UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Faculty Senate
Approved Minutes
5 March 2001



1. Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 3:06 p.m.


2. Roll Call and Agenda Approval:

Present: Dagenais, Gifford, Hill, Spector, Blackwell, Bowers, I. Brown, R. Brown, Cohen, Comstock, Hitt, Kimball, Kwiatkowski, Matheson, Morris, Mozur, Payne, Rogers, Shardo, Vest, Garmon, Rowe, Broughton, Ellis, McIntosh, Strange, Olsen, Parker, Murray, Norman, Wheeler, Benoit, Boggs, Kayes, Teplick, Townsley, Wesenberg, Bracken, Hsu, Swofford, Broome, DeWitt, Temple, Weitzel

Absent (Excused): Miller, Ryder, Bailey, Sylvester, Cepeda, Perkins, Tuck-Muller, Wilson, Beatty

Absent (Unexcused): Baker, Sternberg, [Cox and Derbin are no longer with the University and have not been replaced on the Senate; White, Stevens, and Stubbs have resigned from the Senate]

The agenda was approved.


3. Report From the Chair:

Chairman Rogers read a copy of a letter he sent to Governor Siegelman and referred to a letter received from Happy Fulford. He also encouraged everyone to participate in Higher Education Day activities.

Chairman Rogers reported that Faculty Senate Executive Committee members met with President Moulton, other administrators, and Senator Strange earlier today. During that meeting many issues associated with the budget crisis were discussed. Chairman Rogers then announced that a resolution other than the one distributed prior to today's Senate meeting would be introduced later in the meeting.


4. President's Remarks:

President Moulton shared some of his thoughts on funding issues, recent court cases, and political and legislative issues. He also stated that the Attorney General's recent opinion had been appealed.

President Moulton encouraged the faculty to continue showing strong support for higher education. He suggested that the University community remain united and provide a restrained response to State legislators. The President then responded to questions asked by several students and faculty members.


5. Resolutions:

A motion was made, and seconded, to approve a resolution prepared by Senator Strange. This resolution was (as amended):

Whereas the State of Alabama is in the midst of an unusually serious crisis for the funding of education in the State;

Whereas the Governor has indicated he intends to fully fund K-12 salaries and reduce funding to the State's colleges and universities to accomplish that objective;

Whereas education at all levels is critical to the economic welfare and future of Alabama and its citizens;

Be it Therefore Resolved that the Faculty Senate of the University of South Alabama calls upon the Governor and the Legislature of the State of Alabama to address the needs of all levels of education in the State by requiring local support of K-12 institutions; by addressing tax inequities in the State of Alabama; and by adequately and consistently funding all levels of education in the State.


Another motion to approve a resolution prepared by Senator Strange was made and seconded. This resolution was:

Whereas the proposal to reduce funding to higher education to the extent suggested by the Governor and others would have dire consequences for the University of South Alabama and all institutions of higher education in Alabama;

Whereas the University community must develop constructive ways to address the current financial crisis facing the University which will best preserve the mission of the University and assure the highest quality of education for its students;

Be It Therefore Resolved that the Chair of the Faculty Senate of the University of South Alabama appoint a broadly representative Select Committee to meet with others appointed by the President of the University of South Alabama.

Be It Further Resolved that the Select Committee report to the President of the University, the Senate Executive Committee, and the Senate and University community on the possible contributions and sacrifices that the faculty and staff of the University may be called upon to make to address the economic crisis facing the University of South Alabama now and in the future and how best to implement the changes that must be made.

Both resolutions were approved (41,0,0).


6. Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:19 p.m.


Respectfully submitted by:
R. Bracken, Secretary

 


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