The Faculty Senate of Eastern Kentucky University met on Monday,
October 7, 2002 in the South Room of the Keen Johnson Building. Senator Johnson
called the second meeting of the academic year to order at 3:30 p.m.
The
following members of the Senate were absent:
| J. Allison* |
M. Baxter |
D. Carter* |
| L. Collins* |
J. Dantic |
S. Fister |
| B. Gadd* |
L. Gillaspie |
D. Jones |
| L. Patterson |
M. Pierce |
E. Rini |
* denotes prior
notification of absence to the Faculty Senate Secretary
Visitors to the Senate were:
Lucas Hammons, Student Government Association; Ken Johnston, Finance; Jack
Lengyel, Athletics; Derita Ratcliffe, Athletics; Jennifer Rogers, The
Eastern Progress; Bob Rogow, Business and Technology; Aaron Thompson,
Academic Affairs; Janna Vice, Business and Technology; Elizabeth Wachtel,
Academic Affairs; and Doug Whitlock, Administrative Affairs.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Senator Johnson announced that Sigma Nu wished to express their appreciation
to all EKU faculty. As a token of their appreciation, they donated two cakes
as refreshments for the senators and guests at today's meeting.
APPROVAL
OF THE MINUTES:
The
September 9, 2002 minutes were approved with the following corrections.
On page 3 under COSFL report change the following sentence from:
"Currently COSFL is in search of a new head of the Council on Postsecondary
Education" to: "Currently COSFL is participating in the search for a new
head of the Council on Postsecondary Education.
On page 5 under Budget Committee Election, change "Senator Rini was elected
to serve as a one year replacement for Senator Rink on the Budget Committee."
to "Senator Rainey was elected to serve as a one-year replacement for
Senator Rink on the Budget Committee.
REPORT
FROM THE PRESIDENT: Senator Glasser
President
Glasser announced that when the finalists for the head of CPE are known,
she will share that information with the Senate.
The Council on Postsecondary Education held a two-day conference last
week in Lexington for all university Presidents and Board members to discuss
higher education and the current financial environment. President Glasser
stated that all universities throughout Kentucky, and throughout the country,
are experiencing financial crunches due to the national recession, but
also to how state-wide economies are responding to the recession. Because
of the Governor's continued support, higher education has been held relatively
harmless from all the cuts that have taken place on all state agencies
with the exception of one cut. While official notification has not been
received, all the presidents have been told to prepare for a budget cut
or reallocation of resources. Preparations have begun for the proposed
budget cut, which is predicted to be between 3-5 percent. Everything depends
on the state's financial condition after the first of the year as to whether
or not an additional cut is to be made.
President Glasser asked for the Faculty Senate's support during these
difficult financial times. Eastern's financial situation is even more
complex because of the lack of deferred maintenance on campus and the
electrical problems that have been experienced in the past six months.
President Glasser expressed hopes that Eastern can draw upon its strength
as a strong, united community to weather this financial storm.
Emphasis on faculty and staff and student services continues to be high
priority for President Glasser. To the extent possible, the President
wants to protect employees' jobs and hopes to maintain health insurance
coverage. In addition, the President has created a budget council that
will be meeting next week to start on budget deliberations. Input from
faculty is welcomed. The President reiterated her offer to visit all departments
to speak with faculty regarding their concerns and issues. At this point
she has visited five departments and has discussed EKU's financial condition
openly and candidly with faculty.
A list of university committees is now available online. If there are
any questions or comments about the new university committee structure,
please let either Dr. Wasicsko or the President know.
President Glasser will be giving her recommendations for the alcohol policy
to the Board of Regents at the November Board meeting. She commended the
Alcohol Task Force Committee for their excellent work on their report.
