02/25/98 Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting

Approved Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting February 25, 1998

The tenth meeting of the 97-98 academic year was called to order at 12: 10 pm.

Members Present A. Rao, D. Prasad, M. Dodge, C. Fontana, A. Guagliumi, M. Moss, G. Puerschner, B. Wein, R. Jirsa, T. Sherman, T. Seyed, J. Fullmer, R. Eldridge, J. Ensign, S. Larocco, D. Holt, S. Judd, P. Holmer, K. Grant, J. Kavanagh, E. Beatty, D. Pettigrew, C. Rinehardt, J. Hurlbut, R. Luquis, P. Major, F.Hatcher, D. Boehnert, L. Prince,

Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs Smith

The faculty searches are moving ahead. Five contracts are already being sent out. Some searches are not yielding a large number of candidates. The important thing to remember is that a person should not be hired if they are not suitable. Check with the appropriate dean to ensure the faculty line will not be removed from the department.

The Director of the Library search committee will have its first meeting today at 2:00 pm.

It appears that the funding is available to ensure a computer for all incoming new faculty.

The Acting Vice President was asked about the status of the computers ordered from last year's bond money, and if we could get an expected installation schedule. He will look into these questions and get back to the Senate.

The Chief Information and Technology Officer search committee has had two meetings and narrowed the field to nine candidates who will be brought to campus during the next three to four weeks. A final recommendation is expected by mid March. Support staff positions are already being advertised for.

There should be a way to ensure departments can keep the old faculty computers being replaced if so desired.

The demolition of the Kennedy apartment complex is set for April. The construction of the facilities building, to be erected on that sight, should start in August. The new Student Center, to be built adjacent to the foot bridge, will begin in July, 1999.

$150,000 has been authorized to plan the Buley Addition.

The Engleman Hall planning phase is complete, and the final signatures on the predesign phase are expected soon. This is on schedule for construction to begin in the end of 1999.

The forms to request faculty positions will be mailed soon.

Market pay adjustment notification will be mailed soon.

A separate commencement for the Graduate School has been approved, and that is being planned for next year.

The Vice President had been asked to look into the status of the School Curriculum Committees in each of the University's Schools. The Schools of Business and Communication and Library Science have approved and elected committees. Arts and Sciences and Professional Studies have approved the creation of a SCC but have not elected the membership as of yet. The School of Education has a functioning SCC but it predates the creation of the UCF. Dean Lane will hold an election soon to ensure compliance with the UCF

News from the Central Office: The Chief Academic Officer has not been hired yet, and the interviews are still ongoing

Mitchell College has a bill pending before the legislature to be allowed to offer Baccalaureate degrees.

The minutes of the February 11th and 18th meeting were accepted as amended.

Executive Committee Report

The President's Dialogues for the Spring Semester. They will be at 12 noon on Monday Mar 2nd, Wednesday April 1 and Thursday May 7th. The Breakfasts with the President are February 24th, March 19th, April 14th, and May 20th.

Faculty release time toward administrative positions was discussed. -The President of the Senate was charged with drafting a letter about the possibility of offering an EdD degree in the CSU system. The letter is to ask Chancellor Cibes to take no further action pending the Faculty Senate's discussion and consultation with the faculty.

Senate President Report

A memo from Dean Pederson asked the Senate for the names of the six elected faculty members to the Student Life Committee.

Standing Committee Reports

Finance: The Faculty Travel fund has $35,600 and $12,500 as the unencumbered balance available to full and part time faculty. As of February 1, the Senate can request the retraining and Faculty Development accounts be transferred into the travel account. The remaining balance in the retraining budget is $12,700, in the Faculty Development budget $13,400 and in the Curriculum Development fund is $54,871.

Student Policy Discussion was held regarding the expansion of the academic community hour. Jerry Dunklee of the Journalism department presented a brief history of the recent developments concerning the expansion of community hour.

A motion was made by the SPC Be it resolved that the Southern Connecticut State University Faculty Senate support the adoption of a noon to 1:00 pm University Community Hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon. Discussion continued. Can scheduling issues be ignored in the debate? Does the space exist to shift the classes? Do we know if the faculty support this? Can it be done logistically by moving all of the classes now being offered at noon?

A motion was made and seconded to return the motion to committee for further study.

A trial period might be an idea to consider for a final proposal. Is there a correlation between academic community hour and Friday afternoon enrollment?

The motion passed by voice vote.

Personnel Policy Committee: no report.

Rules: no report.

Academic Policy Committee:

The grade appeals process will be discussed in the subcommittee next week. Hopefully the full Senate will receive a motion in two weeks.

Elections: referendum ballots have been mailed out and are due back by March 6th.

Announcements

Lyman Hall opening Sunday March I from 2 to 4 pm. Artists include D. Boehnert.

Old Business A note of thanks should be sent to duplicating thanking them for the expeditious work they have been doing for the Senate.