THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE Minutes, February 20, 1997 - 3:15 p.m. Senate Members: T. Dohse, M. Ghidina, G. Henderson, E. Katz, K. Moorhead, B. Larson, P. Laughon, P. McClellan, B. Sabo, H. Stern, R. Tynes, A. Wengrow, K. Whatley, A. White-Carter, J. Pitts Absent: I. Rossell Visitors: S. Browning, B. Davis, G. Kormanik, M. Latz, S. Mariaca, S. Mills, B. Modlin, P. Reed, B. Sensabaugh, A. Shope I. Call to Order Dr. Larson welcomed senators and guests and called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.. Approval of Minutes The minutes of January 23, 1997 were presented for approval. The minutes were approved as submitted (White-Carter/Henderson). II. Administrative Report VCAA Jim Pitts gave the Administrative Report. Announcements Fall 1997 enrollment applications and deposits have reached last year's figures. University Laurels Interview Day will be held this Saturday. Faculty participation will help UNCA produce a strong class of students. Dr. Pitts has traveled with John White, Mary Chakales and student representatives. They have had very positive receptions in their meetings with alumni across the state and in Atlanta. Dr. Pitts and Vice Chancellor Iovacchini attended a conference at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida last week. UNCA and Evergreen were the only public institutions invited to the select conference on "What are Practical Liberal Arts for the Twenty-First Century?" Essentially, they wrestled with some of the issues that UNCA has addressed in our planning process. Over several years our faculty, staff, and students have wanted to find responsible ways to extend the learning process beyond the classroom. Chancellor's Comments Dr. Reed reported on the Governor's proposed budget. In relationship to universities, the governor has proposed: a one percent cut in non-academic personnel; a cut in operation dollars based on enrollment (this would total $1-2M and would be pro rated for the size of institution and enrollment deficits for this year); a $10M cut in operating funds (1/3 would come from UNC hospitals); and a three percent increase in faculty salaries, with a pool of one-half percent set aside for recognizing excellence in teaching. The governor has also recommended $20M for capital spending. Mr. D. G. Martin is the primary lobbyist for the UNC system and has a telephone voice message at (919) 406-9718 with an update of what is happening in the legislature. III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Larson gave the Executive Committee Report. University Relations Annual Report Vice Chancellor Modlin reported that one of University Relation's primary goals is to create a positive external image of the university. This helps the university recruit students, faculty, and donors. Ms. Modlin highlighted several public information activities held in 1995-96. Chancellor Reed was a featured guest on the "Bill Friday Show" on UNC-TV on December 8 and 10, 1995; Chancellor Reed was featured in the April issue of "North Carolina" magazine. A package featuring UNCA appeared on UNC-TV's "North Carolina Now" on May 10. The package featured the NCUR-10 Conference, UNCA's public liberal arts mission and the benefits of our Humanities program. Other coverage illustrating the breadth of our exposure included WWNC's half-hour interview with Chancellor Reed during the Fall of 1995 and the appearance by Dr. Mark West and Dr. Bill Sabo on WCQS's "Conversations" to discuss completion of Dr. West's Buncombe poll. Ms. Modlin encouraged faculty to contact Merianne Epstein in Public Information when students, faculty, or departments are doing something noteworthy. This is an excellent opportunity for feature stories or hometown press releases. Giving to the University increased fourfold between 1994-95 and 1995-96. Seventy percent of this increase was due to $501K received in Distinguished Professorship matching funds from the BOG ($334K NEH; $167K Philip G. Carson Professorship). The Philip G. Carson Distinguished Professorship was established and the NEH Professorship is now fully funded at $1M. The 1996-97 scholarship campaign goal of $200K was launched on January 23, 1997. Planned giving efforts are beginning to yield results. We had $500K in new bequests during 1995-96 and have almost $750K during 1996-97. The full report will be placed on reserve in Ramsey Library. Senate Composition The workload of the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee has increased in recent years and will probably expand as post tenure review becomes a reality. At present, the Faculty Senate consists of 15 members (one chair, seven APC members, four IDC/UPC members, and three FWDC members.) Future Senates may consider a reallocation of senatorial resources or perhaps an increase in the size of the Senate to meet these demands. First Reading: The following document was distributed for First Reading: EC 1: Entries for the Mediation Center This document places entries for the Mediation Center in the Catalog, Faculty Handbook, and Student Guide to make the services more visible. The Mediation Center began operating Fall 1996 as an initiative of Chancellor Reed. Ms. Barbara Davis is director of the Mediation Center. She has been involved in mediation for fourteen years and has been an attorney since 1977. Functions of the Mediation Center include: 1) educational presentations about conflict resolution skills and mediation skills; 2) facilitation of group or organizational discussions; and 3) mediation of individual disputes. The work in mediation and group facilitation is confidential and voluntary. Each case is screened individually before it is accepted for mediation. IV. Student Government Report Mr. Sergio Mariaca gave the Student Government Association Report. SGA's Paws Project The paws project was created to increase school spirit and recognize