UWA FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
Tuesday, October 15, 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. Tina Jones, Dr. R.T. Floyd, Dr. Richard Buckner, Mr. Mark Brothers, Dr. Richard Collison, Dr. Betty Cowan, Dr. Mark Griffith, Ms. Ann Ketcham, Dr. Nancy Kudlawiec, Dr. Dwayne Massey, Dr. Stephen Slimp (for Dr. Lesa Shaul), Mr. Jim Shelton, Mr. Jim Todd, and Dr. Bill Ward.

II.  Approval of September 17, 2002 Minutes

A motion was made to approve the Sept. 17, 2002, minutes by Mr. Todd and seconded by Dr. Buckner.  The minutes passed unanimously.

III. Old Business

1. Attendance at Commencement – Dr. Janis Beaird

Dr. Beaird reported that Dr. Bowen presented the Faculty Senate’s proposal before the Deans’ Council.  Dr. Beaird said that only about 40 seats would be vacated through this proposal. The Council also thought the pomp and circumstance is for the students and is important to them.

2. Maternity Leave – Dr. Richard Schellhammer

Dr. Beaird reported that the Deans’ Council tabled this to allow time for this policy to presented before the Staff Senate since it also concerns them.

3. Faculty Senate Committees – Dr. Janis Beaird

Dr. Beaird said that Dr. Alvin Marson and Mr. Jason Guynes have been appointed to the Financial Affairs Committee. The Staff positions have not been filled at this time.

4. Sabbatical Proposal Vote – Dr. Janis Beaird

Dr. Beaird asked for comments before voting on the Sabbatical Proposal occurred. Ballots were distributed. The Sabbatical Proposal passed the Faculty Senate with a yes-vote of 54. There were four undecided votes.  Dr. Beaird also reminded everyone that the proposal had already passed at the Deans’ Council meeting with the provision that the proposal was passed by  the Faculty Senate.  The proposal will now be passed along to the University president.  Dr. Beaird added that implementation of the program could begin as early as Fall 2003.  Applications for sabbatical would be solicited at this time.

5. Retirement System Visit – Dr. Janis Beaird

Dr. Beaird reminded everyone that representatives from Valic will be on campus on November 19, 2002.

IV. New Business

1. Continuing Education Courses – Dr. Joe Wilkins

The Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Joe Wilkins, explained that due to the SACS report the University decided to place the all the continuing education course offering under the umbrella of the graduate school.  He also noted that 2000 UWA alumni were sent surveys concerning continuing education interests.  Dr. Patricia DeMay will be offering the first of these courses in the Spring.  It will be a quilting course.  He noted that about 13 faculty have expressed interest in teaching courses for the program.  He said that in the beginning the University will probably only offer two courses at a time.  Instructors will receive approximately 75% of the fees.  According to Dr. Wilkins, the University sees this as a service/ mission project.  He added that CEU’s can also be administrated through this program. He explained that the purpose of this program is to enrich the lives of our students, faculty and service area through lifelong learning.    There will be a continuing education calendar placed on the UWA website. This would include children’s summer enrichment programs held on the UWA campus. He said there are possible opportunities for future expansion.  He concluded by noting that his office is open to suggestions concerning this project.

2. Other

In other business, Dr. R.T. Floyd asked Dr. Wilkins to report on the Alabama Commission on Higher Education Planning Committee. Dr. Wilkins will be on the ACHE’s Planning Committee.  This committee is charged with establishing statewide objectives and priorities for long-range planning in higher education in the state of Alabama.  Dr. Wilkins said that there have been a lot of rumors concerning this group.  He said these rumors are not founded in the document being created by the group.  He said the document is very similar to its predecessor, but it will be added to in the area of distance learning and accountability (especially in the area of funding and the use of state funds). Dr. Floyd will also be making a presentation to this group.  Dr. Wilkins concluded by stating that the Faculty Senate will receive any drafts of the document that the committee creates.  Dr. Schellhammer asked if it would be feasible if Dr. Floyd could solicit feedback from UWA Faculty to allow them an opportunity to voice their concerns in higher education.  Dr. Beaird said that she said she would distribute information to the faculty representatives, so that they can obtain feedback from their faculty.

Michael A. Talerico, Assistant Campaign Director for the United Way of West Alabama, addressed the Faculty Senate at the October meeting.  He thanked the University for its participation in the United Way campaign.  He noted that West Alabama has a long history of community service to the West Alabama region.  The United Way of West Alabama is involved in programs such as YMCA, scouting activities, West Alabama AIDS Outreach (funding for education about AIDS in local schools), and Red Cross programs. In addition, programs for domestic abuse victims were aided through the United Way.  This organization works with over 800 volunteers each year.  Last year, this agency served four out of every 10 people in the region (a nine-county area).

V. Adjournment

Dr. Buckner moved that the meeting be adjourned and Mr. Todd seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.