Approved November 15, 2001
October 18, Minutes
Indiana State University
Faculty Senate, 2001-2002
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Place: HMSU, Dede III
Officers: Chairperson J. Cerny, Vice Chair S. Lamb, Secretary C. Hoffman
Senators: John Allen, E. Bermudez, M. Brennan, B. Clouse, R. Clouse, N. Corey, B. Frank, D. Gilman, R. Goidel, M. Harmon, P. Hightower, H. Hudson, J. Jakaitis, N. Lawrence, K. Liu, L. Maule, R. McGiverin, J. McNabb, D. Memory, F. Muyumba, T. Nicoletti, A. O'Bryan, N. Rogers, R. Schneirov, L. Sperry, J. Tenerelli, E. Warner, W. Warren, C. Yoder
Absent: D. Burger, G. Christianson, P. Dutta, V. French, V. Gregory, M. Hamm, R. Johnson,
W. Moates
Ex-officio: President Benjamin, Provost Pontius
Deans: T. Foster, B. Hine, C. Ingersoll, J. Maynard, S. Nelson, B. Saucier, D. Timmons, T. Sauer
Visitors: W. Dando, J. Gatrell, d. jegede, S. Loughlin
I. A memorial was read and accepted for Clarence Joseph Hull, Professor of Chemistry. (Hoffman, Tenerelli 28-0-0).
II. Administrative Report
President Benjamin reported on his attendance at an Indiana Commission on Higher Education meeting. The president noted his receipt of the Administrative Affairs Committee's (AAC) advice concerning his proposed administrative reorganization. He expressed appreciation for the careful attention evidenced by the AAC response. He also spoke of the need for a clear disaster plan at ISU and said that W. Mercier (Public Safety) and R. Schafer (Admin. Affairs) would be addressing that need.
Provost Pontius reported that the administration had approved the two actions taken by the Senate at last month's meeting: acceptance of memorials for Dorothy Elmore and Robert D. Seltzer; confirmation of replacements to the Faculty Dismissal Hearing Committee, Sherry McFadden and Jeff Harper.
He also provided an update on noted Senate actions from the last academic year.
Discussion followed.
S. Lamb encouraged the administration to use some recaptured funds from retirements to elevate funding for the URC and the AEC, noting the emphasis on research as criteria for evaluation--he further commented that current funding did not speak well to the criteria.
C. Hoffman noted that committees were charged to respond to many of the Senate actions and asked for a response timeline. He further noted that some responses implied a conclusion to reject.
L. Maule expressed concern for the response to the recommendation on adjunct parking.
R. Clouse asked that paralleling with competitive salary levels for searches, the University also reward faithfulness.
R. Schneirov expressed concern with present salary guidelines for adjunct pay.
D. Gilman said that salary at all levels should be competitive.
P. Hightower noted the salary chart available on the Senate web page that reflected a salary comparison with peer institutions. He further noted the span between administration and faculty salaries when compared to these peer institutions.
R. McGiverin noted that response to some Senate actions were delayed due to costs involved. He said standing committees could benefit from having access to resources that allowed for better evaluation.
III. Chair Report
Chair Cerny encouraged attendance at the AAUP statewide conference in Indianapolis on October 20. He noted the attendance of the deans at Senate meetings and complimented President Benjamin for his Insights communication to the campus community. He updated the Senate on the faculty scholarship fund and asked members to encourage greater participation. He said past Senate Chair, P. Carino and himself, along with one more faculty representative would be orchestrating a fundraising endeavor. The Chair complimented standing committees and applauded their efforts. He related to the Senate that the Preface to the revised University Handbook continued to be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and that what was initially communicated that the Preface to the University Handbook would be revised and reviewed by faculty governance, recent events seem to ignore this protocol. He expressed great concern over these events and informed the Senate that officers would continue to monitor activities regarding the University Handbook.
IV. SGA Report
The SGA was working to fill student seats on Senate standing committees.