student organizations and athletics. Individual academic departments, the Board of Trustees, and the Foundation Board have expressed interest in the program. The concept has been approved through student government channels, and has the support of the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor's Committee. Some Senators expressed concern that this project could change UNCA's image from an academically oriented school to one that considers athletics first. Surveys indicate that UNCA does an excellent job academically but falls short in the "student life" category; the project could counter the image of a suitcase college and create an atmosphere of academics and student life. Several Senators favored placing the paws in parking lots rather than around University Heights loop. Mr. Mariaca will take the feedback back to the SGA. Student Fees/New Gym Facilities With UNCA having one of the highest student fees within the UNC system, the issue of fairness with regard to use of the athletic facilities has risen. The new gym facility is a student-supported service that is being offered free of charge to faculty and staff. Mr. Mariaca was encouraged to provide concrete material on what faculty across the state pay for specific services. FWDC will also consider this issue. V. Academic Policies Report Dr. Pam Laughon reported for the Academic Policies Committee. First Reading: The following documents were briefly described and distributed for First Reading: APC 14: Community Dialogue Courses in Interdisciplinary Studies APC 15: Catalog Change in Math APC 16: Curriculum Changes in Mass Communication APC 17: Curriculum Changes in Atmospheric Sciences APC 18: Religious Studies Minor in Philosophy APC 19: Courses to be deleted by Sunset Policy APC 20: Change in Courses and Minor Requirements in Biology APC 21: Catalog Changes in International Studies and Study Abroad APC 22: Full Curriculum Revision in Classics APC 23: Changes in Sculpture Courses in Art APC 24: Change in Management courses, major requirements and concentrations APC 25: Computer Science deletions and additions; change in requirement for Major APC 26: Departmental Distinction for the Certificate-of-Major students VI. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Dr. Kathy Whatley gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report. Departmental Self-Studies UPC is proceeding with departmental self-studies, most recently with the Classics Department. Recommendations have not been made at this time. The Psychology department's self-study will likely be discussed in the next two weeks, and the UPC should receive the Art department's self-study soon. The UPC has concluded the Philosophy department's self-study. The Planning Process The UPC held two retreats, one with the Board of Trustees on November 10, 1996, and another with the campus community on January 10, 1997, to identify concerns important to UNCA in our planning process. Dr. Whatley distributed a draft document which synthesized the issues into major themes that emerged from these collaborative efforts. The next step will be planning specific actions that will be assigned to a designated person or office, along with a time line for implementation. The UPC proposes to convene working groups of faculty, staff, and students to refine and prioritize these issues, strategies, and actions by April 1, 1997. A copy of the draft will be placed on reserve in Ramsey Library. This will be an open process and meetings will be announced via E-mail. University Laurels Interview Day Dr. Whatley solicited faculty to interview students for University Laurels Interview Day; approximately 150 students will be interviewed. VII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Ms. Anita White-Carter gave the Faculty Welfare & Development Committee Report. First Reading: The following document was briefly discussed and distributed for First Reading: FWDC 4: Honors and Degree Programs Committee This document increases the committee membership to five, with each member representing a different department with no more than two from the same division. Members serve two-year staggered terms. Increasing the membership by one eliminates the need to appoint alternates for review of prospective award winners should members of the Honors Committee choose to be excused during the review. The membership increase also provides broader departmental representation for other business of the committee. Elections The election process is underway and the Tenure ballots will be distributed next Monday. The committee preference form is in campus mail to faculty. Post-tenure Review A summary in response to the Fifth Draft of the Report on Post-tenure Review follows: After a lengthy and spirited discussion of the Fifth Draft of the Report on Post-tenure Review, the Senate held varying opinions about the appropriateness of including the words "which may include a recommendation for dismissal" in Recommendation 1.A.3. Although some Senators could conceive of circumstances where dismissal would be desirable, others felt strongly that the explicit provision of such a possibility, even with the word "may" attached to it, raised the potential for abuse. Furthermore, as The Code (Section 602.6.b) sets forth conditions for "the discharge or suspension of a faculty member with permanent tenure," it is unnecessary to provide for dismissal in the Post-tenure Review document. The Faculty Senate was united in support of academic tenure. Section 602.1 of The Code points to academic tenure as a means "To promote and protect the academic freedom of its faculty...". VIII. Old Business There was no Old Business. IX. New Business The UPC will determine if there is an Aesthetics Committee to consider projects such as SGA paw's project. X. Adjournment Dr. Larson adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Anita White-Carter