THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE Minutes, April 13, 1995 Senate Members: S. Browning, P. Caulfield, C. Goedsche, D. Howard, C. James, N. Kauffman, B. Larson, P. Laughon, P. McDonald, M. L. Manns, B. Miller, P. Snoyer, K. Whatley, A. White-Carter, L. Wilson, B. Yearout Visitors: F. Davenport, G. Henderson, E. Iovacchini, S. Johnson, A. Mack, D. Patel, T. Pinckney, P. Reed, T. Samuels, B. Sensabaugh, A. Tatum, R. Tynes I. Call to Order Dr. Browning welcomed senators and guests and called the meeting to order at 3:20 pm. Dr. Browning announced that Dr. Wilson would be late due to a Board meeting off campus. Approval of Minutes The minutes of March 9, 1995 were approved as written (Larson/Miller). II. Administrative Report Newly Established Founders Award Chancellor Reed stated that the Chancellor's Council established a Founders' Award and set aside $50K for small scholarships to students coming to UNCA. The scholarships may make a difference in helping students make a choice between schools. Twenty-eight acceptances have been received thus far. The majority of this group are in the top fifth of their class and SAT scores average 1,250. UNCA's acceptance rate has increased from 40% to 60%. New Appointments Wayne McDevitt and Bob Cranford have been appointed to the Board of Trustees. Cary Owen, Ed Broadwell, and Orville Coward have been elected to serve on the Board of Governors. Budget The NC House of Representatives and Senate continue to work on budget recommendations. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Position Chancellor Reed discussed the timetable for filling the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs position. Dr. Reed anticipates appointing the interim VCAA and the Chair of the Search Committee by the end of the semester. The interim will not be a candidate for the permanent position. Internal candidates for the permanent position are welcome; however, it will be a national search. Dr. Reed solicited Senate recommendations for the interim VCAA, the composition of the Search Committee, and the Chair of the Search Committee. The VCAA position announcement will be released in September. Chancellor Reed stated that essential to both the interim and permanent appointment is an absolute and unquestioning support of UNCA's mission. On May 4th the 1994-95 Senate will meet jointly with the 1995-96 Senate to discuss the interim VCAA recommendation. Senators are also encouraged to give individual recommendations. Dr. Reed plans to consult with the UPC, academic chairs and program directors, and the Vice Chancellors. This will truly be a consultative process and Dr. Reed expects the faculty voice to be strong. III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Shirley Browning gave the Executive Committee Report. Student Concerns Students Andre Mack, Thyreast Pinckney, Adrian Tatum, and Tarasai Samuels addressed several minority student concerns. A lengthy dialogue between students, senators and guests ensued whereby suggestions and concerns were revealed. A partial list of suggestions follow: establish a required course on multiculturalism; increase diversity among faculty, department chairs, directors, secretaries, and administrative positions; foster minority participation in the classroom and respect all opinions; encourage faculty to take multicultural training to increase sensitivity and classroom dialogue; establish the Student Affairs Creed as an Institutional Creed; incorporate minority contributions into course lectures; offer special topic courses on minority cultures; increase time devoted to minority cultures in the general education curriculum; appoint a faculty member, similar to the faculty conciliator, to whom students may address their concerns. Several senators thanked the students for their candid input. The Senate adjourned at 4:45 pm for a break and reconvened at 4:55 pm. Announcements Disability Policy The legal staff at General Administration has questions regarding the Faculty Disability policy recently passed by the Faculty Senate. Dr. Wilson has approved the document. Transfer Credit There is an effort in the Legislature to require four-year institutions to accept transfer credit from SACS accredited two-year schools, and other four-year schools to facilitate transfers. BOG to Recognize Teaching Awards The Board of Governors will hold a luncheon to recognize the Outstanding Teaching Award recipients systemwide. IV. Student Government Report Andre Mack reported that the SGA is currently in transition following recent elections. The SGA is sponsoring a Blood Drive next Tuesday. Incoming Vice President Doc Patel invited Senators to the Student Senate meetings held each Wednesday at 9:00 pm in the Side Door. V. Academic Policies Report Dr. Bob Yearout reported for the Academic Policies Committee. Dr. Yearout distributed copies of APC's recommendations on the Natural Science General Education Review, Granting Departmental Distinction, and Oral Competency Requirement. Natural Science General Education Review Dr. Yearout reported that after a two-year review, the APC concluded that the natural sciences are meeting the requirements specified by the Senate document on General Education. Granting Departmental Distinction The Honors Committee charged the APC to look at the issue of: "Should UNCA grant upon graduation Departmental Distinction to non-major degree-granting departments or programs?" After thoroughly examining the issue and receiving feedback from department chairs and program directors, the APC arrived at the following conclusion: awarding and criteria for University-wide Honors is a faculty prerogative. If the Honors Committee so desires, it has the option to bring the issue before the full faculty for a vote to determine if they would like to broaden the perspective of what Departmental Distinction is. Oral Competency Requirement The APC reviewed the issue of an Oral Competency Requirement at Dr. Wilson's request. Copies of the recommendation were distributed. First Reading: The following document was distributed for First Reading: APC #27: Minimum UNCA Hours for a Minor VI. