of the Commission would be asked to sit on the Task Force if they were already under a heavy burden unless the person could be released from other responsibilities on the Commission. Dr. Mullen replied that the problem was a scheduling conflict in convening the entire Commission; it would not present a problem to have one member of the Commission sit on the Task Force. Dr. Browning asked if there was any objection to receiving APC's recommendation and asking Dr. Cochran, as the chief academic officer, to form the Task Force. Dr. Henderson stated that she had one other concern. IDC also looked at the Report, and instead of limiting study to those concerns of APC, the Task Force should deal with the totality of the Report. Dr. James stated that when APC reviewed the Report they were considering areas that specifically APC would address; the Report has other, more important areas in it. Dr. Cochran agreed there were other issues in the Report and it probably would be a good idea to look at the different issues. Dr. Browning stated that the Report was written last year and there was suppose to be some response from the administration; input has been received from APC and IDC. Dr. Browning stated that if the institution takes the Report seriously, he suggested creating a strong body with representation from the Commission to focus specifically on what seems to be the most important recommendations and move forward. VII. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Dr. Gwen Henderson gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report. - Second Reading IDC #3: African American Studies Program Proposal Dr. Henderson moved approval of the document. Mr. Wengrow seconded the motion. IDC #3 passed unanimously and became Senate Document #1794S. Dr. Browning stated that Dr. Mullen will forward a proposal of specific curricular issues that APC will deal with, hopefully, this semester. Self Study The UPC will review the Management Department's Self Study next Thursday. VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Mary Lynn Manns gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report. - Second Reading FWDC #2: UNCA Medical Authorization Form FWDC #3: Student Enrollment Agreement Ms. Manns stated that FWDC #2 and FWDC #3 were discussed at the last Senate meeting. Ms. Manns moved approval of FWDC #2 which was seconded by Ms. Snoyer. After discussing confidentiality and wording of the document, Ms. Manns and Ms. Snoyer withdrew the motion. FWDC #2 and FWDC #3 were returned to the FWDC for further review. Dr. Browning asked Senators to put concerns in writing to Ms. Manns; Dr. McClary will compile the requests and contact GA for feedback. IX. Old Business Athletic Schedule Dr. Mullen stated that the Athletic Committee scheduled out of town games during exam week and asked if this had been discussed with the Athletic Committee. Dr. Cochran stated that it was discussed in the Athletic Committee and they will assume responsibility to see that this did not occur in the future. Dr. Yearout stated that scheduling would be corrected. Calendar In response to Ms. Snoyer's question, Dr. Cochran stated that the calendar would be distributed at the next Chair's meeting. Athletic Committee Replacement In response to Dr. Nickless' question, Dr. Yearout stated that there were two nominations forwarded by the Athletic Committee and one reluctant individual that Dr. Wilson is going to interview. X. New Business There was no New Business. XI. Adjournment Dr. Browning adjourned the meeting at 4:30 pm. The next Senate meeting will be on February 10, 1994. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Mary Lynn Manns