University of South Alabama
Faculty Senate 2004-2005
June 16, 2004
University Library, Rm. 110
3:00 p.m.

APPROVED MINUTES

 

The meeting began without a quorum at 3:05 p.m. with Vice-Chair, Doug Haywick reading a message from Steve Morris, Chair (submitted from Mexico). The report noted the May meeting at the USA Foundation’s headquarters and the desire of the Faculty Senate to work for the best interest of the university and to request that the spending of non-dedicated funds should be at the discretion of the university (with input from faculty).

Steve reiterated general goals for the next year including increasing the Senate’s visibility (and to that end, a bound copy of the Senate’s Presidential Report was sent to all departments in May).

Steve reported on the Executive committee’s May meeting with President Moulton and other administrators. The two central issues were the possibility of a raise/one-time pay increase for faculty and the possibility of greater use of part-time faculty and instructors.

Finally, the Faculty Senate now has permanent offices in Library Room 313. Filing cabinets, a PC, and a student worker (to start in the Fall) will help the Senate organize its past activities and live less out of boxes.

Doug added comments concerning the regular Foundation meeting at which President Moulton made a request for $12m toward the Cancer Center. President Moulton provided further funding information at the university’s Board of Trustee’s meeting. In short, the USA Foundation, city of Mobile, and Mobile County express support.

During the Chair’s Report, there was discussion that the university had adopted a higher per course pay rate for adjunct and part time faculty and that the stated reason given for the approved increase in student’s tuition was faculty pay increase.

After the Chair’s Report, a quorum was declared and the meeting was officially called to order.

Present: Beverly, Brown, Burckhartt, Coleman, Dickens, Donovan, Flynn, Gamble,

Godfrey, Guion, Harris, Haywick, King, McIntosh, Millner, Moore,

Nowlin, Parker, Perez Pineda, Peters, Pillen, Powell, Rattie, Ryan, Sachs,

Sanders, Swofford, Teplick, Whitehurst, and Wooster.

Excused: Aldes, Ames, Aronson, Brick, Bru, Costello, Giles, Jefferson, Kovaleski,

McCready, Moreau, Morris, Pruitt, Robertson, Scammell, Spake, and

Sylvester

Unexcused: Davis, Dupree, Lauderdale, Luterman, Manci, Molokhia, Pardue, Rodning,

and Sauer

 

The Minutes of the April 21st meeting were approved without amendment.

 

Old Business

Marian Peters (Chair of Academic Policy & Faculty Handbook) discussed the committee’s meeting with Dr. Covey concerning the proposed Non-tenure Track Faculty Promotion Policy. After talking with Dr. Covey, the committee was comfortable with the proposal. The proposal passed unanimously (after being removed from the table and discussion).

New Business

There was no new business.

Reports from standing committees

Academic Development & Mentoring (John Kovaleski): Doug read a note from John. The committee’s short-term focus will be preparing for new faculty members arriving in August.

Academic Policy and Faculty Handbook (Marian Peters): The committee will look into changes in the grievance policy, the issue of possibly forcing non-attending students out of classes to clear space for others, and more.

Environmental Quality (Vaughn Millner): This committee plans to focus on educating the university community as to the campus setting. Members will soon take a field trip to walk around the campus to learn more itself.

Evaluation (John Gamble): Will meet in the Fall.

Planning & Development (John Sachs): Discussed plans for a survey of faculty to gauge interest in faculty club. Reported President Moulton’s offer of the present Career Services and Placement building once that office moves to the new Student Center.

Salary & Fringe Benefits (Steve Teplick): Will meet in the Fall.

Technology Utilization (Jan Sauer): Federico Perez Pineda reported that the committee met and has started gathering information as to systems used on campus, lab hours, and will examine the issue of uniform systems.

Caucus Leaders reports

Allied Health (John Jefferson): no report

Arts & Sciences (Federico Perez Pineda): no report

CIS (Harold Pardue): no report

Continuing Education (?): no report

Education (Irene McIntosh): beginning process to meet the new Dean

Engineering (Nicholas Sylvester): no report

Library (?): no report

Medicine (?): no report

MCOB (Ross Dickens): Bob Shearer declined the Associate Dean position.

Nursing (Rebecca Ryan): The college is still unsure as to if/when it is moving to main campus.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.