The task force recommended that the current alcohol policy be expanded
to include Stratton and Perkins and the new Business and Technology Building
when it comes online in the future. The President is considering expanding
the recommendations to include the Keen Johnson Building for events and
receptions, the Giles Gallery for art exhibits and theater receptions,
and the Moberly Building for receptions. However, her recommendation will
include absolutely no provisions for alcohol in any of the residence halls
or in any of the classroom buildings.
The parking committee has been asked to forward their recommendation to
the President before the end of the academic semester for at least one,
and possibly two, new lots to deal with the parking shortage, in particular
for commuter students.
The rural Law Enforcement Building dedication is going to take place this
Saturday in Hazard. President Glasser, Congressman Hal Rogers and Mayor
Goreman will dedicate the building.
President Glasser announced that the United Way Campaign will begin on
campus on October 23. She indicated that EKU's participation in the last
couple of years has fallen short in comparison with both public and private
schools in Kentucky. She encouraged everyone to participate.
REPORT
FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR: Senator Johnson
Senator Johnson reported that the Executive Committee met on September
23.
At the
request of the Athletics Committee, The Athletic Committee's report
was deferred to the next Executive Committee meeting.
The Executive
Committee discussed the request to postpone the sick leave policy indefinitely.
The Faculty
Senate budget cut was discussed and the committee were in agreement
to change the refreshments to cover the budget reduction. Aramark will
continue to be used for coffee and punch; however, cookies will be purchased
off campus for the Senate. Senator Johnson requested input from the
Senators as to whether or not to continue with refreshments. Comments
should be e-mailed to him.
Senator
Dunston was in attendance to present a proposal for a motion concerning
replacing faculty positions.
REPORT
FROM THE FACULTY REGENT: Senator Schlomann
Senator
Schlomann reported that most of the Board members attended the Governors
Conference on postsecondary education trusteeships. The Board did manage
to meet informally during this time and discuss current finances at
Eastern.
Senator
Schlomann announced that the next Board of Regents meeting will be on
November 8.
REPORT
FROM COSFL: Senator Siegel
Senator
Siegel reported that COSFL met on September 14 in the W.T. Young Library
at the University of Kentucky. At that meeting the following officers
were elected: Rick Felkhoff, University of Louisville - President; Carol
Bredemeyer, Northern Kentucky University - Vice - President; Carolyn
Siegel, Eastern Kentucky University - Treasurer; and Bill Pierce, University
of Louisville - Secretary.
A wide-ranging
discussion was initiated concerning COSFL's relationship with CPE and
its staff. Richard Freed, CPE faculty representative, reported that
COSFL will be included in meetings with presidential search finalists
around the third week of October.
COSFL's
participation in the workshop session on Shared Governance at the Governor's
Conference for Trustees and Regents on September 22-23 was explained.
Senator
Siegel shared with the Senate information received from the September
22 CPE meeting stating that:
-
As of Fall 2002, there is a 4.9 percent increase (8,838
more students) in enrollment in Kentucky's public colleges and universities
than in Fall 2001.
-
Since 1998, enrollment in Kentucky's public colleges and
universities has increased 19.9 percent (over 31,500 students). Almost 190,000
are enrolled.
-
Since 1998, the Kentucky Community and Technical College
System has increased enrollment by 45.8 percent (20,800 students).
-
Enrollment in the Kentucky Virtual University has grown
from 230 students and nine programs in Fall 1999 to 9,732 students and 32
programs in Fall 2002.
COSFL
will meet in mid-October in Frankfort with CPE staff and again in November
after revenue forecasts have been made public.
REPORT
FROM STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION: Lucas Hammons
Mr.
Hammons reported that SGA office renovations are now complete.
The senators were issued an invitation to attend the student reception
on Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Mary Hall, SGA Vice President, will lead a campus safety walk on Tuesday,
October 8 to address concerns dealing with safety.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Budget Committee. Senator Wade reported that the committee met twice
since the last senate meeting and discussed several budget issues. Vice
President Johnston spoke with the committee and addressed some concerns
raised, especially pertaining to the Athletics area. The University Athletics
Committee report, when available, should answer most of the questions
raised.
