USA FACULTY SENATE
2004/2005
Chair’s Report
February 16, 2005
The Senate Executive Committee met with President Moulton on February 9. We presented the Senate Resolution commending the administration and the Foundation for increasing the funding to graduate assistants and discussed a number of items. One focused on the lack of communication with faculty regarding the environmental impact of construction. The President, on the one hand, ensured us that he does everything possible to work with the architects and construction crews to protect as much of the natural environment as possible. Yet, on the other hand, he expressed some frustration at the number of trees lost during construction. We requested better cooperation, emphasizing that if the faculty know more about the plans, then we may be able to play a more active and supportive role.
We also sought information on a number of matters. Some remain pending since Dr. Covey was unable to attend our meeting.
- Wayne Davis agreed to clarify how the new $50 pharmacy deductible works since it has triggered some confusion. A document explaining how the deductible operates using a series of examples is currently available.
- After problems were discovered with the original site for the new Nursing building, the new plans are to build it at the corner of University and USA North. The Master Plan had reserved this spot for the conference center with a hotel to be built across the road. President Moulton now envisions the new site for the future continuing education conference center to be behind the future hotel on the north side of USA North.
- The feasibility study for Pharmacy program showed the need for such a program and a positive reaction from the community. Though he did not seem to fully share the assumptions built into the study, President Moulton indicated that the next step would be for Dr. Covey to talk to members of the ACHE Commission and particularly officials from Auburn before deciding whether to formally take the proposal before ACHE. Auburn seems to be opposed to the initiative at this point and at least their acquiescence is considered necessary for the proposal to have a chance.
- In discussing state funding and the upcoming legislative session, President Moulton reiterated his support for the proposal unanimously adopted by the Council of College and University Presidents and subsequently by ACHE recommending funding for two unfunded mandates (retirement rate and retirement health insurance increases) and funds for salary increases at four-year institutions equal to the increases for K-12. President Moulton pointed out that this was the first time the council’s recommendation enjoyed the support of the community colleges. President Moulton noted that the Governor’s original budget request included these recommendations and a 13% increase in funding for USA.
- The President briefly addressed the situation of Hillsdale. Though he acknowledged the problem, he offered no clear solution.
- Two questions raised remain pending: the issue of the FBI, economic espionage and the screening of foreign instructors and a new, proposed Patent and Invention Council. I have asked Dr. Covey to provide details.
- We also reported that based on our faculty survey there seems to be strong support for a Faculty/University Club. We noted that we will continue to work with the President on this initiative.
On other matters, the change to the Withdrawal date continues to linger and its fate is unclear. Despite our discussion and recommendation to set the date at the end of week 9, the task force, amidst opposition from student representatives, agreed subsequently to a proposal to move it back to week 12. The Senate Executive Committee, however, has rejected that proposal and stands by the Senate’s original decision.
The Senate has recommended Doug Haywick to the Graduate Dean search committee and Vaughn Millner to the search committee for the Associate VP for Academic Affairs.
Finally, The Alabama Council of University Faculty Presidents (ACUFP) will hold their spring meeting on March 3-4 in Montgomery in conjunction with Higher Education Day. The agenda includes meetings with Rep. Richard Lindsey, Mike Malone of ACHE, Bill Meehan from the Council of Presidents, Gordon Stone of HEP and Bill Jones, a UA system lobbyist. I will include what a learn in the next report.
Stephen Morris
Chair, Faculty Senate
University of South Alabama - Faculty Senate - Mobile, AL 36688-0002
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