St. Mary's University
359th Meeting of the Faculty Senate
January 24th, 2003
1:30 p.m. Alkek 106

Present: Bentch, Calentine, Comstock, Curet, Cutting, Flores, Gomez, Hall, Hanna, Higgins, Kampschroeder, Langford, Lené, O'Connor, Pallansch, Shaub, Talarski

Excused: Boggess, Keogh

President Pallansch called the Meeting to order at 1:40. Senator Kampschroeder led the prayer.

President Pallansch welcomed St. Mary's University Physical Plant Manager Bill Tam and landscape architect Jim Keeter.

Landscape Architect's Report

Mr. Teeter presented a detailed report to Senators regarding renovations to be made to the east side of the campus. "Mary Plaza" will be the central focus. The fountain will feature water animation and be landscaped with antique roses. The entranceway will be re-designed. New fencing, which will eventually encircle the campus, will be installed. New drought-resistant plants will be included in the landscaping. A "Memorial Plaza" will be added just south of St. Louis Hall. The Marianist area on the northeast side will be re-designed to provide meditative space. New "landscape accessories," such as benches and lights, will be installed. Parking will be redesigned. Mr. Keeter stated there would be no net loss of faculty spaces.

Senator Bentch asked whether Mr. Keeter was coordinating his plans with those of Alliance Architects, who have been hired as the master facilities planning architects. Mr. Keeter replied he had met with them and would be sharing ideas with them.

Senator O'Connor asked whether any discussions regarding the installation of perimeter fencing have taken place with area residents, in case they might have concerns that such fencing might send a mixed signal regarding the openness of the campus. Mr. Keeter replied that the goals of the fence are to add a line of demarcation, provide some security, but not keep people out. Mr. Tam added that discussion have taken place with neighborhood groups, who are "very enthusiastic."

Senator Hall asked whether this project includes beautification of St. Louis Hall, specifically removal of window air conditioning units. Mr. Keeter replied this project does not include that. Mr. Tam added that St. Mary's hopes to find dollars to renovate St. Louis Hall. Also, in order to remove window units, a complete renovation would be required.

Senator O'Connor asked about maintenance costs of the new landscaping and whether the VIA stops would be covered. Regarding the latter, Mr. Keeter stated they would be covered and that a phone and drinking fountain would also be available. Regarding maintenance costs, Mr. Keeter replied that landscaping includes low-maintenance indigenous and non-fragile material, including plants, flowers, and turf.

Senator O'Connor asked about wireless connectivity availability in the re-designed area. Mr. Keeter replied that this possibility had not been discussed.

Senator Kampschroeder asked about the timeline for the project. Mr. Keeter replied that the project should begin the end of May or early June and last one year.

President Pallansch thanked Mr. Tam and Mr. Keeter, who then left the Meeting.

President Pallansch asked Senators to give Vice President Comstock any additional questions, as she is a member of the Campus Beautification Committee. Senator O'Connor suggested that paving stones need careful consideration as they might present safety hazards. Senator Curet suggested that comments from all faculty be invited via the Senate website.

President Pallansch asked for approval of the Minutes of the 358th Meeting. Senator O'Connor asked whether the budget model, which assumes, as reported in the Minutes, a 2.6%/2.7% increase in the number of undergraduate students, was realistic. President Pallansch replied that this model is based upon a three-year trailing average. Regarding the Minutes, Senator O'Connor stated that his comments in the Minutes regarding the grievance procedure needed clarification. Senator O'Connor volunteered to provide amended language to Secretary Langford at the end of the Meeting. Senator Hall moved to accept Senator O'Connor's amendment and Senator Hanna seconded. Senator Bentch asked for clarification on the item and Senators accepted the amended item by acclamation. Senator O'Connor moved to approve the Minutes, Senator Hall seconded, and Senators approved the Minutes of the 358th Meeting.

