St, Mary's University
372nd Meeting of the Faculty Senate
March 26, 2004
1:30 PM,Alkek 106
Present:Senators Bentch, Boggess, Byrd, Curet, Cutting, Duesterhoeft, Ebben, Hampton, Higgins, Kerr, Lené, Lesher, Talarski, and Uhlig.
Excused:Senators Calentine, Gomez, Hill, Kampschroeder, and Padmanabhan.
Opening Prayer:President Hampton offered the opening prayer, and the
meeting was begun at 1:40 PM.
Approval of Minutes for the 371st Meeting:Senator Curet moved to accept the
minutes, and was seconded by Senator Boggess.The minutes of the
371st Meeting of the Faculty Senate were unanimously approved.
President’s Report:
Meeting with Vice President for Academic Affairs – Senate President
Hampton reported that the meetings of the Senate Executive Committee
with VPAA Manuel have focused on the proposed revisions to the Faculty
Handbook.The Academic Council has approved seven of the proposed
revisions, disapproved five, and tabled seven pending further information
or study.The Executive Committee has gone over the approved revisions
and two of the disapproved revisions with VPAA Manuel, and will continue
going through the rest at future meetings.President Hampton also
reported that no further action has been taken regarding the proposals
regarding the Senior Faculty Review and the Academic Freedom for
Clinicians.At the request of Senator Curet, President Hampton read the
list of disapproved and tabled items.
Senate Elections – President Hampton said that he would e-mail a faculty
list so that individuals could remove their name if they do not wish to
serve, then a ballot would follow later.Seven new senators are needed,
and President Hampton urged the Senate to be active in recruiting new
people.
Faculty Senate Meeting Dates – President Hampton pointed out that the
campus will be closed for Oyster Bake during the scheduled April 16th
Senate meeting, making it impossible to meet on campus.A suggestion
was made to meet off campus, possibly at a local restaurant, instead of
changing the date.This proposal met with general agreement.Also,
President Hampton said that the Faculty Senate meeting scheduled for
May 14thwould fall after the close of the spring semester, and asked that
the meeting be rescheduled for May 7th.This was approved by the
Senate.
Faculty Senate Committee Reports:
Ad Hoc Committee on Sabbaticals – Senate Vice President Bentch
reported that the committee had investigated the sabbatical policies
at other campuses last fall.She distributed a draft showing
proposed revisions to the University policy and requested comment
from the Senate.She also reported that the committee had
reviewed the Characteristics of Marianist Universities” and the
AAUP “Redbook” for relevant information, and that the
“Characteristics” was not very useful, but that the “Redbook” was a
gold mine.After some questions and comments, Vice President
Bentch asked that the Senate accept the revisions as proposed in
the draft handout.The Senate unanimously approved the
proposed revisions.
Committee A: Senior Faculty Review – Senator Lesher said that no report
was ready.
Committee B:Grievance Process – Senator Curet said that no report was
ready, but that their report would be posted on Blackboard.
Committee C:Summer Work/Compensation – Senator Cutting stated that
the University needs to know that more money is needed, and that
some faculty will be working over the summer on the core
curriculum.Summer employment has always been under-
compensated, and the University should be made aware of the
extra summer work.The University should consider scheduling
new projects in order to accommodate extra work.President
Hampton suggested that a list of faculty tasks over the summer be
developed, but Senator Duesterhoeft pointed out that this was done
last December, and that the list should be presented to the VPAA
again.
Committee D:Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Policies – Senator
Boggess reported that an e-mail had been received asking for a
time to schedule harassment training for the entire campus.The
Committee is still awaiting input from the Law School.
Committee E:Medical Benefits and Annual Raise Criteria – Senator Kerr
said no report was available.
University Committee Reports:
Academic Development Council – Senator Kerr said no report was
available.
Athletic Council – President Hampton reported that the issue of faculty
representation on the Athletic Council had been taken up with
VPAA Manuel who said he would bring it to the University
President.Senator Boggess said that because of certain serious
problems which have arisen in the Athletic Department, faculty
representation is more important than ever.Since the Athletic
Director reports directly to the University President, perhaps a letter
to President Cotrell is in order.
Budget Committee – No report.
Campus Beautification/Design Committee/ Campus Environment Committee – Senator Byrd reported that the committee had been
informed that the Gateway Project would be completed by May 3rd.
Facilities Master Planning Committee – President Hampton reported that
the Master Plan was submitted to the University leadership on
March 10, and that the next step was to submit it to the Board of
Trustees.He also reported that the campus entrance on the west
side will be relocated in order to better align it with Rattler Drive.
Student Judicial Committee – No report.
University Parking Committee – Vice President Bentch reported that most
of the faculty/staff parking lots will be closed Wednesday evening
through Sunday to accommodate Oyster Bake.To accommodate
displaced faculty and staff, Bill Tam has arranged to temporarily
open Lot S (formerly Lot A) Wednesday through Friday.Vice
President McCoy is reportedly trying to get a half-day release for
staff so they can leave by noon.
Benefits Committee – Vice President Bentch reported that the enrollment
procedure for benefits is very confusing.She complimented the
efforts of Vice President McCoy who tried to find a good solution.
Old Business:President Hampton reported that no further action had been
taken on the AAUP Chapter proposal.On the issue of software usage
brought up by Senator Uhlig, he reported that the proposal was revised to
not include faculty and certain staff, and that the problem had arisen
because the proposal had not been reviewed by faculty.Senator Uhlig
moved that the Senate send a request to the VPAA for the Academic
Computing Policy Committee to be reinstated with faculty representation.
The motion was seconded by Senator Boggess.The Senate voted
unanimously in favor of the motion.
New Business:No new business.
Adjournment:Senator Higgins moved to adjourn the meeting, and was
seconded by Senator Ebben.The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene W. Lené, Secretary
2003-2004 Faculty Senate