University of South Alabama Faculty Senate

2003-2004
March 24, 2004
University Library, Rm. 110
3:00 p.m.
Approved Minutes

  1. Call to Order:
  2. The meeting was called to order at 3:05 pm.

    Present: Aronson, Barik, Brown, Bru, Cohen, Coleman, Dickens, Donovan, DuPree, Foster, Godfrey, Gray, Hanks, Kovaleski, Lauderdale, Longenecker, Millner, Moreau, Morris, Payne, Perez Pineda, Pillen, Powell, Rubin, Ryan, Sachs, Sauer, Spake, Tate, Temple, Teplick, and Watts.

    Excused: Aldes, Giles, Jarris, Haywick, Icenogle, Jefferson, Nowlin, Olsen, Pardue, Parker, Peters, and Pruitt.

    Unexcused: Davis, Figarola, Gamble, Luterman, Manci, Quinn, Robertson, Rodning, and Sanders.

  3. Approval of Minutes:
  4. The minutes for the Feb. 18th meeting were approved without changes.

  5. Chair’s Report:
  6. Chair Brown did his year-in-review report:

    In an effort to improve communications with the administration and to provide information to the Senate, we had several guest speakers during this past term, including Joe Busta (VP for Development), Katherine Peterson (University Attorney’s Office), Keith Ayers (Public Relations), Allan Tucker & Calvin Jones (Foundation matters), Clay Hammac (SGA President), Gordon Moulton (USA President), Bert Hartley & Brad Christensen & Jim Barganier (Master Plan) and Wayne Davis (VP for Financial Affairs).

    The Senate also passed one resolution (Tax Reform) and four university policies (Sexual Harassment Policy, Mentoring Program Guidelines, Presidential Review, and Academic Conduct Policy).

    In addition, the Senate made progress on several matters: an Ad Hoc Committee for Presidential Review, chaired by Morris, compiled and presented a report to the University Board of Trustees; the new Mentoring Program was launched; the new Environmental Quality committee got off the ground and was instrumental in spearheading a cleanup project; several senators participated in the Master Plan Steering Committee; the Planning Committee, chaired by Haywick, has made progress on the Faculty Club issue; and, after some delay, the annual faculty survey went out to the faculty this past fall.

    There remains much to be done during the next Senate term. The relative lack of participation by some College of Medicine faculty is cause for some concern. The rising health care costs and salary stagnation/compression are issues of the highest priority. Workload issues, technology issues and sabbatical policy bear continuing scrutiny. The Senate should endeavor to do what it can to enhance the relations between the Foundation and the University, and to increase Foundation support for the University. The Senate will no doubt pursue its interest in a Faculty Club. More needs to be done to cultivate alumni relations, as well as improve communications with the faculty as a whole.

    In closing, Chair Brown recognized the senators whose terms end with this meeting.

  7. Old Business:
  8. There was no old business to discuss.

  9. New Business:
  10. There was no new business presented.

  11. Reports from Standing Committees:
  12. Academic Development and Mentoring (Coleman)–The reception at Banana Docks was a good first start of networking between old and new faculty.

    Environmental Quality (Nowlin)

    Evaluation (Longenecker)–Printed handouts of the results of the survey were distributed. Only about 1/3 of faculty responded to the survey. Bart reviewed the quantitative section. Chair Brown talked about the written comments. About 1/3-1/2 of those surveyed gave written comments. For the next survey a reward system for those that do fill out the survey is being considered.

    Academic Policy & Faculty Handbook (Hanks)–The proposed non-tenure track promotion policy is a recent issue to come before the committee.

    Planning & Development (Sachs for Haywick)–The committee is doing their own survey of Faculty Clubs in the state of Alabama for possible ideas. So far they have contacted UA which has a faculty club, and UAB & UAH which do not. At USA there is the possible use of the Career Services building when it is vacated. Pros and cons of this choice were discussed. Consensus of the group did not like Career Services as a choice. It was determined that there is a need to do a survey of our faculty for more information about what we want.

    Salary & Fringe Benefits (Teplick)–Teplick was hoping to get Covey to convene the Ad Hoc Committee of Monetary Issues, so it can examine the issues. The University Fringe Benefits Committee will be addressing issues of preventive care and case managers. Pres. Moulton has suggested the concept of one-time bonuses for faculty, rather than pay raises.

    Technology Utilization (Pardue)–There was no report.

  13. Caucus Leaders Reports:
  14. A&S–The department is still looking for comments/suggestions for the non-tenure evaluations.

    MCOB–There was a problem with the appropriate procedures for offering positions to candidates, so they will be looking for guidelines.

    COE–The new Dean will start June 1st.

    Nursing–The program is experiencing growing pains with the increased enrollment of students. Also, there is no news on a timeline for moving to campus.

    COM–There have been recent review and revisions of the tenure procedures within the college, so the college may ask the senate to look at the procedures.

  15. Adjournment:

The last meeting of the 2003/2004 term was adjourned at 4:25 pm