THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, September 11, 1997 - 3:15 p.m. Senate Members: R. Bowen, W. Bruce, T. Dohse, M. Ghidina, J. Gupton, G. Henderson, G. Kormanik, C. McKenzie, K. Moorhead, I. Rossell, B. Sabo, M. Sidelnick, R. Tynes, A. Wengrow Visitors: T. Cochran, E. Freeburg, M. Sensabaugh, K. Southerland, A. Tatum, G. Wilson I. Call to Order Dr. Dohse called the meeting to order at 3:15 pm and welcomed senators and guests to the meeting. Minutes The minutes of May 1, 1997 (3:15 meeting) were approved following an editorial correction (Ghidina/Tynes). The minutes of May 1, 1997 (3:45 meeting) were approved as submitted (Wengrow/Bruce). II. Administrative Report Chancellor Reed and Dr. Pitts were out of town and unable to attend the meeting. Associate VCAA Tom Cochran gave the Administrative Report. Enrollment UNCA met the projected Fall 1997 enrollment with 2659 FTE, and is well within the 2% target enrollment window. This is a significant accomplishment as enrollment was 30 FTE below the window this time last year. Enrollment of entering Freshman and Transfer students is at an all-time high of 473. The long-term goal of having a Freshman class of 500 may be achieved next year. Given the composition of this class, UNCA is living up to the billing of being NC's public liberal arts university; the Freshman class has more students coming from outside the region than from within western NC. SAT scores have remained stable and the number of out-of-state students is below the state's 18% maximum enrollment. The retention rate from the Freshman to Sophomore year has increased from 75% to 80%. Dr. Cochran credits this significant accomplishment to the volunteer effort of individual faculty who work with students and the new First Year Experience Program. Faculty who participate in this program receive an additional $350 in travel expense. The recent Bulldog Day was also a pivotal event which will pay dividends in the future. UNCA received an enormous amount of publicity and improved its image in the community. Budget The Board of Governors will meet on 9/12/97 to approve the final version of the university's annual and continuation budgets. Salary increments are retroactive to July 1 and will be reflected in October paychecks. Departmental budgets have not been allocated, but funding will be similar to last year. A copy of the House/Senate Conference Committee's final recommendations shows that UNCA is being funded $792K for the third floor of Karpen Hall and $500K for the Kellogg Center. Approximately $300K was carried forward this year (1996-97 budget). The instructional budget received $86K to cover requests solicited from the Chairs last January. This included computers for faculty, and major items for the Humanities, Lipinsky Auditorium, and a projection system for RBH 125. A breakdown of salary increases follow: Standard 3.5%; High 4%; Maximum 4.5%; Exceptional 5%; Tenure $1K; Promotion $1K; Equity $500. There were no teaching bonuses. 1998 Summer School The 1998 summer school schedule was modified slightly to align the three and five week terms with the eight week term. The modified dates follow: 3 week term May 26 classes start June 12 classes end 5 week term June 15 classes start July 17 classes end 8 week term May 26 classes start July 17 classes end The Highrise residential hall and Carmichael Hall will not be utilized next summer in order to install air conditioning. This will affect the class schedule somewhat. The number of classes taught and the advantaged salary will be sustained next summer. However, future salaries are uncertain. Dr. Shirley Browning is surveying faculty who taught last summer to get feedback on the summer program. III. Executive Committee Report Dr. Dohse gave the Executive Committee report. Selection of alternates to replace vacant Senate positions. In an unusual situation, three senators and one alternate are unable to perform their senatorial duties, leaving only two alternates to fill three senate positions. The Executive Committee proposed that: 1) Mark Sidelnick replace Stern/Andrade for the one-year term 1997-1998. 2) John Gupton replace Pat McClellan's two-year term 1997-1999. Ms. McClellan is serving as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and is not a faculty member at this time. Dr. Bruce moved to approve the proposal. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tynes and passed. Dr. Dohse announced that Peg Downes had been granted an exemption from committee assignments for the three year term of the NEH Distinguished Teacher Professorship. According to the Faculty Handbook a special election must be held to fulfill her 1997-2000 Senate term. Dr. Kormanik stated that the Faculty Handbook prescribed who is eligible to be elected; one would assume that it also means that those who are elected should serve unless extenuating circumstances exist, such as illness or being out of the country. He wanted to be sure that the Executive Committee accepted the reason given for not serving and understood that a precedent was being set by this action. Nominations for a Taskforce to develop UNCA's Post Tenure Review Policy Dr. Pitts asked that the Faculty Senate nominate two faculty members to serve on the taskforce