UWA FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
Tuesday, March 19, 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, Ms. Tina Jones, Dr. R.T. Floyd, Dr. Bill Ward, Dr. Lee Day, Dr. Mark Griffith, Dr. Gene May, Dr. Manley Blackwell, Dr. Gary Stone, Dr. Tom Gonzalez, Dr. Richard Buckner, Dr. June Crawford, Dr. Lesa Shaul, and Ms. Martha Shirley.

      II.  Approval of Feb. 19, 2002 Minutes

Dr. Schellhammer moved that the minutes be approved as presented.  Dr. Blackwell seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved.

      III.  Introduction of President Holland with Remarks

Dr. Beaird introduced President Holland and asked him to speak on his upcoming plans for the University.  He began by explaining that he, Dr. Beaird and Dr. Wilkins attended an Education Budget Hearing in Montgomery today.  He noted that the budget does contain a clause that says any new money will go to faculty and staff compensation.  He asked that faculty email and phone their state senators and representatives so that they are aware of our needs.  Dr. Holland noted that the Higher Education Partnership has brought a focus to our (higher education’s) efforts, but we are still battling AEA for equal funding.  Among UWA’s funding concerns are the current building projects on campus.  He noted that the Bell Conference Center will cost $40,000 per year to operate and the Library addition will cost an additional $18,000 per year to operate.

On accreditation, Dr. Holland stated that the SACS report has been mailed to the 15-member team.  The team will be on campus April 14-17.  He also said that the chair of the team has said that we are in good shape at this point in this process.  Dr. Holland said that he thinks we will do well on the self-study.

Dr. Holland announced that Honors Day will be held on April 11 and Commencement on May 4, with a graduating class of 210.

He concluded by saying that over the last few weeks, UWA has taken on some new initiatives.  Some of these address enrollment.  Danny Buckalew and Student Affairs personnel are working with these.  Some of the specifics include the pursuit of soccer and tennis teams.  Other initiatives involve economic regional development.  Dr. Holland said that we need to get involved with this.  The University is continuing to work on the capital campaign.  Since January, UWA has taken in over $100,000 for this.  He added that we cannot overlook finding monies for some of the more traditional areas, such as faculty travel and office supplies.

Dr. Holland stated that he plans to meet with all the academic areas so that faculty and staff can express their concerns and needs for the institution.  Dr. Holland will meet with the UWA Foundation, UWA Alumni Association, and the Board of Trustees next week.

Dr. Griffith asked about the stability of the positions of president and provost at this time.  Dr. Holland stated that he has a commitment from the Board for 30 months.  The Provost will be there during this time too.  He added that if progress is shown during this time, his term might be extended.  Dr. Schellhammer raised the question of staff equity raises.

Dr. Floyd asked Dr. Holland about the progress on Tiger Trails.  Dr. Holland said that UWA applied for a grant for $900,000.  The University’s match is $300,000 which UWA does have.  Dr. Holland said the grant is on the Governor’s desk and has been approved, but it has not been released yet.  He said Clemit Spruiell is pursuing this.

      IV.  Old Business

            A.  URG-Faculty Senate Subcommittee – Dr. Janis Beaird

        Tabled to the next meeting.

B.  Maternity Leave Policy – Dr. Richard Schellhammer

Dr. Schellhammer contacted Ms. Pratt in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to see how many have had maternity leave.  She did not know.  He said he can tell us anecdotally the number is minimal and so is the compensation.  He said that the cost of a paid maternity leave is minimal compared to the benefits the institution would reap when recruiting good female faculty and staff candidates.

C.  Commencement Participation – Dr. David Bowen

Tabled to the next meeting.

D.  Faculty Affairs Committee – Dr. Richard Schellhammer

Ms. Shirley motioned that the brochure be revised.  Dr. Ward seconded the motion.  Statements to be revised included photo ID and faculty flexible benefits.  The motion carried.  Dr. Griffith motioned that the combined years benefits be also included in the faculty brochure.  Dr. Ward seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

      V.  New Business

A.  Faculty Senate Resolution

Dr. Beaird stated that the Staff Senate and the SGA passed resolutions in support of Dr. Holland.  Dr. Griffith said that many faculty from his department are reluctant to pass a resolution which offers support to the Board of Trustees until they see the make-up of the presidential search committee, along with progress towards the goals they have set towards healing.  Dr. Ward said that we need to do something that brings everyone together, rather than be divisive.  Dr. Griffith said we should leave the Board of Trustees out of the resolution.  According to Dr. Griffith, this neither admonishes nor praises the Board.  Dr. Buckner suggested that the term “endorsed” be removed from the resolution.  Dr. Stone said if we did not accept the second resolution as it was presented to the faculty by email then he would need to ask that his faculty to vote again on the resolution.  Dr. Buckner moved that the Senate vote on the second resolution.  Dr. Crawford seconded the motion.  The resolution passed with a vote of 57 for and 23 against.

B.  Visit from Retirement System

Dr. Beaird said that the meeting will occur at 2:00 p.m. on April 18.  This will be a general meeting.  They will address the DROP program.  For individual conferences about any retirement concerns on this date faculty should call 1-800-214-2158, ext. 660, to set up a 20-minute counseling session.  Claudia Maddox is taking appointments for April 18.

C.  Allowing Time for Committee Meetings – Dr. Janis Beaird

Tabled to the next meeting.

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

Tabled to the next meeting.

      VI.  Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.