Senate
Members: M. Burchard, P. Caulfield, F. Davenport, R. Dunning, C. James, K. Krumpe, 
J. Kuhlman, B. Larson, P. McClellan, C. Mitchell, D. Peifer, J. Rackham, T. Rizzo, 
G. Wilson; T. Cochran.

Excused: H. Lee.

Visitors: R. Bowen, S. Browning, V. Frank, L. Friedenberg, B. Greene, B. Modlin, J. Pitts, R. Sensabaugh, R. Southern.

II. Announcements
Dr. Caulfield introduced Brenda Greene, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. Dr. Greene said she has a very broad view of diversity which includes every possible group on campus. She is available for classroom presentations and workshops, and is open to having the Faculty Senate help define the position and suggest roles she might play on campus.

III. Administrative Report
Vice Chancellor Tom Cochran gave the Administrative Report.
2001-02 Enrollment Projections
Dr. Cochran learned at the Chief Academic Officers meeting in Chapel Hill that UNC General Administration is now referred to as the Office of the President (OP). The OP is requesting enrollment projections for 2001-02. Increases in enrollment, faculty positions, or operating budget will be negligible.

UNCA is on the list for a special request to the legislature for equity funding. OP has requested revised guidelines on how we would allocate $750K. Dr. Cochran outlined the following distribution: Academic Affairs $550K; Student Affairs $250K; four faculty positions plus two administrative positions that would replace faculty positions; and $125-150K in operating budget. UNCA has been acknowledged as a public liberal arts college by the State. This special designation is built into the enrollment budget calculations, so that any future growth would take into account our special mission. The down side is that our growth mode occurred ten years ago and now we're nearing our desired enrollment. UNCA will have to press to get support for the ten years of growth for which we did not receive any equity compensation.

Faculty Positions
An E-mail will be distributed tomorrow which summarizes the Council of Chairs meeting concerning faculty positions for next year. Because of limited enrollment increase projections, it was decided that no new positions would be considered at this time. Several positions held over from last year have been authorized. Dr. Greene has agreed to join us in searching for diversity among the faculty. The one new position, approved two years ago, is the Glaxo Wellcome Endowed Chair; the science Chair will be involved in that search.

New Program Planning Process
Dr. Cochran learned at the Chief Academic Officers meeting that the new program planning process is nearly complete. One element that could significantly impact UNCA is that new programs that cannot be self-supporting are not encouraged. There is an escape clause for exceptions, but it was very clear that we will have to give a very good argument for any new programs we establish and why they cannot be supported by enrollment growth.

Carnegie Classification
UNCA is listed as Baccalaureate Liberal Arts with a liberal arts concentration in the 2000 Carnegie Classification. Although the term "selective" is no longer used in any of their classifications, it does indicate that over 50% of our graduates are in the liberal arts. Ironically, only half of the COPLAC institutions are BA Liberal Arts Colleges -- the rest are master level by classification.

Workshop on Faculty Work Profiles
The OP held a workshop on faculty work profiles and how to develop faculty work assignments and reward systems to ensure the institution is advancing its mission. The comments and ideas are timely for UNCA as we discuss the PTR process. Some ideas may be beneficial to the Tenure Committee in terms of how we might create a structure for evaluating faculty in the context of what we want to achieve as an institution.

Bond Referendum
Dr. Cochran distributed information on the UNC System Bond Proposal that outlines the benefits UNCA would receive from the bond referendum. UNCA's share of the bond package is nearly $50M of the $2.4 billion proposal. The most current figures are listed below:

Project Name and Description Funding
1 New Math/Science Building. Replacement for Rhoades $22,203,200
& Robinson science facilities. Planning and Construction.

2 Highsmith Center Renovation and Addition. Includes 11,522,000
41,400 sq. ft. of new space & renovation of 34,000 sq.
ft. of the student union facility. Construction.

3 New Physical Plant Building. Replaces inadequate 6,318,900
building built in 1963. Existing Physical Plant building to
be demolished. Planning and Construction.

