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UWA FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 3:30 p.m.
Wise Conference Room - Wallace Hall 213
I.
Roll Call
Dr.
Janis Beaird called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Members present were Dr.
Richard Schellhammer, Dr. R. T. Floyd, Dr. Bill Ward, Mr. Jim Todd, Mr. Jim
Shelton (for Dr. Gary Stone), Dr. Gene May, Dr. Louis Smith (for Dr. June
Crawford), Dr. Manley Blackwell, Dr. Mark Griffith, Dr. Lesa Shaul, Dr. Tom
Gonzalez, Dr. Richard Collison, and Mr. Mark Brothers (for Ms. Martha Shirley).
II.
Approval of June 18, 2002 Minutes
Dr.
Richard Schellhammer questioned the issue of consensus as discussed in the third
paragraph under “Old Business” of the June 18, 2002 minutes. Dr.
Schellhammer stated that the Faculty Senate did come to a consensus concerning
the subject of a tenure policy change (that consensus was to reject the proposed
changes). Dr. Mark Griffith suggested that the group suspend approving the June
18 minutes until this issue had been clarified; Dr. Beaird then suggested simply
removing the word “consensus” from the June 18 minutes. Dr. Schellhammer
made a motion to remove this word; Dr. Richard Collison seconded. Dr. Griffith
then moved that the group approve the June 18 minutes as amended; Mr. Jim Todd
seconded. The motion passed and the minutes were approved as amended.
III.
Old Business
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Attendance
at Commencement—Dr. David Bowen
Since
Dr. David Bowen was unable to report on this matter, the issue has been tabled
until the September 17, 2002, meeting.
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Ad
hoc Committee’s Proposal on Tenure Eligibility—Dr. Janis Beaird
As
per Dr. Beaird’s request, Mr. Jim Todd reported his findings on tenure
policies at other universities. As part of his presentation, Mr. Todd submitted
for the group’s perusal a document outlining the tenure policies at the
University of Montevallo, Valdosta State (GA), Delta State (MS), Ole Miss, Idaho
State, and San Diego State (CA). Dr. Schellhammer broached the issue of
institutions that grant tenure almost immediately; Dr. Todd replied that most of
those institutions are unionized and further added that UWA’s policy is one of
the most liberal in the region (also taking into consideration comparably sized
universities in other regions). Dr. Blackwell expressed concern about a
department’s inability to release a tenure-track faculty member prior to his
or her application for tenure, resulting in the granting of one more contract
year to an incompetent faculty member. Discussion ensued concerning potential
liability issues and the University’s legal standing in contract termination
decisions. The group also considered which policy best benefits the faculty as
well as the University body. Dr. Collison then moved that we vote on the
proposed calendar; Dr. Louis Smith seconded. With all representatives voting on
behalf of their respective departments, the results were as follows: 47 voted
for accepting the proposed calendar for tenure; 16 voted against. The proposal
passed and will be presented to the Deans’ Council.
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Changing
the Time Schedule Between Classes
Report from the Deans’ Council—Dr. Janis Beaird
Dr.
Beaird informed the group that the proposal to change the time between classes
from fifteen minutes to ten minutes (for MWF classes only) had been sent to the
Deans’ Council. In response, the Deans’ Council recommended that this
proposal go before the Student Government Association in order to give the
students’ representatives the opportunity to voice their opinions.
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Sabbatical
and Faculty Development Committee—Dr. Janis Beaird
Dr.
Beaird announced the formation of a committee to investigate this issue. Members
of the committee include Dr. Janis Beaird (chair), Dr. Jay Wenger, Dr. Alan
Brown, Dr. Richard Collison, Ms. Marsha Cannon, Mr. Jim Todd, and Dr. R.T.
Floyd. This committee will gather information on sabbatical and faculty
development at other comparably sized universities and develop a policy
appropriate for UWA.
IV.
New Business
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Code
of Civility—Mr. Danny Buckalew
Due
to Mr. Buckalew’s absence, this topic will be tabled for discussion until the
September 17 meeting. Dr. Mark Griffith did ask, however, if the pertinent
information concerning the formation of a code concerning student behavior as
well as student accountability could be distributed to the Faculty Senate
members via e-mail. Dr. Beaird responded in the affirmative.
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Retirement
System Visit—Dr. Janis Beaird
Dr.
Beaird reminded the group that representatives from the state retirement system
will be on campus on November 19, 2002. She also encouraged everyone to attend,
chiefly because last year’s visit was so helpful.
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VALIC
Visits—Dr. Janis Beaird
Dr.
Beaird notified the group that the first VALIC visit this fall will occur on
August 30, 2002, in BG 205, and the VALIC representative will return
subsequently on every payday.
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Other
Dr.
Beaird stated that the Faculty Senate web page needed someone to maintain it and
Dr. Floyd had volunteered to do that. After the group’s discussion, Dr.
Collison made a motion that the group accept Dr. Floyd as the one to maintain
the web page. Mr. Todd extended his second to the motion. All responded
affirmatively.
Dr.
Tom Gonzalez then expressed concern about University web page policies,
especially in the area of web page authorship and departmental access. The
current policy dictates that an appointed webmaster has control over the
placement of content and designs on all University web pages. Dr. Floyd
explained the campus-wide consistency among University web pages is the goal
behind the policy. Logos, fonts, colors, etc. must meet certain standards. Dr.
Gonzalez articulated his desire to “cut out the middleman” in modifying web
pages, and Dr. Floyd responded that much of the current dissatisfaction could be
due to “growing pains” as the faculty adjusts to the new system. Dr.
Griffith then voiced his similar opposition to the idea of a webmaster having
sole control over departmental web page content, suggesting that the policy
should be clarified with explicit criteria. Dr. Floyd offered to take the
concerns of Drs. Gonzalez, Collison, and Griffith to the next University Web
Page Committee meeting. Discussion continued. Mr. Todd suggested a stabilization
period to give time for technological innovations to become more effective and
widespread. Dr. Gonzalez made a motion that a recommendation be presented to the
University Web Page Committee concerning individual authorship of departmental
web pages. Dr. Louis Smith seconded this motion. The motion passed.
V.
Adjournment
Mr.
Todd motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Dr. Collison seconded. The motion
passed. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 p.m.
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