THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, February 8, 1996 Senate Members: S. Browning, T. Dohse, G. Henderson, C. James, N. Kauffman, B. Larson, P. Laughon, P. McDonald, M. L. Manns, R. Tynes, A. Wengrow, K. Whatley, A. White-Carter, T. Cochran Absent: K. Moorhead Visitors: G. Kormanik, G. Miller, B. Sensabaugh, B. Yearout I. Call to Order Dr. Browning began the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Deryl Howard, our friend and family member who died unexpectedly this week. Approval of Minutes The minutes of January 18, 1996 were approved as written (Larson/McDonald). II. Administrative Report Dr. Tom Cochran did not have an Administrative Report. Dr. Cochran announced that a memorial service for Deryl Howard would be held next week; Dr. Moseley is coordinating the service and will notify the UNCA community when the arrangements are finalized. III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Browning did not have an Executive Committee report. Members of the Executive Committee were asked to meet briefly at the close of the Senate meeting. IV. Student Government Report There was no report. V. Academic Policies Report Dr. Bruce Larson reported for the Academic Policies Committee. First Reading: The following documents were distributed for First Reading: APC 33: Catalog Changes in General Education and Health & Fitness APC 34: Catalog Changes in Atmospheric Sciences APC 35: Catalog Changes in Biology APC 36: Catalog Changes in Drama APC 37: Catalog Changes in Philosophy APC 38: Catalog Changes in Sociology APC 39: Catalog Changes in Computer Science APC 40: Catalog and Other Changes Related to Academic Honesty APC 41: Catalog Changes Related to Academic Honors APC 42: Catalog Changes in Music APC 43: Catalog Changes in Physics APC 44: Catalog Changes in Economics APC 45: Catalog Changes in German and Spanish APC 46: Catalog Changes on Sexual Harassment APC 47: Catalog and Other Changes Related to Disabilities Dr. Larson gave a brief explanation of each document and asked Senators to carefully review the following documents: APC 40 re: academic honesty, APC 41 re: academic honors, APC 46 on initial Catalog statement on sexual harassment, and APC 47 on updating the Catalog, the Student Handbook, and the Faculty Handbook in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1993. Dr. Larson also suggested that Senators obtain a copy of the Student Handbook from the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. Second Reading: The following documents were considered for Second Reading. In the interest of time, blocks of documents were approved en masse. APC 20 (Catalog Changes in Political Science) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 2296S (Larson/Henderson). APC 21 (Catalog Change in the Incomplete Policy) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 2396S (Larson/Wengrow). APC 22 through 28 originated from the Department of Management and Accountancy and were moved for approval en masse (Larson/Kauffman). APC 22 (Revision of Principles of Accounting Courses) became Senate Document 2496S. APC 23 (Changes in Minor Requirement) became Senate document 2596S. APC 24 (Track Requirement Changes) became Senate document 2696S. APC 25 (Changes and Deletions in Course Listings) became Senate Document 2796S. APC 26 (New Course Additions) became Senate document 2896S. APC 27 (Oral Competency Requirement) became Senate Document 2996S. APC 28 (Change in Industrial & Engineering Management) became Senate Document 3096S. APC 29 and APC 30 originated from the Biology Department and were moved for approval en masse (Larson/Henderson). APC 29 (Catalog Changes in Biology 499) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3196S. Dr. Larson reiterated modifications made to APC 30 (Biology Prerequisites) at the last Senate meeting. The Department of Education gave unreserved support to the document. However, the Environmental Studies Program gave a conditional concurrence to the document. This was APC's first experience with a conditional concurrence. Dr. Gary Miller was concerned about the Comer Agreement/Rule and whether or not Environmental Studies students could take upper level Biology courses without meeting the prerequisites. This was an oral agreement between Dr. Miller and Dr. Comer. The APC approved the document because: 1) there is no written statement of the Comer Agreement/Rule, 2) APC supports the principle that the individual department is the best judge of what prerequisites are most appropriate for students to be successful in its courses, and 3) it is Dr. Miller's judgment at this time that the prerequisites as submitted by the Department of Biology which state for 351: "Prerequisites BIOL 105, 211, or permission of Instructor" provide adequate access for Environmental Studies students. Dr. Larson moved approval of APC 30. Dr. Henderson seconded the motion. An editorial change was made. In response to Dr. Cochran's question, Dr. Kormanik replied that only a handful of Environmental Studies students would be affected by this specific course prerequisite. Dr. James asked when one department could impact changes made by another department, and if a response should be on the record to handle such disputes. Dr. Browning stated that it is the judgment of the APC which is the intended purpose of peer review. APC is responsible for issuing peer review. A broader peer review occurs when the document