UWA FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 3:00 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 Ms. Tina Jones, Dr. Merle Peper (for Dr. Bill Ward), Dr. Mark Griffith, Dr. Gene May, Dr. Lauren Wells, Dr. Manley Blackwell, Mr. Jim Todd, Ms. Becky Graham (for Dr. Richard Buckner), Dr. Richard Collison, Dr. Lesa Shaul, Dr. Gary Stone, Ms. Ann Ketcham, Dr. Marvin Grant (for Dr. Lee Day), and Ms. Martha Shirley. 

      II.  Approval of April 16, 2002 Minutes

Dr. Stone moved that the minutes be accepted as read.  Dr. Collison seconded.  The motion passed and the minutes were approved.

      III.  Old Business

 A.  URG-Faculty Senate Subcommittee – Dr. Neil Snider, Chair
         Dr. Jones, Dr. Buckner, Dr. Day, Dr. Wilkins, & Mr. Todd

Dean Ann Jones explained that the present system allowed too little time for such an important decision as tenure to be made.  Dr. Beaird distributed copies of the proposed revision to the tenure process.  One of the complaints against the present system is that the committee felt that there was too little documentation for people applying for tenure during their third year.  The committee’s solution is to add another probationary year to the front end of the system.  This means that the faculty member may stand for tenure in his fourth year.  The faculty member would be allowed to stand for tenure twice under this system.

Dr. Griffith raised the question concerning how other universities handle this issue.  Dr. Jones said our current policy is developed from AAUP principles.  Dr. Beaird said that some universities have deviated from this.  Dr. Beaird added that they are trying to eliminate having unsuitable faculty members for a fourth year on a terminal contract.  Dr. Griffith stated that he does not see this proposed policy as a benefit to faculty, but for administration and made a motion that it be tabled until it could be examined further.

The discussion continued.  Dr. Jones stated that a proposal to change this policy came from the College of Education’s CRG and then presented to the URG.  Dr. Beaird added that the Faculty Senate discussed the issue during several meetings last year.  That is when the URG-Faculty Senate Subcommittee was formed.   Mr. Todd stated that extensive research was done when developing the original policy.  Mr. Todd asked that the discussion be tabled so that the committee could collect new data concerning the policies of universities our size.

Before concluding, Dr. Collison pointed out that the original problem was not tenure, but for hiring someone back after the second year.  Dr. Beaird stated that by making the third year a probationary year, the faculty member could be terminated without a terminal contract for the fourth year. The new policy if approved would only affect new contracts.   Dr. Griffith asked that the proposal be e-mailed to the entire Senate.  Dr. Beaird presented the previous motion.  Dr. Collison seconded.  The proposal passed and discussion was tabled.  Dr. Beaird asked that Mr. Todd and Dr. Shaul research the matter further.

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

Dr. Beaird reminded everyone that there was a motion to change the time between classes on MWF to ten minutes.  This would allow MWF classes to begin on the hour.  If passed this proposal would go to the Deans’ Council.  Dr. Beaird asked for a vote.  Sixty voted for the proposal and 23 voted against.  The proposal will be presented to the Deans’ Council.

      IV.  New Business

A.  Sabbatical and Faculty Development – Dr. Janis Beaird

Dr. Beaird noted that the Deans’ Council liked the suggestions made by the Senate.  She has been asked to chair a committee to examine this issue.  At the fall college meetings, faculty will be asked to serve on this committee with her.  She added that the committee will welcome ideas and suggestions.

B.  Summer Salary Increases To Go Along With Base
            – Dr. Janis Beaird

Summer salaries do increase whenever the faculty receives a raise. Dr. Beaird noted that the money is available for a 2 1/2 percent raise for next year, but the three percent raise has not been secured.  The next Deans’ Council meeting will also address the issue of adding more sections for summer.  Mr. Todd said the 12-student base was the amount needed to make summer school pay for itself.

C.  Progress on Bell Conference Center – Dr. Janis Beaird

The Center is progressing nicely with arches welcoming everyone.  Dr. Beaird said that the completion is proposed for November with a dedication following.

D.   Other

Dr. Griffith asked if it was true that Campus Pipeline would be dropped.  Dr. Beaird confirmed that Campus Pipeline would indeed be dropped.  The system, however, will be available until January.  Mr. Todd explained that when UWA drops Pipeline it will lose the port.  Information Systems is looking for a substitute for Campus Pipeline.  Dr. Beaird said that the SmartCard will be installed and introduced to students in the Fall, and it will be workable in the Spring.

      V.  Adjournment

Dr. Collison motioned that the meeting be adjourned.  Dr. Griffith seconded.  The motion passed.  The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:40 p.m.