UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Faculty Senate
Approved Minutes
12 November 1997
1 and 2. Call to Order and of Roll
The regular meeting was called to order by Suzanne McGill,
Chair, at 3:00 p.m. in Library 5. The Secretary called the roll:
Present:
Allison, Arata, Ballard, Chryslee, Daughenbaugh,
Davidson-Shivers, Donovan, Dorman, Engebretson,
Evans, Foster, Frederick, Fruh, Hain, Haywick,
Honkanen, Isom, Kulkarni, Labbe, Lally, Langan,
Martin, Matthews, McGill, McIver, Moak, Moore,
Rodgers, Sauer, Sweet, Sylvestre, Thurston, Tucker,
Van Haneghan, Vinson, Weston, Yeoman, Zhang
Absent (excused):
Ardell, Aucoin, Bell, Brandon, Broadus,
Cromwell,Dilsaver, Donovan, Dorman, Douglass, Hamm,
Izenberg, LeDoux, McAfee, Mulekar, Parker, Simpson,
Swint,
Vetrosky, c. Wilson, G. Wilson,
3. Completion of Pending Business
Minutes of the regular meetlngs of 13 August 1997 and 8 October 1997 were
approved.
4. Report from the Chair
Suzanne McGill reported that the trustees are scheduled to meet on 4
December and
expected to approve the raise proposed by the president; if approved,
checks for
retroactive payment of any salary increments are expected to be cut before
the interim.
McGill reported that Happy Fulford, Dr. Whiddon, and State Senator Sanders
spoke to ACCUFP (Alabama Council of College and University Faculty
Presidents),
a meeting hosted by USA at The Terrace and organized by ACCUFP
President-elect, Victoria Rivizzigno, former
USA faculty-senate chair. Senator Sanders discussed the importance of
faculty
becoming involved. Legislators want to know what faculty think, he said,
and
stressed that the state won't fund higher education because "it is the
right
thing
to do." We need to be specific as to what the needs are. McGill also
reported that the new Higher Education Partnership(HEP)
is organizing as a higher-ed advocacy group in Montgomery where the
K-12 and two-year college interests currently dominate.
McGill reported that the unresolved issues regarding the articulation
agreement for
all two- and four-year institutions in Alabama are being discussed by the
state -wide council of chief academic officers. In this regard, HcGill
reported a
discussion
with the president on 11 November on the matter of an acting or interim
SrVPAA appointment
(see old business).
McGill also reported with respect to the articulation agree ment that D
grades, not
now accepted for transfer credit by USA, may have to be accepted. The issue
remains
to be resolved.
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McGill invited faculty comments directed to her on the issue of teaching
workload
in the planned semester conversion: what are the perceived inequities, if
any?
McGill reported that the search committee for SrVPAA had 31 completed files
to screen;
no report on VPMA search at this time.
5. Reports of Senate Standing Committees
Evaluation. Tom Hain invited suggestions about items to be included
in the
next faculty
survey, which his committee will begin to prepare in the near
future.
Planning/Development. Douglas Haywick invited attention to a map he
distributed to
the senate showing proposed boardwalks across the wetlands located on the
main campus
along the creek. Haywick noted that one boardwalk was already completed and
urged
continued progress in construction of additional boardwalks until the plan
is realized.
Haywick has researched senate archives and noted a long history of senate
concern
about and commitment to preservation and enjoyment on this unique wetlands
environment.
Haywick also noted that the articulation agreement may require lab
components for
some courses that in turn may create space problems.
Policy/Handbook. Richard Daughenbaugh reported that it may be
necessary to
eliminate
the 010 writing exam for transfer credit of English 101, basic composition.
(see
new business.)
Daughenbaugh reported on semester conversion of FSDA. (See new
business.)
Daughenbaugh reported on placement of AAUP guidelines in faculty handbook.
(see new
business.)
Salaries/Benefits: Phillip Bell has an excused absence.
6. Reports of Caucus Leaders
Richard Daughenbaugh reported the concern of the faculty of the College of
Education
regarding the eight-hour maximum to be placed on summer school teaching in
the semester
system. This faculty offers an extensive curriculum in summer school for
K-12 teachers and its offerings will be restricted by the proposed teaching
load limit if it
is implemented. Suzanne MCGill observed that the profits, as it were, from
summer
session are returned to the college budgets, so teaching loads affect
"profits"
that are often used to fund projects in the various colleges
7. Old Business
Suzanne McGill reported that the president had changed David Stearns'
administrative
title to Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, the words
"academic affairs"
having been deleted.
McGill reported that the president may appoint an interim or acting SrVPAA
in the
near future.
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8. New Business
Richard Daughenbaugh's motion that the issue of elimination of the 010
writing exam
be tabled was unanimously approved.
Daughenbaugh's motion that the FSDA be converted to the semester system on
the basis
of one semester at full pay and two semesters at half pay was unanimously
approved.
Daughenbaugh's motion that the AAUP guidelines be placed in an appendix of
the faculty
handbook was unanimously approved.
9. Communications from the President
No communications were reported.
9. Adjournment
McGill adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
T. Lally, Secretary