University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, March 28, 1996 Senate Members: S. Browning, T. Dohse, C. James, N. Kauffman, B. Larson,P. Laughon, P. McDonald, K. Moorhead, R. Tynes, A. Wengrow, K. Whatley, A. White-Carter, T. Cochran Excused: G. Henderson, M.L. Manns Visitors: W. Bruce, E. Katz, J.M. McGlinn, K. Ray, P. Reed, B. Sensabaugh I. Call to Order Dr. Browning welcomed senators and guests and called the meeting to order at 3:20 pm. Approval of Minutes The minutes of February 8, 1996 were approved as written (Larson/McDonald). II. Administrative Report Chancellor Reed and VCAA Cochran gave the administrative report. Faculty Workload Report Dr. Cochran reported on General Administration's Faculty Workload Report mandated by the legislature. UNCA will now report in the aggregate information on faculty workload. Dr. Cochran will enlist the FWDC Committee and/or the Executive Committee to serve as a sounding board or arbitrator to determine how UNCA counts: teaching loads, the humanities program, health and fitness courses, laboratories, and teacher supervision. The teaching load for baccalaureate institutions is eight courses. Enrollment Applications for next Fall have increased 5% compared to last year at this time. The number of out-of-state acceptances has been reduced to ensure that figures do not exceed 18%. Applications and acceptances indicate a good balance of students within the state. The student profile is very similar to last year's in terms of SAT scores and class rank. Dr. Cochran briefly discussed court cases challenging minority presence scholarships. A Texas case has gone to district court to determine if it is appropriate to have minority presence scholarships. There is also a case in North Carolina where several students within the UNC system are challenging the law. UNCA is continuing to give minority presence scholarships. Women are currently outnumbering men in terms of applications; efforts are underway to create a gender balance. Personnel Changes at General Administration Chancellor Reed reported on the following personnel changes at General Administration: Wyndham Robertson is retiring as Vice President of Communications; GA is looking to find a replacement. Bill Little is retiring as Vice President for Academic Affairs. Roy Carroll will be leaving as Vice President of Planning to accept the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Senior Vice President position. Judith Pulley will be leaving Academic Affairs to accept the position of Vice President for Planning. Regional Meeting Held at UNCA On March 18, UNCA had members of the Board of Governors, General Administration, and regional legislators on campus. UNCA hosted one of six regional meetings which included chancellors and trustees from Western Carolina and Appalachian State. Chancellor Reed distributed copies of GA's "Talking Points" which summarized the system's priorities. Funding Equity Study The Funding Equity Study mandated by the legislature in 1995 is at a preliminary conclusions phase. The study is being conducted by Management of America out of Tallahassee, FL. The consultants met with chancellors and members of the administration of each of the 16 universities. In January Chancellor Reed and the Vice Chancellors met with a lead consultant and made two main points: 1) UNCA's mission is unique and because it has a lot of interaction between faculty members and has small classes, it has unique needs; also, 2) UNCA is the fiscal agent for the Arboretum and their budget is embedded in UNCA's budget; about $2M of the allocations that come to UNCA (from the legislature through the BOG) goes directly to the Arboretum. This information is relevant when deriving a cost per FTE. These points are reflected somewhat in the preliminary findings. The consultants sought to derive a "requirement per FTE" to reflect the state allocation and give comparative figures. Four ways of making comparisons were weighted to glean an overall figure. UNCA was in the baccalaureate category and was compared with Elizabeth City, Pembroke, and Winston-Salem. UNCA was third in the group, with Elizabeth City and Winston-Salem having higher requirements per FTE. The consultants also compared the universities with the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) data on the South and our peer institutions (developed in 1994-95 and approved by the BOG.) Dr. Reed explained that a simulation was conducted to compare NC (and each institution) with formulas derived in the states of KY, OH, TN, and TX. UNCA's final figure was $8,147 per FTE, number eight of the 16 universities. This is seen as being close to "on target" for our funding. On April 15 the study will go into Phase I to the legislature. On November 15 the study will be accompanied with a method of funding to increase some institutions' funding levels. The historically Black universities have had their funding raised significantly in recent years to counter years of being underfunded. Institutions that have experienced a great deal of growth in recent years have also been underfunded. These include: Appalachian, East Carolina, UNCC, UNCG, and UNCW. UNCA's primary focus in the future will be based on mission rather than on growth. In a meeting with chancellors last Tuesday a commitment was made not to shift funding from one institution to another, to recognize that the historically Black universities are still in the process of gaining ground that was lost over the years, and a strong commitment to keep the research universities among the strongest in the nation. III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Browning gave the Executive Committee report. Election The Faculty Senate elected alternate Ed Katz to replace Professor Howard. Dr. Katz will sit on the University Planning Council. Amorous Relationship Policy The Senate discussed the Board of Governors' official version of the new Amorous Relationships Policy, including a preface memorandum from Vice President Little. The Chancellor was seeking the Senate's advice and counsel on how best to distribute this to the faculty and possibly hold conversations with faculty regarding the consequences