THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE MEETING Minutes, October 9, 1997 Senate Members: R. Bowen, W. Bruce, T. Dohse, M. Ghidina, G. Henderson, G. Kormanik, C. McKenzie, K. Moorhead, C. Pons, I. Rossell, B. Sabo, M. Sidelnick, R. Tynes, A. Wengrow, J. Pitts Absent: J. Gupton Visitors: S. Browning, B. Modlin, M. Sensabaugh, A. Shope, G. Wilson I. Call to Order Dr. Dohse called the third meeting of the 1997-98 Faculty Senate to order at 3:20 pm and welcomed senators and guests. Minutes The minutes of September 11, 1997 were approved as written (Ghidina/Wengrow). II. Executive Committee Report Dr. Dohse gave the Executive Committee Report. Results of Faculty Senate Special Election Dr. Dohse congratulated Dr. Cathy Pons on her recent election to the Faculty Senate for the three-year term 1997-2000. Dr. Pons will serve on the Academic Policies Committee. University Relations Annual Report Vice Chancellor Beverly Modlin gave the University Relations annual report. Vice Chancellor Modlin reported on UNCA's news coverage, fund raising for 1996-97, and steps to determine the feasibility of a capital campaign. Ms. Modlin explained the difference in news coverage between UNCA and WCU. UNCA is considered Buncombe County news while Western Carolina is considered regional news. UNCA has received good media coverage on the 6:00 news for events such as Bulldog Day. The Citizen-Times' approach to enterprise stories is changing, with more interest in covering issues and less interest in meetings and general features. Hometown press releases across the state continue to have a positive impact on enrollment. Regarding fund raising, combined 1996-97 contributions to the University and the Foundation totaled $965,314. Contributions have increased steadily. Regarding the capital campaign, VC Modlin highlighted background information on Susan L. Washburn and William P. McGoldrick, consultants hired to conduct a capital campaign feasibility study, and outline the steps in the campaign process. The consultants will give their final report on January 21, 1998. Ms. Modlin briefly discussed on-going scholarship campaigns, planned giving, Edgewood Road sidewalks, and the Youth Leadership Program. A copy of VC Modlin's report will be placed on reserve in Ramsey Library for faculty to peruse. In response to a request, a copy of the background information Merianne Epstein prepared for Governor Hunt entitled "What's New at the University of North Carolina at Asheville" will be mailed to senators. VC Modlin will also place a copy on reserve in Ramsey Library. III. Administrative Report Dr. Jim Pitts gave the Administrative Report. Dr. Pitts spoke of the commitment of senators who carry out administrative tasks in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Numerous studies are underway, including the summer program, the teaching load, reassigned time, and department self studies. In response to Questions - Budget Dr. Pitts reported that budget allocations would likely be approved by the State Budget Office later this month. The main operating budget does not have any new money. Fortunately, UNCA made progress by prioritizing the use of year-end money. The State reduced reserve money from two percent to one percent and mandated that the funds be used for campus information and library electronic resources. - Faculty Positions The Council of Chairs has reviewed two-thirds of the position requests. At this time there are only replacement positions. In Dr. Pitts' view, we are immediately replacing vacancies and not downsizing. IV. Student Government Association Report There was no Student Government Association report. V. Academic Policies Report Dr. Bill Sabo reported for the Academic Policies Committee. Second Reading: The following documents were considered for Second Reading: APC 1: Interdisciplinary Studies: Redefinition of IST listings, recataloging of non-departmental-based programs, and establishing criteria for IST course selection (Sabo/Pons) As background information, Dr. Sabo reported that APC received a proposal to label a couple of courses IST. Although Interdisciplinary Studies is central to the university's mission, there is no definition of what constitutes an appropriate IST course or program. This document rectifies that problem and provides a mechanism for making accountable decisions about potential curricular offerings within the IST classification. This course criteria is to be applied only to courses with the IST prefix. Following discussion, Mr. Wengrow requested the term "arts courses" be replaced with "arts and ideas courses." Dr. Sabo stated that "arts and ideas" was eliminated from the catalog four or five years ago during the general education review. Page 71 of the catalog lists "arts courses." Mr. Wengrow withdrew the editorial request. APC 1 passed unanimously and became Senate Document 0197F. APC 2: Statement on Service-Learning. This document was for informational purposes only. In the future, discussions will be held on internships and service-learning. An editorial change was made to the document. VI. