St, Mary's University

383^rd Meeting of the Faculty Senate

March 4, 2005

1:30 PM,Alkek 106

APPROVED

Present:SenatorsBentch, Boggess, Byrd, Curet, Cutting, Hampton, Hill, Juárez, Kerr, Lené, Lesher, Maloney, Menger, O’Connor,

Talarski, Uhlig, and Wolff

Excused:Senators Ebben, Gómez, Novoa, and Padmanabhan,.

Opening Prayer:The meeting was opened at 1:35 PM with a prayer offered by

Senator Cutting.

Approval of Minutes for the 382^nd Meeting:Senator Juárez moved to accept

the minutes of the 382^nd Faculty Senate Meeting and was seconded by Senate Vice President Bentch.The minutes were approved unanimously.

President’s Report:

Meeting with VPAA Manuel - President Hampton reported that the Senate

Executive Committee had met with VPAA Manuel on March 4, and

would meet with him again on March 9 to consider the changes in

the grievance process.At the March 4 meeting, the Executive

Committee was given a set of revisions for the Faculty Handbook,

and was informed by VPAA Manuel that the Board of Trustees

would not be able to consider the revisions this semester, but would

do so at their September meeting.VPAA Manuel also informed the

Committee that he has not yet pursued the issues regarding

sabbaticals and improvement of communication with the Academic

Council.President Hampton said that the issue of Academic

Freedom for Clinicians would be brought up at a later meeting.

President Hampton then brought up the issue of the restriction of e-mail to

University accounts.He said that the University will probably not step

back on this issue but that he will address any complaints regarding the

move.

Regarding the search for a new IT Director, President Hampton pointed

out that there was no Senate representation on the search committee.

After some discussion by the Senate, President Hampton said that he

would raise the issue with VPAA Manuel, and would continue to pursue

the effort to get Senator O'Connor appointed to the search committee.

President Hampton reported that he had received no responses to his

e-mail requesting feed-back on the Research Integrity document.He said

that a Research Integrity Officer would be appointed by University

President Cotrell.

President Hampton then praised the Senate for the courage and goodwill

shown at the meeting with University President Cotrell, and said that a

similar meeting with VPAA Manual had been set for April 29.He asked

that Senators e-mail to him possible questions to ask VPAA Manuel at the

meeting.In response to a concern expressed by Vice President Bentch

regarding the proposed meeting date, President Hampton said he would

attempt to set up an earlier date.

Faculty Senate Committee Reports:

Committee A – Senator Lesher reported that the committee had looked at

the Fordham rebate program, but there was nothing to report.

Senators Hill and Boggess offered further clarification of the issue.

Committee B – Senator Curet distributed a handout outlining suggested

changes to the Faculty Senate by-laws, and briefly went over the

suggestions with the Senate.It was suggested that a set of revised

by-laws be generated by the committee for Senate approval.

President Hampton also assigned the committee the task of re-

evaluating the Faculty Senate constitution.

Committee C – Senator Cutting reported that research regarding the

length of the school year had been collected, but no

recommendations had been prepared.

Committees D and E - No current assignment.

Ad Hoc Committee on the Faculty Senate Web Page – Senator Juárez

said that there was nothing new to report, but that Jim Albert had

been contacted and there should not be a problem with setting up

the Faculty Senate web page.

University Committee Reports:

Budget Committee – President Hampton reported that the committee had

recommended a 2.5% increase in the salary pool.He also said that

the current plan is to budget conservatively in the hope that

enrollments will increase.

Mission Statement Review Committee - Senator Hill reported that the work

was taking place in subcommittees, which would come together on March 18 to draft a final statement.She said that the draft should be ready by April 1^st.

University Benefits Committee – Senator O'Connor reported that a debit

type card would be adopted for the LifeRe flexible benefit.He said

that the committee is also trying to get the University to increase its

contribution, and that a decision is expected within a week.He also

said that the dental insurance plan will be somewhat improved,

and that the co-pay for primary care will be reduced.

No reports were given by the following committees:

Academic Development Council

Alumni Association

Athletic Cabinet

Campus Beautification/Design Committee and Campus

Environment Committee

Enrollment Management Task Force

Facilities Master Planning Committee

Student Judicial Committee

University Parking Committee

Old Business – No old business presented.

New Business – President Hampton noted that he had received a request from

Women's History Month for a donation of $200.Senator Curet presented

a motion to donate the money as requested and was seconded by

Senator Uhlig.The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment:Senator Curet moved to adjourn the meeting, and was

seconded by Senator Uhlig.The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Gene W. Lené, Secretary

2004-2005 Faculty Senate