4 Bldg. 2-Carmichael Hall. Renovation and Modernization. 5,525,200
Planning and Construction.

5 Bldg. 20-Zageir Hall. Phase I. Renovation and 2,569,100
modernization. Planning and Construction.

6 Update and Improve the Campus Primary Electrical 1,023,800
Distribution System. Planning and Construction.

7 Technology Infrastructure Expansion 751,200

TOTAL UNC-ASHEVILLE $49,912,400

IV. Executive Committee Report
Dr. Peter Caulfield gave the Executive Committee Report.
University Relations Annual Report
Vice Chancellor Modlin highlighted the status of the capital campaigns and the downtown building. She distributed a report noting the accomplishments of 1999-2000 and the challenges for 2000-2001. UNCA is running two concurrent campaigns. The University Campaign now has $6.4M in pledges towards its $8M campaign goal. The NC Center for Creative Retirement now has $3M in pledges toward its $3.5M goal.

Ms. Modlin outlined how the University and the UNCA Foundation became involved in the old J.C. Penney building downtown and possible uses for the 54K square feet structure. The building was purchased by an anonymous donor and leased to UNCA for $10 to give the university time to campaign for the $1.2M needed to purchase the building. Extensive renovations will be required.

Mr. Dunning thanked Ms. Modlin for the excellent media coverage this year.

Report on Grading at UNCA
Rob Bowen distributed the Ad Hoc Committee Report to the Senate on Grading. Last year the Senate charged the committee to explore the ramifications and desires of changing from a standard A,B,C,D,F grading format to a plus/minus system. An unofficial committee consisting of Volker Frank, Mark Gibney, and APC members Robert Bowen and Forest Davenport met once and began the process of gathering information on other university grading systems. At the beginning of the spring semester an official committee was appointed by the Senate consisting of the two APC members, Rebecca Sensabaugh (registrar), Alan Combs, and Mike Ruiz. Mark Gibney joined the committee and Volker Frank was on sabbatical.

Volker Frank conducted a faculty survey in which 120 faculty responded. Of the respondents, 80% favored a change to a plus/minus system. Although the committee initially thought the change to plus/minus would lower the GPAs, their research indicated that there was very little change of GPAs. However, the average students in the upper ten percent of the class dropped by a full tenth of a point. One reason that this might occur is because in most plus/minus grading systems there is not an A+ to average against the A-.

In researching the universities within the state, five of seven institutions use a plus/minus system; the two not using it are UNC-Charlotte and UNC-Asheville. Within the COPLAC universities, fifty percent use some form of a plus/minus system.

In addition to the grading charge of the committee, it was asked to contact the Honors Committee and to ascertain interest in changing the current system of how honors are awarded. During the spring semester of 2000, the Honors Committee was asked to discuss this issue at one of their meetings. The committee is soliciting faculty input.

The Ad Hoc Committee recommends that the university adopt a symbol of grade determination. This description of what constitutes a grade should be printed in the catalog so that students will know what is expected of them in order to earn a grade. While this should not be forced on faculty, the faculty should unite in the basic principles of what is an A, B, C, D or F.

The Senate should adopt a new method of awarding honors. The current system is archaic and unfairly discriminates between students from subjective and objective classes. The current system favors those with higher GPAs without regard to subject matter. A fairer system should follow a set standard for Latin Honors.

The Ad Hoc Committee report will be placed on the Faculty Senate web site under the Bulletin Board at: http://www.unca.edu/facultysenate. Dr. Mitchell made a motion to send the report to SGA so they could consider it and give input. Mr. Kuhlman seconded the motion, which passed 12-1.

Mr. Kuhlman moved to accept the report and refer the report to APC for their consideration. Dr. Davenport seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Post Tenure Review Revision Subcommittee
Dr. Gordon Wilson is the FWDC liaison to the Post Tenure Review Revision subcommittee.
Honor Code
Last spring the Faculty Senate referred SGA's Honor Code to the APC for consideration. Given APC's workload and the complexity of the issue, the Executive Committee proposed forming a broad-based Task Force to study this matter and report back to the Senate. Dr. Iovacchini has requested that we create a committee of students and faculty. Last spring Dr. Pitts expressed concern that honor codes may have been selectively enforced; statistically African American and minority students are charged with honor code violations more often. Dr. Krumpe stressed the need for legal counsel given the complexity of the issue.

