Minutes of the University Senate
The University Senate met in
regular session at
Members
absent were: Charles Ambrose, Kimberly
Anderson*, Vince Austin, Matt Bacon, Wendy Baldwin*, Sheila Brothers, Frank
Butler, Lauretta Byars, Ben
Carr, James Cibulka, Alfred Cohen, Kate Davis, Jody
Deem*, Philip DeSimone, David Durant*, Roberta
Dwyer*, Joseph Fink III*, Daniel Flournoy, Mat Gabel,
Steven Haist*, Mark Hanson*, Bob Haven, Allison
Hensley*, Kay Hoffman, James Holmes, Steve Isaacs*, Ling Hwey
Jeng*, J. David Johnson*, Keith Johnson, James Kerley, Richard King*, Robert Kovarik,
Phil Kraemer, Thomas Lester, Mary Marchant*,
Catherine Martin*, Joan Mazur, Leola McClure, Katherine McCormick*, Doug
Michael*, Terry Mobley, David Mohney, Michael Nietzel, Sue Nokes*, Peter Perry,
Martha Purdue*, Connie Ray*, Kenneth Roberts, Thomas Robinson, Sandy Schomaker, Jason Shaw*, Robert Shay, Richard Siemer, Scott Smith, Ruth Staten*, D.C. Storm*, Devanathan
Sudharshan, Patricia Terrell, Lee Todd, Tate Tsang,
Henry Vasconez, Allan Vestal, Brian Wade*, Retia Walker, Rachel Watts*, Carolyn Williams*, Emery
Wilson, Don Witt, Steven Yates*.
*Excused Absences
Chairperson Jeffrey Dembo called the meeting to order at
The Chair asked if there were
any objections to approving the minutes as written. There were no objections. The minutes were approved without dissent.
2. Announcements:
The Chair announced the
completion of the Senate elections and introduced the senators who had been
elected since the previous meeting. He
noted the upcoming Senate Council election and informed the Senate of the
current composition of the Senate Council.
Tagavi said Senate Council election ballots
would be mailed by Wednesday or Thursday and provided a brief description of
the election process. Grossman asked why
the Senate Council election was not being conducted electronically. Tagavi replied that
the rules specified this particular election be conducted via paper ballot. Tagavi added his
committee could possibly change that rule if charged to do so by the Senate or
Senate Council. The Chair thanked Tagavi and added that the Senators who receive enough
nominations to proceed to the next round of the election will be contacted to
determine their willingness to serve.
The Chair noted the passing
of Joe Davis and Russ Groves and said memorial resolutions will be forthcoming
for both.
3. Faculty Trustees’ Reports:
The Chair introduced Michael
Kennedy and Davy Jones and yielded the floor to Kennedy. Kennedy reported on a variety of issues,
including the current composition of the Board, his work on various committees,
conference attendance, the University’s current financial situation, tuition
increases, the President’s compensation, the recent reorganization of HES, the
NCAA conference at
The Chair asked Jones to
defer his presentation until the next Senate meeting in the interest of
time. Jones replied that he had nothing
to add.
Chair outlined the
responsibility of the Senate when voting on such proposals and forwarding them
to the Board of Trustees. The Chair
informed the Senate of recently-created guidelines from the Academic Structure
and Organization Committee which will help guide proposals such as this through
the approval process in the future. The
Chair then yielded the floor to Kate Chard, Chair of said committee.
Chard presented the routing
sheet that is used by the committee to ensure that sufficient input is obtained
from all constituents throughout the process of changing the status of an
academic unit and provided the rationale for both the routing sheet’s use and
the proposal at hand. Chard reported her
committee’s favorable vote on this proposal, but noted that the
Discussion:
Lesnaw asked if the new name would cause the reorganization
of other existing academic units. The
Chair replied that the intent of the name change was to spur more
interdisciplinary research. Grossman
asked how much the name change would cost.
The Chair replied that a cost analysis was not available.
Grossman moved to postpone a vote until a cost analysis could be
obtained. Lewin
seconded the motion. Blyton asked if
Grossman intended a definite or indefinite postponement. The Chair suggested a definite postponement
was more applicable. Tagavi
asked what sort of expenses might be involved.
Blyton said Tagavi
was out of order. The Chair called for a
vote. The motion failed by handcount.
After brief discussion
regarding whether this name change represented a change in the degree program
and mission of the department, or whether it was simply a way to attract
students from other fields, the Chair called for a vote. The motion passed by voice vote.
5. Faculty
Representation on Search Committees:
The Chair introduced the item
and noted that it would be forwarded to the President for inclusion in the
Administrative Regulations if passed.
The Chair reminded the Senate that this item had been presented for
discussion at the last Senate meeting and was now on the floor for a vote. The Chair asked for discussion or
questions. There was none. The motion passed without dissent.
Other issues:
The Chair said the issue of
domestic partner benefits had been introduced at the last Senate Council meeting
by Jones because the Board of Trustees was beginning to broach the issue
informally. The Chair said the Senate
Council did not achieve consensus about whether or not to discuss the
issue. The Chair informed the Senate of
an upcoming Staff Senate Benefits Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 14 to
discuss the issue and invited any interested parties to attend.
The Chair told the Senate
that the annual Board and Senate Holiday Reception will be co-hosted by the
Staff Senate this year. Date, time and
location will be forthcoming.
There being no further
business, the meeting adjourned at 4:35.
Respectfully submitted by
University Senate Chair
Prepared by
Rebecca Scott on