to develop UNCA's Post Tenure Review Policy. The Senate nominated Linda Nelms and Gregg Kormanik to serve in this capacity (Dohse/Ghidina). Dr. Dohse and Dr. Moseley are currently on the taskforce; Dr. Pitts will select two additional faculty members to serve as well. IV. Student Government Association Report Mr. Adrian Tatum reported for the Student Government Association and introduced executive assistant Emily Freeburg. Mr. Tatum went to GA last weekend and met SGA representatives from our sister institutions. Issues the SGA will focus on this year include: the retroactive tuition increase, student input into the PTR policy, budget and equity funding, the distribution of student fees, and the establishment of a medical withdrawal policy. V. Academic Policies Report Dr. Bill Sabo reported for the Academic Policies Committee. First Reading: The following documents were distributed for First Reading: APC 1: Interdisciplinary Studies: Redefinition of IST listings, recataloging of non-departmental-based programs, and establishing criteria for IST course selection APC 2: Statement on Service-Learning. APC 1 is the product of a long and detailed discussion which included a special subcommittee of non-APC. It clarifies and focuses on the interdisciplinary section in the Catalog and moves a number of non-departmental programs under this heading. It creates provisions for the deletion of current IST courses and charts a series of criteria that can be applied to determine whether a course will be included with an IST listing. The criteria will not appear in the catalog, but will be a formal guideline that APC hopes to use in the future. APC 2 results from a taskforce assignment. Given that service-learning is becoming more widespread and significant, APC is trying to anticipate the future debate and increased course requests that deal with service-learning. APC 2 is a summary statement of three key points which distinguish service-learning from internship and more involved activities, and establishes a set of guidelines to structure future discussions. APC requested Senate comment on this before they begin to use it, and perhaps develop it further and apply it in specific situations. VI. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Mr. Arnold Wengrow gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report. The IDC, which meets as part of the UPC, has had one meeting. Vice Chancellor for University Relations Beverly Modlin asked UPC to review a proposed needs list that may be used as the basis for a comprehensive campaign. The list was comprised of large categories and did not attempt to address any specific items for individual programs. The committee discussed the list and made some recommendations and additions that reflected values the institution wants to project with this type of document. They suggested changes in dollars to reflect what the institution considers to be important items. The suggestions will go to VC Modlin. A consulting firm will use the needs assessment as the basis for a series of extensive interviews with people in the community, to see what support there might be, not only for the comprehensive campaign but perhaps those specific needs. This is the opening salvo in the comprehensive campaign and alerts people in the community to things that we are trying to accomplish. The committee will meet tomorrow to outline their plans for the year. Vll. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Dr. Marcia Ghidina gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report. First Reading: The following document was distributed for First Reading: FWDC 1: Establishment of Aesthetic Advisory Committee This document establishes an Aesthetic Advisory Committee, with a membership of four people, two to be appointed by the VCAA and two to be appointed by the Chancellor. Members will serve two year staggered terms and will advise the Chancellor in making decisions on issues relating to aesthetics on campus. Preliminary report on Phased Retirement Plan GA is implementing an experimental phased retirement plan for faculty. Each campus has been charged to study the committee report and develop specific guidelines to make early retirement available to faculty. The FWDC knew the issue would arise this year; however, they were not aware that the deadline to GA would be October 15 For this reason, Dr. Ghidina will be asking the Senate to waive the Comer Rule at the next meeting. The policy will be distributed prior to the meeting to ensure senators have time to review it. Dr. Ghidina explained the eligibility requirements and requested Senate input on the time period of the plan and the cap on enrollment participation. The Senate discussed provisions necessary to make the plan attractive to departments. One concern expressed was that replacements for half-time retiring faculty not be adjuncts. This would be a disincentive for departments and a disservice to students. Other concerns raised were how access to the TIAA/CREF retirement plan would be affected and how other institutions are complying. VIII. Old Business There was no Old Business. IX. New Business There was no New Business. X. Adjournment Dr. Dohse adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Marcia Ghidina