UWA FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 3:00 p.m.
Wise Conference Room - Wallace Hall 213

      I.  Roll Call

Dr. Janis Beaird called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Members present were Dr. Richard Schellhammer, Ms. Tina Jones, Dr. R.T. Floyd, Dr. Bill Ward, Dr. Lee Day, Dr. Mark Griffith, Dr. Gene May, Dr. Lauren Wells, Dr. Manley Blackwell, Dr. Tom Gonzalez, Mr. Jim Todd, Dr. Richard Buckner, Dr. Richard Collison, Dr. Lesa Shaul, Dr. Gary Stone, Ms. Sylvia Homan (for Ann Ketcham) and Ms. Martha Shirley.

      II.  Approval of Feb. 19, 2002 Minutes

Dr. Collison moved that the minutes be approved with corrections.  Dr. Griffith seconded. The minutes passed.

      III.  Old Business

            A.  Maternity Leave Policy – Dr. Richard Schellhammer

Dr. Schellhammer said that he is drafting a question to send to faculty and staff to discover the need for such a policy.  He added that faculty and staff should receive an email regarding this issue in a few days.

B.  Commencement Participation – Dr. David Bowen

Dr. Bowen reminded everyone of the history of proposal.  Dr. Bowen stated that he reviewed different policies concerning graduation from around the state.  He noted that he has found that some schools do not have a policy, and others do not follow their policy.  He cited the University of Alabama as an example.  He noted that the University of Montevallo holds commencement three times a year.  Their policy states that all faculty must participate in the Spring ceremonies, but they alternate at the subsequent two ceremonies.  Dr. Bowen asked if the Senate wished him to present a written proposal which could be submitted to the Deans’ Council.  Dr. Bowen said, “what we are asking for is a reasonable change.”

Dr. Beaird asked if there was discussion on the issue.  Dr. Bowen noted that if someone wishes to attend both commencement ceremonies then they could attend one in academic regalia and one in street clothes.  Dr. Schellhammer said the benefit of such a policy is that the number of seats available for family members would increase.

Dr. Bowen said that he would write a written report of his findings and present the policy to Dr. Beaird who will present it to the Deans’ Council.

C.  Retirement System - Dr. Janis Beaird

Mr. Don Yancey of the Alabama Retirement System will be on campus on Thursday, April 18, to discuss individual retirement concerns.  At 2 p.m. in Wallace Hall Auditorium, he will be giving a presentation on the DROP program.

D.  Summer Salaries – Mr. Jim Todd

Mr. Todd distributed an email from Paul Stewart concerning tax withholding. Mr. Todd said that the best way to handle the taxes is to submit a new W-4.  Mr. Todd said the committee reviewed seven other universities and their faculty experience the same tax situation.

      IV.  New Business

A.  Allowing Time for Committee Meetings

Dr. Buckner raised the issue as to how this would be possible realizing the number of committees that most faculty members sit on.  Dr. Floyd explained what happened the last time the Senate visited this issue.  Mr. Todd noted that email has helped everyone communicate better.

B.  Changing the Time Schedule To Allow 10 minutes Between 
            Classes

Dr. Beaird mentioned that this is a concern that has been brought to her attention.  Dr. Buckner that his faculty are opposed to such a change.  Dr. Buckner said that professors teaching classes back to back would have difficulty with only 10 minutes between classes.  Dr. Schellhammer said that such a change would make MWF schedules more reasonable.  Mr. Todd said that he was not sure that the fifteen minutes serve any purpose.  Dr. Floyd asked if anyone serving on the Semester Conversion Committee remembered the rationale for the fifteen-minute break.

Dr. Griffith proposed that breaks between classes on MWF be changed to 10 minutes and TuTh remain at 15 minutes.  Dr. Gonzalez seconded the motion.  The Senate representatives will take the proposal to their faculty.  The discussion was tabled until the June meeting.

C.  SACS Update

Dr. Schellhammer said he felt that the information received about handling sabbaticals was helpful.  Dr. Schellhammer explained Dr. Barbara Carter’s solutions to the Senate.  All the proposals recognized the reality of limited funding.  Dr. Griffith said that he has discussed with his Dean about paid leave for people who receive Fullbright Scholarships.  Dr. Beaird suggested that she bring the issue to Provost David Taylor and see if a committee could be formed to examine the issue.  Mr. Todd said that a lot of discussion in the College of Business concerned the recruitment and retention of qualified faculty.

D.  Commencement Update – Dr. Janis Beaird

This issue was tabled.  Dr. Beaird said that she will email her report to the Senate members.

E.   Other

Ms. Shirley asked for an update on the implementation of a childcare facility on campus.  Dr. Wells said that this project is progressing and the plans are to open the facility in the fall.  Dr.Griffith added that Dr. Holland reported that the state budget for higher education passed.  At the moment, it appears that a 2 ½ percent raise for next year is possible.

      V.  Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.