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Dr. Kathy Whatley gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report. Environmental Studies Department Self-Study The Environmental Studies Department Self-Study is proceeding. Two consultants will be on campus during the first week of May. The consultants should report back to the administration within two weeks of their visit. Philosophy Department Self-Study The Philosophy Department may postpone their Self-Study until next semester because of the issue of low-productivity departments. Low-Productivity Departments A memo from General Administration listed several departments on campus as having low productivity. Officials were asked to eliminate, merge, or justify the existence of these departments. The criteria used for selecting low-productivity departments were the number of graduated majors over the last four or five years. The same set of numbers were used for each university in the system. GA is not taking any action at this time, but UPC will continue to follow this closely. Summer School The UPC is considering ways to increase summer school offerings and faculty salaries. This is a delicate balance as there are student needs to be met, yet summer school FTEs do not count toward the academic year FTEs. Increasing FTEs too much could reduce the university's academic-year FTE figure. UNCA as a Premier Liberal Arts institution A task force is being formed to specify how UNCA will look when it becomes a premier liberal arts institution in the country. Faculty interested in serving on the task force should contact Dr. Whatley. Budget Primer Committee The Budget Primer Committee is making progress, but will not have a complete report by the end of this semester. The committee has the beginnings of a draft. VII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Mary Lynn Manns gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report. Elections The Senate elected the following slate of faculty to be placed on the May election ballot: - UNC Faculty Assembly J. Heimbach, G. Henderson, B. Larson, G. Miller - Academic Appeals R. Booker, S. Byrd, P. Caulfield, Je. McGlinn, W. Sabo, M. Stuart, D. Sulock. - Faculty Conciliator The Senate approved the following slate of four faculty to be forwarded to the SGA: C. Goedsche, N. Kauffman, C. McClary, J.W. Miller. The SGA will elect the Faculty Conciliator and an Alternate from the list of faculty. First Reading: The following document was presented for First Reading: FWDC #5: Definition of Faculty Conciliator Position Election Results The faculty and Senate election results are summarized below: Tenure Committee, serving terms 1995-1997: Anthony Coyne Jim Heimbach Joe Sulock Hearings Committee, serving terms 1995-1997 Tucker Cooke Kathy Whatley Gwen Henderson Faculty Senate, serving terms 1995-1998 Robert Tynes Kevin Moorhead Gwen Henderson Lothar Dohse Arnold Wengrow Alternates (1995-1996): Ed Katz, George Yates, Betsy Wilson The Grievance Committee ballot will be delivered next Monday. Ballots for Academic Appeals, Faculty Assembly, and any run-offs will be delivered the first Monday in May. VIII. Enrollment Dr. Wilson reported that compared to last year at this time Freshman applications have increased 19% and deposits have increased 13%. The student profile is virtually identical to last year at this time. SAT scores are 1,066 vs. 1,061, and 65% are in the top fifth of their graduating class. Applications for African American students have increased 67%, acceptances have increased 81%, and deposits are even. Applications for all minority students have increased 40%, acceptances have increased 68%, and deposits have increased 25%. Transfer applications are down and acceptances are even, yet deposits have increased 29%. Dr. Wilson predicted that UNCA will exceed the maximum percentage of out-of-state Freshman by 2-4%. The enrollment figures may change if the legislature increases out-of-state tuition. Approximately 27% of deposits are from out-of-state students. Housing will also be a problem. IX. Old Business There was no Old Business. X. New Business In response to Dr. Larson's question regarding student concerns, Dr. Browning outlined several approaches Senate subcommittees and others might take in addressing concerns expressed by minority students earlier in the meeting. Dr. Browning thanked faculty and students for their input. Dr. Browning thanked Dr. Larry Wilson for all the work he has done for UNCA. XI. Adjournment Dr. Browning announced the agenda items for the May 4th meetings and adjourned the meeting at 5:40 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Mary Lynn Manns