comes before the Senate. APC 30 (Biology Prerequisites) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3296S. APC 31 (Catalog Changes in History) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3396S (Larson/Kauffman). APC 32 (Catalog Change for Second Baccalaureate Degree Requirements) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3496S (Larson/McDonald). Honors' Cords Dr. Larson stated that part of the adjustment to academic honors would be to distribute cords to students who earned Latin honors. Becky Sensabaugh displayed an honors' cord from the Josten Company as an example of distinguishing students who obtained Latin honors and adding color to commencement. Senators enthusiastically endorsed the concept and Dr. Cochran agreed to present the idea to the Department Chairs. Several Senators suggested limiting the colored-tassel to students earning the Latin honors distinction. VI. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Dr. Kathy Whatley gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report. Environmental Studies Self Study The UPC was unable to meet on Wednesday to discuss the Environmental Studies Self Study. The report will be given at the next Senate meeting. Guiding Concepts Revision The Guiding Concepts have been revised and distributed to the Board of Trustees; it should be available at the next Senate meeting. Grove Arcade Developers expect the historic Grove Arcade (previously known as the Grove Arcade and the Federal Building) to be occupied two years from this fall. The developers are looking at ways UNCA might be involved in the project, perhaps by having an art gallery or studio space in the Grove Arcade. The Chancellor is forming a committee to consider various ideas and Dr. Whatley welcomes suggestions. Transfer Agreements with Community Colleges Dr. Whatley reported on the legislative mandate to provide community college AA/AS degree recipients with 60 hours of credit upon matriculation to a UNC institution. All two-year schools will have common course numbers, titles, and descriptions. There will be systemwide articulation agreements in which a general education course will automatically count as a general education requirement at any UNC institution, assuming a two-year degree. The Senate discussed ways in which UNCA may offer input into the process. VII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Dr. Paul McDonald gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report. Second Reading: FWDC 3: UNCA's Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest (Revision of SD1393F) Dr. McDonald stated that the changes in FWDC 3 are mostly editorial, essentially the addition of a long footnote that incorporates a definition of significant financial interest from the Federal Register into our document. Dr. McDonald moved approval of the FWDC 3. Ms. Manns seconded the motion. FWDC 3 passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3596S. Student Handbook At the behest of the Executive Committee, Dr. McDonald asked Vice Chancellor Iovacchini if the Student Handbook could be made available to faculty. In years past this was the case, but it hasn't been done lately. Dr. Iovacchini agreed to make sure faculty receive the new edition next fall; faculty will then receive a new edition every other year. Mr. Wengrow suggested having the Student Handbook placed online to eliminate printing cost. Dr. Cochran will see if this is feasible. Equity Funding Study In response to Dr. McDonald's question, Dr. Cochran reported on the Equity Funding Study mandated by the Legislature. Recently members of GA and a consultant met with UNCA administrators to solicit ways to fund the institution. The questions related to how UNCA is funded compared to other groups, such as the peer comparison group developed some years ago. The consultant initially questioned the list of primarily private colleges, but administrators countered that UNCA is unique in NC. Dr. Cochran believes the consultant was persuaded to contemplate how UNCA compared to peer private institutions on critical comparison points, such as salaries, instruction support dollars, academic support dollars, library support, and student service related areas. Dr. Cochran was optimistic that UNCA may benefit in those particular areas. However, the consultant will also compare UNCA with schools in nearby states. The SREB (Southern Regional Educational Board) performs a lot of data collection and UNCA falls into an odd category which will not be particularly advantageous. The funding equity issue may hinge on whether or not the State is willing to consider changing funding based on what comparable schools in other states are getting, or whether they are looking at ways to redistribute the funds they already are giving to the 16 institutions. The administration is hoping to receive a better funding ratio. VIII. VCAA Search Committee Update The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Search Committee is entering the off-campus interview phase. Within the next week that phase will be completed and the committee will enter into the site-visit phase. A report will be placed on email or in the Monday Morning in the next couple of weeks. X. Old Business There was no Old Business. XI. New Business There was no New Business. XII. Adjournment Dr. Browning adjourned the meeting at 4:50 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Paul McDonald