President's Report

Facilities Master Planning Committee. President Pallansch reported she had no new information to provide. Senator O'Connor asked whether Mr. Keeter and Allied Architects were chosen via a bid process. President Pallansch replied she would find out at the next FMPC meeting.

Budget Committee. President Pallansch reported that residence hall fees would rise by 4% and there would be no increase in meal plan rates.

Academic Affairs Committee/Board of Trustees. President Pallansch stated that Dean Kaufmann reported on new programs established between St. Mary's and the U.T. Health Sciences Center. In addition, members were provided an update of the SACS re-accreditation process. Also, VP of Enrollment Management Barry Abrams presented information similar to what he presented to Senators in September 2002.

Senate Executive Committee Meeting with VPAA. Senate officers met with VPAA Manuel on January 23, 2003.

• Dean Piatt's Report to Board of Trustees. President Pallansch reported that VPAA Manuel had not yet discussed this issue with Dean Piatt.
• President Pallansch asked Senators from the Law School whether they had seen the report. The Senators said no. President Pallansch stated it was the VPAA's opinion there was nothing confidential in the report. Senator Cutting added that sharing the report with Senators is part of the process of keeping things open. President Pallansch agreed, adding that Senators also need to be made aware of implications of policies that arise from such reports. Senator O'Connor added that the Senate needs to reinforce the idea that confidential reports ought not to occur so frequently. President Pallansch concurred, adding she has raised this issue with the VPAA.
• Graduate Dean Search. President Pallansch distributed a copy of the draft of the position announcement for Graduate Dean. She stated that VPAA Manuel invited Senators to send suggestions regarding its wording to him or to any member of the Search Committee, which includes two Senators, Vice President Comstock and Senator Hall.
• Information Technology Consultant's Report. VPAA Manuel will ask Gerry Dizinno to send a full report to Senate officers. Senator O'Connor added he had been told the report was confidential and could not receive a copy as a member of the Academic Computing Council.
• President Pallansch added that unless the report is stamped "confidential," she will share it with Senators.
• Advising Consultant's Report. The VPAA has a preliminary report and wishes at some point to discuss the report with Senators. President Pallansch suggested a special Senate meeting for this purpose, because not all Senators are involved in the advising process. President Pallansch added that she will ask VPAA Manuel to provide copies of the report ahead of time to Senators.
• Integrating Marketing Plan Report. The VPAA stated the final report was not yet completed. The preliminary report has been given to Academic Council and Executive Council. The VPAA believes the final report will be available to faculty mid-Spring.
• Pilot Program: On-Line Teaching Evaluations. VPAA Manuel would like to create an advisory task force to assist Mark Winston in determining the feasibility of a pilot project regarding on-line teaching evaluations. Senator Hall volunteered for the task force and also volunteered upper division Computer Science classes for the pilot. Vice President Comstock also volunteered. Former Senator Rafael Moras was recommended to serve on the task force.

Committee Reports

Stang Committees

• Committee A. No report regarding the first Pressman resolution. President Pallansch asked the Committee to provide a report in February.
• Committee B. Senator Higgins reported that Dr. Pressman stated he would be glad to re-draft and re-submit his second resolution. No new draft has been received yet.
• Committee C. No report regarding sabbatical leave issue. President Pallansch asked the committee to review the issue in time for the special Senate Meeting of January 31st. Senator Bentch added she would be glad to help the committee.

University Committees with Senate Representation

• Academic Development Council. No report.
• Athletics Council. No report.
• Campus Beautification Committee/Campus Environment Committee. No report.
• Parking Committee. The Committee met with Allied Architects. Parking is part of the long-range planning concerns of Allied Architects. Senator Bentch reported that VPAF Simpson, Physical Plant Director Tam, and Campus Police are listening to faculty concerns. Regarding a suggestion that a "Faculty Only" lot be created, Senator Bentch did not think this was necessarily a good solution. Senator Bentch added that the new parking fines were now in place. In addition, VPAF Simpson would be trying to provide short-term loading/unloading faculty spaces.