of ignoring the policy. Suggestions included: discussing the policy with Department Chairs, distributing the entire document to Chairs to filter through departments (making faculty aware that the policy was available to read), presenting the policy with the Sexual Harassment Policy, placing the policy in the Student Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and Advising Handbook, and also holding workshops. Annual Committee Reports In accordance with Senate Document 1490S, Dr. Browning announced that all chairs of standing and ad hoc committees of the faculty shall submit a summary report of their significant activities for the year to the VCAA and the Chairs of the Senate and FWDC by May 30 of each academic year. This report should list uncompleted projects and other recommended activities for the next academic year, and any proposed changes in the committee structure, membership or focus. These reports should be made available to new committee chairs to aid in accomplishing committee objectives. IV. Student Government Report There was no report. V. Academic Policies Report Dr. Bruce Larson reported for the Academic Policies Committee. Second Reading: The following documents were considered for Second Reading. In the interest of time, blocks of documents were approved en masse. Dr. Larson gave a brief description of APC 33-39 and moved approval en masse (Larson/Kauffman.) APC 33 (Catalog Changes in General Education and Health & Fitness) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3696S. APC 34 (Catalog Changes in Atmospheric Sciences) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3796S. APC 35 (Catalog Changes in Biology) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3896S. APC 36 (Catalog Changes in Drama) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 3996S. APC 37 (Catalog Changes in Philosophy) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4096S. APC 38 (Catalog Changes in Sociology) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4196S. APC 39 (Catalog Changes in Computer Science) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4296S. APC 40 (Catalog and Other Changes Related to Academic Honesty) (Larson/Kauffman.) Dr. Larson reported that the current Catalog statement is incomplete and inadequate. The new policy is intended to be clearer, stronger, and more effective in preventing academic dishonesty. APC 40 passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4396S. APC 41 (Catalog Changes Related to Academic Honors) (Larson/Kauffman). Dr. Larson gave a brief history of how APC 41 grew from concerns expressed at the faculty meeting last year. APC 41 will ensure that the grade point averages shown on student grade reports will be the same as the grade point averages used in the computation of academic honors, thereby eliminating an inconsistency in present UNCA practice. In addition, University-wide honors will now be based upon all courses taken at UNCA, rather than all work excluding the last semester. Presumably such honors reflect a student's entire experience at UNCA, not just a part of it. Some students currently enrolled with HGPF grades on their transcripts will see upward or downward shifts in their GPA. To enable these changes to take place, the spring faculty meeting beginning in Spring 1997 will have to move to the exam week rather than the last week of classes, and the Honors Committee will have to meet at a different time in making their decisions. These changes make UNCA's practices more consistent and comprehensive, thereby eliminating a source of confusion and a significant omission from academic honors considerations. Since some students will see shifts in their GPA, the APC recommended that all currently enrolled students with HGPF grades on their transcripts be notified by letter before this change takes effect. Furthermore, for the 1996-97 transition year, no one will be automatically suspended because of the change in calculating GPA. Ms. Sensabaugh distributed copies of the recalculation of GPA and Dr. Larson and Dr. William Bruce discussed the results. APC 41 passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4496S. The Senate thanked Dr. Bruce, the Honors Committee, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Sensabaugh for their work on this matter. APC documents 42-45 were moved for approval en masse (Larson/Kauffman.) APC 42 (Catalog Changes in Music) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4596S. APC 43 (Catalog Changes in Physics.) In a friendly amendment, Dr. Whatley modified page 2 by inserting "132" between CHEM 111, and 144 in "section II." This revision also increased the number of hours to 23, 35, and 38 respectively. APC 43 passed unanimously as amended and became Senate Document 4696S. APC 44 (Catalog Changes in Economics) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4796S. APC 45 (Catalog Changes in German and Spanish) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 4896S. APC 46 (Catalog Changes on Sexual Harassment) (Larson/Kauffman) The last sentence under Sexual Harassment was amended by Ms. White-Carter to read as follows: "If you have experienced or witnessed what you believe to be sexual harassment, or if you have questions, see your advisor, a member of the Counseling Center staff, or the Affirmative Action Officer." APC 46 passed unanimously as amended and became Senate Document 4996S. APC 47 (Catalog and Other Changes Related to Disabilities) (Larson/Kauffman) Dr. Larson distributed a revised copy of APC 47 with editorial changes and corrections in terms of process and procedure made at Ms. Sue Hintz's request. Ms. Hintz is the Assistant Director of Student Development and Coordinator of Disabled Student Services. A memo from Dr. Kauffman, outlining Ms. Hintz's requests, was also distributed. APC 47 (Catalog and other Changes Related to Disabilities) passed unanimously as revised and became Senate Document 5096S. First and Second Reading: Dr. Larson explained that this was the last Senate meeting to consider documents prior to the Catalog deadline. Senators received APC documents 48-55 earlier in order to review them before the meeting. Dr. Larson moved to waive