St, Mary's University
374th Meeting of the Faculty Senate
May 7, 2004
1:30 PM,Alkek 106
Present:Senators Bentch, Boggess,Byrd, Curet, Cutting, Duesterhoeft,Hampton, Kampschroeder, Kerr, Maloney, Lené, Lesher, Padmanabhan,
and Uhlig
Excused:Senators Calentine, Ebben, Gomez, Higgins, Hill, and Talarski.
Opening and Closing Prayer:Senate President Hampton offered the opening
and closing prayer, and the meeting was begun at 1:38 PM.
Approval of Minutes for the 373rd Meeting:Senator Kampschroeder moved to
accept the minutes, and was seconded by Senator Curet.The minutes of
the 373rd Meeting of the Faculty Senate were unanimously approved.
President’s Report:
Senate Elections – Senate President Hampton announced the results of
the Faculty Senate elections for 2004-2005.He welcomed new Senators
Jose “Beto” Juarez, Richard Menger, Ana Novoa, and Necia Wolff, and
congratulated Senators Boggess and Curet on their re-election.He also
welcomed Jeffrey Addicott as a new Alternate.
Meetings with University President Cotrell – Senate President Hampton
reported that he had met with University President Cotrell regarding
problems in the Athletic Department, and that President Cotrell had
decided to give a seat on the Athletic Committee to the Faculty Senate
President.Others on the committee include the Vice President for
Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the
Vice President for Student Development, the Athletic Compliance Officer,
and one faculty representative.He also reported that President Cotrell
has looked into the Athletic Department in response to the letter of
concern from the Faculty Senate.
Meetings with Vice President for Academic Affairs – President Hampton
reported that the Executive Committee has met with both VPAA Manuel
and University President Cotrell to go over the revisions to the Faculty
Handbook, and that more meetings will be scheduled during June to
continue this process.He said that the meetings have been positive in
that President Cotrell seems willing to work with the Faculty Senate and has spoken of the revision process as the “next level of maturity”.
With respect to the Senate Sabbatical Proposal, President Hampton said
that VPAA Manuel reported that the proposal had not been approved, and
that the reasons would be given in a forthcoming report.VPAA Manuel
also stated that a copy of the grievance procedures adopted by the Faculty Senate had been given to VPAA Manuel and that it would be
forwarded to the Academic Council.
With regard to the Summer Work/Compensation issue, VPAA Manuel said
that he was very interested in this issue and would like to address the
issue in future discussions.
President Hampton also reported that the problem of the budget
deadline was raised, and that VPAA Manuel said that department chairs
should take this up with their respective deans.
Faculty Senate Committee Reports:
Ad Hoc Committee on Sabbaticals, Committee B, Committee C, and
Committee D, having completed their tasks, had nothing to report.
Committee A: Senior Faculty Review – Senator Kampschroeder reported
that the results of the Faculty Survey did not point in any certain
direction, and that further research would be needed.
Committee E:Medical Benefits and Annual Raise Criteria – Senator
Padmanabhan said there was nothing new.President Hampton
said that input was needed regarding a sliding scale for insurance
premiums, and that the Administration should be approached
regarding a possible voluntary Benevolence Fund to help lower
income employees with insurance premiums.
University Committee Reports:
No reports were available from the following: Academic Development
Council, Athletic Council, Budget Committee, Facilities Master
Planning Committee, Student Judicial Committee, and Benefits
Committee.
Campus Beautification/Design Committee/ Campus Environment Committee – Senator Byrd reported the finish date for the Gateway
Project had been rescheduled for July 15th .
University Parking Committee –Senator Bentchreported that parking lot B
would be reserved for faculty and staff for the summer only, and
that Bill Tam had negotiated to get the Gateway Project finished
starting with the south end so that the new faculty/staff parking lot
could be opened as soon as possible.
Old Business: No old business.
New Business: President Hampton said that the budget for the Women’s History
Month program would be cut close, but that the program was getting more
than it needed anyway.
He also brought up the idea of a distinguished service award for Bob
O’Connor and said that he would look into it.
At this time Vice President Bentch took the floor and presented an award
on behalf the Faculty Senate to President Hampton for his excellent
service to the Senate.
Adjournment: Senator Uhlig moved to adjourn the meetingand was seconded
by Vice President Bentch.The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene W. Lené, Secretary
2003-2004 Faculty Senate
May 7, 2004
2:30 PM,Alkek 106
Present:Senators Bentch, Boggess,Byrd, Curet, Cutting, Hampton, Juarez,
Kerr, Lené, Lesher, Maloney, Padmanabhan, and Uhlig.
Excused:Senators Avila, Ebben, Gomez, Menger, Novoa, and Wolff.
Acting President Hampton welcomed the new members of the Faculty Senate
and reminded Senators that the Faculty Senate would meet every month,
usually on the third Friday of the month.He then opened the floor for
the election of new Faculty Senate officers.
Election of Officers:Senator Byrd moved to re-elect the officers of the 2003-
2004 Faculty Senate, and was seconded by Senator Curet.A vote was
called and the former officers, President Hampton, Vice-President Bentch,
and Secretary Lené, were re-elected to their respective posts by
acclamation.
President Hampton referred to the “to do list” from the 2003-2004 Faculty
Senate, and said that all committees except one had accomplished their
assigned tasks.He then complimented the Faculty Senate on a job well
done.
After some discussion about the need to update the Faculty Senate web
page, Senator Uhlig volunteered to help with this task.
Adjournment:Senator Uhlig moved to adjourn the meeting, and was seconded
by Vice-President Bentch.The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene W. Lené, Secretary
2004-2005 Faculty Senate