Dr. Rackham made a motion to empower the Executive Committee to write a charge for the task force and to create a task force representing a variety of constituencies. Mr. Kuhlman seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

V. Student Government Association Report
Ryan Southern reported for the Student Government Association.
SGA recently held on-line voting for freshman elections. They had the largest pool of candidates, the largest turnout for debates, and the highest percentage of voters (33%) in any freshman election.

Former SGA President John Schultz will lead an SGA retreat on team building this weekend.

The student body will discuss the Bond Referendum on September 26th at 7:00 pm in the Highsmith Plaza area. Chancellor Mullen and others are helping SGA sponsor this event to highlight how UNCA and its students will benefit from the bond proposal.

Voter registration rallies will be held on the quad on September 29 and October 2 during lunch. Voter registration and absentee ballot request forms will be available. Students can also register on-line and complete an absentee ballot request form on the SGA website.

VI. Academic Policies Committee Report
Dr. Cathy Mitchell gave the Academic Policies Committee Report.
Sunsetting Courses
APC will be sunsetting courses that have not been taught in five years. Becky Sensabaugh and Martha Smith have agreed to move the Catalog deadline from February 1 to February 9.

APC will consider their first general education review this semester on September 21. Efforts are underway to post the General Education Review Reports on the Faculty Senate website.

VII. Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report
Dr. Bruce Larson gave the Institutional Development Committee/University Planning Council Report.
Report on IDC's first meeting
The UPC discussed the Request to Establish a new BA Degree Program in Interdisciplinary Studies. The request passed with one nay vote and became IDC 1. Dr. Lee had concerns about two omissions that were inadvertently excluded from the document. For example, a reference to SOC 100 was omitted. Also, Volker Frank participated in the planning process and his name was mistakenly omitted. Issues were also brought up that would be more appropriate for an APC discussion. There was a great deal of support for the plan.

First Reading:
IDC 1: Request for Authorization to Establish a New Degree Program in Interdisciplinary Studies.

-UPC Membership/staffing issues
Phil Weast attended as representative for the newly created area of Public Partnerships and Special Programs. Pat McClellan was reappointed as the Chair of the Institutional Effectiveness Committee (IEC). Heon Lee was appointed as the second UPC member of IEC. Bruce Larson was appointed as UPC member of the Capital Campaign.

-Fall 200 Enrollment Report
Dr. Larson referred to a report he distributed and called attention to minority enrollments. Comparing enrollment from Fall 1999 to Fall 2000, the number of new black freshmen increased from 7 to 15. However, there was a decline in other minorities from 33 to 24, effectively making freshmen minority enrollment unchanged. He noted overall there was a decline in black students from 103 to 91. Dr. Weast could not explain the declines except to say that there are graduation and retention issues involved. Dr. Pitts commented that some students -- white and black -- interrupt their education and return later, finishing their education outside a four year period. Overall, Fall 2000 enrollment in terms of headcount, FTE, and semester credit hours increased compared to Fall 1999.

-2000-2003 Enrollment Projections/Budget Impact
Archer Gravely presented and discussed two alternative projections for 2001-02 and 2002-03. One set of projections for 2001-02, based upon current assumptions used by the UNC General Administration (GA), anticipates an additional $553K coming to UNCA. The other set of projections for the same year, but which employs alternative assumptions being advocated by GA staff, anticipates an additional $148K coming to UNCA. The change in assumptions, therefore, would effectively cost UNCA $405K. Chancellor Mullen will advocate for the use of current assumptions with GA. Dr. Cochran learned yesterday that UNCA and the Office of the President (OP) are working on a compromise.

Report on IEC's first meeting
Jim Kuhlman reported that many of the Institutional Effectiveness reports have not been received. IEC is asking for refinements/improvements on reports that were turned in but were unacceptable. IEC is evolving over time and as a relatively new committee they plan to refine their process -- particularly in terms of improving the instructions. They also plan to develop voluntary workshops related to assessment and evaluation.