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report Mr. Arnold Wengrow gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report. As Vice Chancellor Modlin noted, UPC has been involved in formulating the needs assessment list to ensure that the priorities of the institution are reflected in the document. Board of Visitors As chair of UPC, Mr. Wengrow serves on the Board of Visitors Planning Committee. The Board of Visitors will be on campus November 14-15 to discuss how we can achieve our goal of becoming the premier public liberal arts institution in the country. They have been asked to focus on four issues identified in our planning process; specifically, the challenges of technology, distance learning, liberal arts and careers, and service learning. Mr. Wengrow encouraged faculty to participate in this important event. A list of The Board of Visitors of UNCA follows: Roy Carroll, Senior Vice President & Vice President for Academic Affairs, The University of North Carolina [System] Wilsonia Cherry, Program Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities Joe Cox, Chancellor, Oregon State System of Higher Education Peter Ewell, Senior Associate, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems Nicholas Farnham, Director, Education Leadership Program, Christian J. Johnson Foundation Faith Gabelnick, President, Pacific University Alan Guskin, Chancellor, Antioch College Phil Hall, Provost, Mary Washington College Joe Johnston, Vice President for Programs, Association of American Colleges & Universities David Leary, Dean, School of Arts & Sciences, University of Richmond Barbara Leigh Smith, Provost, Evergreen State College Vll. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report Dr. Marcia Ghidina gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report. Second Reading: The following document was considered for Second Reading: FWDC 1: Establishment of Aesthetics Advisory Committee Dr. Ghidina made an editorial change to the first sentence under Membership. It should read: "Four members, two faculty nominated by the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee and approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and two members appointed by the Chancellor." Dr. Ghidina moved to approve FWDC 1. Dr. Sabo seconded the motion. Dr. Rossell questioned the scope of an Aesthetics Committee. Dr. Dohse explained that FWDC 1 was in response to a request from the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of University Relations. There are times when issues such as letterhead, banners, or placement of art work occur and Chancellor Reed would like faculty input. Dr. Rossell stated that as a scientist who uses this campus extensively for student work in environment sciences and biology, it worries her that a small committee would be responsible for what could be far reaching decisions. As an example, areas become depopulated when extremely manicured and faculty have to travel long distances with students to do very simple field exercises. It is important to think about what the scope of the committee will be, especially if landscaping is involved. Dr. Pitts thought Dr. Rossell made a good suggestion and whomever serves on the committee should bring this issue to Chancellor Reed. The Aesthetics Committee would not make decisions. When called upon to make decisions, Chancellor Reed could use the committee as a sounding board. The scope of the committee is still open. FWDC 1 passed unanimously as amended and became Senate Document 0297F. First and Second Reading: FWDC 2: Phased Retirement Institutional Guidelines Dr. Ghidina explained that General Administration is instituting a five year trial Phased Retirement Program. Last spring each institution was informed that they would need to submit Institutional Guidelines in the following academic year in order to participate in the program. It was not until the beginning of this academic year that we were notified the deadline for these guidelines would be October 15. Under this unexpectedly short time frame, a document could not be drafted in time for a first reading. The document was distributed last Friday to give Senators the opportunity to review the material prior to this meeting. Dr. Ghidina moved to waive the Comer Rule so that the document could be discussed and voted upon. Dr. Bruce seconded the motion. The motion to waive the Comer Rule passed by a vote to 10 to 1. The UNC system is planning to institute a Phased Retirement Program on a five year trial basis beginning February 1, 1998. Faculty who have worked 20 years in the system will be eligible to participate when they are 50, and those who have worked five years in the system will be eligible when they are 60. The Phased Retirement Program allows a faculty member to partially retire and work half time. Half time employment may consist of half time for the entire academic year or full time for one semester (to be determined by the participating faculty member in negotiation with the department). Vice Chancellor Pitts has stated that adjuncts will not be used as replacements and that departments may hire replacements using up to one-half of the retiring faculty's salary. In addition to the general program set by GA, each institution is submitting a set of guidelines which will be incorporated into the final Phased Retirement Program Policy. These guidelines do not comprise the policy itself, but are instead a response to a set of questions/issues as requested by General Administration which will be used as a basis of our policy. Dr. Ghidina moved to accept FWDC 2. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wengrow. During discussion, Dr. Ghidina explained that under UNCA's guidelines there are no departmental or institutional caps on the number of participants in the Phased Retirement Program (PRP). However, an application to participate can be denied if participation in the PRP would substantially weaken academic quality of department or university programs. This finding, however, must be supported by objective measures of program quality. An editorial change was made on page 4 to insert the word "year" between "1-5" and "parameter." FWDC 2 passed unanimously as amended and became Senate Document 0397F. VIII. Old Business There was no Old Business. IX. New Business There was no New Business. X. Adjournment Dr. Dohse adjourned the meeting at 4:50 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely Marcia Ghidina