University of North Carolina at Asheville FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, November 9, 1995 Senate Members: S. Browning, T. Dohse, G. Henderson, D. Howard, C. James, N. Kauffman, B. Larson, P. Laughon, P. McDonald, M. L. Manns, K. Moorhead, R. Tynes, A. Wengrow, A. White-Carter, T. Cochran Excused: K. Whatley Visitors: T. Cochran, T. Hunnicutt, S. Johnson, G. Nallan, P. Reed, B. Sensabaugh, P. Turner I. Call to Order Dr. Browning welcomed senators and guests, and called the meeting to order at 3:20 pm. Pam Turner, Chair of UNCA's Board of Trustees, was among the guests. Approval of Minutes The minutes of October 12, 1995, were approved as written (Larson/Howard). II. Administrative Report Dr. Tom Cochran gave the Administrative Report. General Administration Meeting Dr. Cochran reported on a recent General Administration meeting concerning legislative actions that will impinge on the university. Legislators have written into law a list of specific studies that the Board of Governors is to review within the next twelve to twenty-four months. The list of studies to be undertaken was distributed. General Administration is laying the groundwork for conducting the reviews. Issues include faculty workload, enrollment, transfer issues, credit hours, and library issues. Formalized strategies to collect information and criteria to be used will likely be addressed in February. In response to Mr. Wengrow's question, a brief discussion ensued regarding HB 229-Equity of Funding* and the likelihood of this becoming an opportunity for UNCA, given our focus on undergraduate education. Perhaps UNCA could create an additional identity as a laboratory for approaches to undergraduate education and part of our mission would be to pass those approaches along to other campuses. Chancellor Reed stated there could be a danger in being recognized as top-notch in undergraduate education when referring to funding equity; others can assert they want to emulate the UNCA model and therefore need additional funding to achieve this goal. Dr. Cochran stated that the purpose of HB-229 is to ensure that different institutions within the system are being funded in an equitable manner. Low Productivity Programs The issue of low productivity was also discussed at the GA meeting. According to a report received last week, 286 programs were reviewed as being low in productivity; four UNCA programs were reviewed: Classics, Philosophy, Industrial and Engineering Management and the MLA. General Administration is recommending to the Board of Governors today that 131 of the programs be eliminated. None of UNCA's programs are being eliminated and Dr. Cochran has notified the departments in question. Announcements The Master Planning Group will be on campus next week to discuss building and space needs. Dr. Cochran asked faculty to be candid regarding UNCA's needs. The Board of Visitors will be on campus tomorrow and Saturday to discuss where the University is headed as an institution. Several faculty have prepared white papers and the UPC will be actively involved in the sessions. Dr. Cochran solicited comments on the use of electronic mailing lists as a means of facilitating communication on campus. The Senate discussed the advantages and disadvantages of electronic mailing lists. Although many Senators found e-mail to be a quick, efficient means of communicating, as well as a way to conserve paper resources, other Senators cautioned strongly against flooding the system with frivolous messages. Dr. Howard read excerpts from an Associated Press article concerning the deleterious effects of technological advances. III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Shirley Browning gave the Executive Committee Report. Board of Trustees The Faculty Senate Executive Committee had the privilege to meet with the Board of Trustees on November 1, and gave a presentation on the role of faculty and the Faculty Senate in campus governance and internal decision-making. They gave an overview and each member of the Executive Committee talked specifically about his or her committee and explained how issues come before committees and the Senate. Ms. Turner, Chair of the Board of Trustees, stated that the presentation was very enlightening. IV. Student Government Report There was no Student Government report. V. Academic Policies Report Dr. Bruce Larson reported for the Academic Policies Committee. First Reading: The following documents were distributed for first reading, along with a revised agenda: APC 4: Catalog Changes in Literature and Language APC 5: Catalog Changes in Literature and Language APC 6: Catalog Changes in Literature and Language APC 7: Catalog Changes in Political Science APC 8: Catalog Changes in the Department of Mathematics APC 9: Editorial Catalog Changes APC 10: Catalog Changes in Literature and Language In response to Dr. Henderson's question, Dr. Dohse agreed to contact the Department of Education for concurrence on APC 8: Catalog Changes in the Department of Mathematics. VI. