February 21, 2013
Attendance
The Faculty Senate met on Thursday, February 21, at 3:40 pm in Reynolds 205. Senators in attendance were Scott White, Tim Schroeder, Christie Hough, Abdel Bachri, Vikram Bhadauria, Jennifer Logan, Stacy Clanton , Neelie Dobbins, Denise Moseley, Chrisanne Christensen, Jan Duke, Dan May, Shannin Schroeder, Karen Ferneding, David Sanson.
The following senators were absent with proxies: Abdel Bachri served for Hong Cheng. Dr. Linda Blake served for Mary Armwood. Jennifer Logan served for Svetlana Paulson.
Ex-officio: Dr. Rankin, Dr. Berry, Mr. Paul McLendon, Dr. Allen
Visitors included: Dr. Matt Lammers
Call to Order: Pres. S. White called the meeting to order at 3:42 p.m. Proxies read.
Approval of Minutes
J. Duke moved to approve the minutes from the January Faculty Senate meeting, S. Schroeder seconded. The minutes were approved.
Special Orders of the Day
Faculty Excellence Awards and Dinner:
Pres. White announced that the Faculty Excellence Awards Dinner will be held on Friday, April 12 at 6:00 pm in Grand Hall of the Reynolds building.
Senate Elections for 2013-2014
It is time for new elections! Senate nominations should be submitted within each respective college or to S. Schroeder for senators-at-large by Friday, March 15. Senate election results per college will be announced at the Faculty Senate meeting on Thursday, March 28.
Update from the Administration:
Legislative Updates
- Pres. White reported that SAU is currently in the process of refinancing a few long term bonds. This will lead to savings for the University.
Comments from University President Rankin
- The federal government is urging universities to find ways to keep costs from rising. A score sheet is being created to “grade” colleges on their abilities to do this. Faculty and staff are asked to try to conserve energy when possible and find ways to reduce costs over time.
- Lottery scholarships will now be awarded for reduced amounts due to a current deficit of available funds.
- There is no anticipated increase in state funding for next year.
- The proposed 1% reduction in the state income tax is projected to result in approximately $2 million in reduced state appropriation funds for SAU.
- The conceal and carry legislation is expected to pass through the state legislature. An ammendment has been added which allows for a college’s Board of Trustees to “opt out” of the legislation.
- SAU is currently proposing the creation of an Engineering Program within the College of Science and Technology. The program will offer degrees in both Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. This addition to the university would promote economic growth throughout the region.
- The new residence hall should be completed and ready to house up to 60 students by the fall of 2013. Additionally, the reception area for the newly constructed Story Rodeo Arena will be finished by the fall of 2013 as well.
C. Christensen asked when the faculty would be informed of the state budget cuts and how they would impact the university. Dr. Rankin replied that answers to these questions would hopefully be addressed before the state legislature recesses at the end of April.
Comments from Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Berry announced that the first student would be taking the Academic Integrity Workshop Course on Monday, February 25. Five additional students will be taking the course in March.
Reports of Standing, University, and Academic Committees
Faculty Senate Committees:
Budget Committee – T. Schroeder reported that the committee had recently met with Mr. Paul McLendon to discuss budgetary challenges for the university. The committee will submit a report next month displaying salary information for university faculty over the past 5 years. This report will hopefully help to address a perceived lack of transparency in regards to salary increases and equitable adjustments.
Handbook Committee – S. Clanton discussed the recent meeting in which the committee discussed the proposed change to the IRB section of the Faculty Handbook. The committee proposed the following addition:
“Membership: In order for SAU to comply with requirements from the National Institutes of Health, all voting members of the committee must complete NIH Certification each year within 6 weeks of being assigned to the committee. Failure of a member to do so will be taken as a resignation from the committee, and the Dean of the College of the member must appoint a replacement in a timely manner.”
- S. Clanton moved that the Faculty Senate accept the committee’s report so that it can presented at the Faculty Assembly meeting in April 2013. The motion passed.
- S. Clanton also reported that the Handbook Committee plans to ensure that all approved changes have been included in the electronic version of the Faculty Handbook.
- S. Clanton proposed that the Faculty Senate address the issue of differing interpretations in regards to time and service as specified in the Promotion and Tenure section of the Faculty Handbook.
University Committees:
AQIP Faculty Peer Assessment Committee – D. May reported that the committee is currently discussing faculty and course assessment processes. They are trying to create an objective way to establish benchmarks that could be used for faculty performance reviews.
Active Search Committees:
Art & Design Search – D. May reported that the committee plans to interview a candidate next week via Skype.
SAU Police Chief – J. Duke reported that the committee had been suspended due to budgetary issues.
Library Director – S. Schroeder reported that the committee had been suspended due to budgetary issues. Mr. Del Duke has accepted the position of Interim Director.
LPA Dean – Pres. White reported that 4 candidates have been interviewed thus far and the committee plans to interview one additional candidate shortly.
Old Business
Review and Discussion of 2012 Faculty Senate Recommended University Policy on the Appropriate Use of ALLUSERS Email Messages
Pres. White explained that there is a noticeable disconnect between the Faculty Senate and the faculty. There is a lack of communication among senators and their constituents in regards to Faculty Senate matters. The next meeting of the faculty assembly is scheduled for April 2013. Pres. White urged all senators to speak with their constituents and ask for feedback on the matter. Pres. White also recommended that the Staff Senate also discuss this matter provide input. The proposals are provided in Attachment A.
New Business
Discussion of Senate Action regarding Arkansas House Bill 1243 (University Employee Concealed Carry Bill)
Pres. White reported that a new amendment has been included that would allow a university’s Board of Trustees to “opt out” of the concealed carry bill. Discussion ensued. Pres. White urged senators to speak with their constituents and provide feedback at the next Faculty Senate meeting.
The next meeting will take place on Thursday, March 28, 2013 in Reynolds 205.
Adjournment:
The motion to adjourn was made by T. Schroeder and seconded by D. May.
Submitted by Jennifer Logan, Faculty Senate Secretary, February 26, 2013.
Attachment A: Allusers Email Notification Proposal
Originally Proposed:
a. Allusers e-mail may be used only if the matter concerns all faculty and/or all staff.
b. Allusers e-mail may NOT be used for class absence notifications. If an instructor or other employee wishes to use e-mail to inform fellow instructors of a student’s absence, only the concerned instructors of the absentees should be notified, not all users. However, students are still responsible for pre-approving their absences with instructors directly as per the Faculty Handbook (chapter VI.B.1.d.iii).
c. Allusers e-mail may NOT be used for lost and found items.
d. Allusers e-mail may be used ONLY to promote events that are sponsored by registered campus organizations or by college, department, or other academic units.
e. Allusers e-mail of a personal nature should be limited to announcements of deaths and funerals.
Alternative Proposal:
a. Allusers e-mail may be used only if the matter concerns all faculty and/or all staff.
b. Allusers or personal email messages from faculty or staff do not supplant the students’ responsibility for pre-approving their absences with instructors directly as per the Faculty Handbook (chapter VI.B.1.d.iii).
If an instructor or other employee wishes to use e-mail to inform fellow instructors of a student’s absence, it is strongly recommended that only the concerned instructors of the absentees should be notified, not all users.
c. Allusers e-mail may NOT be used for lost and found items.
d. Allusers e-mail may be used ONLY to promote events that are sponsored by registered campus organizations or by college, department, or other academic units.
e. Allusers e-mail of a personal nature should be limited to announcements of deaths and funerals.