Senator O'Connor asked whether the landscape architect [Teeter] had stated earlier that there would be no net losses in faculty parking spaces in the front of campus after renovation. Senator Bentch replied her understanding is that there would be a net loss, to be made up elsewhere on campus.

Senator Bentch added that VPAF Simpson has stated that if renovation cannot start by Spring Break, then it would not start until Summer, due to Oyster Bake in April.

Senator Lené asked about parking after 5:00 p.m. Senator Bentch replied that it was open parking after 5:00 p.m. She suggested that perhaps some spaces needed to be dedicated ones after 5:00 p.m. as well and that she would discuss this with the Committee.

• Benefits Committee. No report. Senator O'Connor reminded Senators that a new benefits year begins on June 1st, to be consistent with the fiscal year.

Return to Standing Committees.

• Committee A. Regarding Senior Faculty Review, no report.
• Committee B. Regarding Grievance Process, Senator Higgins reported committee members have been meeting extensively with former Grievance Committee members.

At this point, Senator O'Connor moved to extend the Meeting for 10 minutes, Senator Curet seconded, and Senators voted to extend the meeting.

Senator Higgins added that Committee B was waiting to receive the Redbook in order to proceed further. Senator Higgins stated that interview responses so far run the gamut, from viewing the process as a smooth one to having questions about the process. President Pallansch stated she would notify Committee B as soon as the Redbook arrives.

• Committee C. Regarding Summer workloads, no report.
• Committee D. Regarding Harassment and Discrimination Policies, no report.
• Committee E. Regarding Status of Visiting Professors, no report.

New Business

Athletics Council. President Pallansch reminded Senators that the Athletic Department now reports to the St. Mary's President rather than to the VP of Student Development. The Athletics Council was an advisory council to the VP. As of now, the Council is now moot. President Pallansch stated that St. Mary's President Cotrell proposes a new group, a "sub-cabinet," to serve in a similar capacity. President Pallansch proposes sending President Cotrell a letter emphasizing the need for a faculty representative to this group. Senator Curet added that she would like to see a set of ethics evolve regarding Athletics that are in accordance with Marianist values. President Pallansch asked Senators to e-mail ideas of what should go into the letter. Senator Higgins added that he had resigned as faculty advisor to the Athletic Director on compliance issues and reminded Senators that St Mary's compliance office Steve Johnson had resigned. Senator Higgins stated that this position needs to exist, even if it is time-consuming.

Regarding the anonymous e-mails that had been circulating on campus, President Pallansch said that she replied to the e-mailer, stating that such issues cannot be dealt with anonymously, but she would be willing to speak confidentially with the writer. President Pallansch added that an important determination is whether the person in question has faculty status.

Senator Higgins reminded Senators that the e-mails were just one version, we do not know the full story, and should move judiciously. President Pallansch concurred, adding that we should still make note to see whether a pattern exists to issues that are raised.

At this point, Senator O'Connor moved for a 10-minute extension, Senator Lené seconded, and Senators voted to extend the meeting.

Senator Curet added that we do need to be concerned because this involves the reputation of St. Mary's University, our programs, and our President. President Pallansch agreed. Senator O'Connor stated it would be a natural task for an advisory committee to examine the whole situation. Senator Higgins suggested that we should ask whether University lawyers are already involved, since we do not have all the information regarding the big picture. Senator Flores recommended to President Pallansch that she be careful how she words the letter because we do not know all sides.

Announcements

Special Senate Meeting. President Pallansch reminded Senators of the special meeting to discuss more proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook, to be held on Friday, January 31st, at 2:30, Alkek 106. In addition, at some point in the future, the Senate will host town meetings on some proposed revisions.

There being no other business, Senator Flores moved to adjourn, Senator Gomez seconded, and Senators voted to adjourn. President Pallansch adjourned the Meeting at 3:30, January 24th, 2003.

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret Langford
Secretary
2002-2003 Faculty Senate

Approved
February 21, 2003