Progress report on the Zageir Hall discussion
Dr. Larson gave a preliminary report on the Zageir Hall discussion initiated at the last meeting. He solicited input by e-mail from the Faculty Senate attendees and other interested parties about the situation and discussed the situation with Bob Yeager of Pegasus Press. IDC formulated initial issues to be addressed by the Committee and met with a significant subset of the Zageir Hall faculty who wrote to Dr. Caulfield and Chancellor Mullen. Dr. Larson discussed the situation with Cindy Branton of Printing Services and also discussed the situation with the Chancellor. He met with the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellors (with the exception of Tom Cochran who was out of town) and Maggie Smith to discuss the situation. IDC will continue to meet and speak with people in the weeks to come and will have formal recommendations, and no doubt some questions, for the October 12 Faculty Senate meeting. IDC's approach has been exploratory and is not concerned with assigning responsibility or pointing fingers, but rather how to conduct business more effectively in the future. All of the conversations have been very positive.

Dr. Mitchell asked if IDC was exploring process proposals for the future or if they were exploring whether the space in Zageir will be used as it was originally suggested. Dr. Larson replied that an enormous amount of time and effort has been used to develop alternatives for the use of space in Zageir Hall.

VIII. Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report
Dr. Tracey Rizzo gave the Faculty Welfare and Development Committee Report.
UNC Faculty Assembly Election Results
Duane Davis has been elected to serve as one of UNCA's two Faculty Assembly representatives. Milton Ready has been elected to serve as alternate. Both will serve from 2000-2003. Thanks to both for their willingness to serve, and to all who participated in the election.

Announcement of FWDC liaison appointments
FWDC has membership on several committees: Gordon Wilson will serve on the Post Tenure Review Revision subcommittee as the FWDC liaison. David Peifer will be the FWDC liaison to the University Teaching Council. Tracey Rizzo will be the FWDC liaison to the newly formed Adjunct Committee.

Progress on review of benefits and fringe benefits
Don Lisnerski is our other representative to the UNC Faculty Assembly. He also serves on the Assembly's FWDC subcommittee and plans to update our FWDC on the review of benefits that is taking place systemwide. He pointed out that fringe benefits are established systemwide but each campus has some benefits that are optional. These are ones that FWDC can discuss and perhaps recommend changes. Buffy Bagwell also plans to discuss benefits at an FWDC meeting.

Sense of the Senate resolution to establish a University Service Council
Dr. Rizzo distributed a Sense of the Senate Resolution to establish a University Service Council. This resolution emerged from conversations held last year when two new awards were established for research. It was noted that while the University had a UTC and a URC, there was not a University Service Council to support, promote, and recognize service. This resolution would establish a University Service Council to promote an appreciation of service appropriate to the mission of the University.

Dr. Mitchell moved that the Senate waive the Comer Rule to consider the resolution. Mr. Kuhlman seconded the motion which passed 12-1.

Dr. Rizzo explained that this resolution charges the FWDC to explore the process of establishing a University Service Council. Mr. Kuhlman moved that the Senate approve the Sense of the Senate Resolution. Dr. Larson seconded the motion. The Sense of the Senate Resolution passed unanimously and became Senate Document 0100F.

IX. Old Business
There was no Old Business.

X. New Business
Dr. Caulfield announced that Lisa Friedenberg has volunteered to update the Faculty Handbook. Dr. Friedenberg reported that she is working with Mark Walter in the Computer Center to have the new Handbook ready by Fall 2001. Her long term goal is to have two identical versions of the handbook -- one of which will be HTML web-based and searchable with an index -- linkable to relevant Senate documents. The other version will be in an Adobe Acrobat format which will be printed each fall and distributed to new faculty members. Any revisions will also be printed and distributed to all faculty each fall. This has been part of the flaw in the current process.

She asked senators to e-mail any errors or omissions to her. The Senate discussed stylistic and formatting possibilities, and the need for a table of contents and index. Following discussions it was determined that the Executive Committee would approve sections that needed to be rewritten/edited for clarity.

Dr. Friedenberg stressed that future updates need to be addressed such as: Who is in charge of writing the new sections each year that relate to Senate documents? Who is in charge of printing and distributing them and setting a timetable for these activities? This is where the process breaks down.

Electronic Balloting for Spring Elections
Dr. Rizzo announced that FWDC is pursuing electronic balloting for the spring elections. She asked senators to consider their willingness to cooperate and to encourage their colleagues to cooperate. Robin Daugherty in the Computer Center is willing to discuss the program and software with the Senate and answer questions. FWDC is considering holding a mock election.

XI. Adjournment
Dr. Caulfield adjourned the meeting at 5:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted by: Sandra Gravely
                                                 Tracey Rizzo