the Comer Rule en masse for APC 48 through 55; Ms. White-Carter seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Dr. Larson briefly explained each document. APC 48 (Catalog Changes in Environmental Studies) (Larson/Kauffman.) This document received a non-concurrence from the Chair of the Economics Department. Dr. Browning's concerns were the absence of a specific prerequisite statement for ECON 200 in relation to a ECON 337 course, and a possible loss of breadth in relation to Environmental Studies' majors. APC concluded that, as a whole, the overall requirements in environmental studies courses and correlates and courses outside the major have decreased in all of the programs. In addition, the committee was of the opinion that individual departments are best situated to determine major requirements. APC 48 creates three hours of free electives for all majors in the program. APC 48 (Catalog Changes in Environmental Studies) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5196S. APC 49 (Catalog Changes in Education) (Larson/Kauffman) The extensive changes in this document are driven by: 1) a directive of the State Department of Public Instruction which has changed its terminology from certification to licensure; 2) clarification of various department procedures; and 3) housekeeping details and changes in course descriptions. APC 49 (Catalog Changes in Education) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5296S. APC 50 (Catalog Changes in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate) (Larson/Kauffman.) This document came from Dr. Phyllis Lang, Director of the Honors Program. The UNCA policy statement regarding Advanced Placement credit has not been reviewed since 1986, and there has never been a systematic review of the International Baccalaureate Exam program by departments. Both policies were reviewed this year because: a) the number of high school students taking AP and/or IB exams is increasing; b) the characteristics of entering students at UNCA have changed substantially since 1986; and c) AP/IB credit is one mechanism by which students are recruited to attend UNCA, hence it deserves a periodic review. APC 50 (Catalog Changes in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5396S. APC 51 (Catalog Changes in Health and Fitness) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5496S (Larson/Kauffman.) APC 52 (Catalog Changes in Mass Communication) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5596S (Larson/Kauffman.) APC 53 (Catalog Changes in Environmental Studies) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5696S (Larson/Kauffman.) APC 54 (General Education Special Topics Course in Mathematics) (Larson/Kauffman.) This document allows students the option of taking MATH 174, Special Topics: Earth Algebra to satisfy their general education mathematics course. APC 54 is not a Catalog change, as students presently have several choices to satisfy the general education mathematics requirement. These include: Math 155, the sequence Math 157/158, Stat 185, or any Mathematics course numbered 163 or above. APC 54 (General Education Special Topics Course in Mathematics) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5796S. The Senate charged the APC with developing a response which would clarify matters in relation to General Education Special Topics courses. APC 55: Catalog Changes for Attempted Hours and Withdrawal (Larson/Kauffman.) The use of the words "without academic penalty" in the section Withdrawal from a Course has led to unanticipated interpretive problems. This document eliminates the words and clarifies withdrawal grading. APC 55 (Catalog Changes for Attempted Hours and Withdrawal) passed unanimously and became Senate Document 5896S. VI. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Dr. Kathy Whatley gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report. Guiding Concepts Revision Dr. Whatley distributed copies of the revised Guiding Concepts and asked senators to give input at the next meeting. This is a substantial revision, meant to follow the mission statement and be used in budgetary and planning decisions. Environmental Studies Self Study UPC began to discuss the Environmental Studies Self Study at their last meeting. A complete set of recommendations will be presented at the next Senate meeting. Summer School report At the last UPC meeting Peg Downes gave a report from the Summer School Task Force. The UPC endorsed the recommendations listed in the report for improving UNCA's summer program. VII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Dr. Paul McDonald gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report. Faculty Election Results Tenure Committee: Bill Spellman, Mike Stuart, Pam Laughon Faculty Senate (1996-1998): Henry Stern, Pat McClellan, Marcia Ghidina, Irene Rossell and Bill Sabo. The alternates are Dan Millspaugh, Keith Krumpe, and George Yates. Hearings Committee: Pat Snoyer and Gregg Kormanik. A run-off election will be held in the social science division between Cheryl McClary and Pamela Nickless. The Senate approved the following slate for the Academic Appeals Board ballot: Kathy Pons, Sophie Mills, David Hopes, Bill Haas, Keith Ray, George Yates, and Mark Sidelnick. The continuing members are Dot Sulock and Randy Booker. The Academic Appeals Board and Hearings Committee run-off election will be placed on one ballot. The Grievance Committee election will be conducted when the results of the Hearings Committee become known. VIII. VCAA Search Committee Update The Faculty Senate will host an open meeting with the four candidates in The Red Oak Room from 2:15 - 3:15 pm on the following dates: April 1 - Dr. Ann S. Ferren of The Association of American Colleges; April 4 - Dr. Bill Moncrief of Presbyterian College; April 8 - Dr. Gloria Nemerowicz of Wells College; April 11 - Dr. Jim Pitts of Albright College. IX. Old Business There was no Old Business. X. New Business The April 11 Senate meeting has been rescheduled to April 25 to accommodate the VCAA candidates coming to campus. XI. Adjournment Dr. Browning adjourned the meeting at 5:45 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Paul McDonald