Senator Wade mentioned that the committee reviewed the University's 5%
budget cut and found that most of the reduction was handled by the President
off the top, with only 1.36% taken from the various units on campus. The
portion of the Athletics budget cut was over $33,000.
AD
HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Plus/Minus Grading Committee. Senator Fisher reported that the Plus/Minus
Grading Committee has met four times this year. The Ad Hoc Committee will
develop a plan to meet the original motion passed by the Senate in May and
hopes to present the plan at the November 4 Faculty Senate meeting. The members
of the committee are: Dr. Martin Diebold, Lance Melching (undergraduate student),
Matt Schumacher (graduate student), Dr. Daniel Thorne, Dr. Meredith Wells,
and Dr. James Wells.
Compensation and Benefits Committee. Senator Rahimzadeh
reported that the committee met on September 12 and again on September 26.
The committee will bring forward a motion or motions on merit pay and salary
inequities at the November or December Senate meeting.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS:
Sick Leave Policy. Senator
Banks moved to postpone the sick leave policy indefinitely, seconded by
Senator Miranda. The motion to postpone indefinitely was approved by the
Senate.
Motions
Regarding an LSU Faculty Member's Termination. Senator Reed proposed
three motions.
Motion 1:
Senator
Reed moved that the Senate formally express concern about Attorney General
John D. Ashcroft's description of Professor Steven Hatfill as a "person
of interest" and the potential threat that similar departures from constitutional
procedures may pose for the academic integrity and mission of our nation's
universities.
The motion was seconded by Senator Siegel for discussion.
Motion
2:
Senator
Reed moved to Create a committee charged with clarifying post-9-11 academic
challenges and how the University can best maintain the academic integrity,
freedom, and responsibilities of faculty and administrators.
Or,
In lieu of creating a new committee, in the interests of shared governance
expand the title and responsibilities of the Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Committee to include Faculty-Administration Rights and Responsibilities
and give them the charge stated immediately above.
The motion was Seconded for discussion by Senator Dunston.
Motion
3:
Senator
Reed moved to ask COSFL to address post-9-11 academic challenges, freedom,
and responsibilities, including the firing of Professor Steven Hatfill.
The motion was seconded by Senator Siegel for discussion.
Senator Johnson indicated that as these are substantive motions, discussion
and voting will be postponed until the next Faculty Senate meeting. Senator
Reed invited the senators to e-mail their comments regarding the motions
to him.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Council
on Academic Affairs Report: Senator Wasicsko
Senator Wasicsko moved approval
of the following five items, seconded by Senator Fisher. The Senate
approved the motion.
1. Graduate
Record Exam Changes (Information Item Only)
2. Insurance (BBA)
- Program Reactivation
3. Medical
Transcription Certificate - Suspend
4. Leisure
Studies Department Name Change
5. Insurance
& Risk Management (BS) - Suspend
Proposed
Resolution for Faculty Replacement Positions. Senator Dunston
presented a resolution to the Senate for consideration, seconded for discussion
by Senator Long:
- Be it
therefore resolved:
That the number of Administrators (includes executive and administrative
officers and professional non faculty) at this institution has increased
and continues to increase (516 in 1999, 572 in 2000, and 599 in 2001);
- That
the Administrative searches underway be terminated and that Interim
Administrative personnel "make do" until a better economic future
is proposed;
- That
as monies become available, said funds be allocated first for teaching
faculty replacement positions at Eastern Kentucky University and then
for hiring additional teaching faculty (680 in 1999, 643 in 2000,
643 in 2001).
Senator
Johnson ruled that as this is a substantive issue, discussion will be
deferred to the next Faculty Senate meeting.
Report
from Interdisciplinary Team Teaching Task Force. Senator Johnson
announced that the committee requested to postpone their report until
the November Senate meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Senator Wasicsko moved to adjourn at approximately 4:50 p.m.
Meetings