University of South Alabama
Faculty Senate
2003-2004
June 18, 2003
University Library, Rm 110
3:00 p.m.
Approved
MINUTES
Present: Aronson, Brown, Cohen, Coleman, Dickens, Foster, Giles, Godfrey, Gray, Hanks, Haywick, Icenogle, Kovaleski, Lauderdale, Longenecker, Millner, Nowlin, Olsen, Payne, Pardue, Parker, Perez Pineda, Powell, Robertson, Rubin, Sachs, Sanders, Sauer, Smith, Spake, Tate, and Temple.
Absent (Excused): Aldes, Barik, Bru, DuPree, Figarola, Jefferson, Moreau-Johnson, Morris, Peters, Pillen, Pruitt, Ryan, and Teplick.
Absent (Unexcused): Davis, Donovan, Gamble, Harris, Luterman, Manci, Quinn and Rodning.
After a minor change [Haywick was excused, not present] the minutes were approved.
Katherine Peterson, of the USA Attorneys Office reviewed the new Sexual Harassment Policy for USA Faculty. Sexual harassment is often based on miscommunication. Faculty have certain protections that staff do not have which puts them apart from regular employment policies If, after an investigation, the accusation against the faculty member is determined to lack merit, then the University may tender a defense for the faculty. This policy, however, does not address the issue of sexual harassment from a student towards a faculty member. There are different policies depending on the different associations. It is the status of the person accused of harassment (faculty/staff/students) that determines which policy is in effect.
At the USA Board of Trustees meeting it was announced that tuition & fees will be raised 10% for the Fall 2003 semester.
There are two new Deans--Talbert (Allied Health) and Steadman (Engineering). The search for the Education Dean is still ongoing.
Pres. Moulton and the University Administration are requesting that the USA faculty give their support to the tax reform legislation in Alabama.
The Faculty Survey did not happen in the spring, as planned. It is now being planned for the Fall.
Chair Brown is trying to find a permanent place to keep the historical files for Faculty Senate.
Policy and HandbookCom. Chair Hanks said the committee will be looking at promotion and tenure polices, and on-line teaching requirements.
Planning and DevelopmentCom. Chair Haywick hopes to look at the "big picture" in determining future issues for the committee.
EvaluationCom. Chair Longenecker reported that the survey was delayed because of the work involved with the vote for the Faculty Senate constitutional amendments. Rather than having the survey available at the end of the spring semester and during finals, it was decided to hold on to it and get guidance from the Senate. Senate decided to wait until the members of the Senate had a chance to respond to the content of the survey.
Caucus Leaders for 2003/2004:
Allied Healthnot yet decided
Arts & SciencesMichele Moreau-Johnson
CISJ. Harold Pardue
Cont. Educationnot yet decided
EducationDavid Gray
EngineeringFrank Donovan
LibraryJustin Robertson
MedicineNick Aronson
MCOBRoss Dickens
NursingMarian Peters
The Faculty Senate Executive Committee will need to form committees for the new term. The assignments for the committees will be made by the next Faculty Senate meeting.
Joe Olsen was nominated as Chair of Technology Utilization and was elected by acclaim. There were no volunteers or nominations for the Chairs of the Environmental Quality Committee or for the Academic Development and Mentoring Committee, so it will be left to the committees to determine who will be their respective Chairs.