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Dr. Gwen Henderson gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report in Dr. Whatley's absence. Planning Process The UPC is in the process of dealing with environmental scanning issues as a part of the planning process. This will be a component of the Board of Visitors program for this weekend. Dr. Whatley has reported on the status of the Kellogg estate planning process. The consensus was that we should try to be as positive as possible about the Kellogg estate. The UPC is continuing to review the Guiding Concepts. Master Planners The Master Planning Firm, Wallace, Roberts and Todd of Coral Gables, Florida, will be on campus Nov. 14-16 for an orientation meeting. Their second meeting is scheduled for February. Faculty are encouraged to attend and give input early in the process. Dr. Reed provided the timetable for open sessions and sessions with Chairs. Budget Primer update The UPC continues to look at the budget and money allocation. Mr. Foley gave a report to the UPC on reserve funds and how they were spent from 1994-95. Because of the change in the 1995-96 budget process where 5% of previous expenditures are withheld to form a pool of planning funds, this year's reserves will be substantially less than last year. For 1995-96, available reserve funds at the end of the year will be allocated by Vice Chancellor area. VII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Dr. Paul McDonald gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee report. Discussion of policy change on faculty tickets to men's basketball Dr. McDonald gave a brief history of the dilemma created by a recent change in the way faculty tickets to men's basketball games were handled, and referred Senators to page 160 of the Faculty Handbook. After meeting with Athletic Director Tom Hunnicutt and hearing from faculty members, the FWDC asked the Faculty Senate to discuss the inconsistencies in policy. Chancellor Reed apologized for the dilemma and stated that no one intended to breach policy; she did not realize that such a policy existed, and Mr. Hunnicutt did everything he was told to do in terms of process. The last time the policy was changed it was done informally during the Handbook revision. Serious pressure has been placed on Mr. Hunnicutt and athletics to be self-supporting. Mr. Hunnicutt stated that the problem has arisen due to space restrictions and the need to follow local fire codes, as well as the need to become self-supporting. Chancellor Reed added that the tax laws concerning the value of a ticket have changed recently. Essentially, if you have free admission on a space-available situation and the arena is not filled then it is not taxable income; however, if the arena is filled, the ticket then has "value" and must be recorded as income to the person who has the ticket. A lengthy dialogue ensued concerning Faculty Handbook contractual policies, practices, and revisions, the meaning of the word "entitled", ticket value, and the Schuman Fund, as Senators considered ways to rectify the issue. Dr. Kauffman moved to waive the Comer Rule to consider a motion. Dr. McDonald seconded the motion and the motion passed. Mr. Wengrow moved to adopt the Manns Policy, that the request that the Athletic Department sent out at the first of the year inviting faculty to purchase season tickets at $37.50 be interpreted as in compliance with the Faculty Handbook policy stating that a request will be sent out before the beginning of basketball season. The Manns Policy will be in effect for the 1995-1996 academic year. The motion was seconded by Ms. Manns. After further discussion the motion passed. Dr. Henderson moved that the Senate Chair write a memorandum to faculty, to explain the Senate's action. The motion was seconded by Dr. McDonald and passed. Dr. Browning, Mr. Wengrow, and Mr. Hunnicutt agreed to collaborate on the memorandum. Second Reading: The following documents were considered for Second Reading: FWDC #1: Change in recommendation process for emeritus status (McDonald/Manns). FWDC 1 passed unanimously and became Senate Document 0495F. Distinction between Emeritus and Retired Status At the last Senate meeting FWDC had been asked to discern any differences between emeritus and retired status. The FWDC found that there is no difference except the notation in the Catalog. The FWDC suggested that the VCAA make mention of the new emeriti at the May graduation ceremony. Also, FWDC has asked Mr. Wengrow to review past retirees and, if he deems it appropriate, to recommend to program Chairs that they recommend emeritus status for those individuals to make sure there was no oversight. FWDC #2: Clarification of Grievance Committee meeting guidelines (McDonald/Manns). FWDC 2 passed unanimously and became Senate Document 0595F. Request to review Grievance/Hearing Procedures In response to a request at the last Senate meeting, FWDC is reviewing the issue of grievance procedures, as well as the grievance content in hearings. Dr. McDonald requested the Senate's patience, as these are complicated documents. Minority Concerns The FWDC continues to discuss minority concerns, particularly retention of minority faculty. Although the university is doing a good job in individual cases, minority faculty have the added burden of being asked to serve on multiple committees, especially task forces and ad hoc committees that occur during the year. Secondly, these faculty have advisees assigned to them but also serve as informal advisors to many minority students; they would like to have this recognized as part of their performance for the year. VIII. VCAA Search Committee Update There are 103 formal applications and 36 nominations in process at this time. Evaluations of nominees are underway. Ms. Elkin of the Computer Center will place the position ad on UNCA's Home Page. The ad has been placed on the Internet bulletin board; the Chronicle ad went out on the World Wide Web. Dr. Browning stressed the importance of confidentiality, noting that a candidate's reference was incorrectly sent to Karpen Hall's fax number. All correspondence must go through the Search Committee Office for reasons of confidentiality. IX. Old Business There was no Old Business. X. New Business There was no New Business. XI. Adjournment Dr. Browning adjourned the meeting at 5:10 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Paul McDonald