V. Fifteen Minute Open Discussion
S. Lamb said the Senate's approved changes to the University Handbook had been previously reviewed and endorsed by the Board of Trustees. He asked the president to give insight on the purpose for the recent review of the University Handbook.
President Benjamin said he saw no need for concern. The Board believes the Handbook in its entirety needed review, especially sections with changes from the last edition.
E. Warner commented that there were various versions to the University's general education program; however, he noted that the first capstone course under the General Education 2000 Program was on the today's agenda and that it was exemplary.
Provost Pontius expressed the need for the University to have one coherent general education program.
N. Lawrence expressed concern for international students to receive orientation upon admittance to the University.
Provost Pontius will provide feedback on present orientation practices.
C. Hoffman noted the inequity in salary for the different levels of lecturers within different departments.
R. Schneirov said that a salary floor minimum does not provide a decent standard of living for a group of faculty that is already an exploited commodity within institutions.
N. Corey spoke on the merits of a University ID Card that could be presented for discounts in traveling expenditures.
J. Allen noted a recent failure of the fire alarm system in the Science Building.
Vice President Schafer cited events that had been the cause and noted that the silent alarm had activated and emergency vehicles had responded.
K. Liu suggested that the ISU web site could incorporate orientation information and noted that the week of November 12 was International Education Week.
F. Muyumba noted the omission of the African American Cultural Center's orientation for minorities this year and encouraged its continuance.
VI. Minutes for the September 20 meeting were approved. (R. Clouse, B. Frank 31-0-1).
VII. CAAC recommendations:
Geographic Information Science Certificate
B.A. and B.S. Minor Geographic Information Science
Motion to approve. (R. Clouse, N. Lawrence).
Discussion period. Question called. Vote, 28-0-2.
The provost has imposed a moratorium on "certificate" programs until questions, particularly regarding the locus of control, can be addressed.
CAAC/Gen Ed: ARTP 499, Art and the Artist in the Context of Society
Motion to approve. (Warner, Yoder).
Discussion period. Question called. Vote, 29-0-2.
PSCI 107, Contemporary American Issues
Motion to approve. (R. Clouse, P. Hightower).
Discussion period. Question called. Vote, 28-0-2.
VIII. New Business
Committee appointments:
Administrative Affairs Committee--Nora Hopkins, two-year term; Don Richards, alternate. (Maule, Hightower 29-0-2).
Blue Ribbon Panel on Distance Education--Paul Hightower;
Information Technology Consultant Project--Ann O'Bryan;
Library Advisory Committee, Tom Derrick; and
Information Technology Advisory Committee--L. Kunes, Tim Mulkey. (R. Clouse, Tenerelli 30-1-1).
Copies of the AAC response to the president and provost reorganization proposals were made available at the front table.
IX. Standing Committee Reports
Administrative Affairs Committee, K. Liu --The AAC had met four times and responded to reorganization proposals from the president and provost. The next AAC meeting is scheduled for October 26, 3:15 p.m., Root Hall 237.
Arts Endowment Committee, M. Brennan--The AEC will meet again on November 29 to consider fall funding applications.
Curriculum and Academic Affairs Committee, J. McNabb--The CAAC had met four times and approved seventeen curricular proposals.
Faculty Affairs Committee, R. Schneirov--The FAC had met twice. Two charges were given priority--faculty workload proposal and eligibility of the general education coordinator and administrative fellows for Senate service. Conclusion of consideration will occur at the next FAC meeting. Three FAC recommendations have been forwarded to the Executive Committee.
Faculty Economic Benefits Committee, N. Rogers--The FEBC last met on October 11. The FEBC considered the 2002 Health Benefits Plan/Contribution Rates and worked on charges.
Graduate Council, D. Memory--The Council had met twice. Graduate course proposals were considered, subcommittee membership decided, and reviewed charges.
Student Affairs Committee, W. Warren--The SAC had met last Wednesday and discussed ways to help international students. The next meeting is scheduled for October 31.
University Research Committee, E. Bermudez--The URC had met last Thursday. The URC discussed this year's funding and noted its concern for the funding decrease.
The meeting adjourned at 4:58 p.m.