UWA FACULTY SENATE MINUTES
Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 3:30 p.m.
Wise Conference Room - Wallace Hall 213

UWA Faculty Senate President Janis Beaird called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.  Members present were Mrs. Tina Jones, Dr. Richard Schellhammer, Dr. R.T. Floyd, Dr. Bill Ward, Mr. Jim Todd, Mr. Jim Shelton,  Dr. Betty Cowan, Dr. Gene May, Dr. John Byer (for Dr. June Abrams), Dr. Lee Day, Dr. Manley Blackwell, Dr. David Bowen (for Dr. Mark Griffith), Dr. Tom Gonzalez, Dr. Richard Buckner, Dr. Richard Collison, Mrs. Martha Shirley  Mrs. Tricia Taylor, and Dr. Joe Taylor.

The Senate agreed that the Senate meeting will be held the third Tuesday of every month at 3:30 p.m.  The Senate will be notified of the meetings via email.

The minutes will reflect the recorder of the minutes.  Jim Todd motioned that the minutes of July 17 be approved.  Joe Taylor seconded the motion.  The minutes were unanimously approved.

Following the acceptance of the minutes, Dr. Beaird reviewed the 2001-02 Faculty Senate Committees.  These committees are as follows:

Dr. Beaird asked the Faculty Information Committee to review the Faculty Senate homepage to insure that all information is relevant.

Dr. Beaird moved the discussion to Old Business. Mrs. Patricia Pratt, Office of Institutional Effectiveness, had been scheduled to meet with the Senate for discussion of the Intellectual Property Policy, but due to a scheduling conflict was unable to attend.  Her discussion will be rescheduled.

Attention was then turned to Library Book Purchases.  Dr. Beaird noted that there has been concern about spending for Library Purchases.  For 2002 the committee will receive $15,000, and the $3500 from last year will be added.  She also added that Dr. Snider will be presenting an increase in funding to the Deans Council.  There is concern because the budget for library acquisitions has not kept up with inflation.

Under new business the Senate asked Mr. Danny Buckalew, Vice-President of Student Affairs, to discuss recruitment and scholarship.  Mr. Buckalew attributed the recent increase in enrollment to the hard work of many people, especially the coaches with walk-ons and the Admissions Staff.  He also noted that the recruitment of band members is a top priority.  Glenn Smith, the new UWA Band Director,  has made a commitment to this effort.  Mr. Buckalew also noted that each Dean has been given two scholarships to use as he/she sees fit.  He also showed the Senate a new “Funding Your Future” brochure with a comprehensive list of UWA scholarships now available for faculty and students.  He noted that not all of these are freshmen scholarships.  He added that he hopes the brochure will help everyone identify scholarships for better use.  The Student Affairs Office has also decreased the number of mailouts, but increased the quality of those mailouts in an effort to attract more students.

On October 3, UWA will be holding an appreciation reception at the Cypress Inn for Tuscaloosa area school counselors.  This is only the first of several such scheduled receptions. The primary service area and 8 counties of Mississippi are also targeted for counselor, principals and superintendents’ receptions.  Mr. Buckalew emphasized that these receptions were being conducted in order for the counselors and school systems to get to know our Admissions Staff and UWA’s programs better.  Enrollment was increased by 46 students.  He noted that their goal is to increase enrollment to over 2000 by next year.

Dr. Beaird announced that the UWA Faculty Senate is being recognized at the 2001 Homecoming celebration as "UWA's Outstanding Campus Organization."  She thanked Dr. R.T. Floyd for all of his hard work over the last two years.

An amendment to the Sick Leave Donation Program was presented to the Senate.  Dr. Beaird noted that the old program did not address maternity leave.  Currently, one can use all his/her sick leave for maternity leave; however, after one has used his/her days, unpaid sick leave occurs.  The amendment as it now appears in the Faculty Handbook, includes maternity leave (please see handbook).  After discussion, it was agreed that the Faculty Affairs Committee would look at federal policy and bring a recommendation about a paid maternity leave policy before the Senate.

Dr. Beaird raised the issue of summer school money disbursement.  She explained that so much tax is being taken out for summer school money disbursement that many faculty are concerned.  Dr. Bowen said that one can change his/her W4-4 form at the beginning of the summer helping with the amount one is taxed.  The Financial Affairs committee will work on a proposal to present to the Senate and to the Provost about summer school money disbursement.

Dr. Floyd noted that emails have been sent explaining the class changes on the web.  Class changes placed on the web will be helpful to faculty advisors.  This process will also eliminate the amount of paperwork that advisors have to maintain.  There will be no more paper changes passed to faculty.

Tuition remission for full-time employees was also discussed before the Senate.  Dr. Floyd explained that if a husband/wife team is hired their time may be combined to meet the six-year requirement for tuition remission for full-time employees.  On a similar note, Ms. Taylor asked why faculty members who take classes are being required to pay for student ID’s.  Dr. Beaird suggested that the Faculty Affairs Committee revisit the policy on faculty charges for classes.  Dr. Floyd noted that the current policy can be found in the Faculty/ Staff Benefits Brochure.  Mr. Todd added that this policy hasn’t been reviewed in 15 years and deserves review.

Dr. Bowen introduced discussion concerning the required faculty presence at two graduation ceremonies per year.  He suggested that faculty be required to attend only one ceremony.  He reasoned that the money saved from renting the gowns for all faculty twice could be used for library acquisitions.  He also added that the reduced number of faculty would make more seating available for the guests of graduates.  Dr. Beaird said she would approach Dr. Holland.  She also asked that a proposal be written by a committee chaired by Dr. Bowen, Mrs. Taylor and Dr. Collison and presented to the Senate at the next meeting.

Dr. Collison moved that the meeting be adjourned and Mr. Todd seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,